VELVET RED: BEGINNING

EPOCH 3

NOA:

My heart aches as I go about my duties in the restaurant. Casey's harsh words still sting, slicing through me like a hot knife through butter. How could she be so cruel about my feelings for Gray? Doesn't she understand how much I care for him?

The memory of Gray and Casey together last night taunts me, and the thought of backing off only makes my insides churn. I can't deny my feelings for him, no matter how much I try. But maybe Casey is right. Maybe I am just an ugly stalker with no chance of winning Gray's heart.

As I serve customers with a fake smile plastered on my face, all I can think about is Gray and his captivating smile. The way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he laughs is etched into my mind. It hurts to know that he may never feel the same way about me.

But I can't give up on him yet. Even if it means enduring Casey's insults and heartbreak, I'll do whatever it takes to win Gray's affections. For now, I'll just have to keep pretending and hiding my feelings, hoping that someday he'll see me for who I am and love me back.

As I stand in the dimly lit kitchen, my thoughts weighing heavily on my mind, I hear the sound of footsteps approaching. I turn to see Becky's concerned face, her brows drawn together in a frown.

"What happened to you?" she asks in a gentle voice, noticing my sad expression.

I take a deep breath before responding, my voice shaky as I recount the events of the previous night. "Casey attacked me and said that I should stop stalking Gray because I'm ugly."

Becky's expression changes to one of shock and anger, and I can see the fire spark in her eyes. "That's terrible," she states firmly. "No one should ever talk to you like that, especially not someone like Casey."

I appreciate Becky's support, but it doesn't ease the pain of Casey's harsh words. I can't help but wonder if she's right, if Gray will ever see me as anything more than just a friend.

But for now, I'll take solace in the comfort of Becky's company and hope that her words of encouragement will help me push through this difficult time.

Becky looks at me with a serious expression, her eyes studying my face. "Noa, is Gray really important to you? Do you want to be more than just friends with him?"

My heart races with anticipation as I nod my head, knowing full well how much I want to be with Gray.

"I think you should try to add to your game plan," Becky says, her voice soft but determined. "You're a smart, talented, and attractive person, and you know Gray better than anyone. Maybe there's something you can do to show him how special you are."

I consider her words, feeling a glimmer of hope stir within me. "Like what?" I ask, eager for any advice she can offer.

"Maybe you could plan a special date or do something to show him your interests," Becky suggests. "Or you could try talking to him about how you feel. The important thing is to be yourself and let him know how much he means to you."

Her words resonate with me, and I feel a sense of determination begin to rise within me. Maybe there is hope yet for me and Gray, and with Becky's support, I feel confident that I can do whatever it takes to win his heart.

Stella and I are in the restaurant kitchen, preparing for the day ahead. As I chop vegetables, my mind is racing with thoughts of Gray. I know I need to confess my feelings to him, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

"Stella," I say, turning to my friend. "I need your help. I want to confess my feelings to Gray, but I want to do it in a strategic way. Can you help me come up with a plan?"

Stella nods thoughtfully. "Of course, Noa. First, you need to figure out what approach you want to take. Do you want to be direct, or do you want to drop hints and see how he responds?"

"I think I want to be direct," I say firmly. "I don't want to beat around the bush anymore."

Stella nods in agreement. "Okay, then you need to find the right moment. Maybe plan a special date or event. You could even write a letter or make a romantic gesture."

I consider her words, feeling a sense of excitement mixed with nervousness. "That's a good idea," I say slowly. "Maybe I could plan a picnic in the park or take him to a concert he's been wanting to see."

Stella nods approvingly. "That sounds like a good plan. And remember, be confident and honest. If he's worth it, he'll appreciate your honesty and respect your feelings."

I feel a sense of determination wash over me, knowing that with Stella's help and guidance, I can finally confess my feelings to Gray and see where our relationship could go.

Stella and I are in the midst of lunch service when she suddenly leans in close to me, her voice low and urgent. "Noa, Gray just walked in."

My heart skips a beat as I glance towards the door, catching a glimpse of him as he enters the restaurant. I feel a sudden rush of emotions coursing through me, and I can feel the panic rising in my chest.

"What? Gray's here?" I hiss, feeling a sudden surge of anger. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I'm not ready to face him yet."

Stella looks at me sympathetically, understanding the depth of my feelings. "I'm sorry, Noa, I just saw him. But it's okay, take a deep breath. You've got this."

I nod, trying to calm my racing heart. "Okay, I'll try. Just give me a minute."

Stella nods encouragingly, and I gather my composure before stepping out to face Gray, taking a deep breath as I do so.

I finish serving an elderly couple, trying to focus on my job, but my mind keeps wandering back to Gray. I had glimpsed him walking a minute ago, and I'm filled with a mixture of fear and excitement. As I make my way to the counter to check on the orders, I see Gray standing there, and I can't resist a giddy feeling.

"Hi Gray!" I say enthusiastically, walking up from behind him.

But Gray's response is cold and distant, as if I'm a stranger to him. It's nothing unusual, something he usually does to me. It hurts every time, but I try not to let it show.

"Hey," he replies curtly, not even turning around to look at me.

I feel a sudden pang of disappointment, but I try to shake it off. Maybe he's just having a bad day, or maybe I'm reading too much into his behaviour. I take a step back, feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next.

Gray looks at me coldly, his eyes seeming to bore into my soul as he asks, "Do you prefer to sit and stare at me all day or get my order?"

I feel a twinge of pain at his words, but I try to keep myself composed. "I would like to know your order," I respond, my voice shaking slightly.

I feel happy just being in his presence, but also, my desire to touch the rose tattoo on his neck that is peeping from his shirt and kiss his lips is making me feel anxious. I force those thoughts away, focusing on getting his order instead.

As Gray places his order, I feel a sense of relief that the conversation hasn't descended into an all-out argument. But at the same time, I can't help but feel a longing desire for him, despite his coldness towards me. I know I need to move on, but my feelings are so strong that it's hard to let go.