THE BITE

CHAPTER TWO

Sophia pov

Familiar voices murmuring to each other shortened my nap. I could recognize those voices even if I were in a deep sleep. Daniella and Maxine, my best friends since childhood. We practically grew up together because we stayed in the same neighborhood. Daniella's house was four blocks away from mine; she lives with her parents. Maxine's house is at the end of the street. She stayed with her aunt after her parents died in a car accident when she was a year old.

"Do you think she's dead?" Daniella whispered loudly to Maxine. She was always blunt, and her words often surprised people.

"Shut up, Daniella," Maxine hissed. "She's probably just sleeping. We should wait until she wakes up."

I stirred and opened my eyes slowly, trying to shake off the grogginess. The sight of my two best friends leaning over me.

Daniella gasped quietly as she stood up straight. She stood at about 5 '4", her petite frame which was hidden under an oversize sweater and comfy jeans. Her hair is a cascade of golden blonde waves, always a bit tousled, as if she just rolled out of bed. Her bangs are slightly too long, often falling into her bright blue eyes, which sparkle with a mix of innocence and curiosity. When she does speak, her voice is soft and gentle, often tinged with a hint of sarcasm that reveals her sharp wit.

"Yes, I'm alive, Ella." I said, knowing what she was about to say. I began to sit up on the bed.

"Don't mind her, she's doing that thing where she says weird stuff again." Maxine said, tugging her long, raven-black hair behind her ear.

Her deep brown eyes are sharp and focused, framed by thick lashes and perfectly arched eyebrows. Her skin is a warm olive tone, smooth and clear, with a natural glow that comes from spending time in the sun, her full lips that often curl into a playful, knowing smile added to how effortlessly sexy she always looks.

Maxine went ahead to sit on the bed across from me. She said, “Your mum called us an hour ago. She said you were back home early, and it seems you were fired? To be honest, I was really surprised. We know how much you loved working at that company and how much dedication you put into your work.”

Daniella chimed in, her voice filled with concern, “We were worried that you might do something stupid.”

I sighed and raised my head to look at Maxine. “I won't do anything stupid. I don't even know what to do now,” I said.

“What happened? Why were you fired? Wasn't it just last month that you were chosen as the team leader? What went wrong?” Maxine asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

I shook my head. “I don't know. I wish I had the perfect explanation of what happened. Everything happened so suddenly. I wasn't given the chance to ask any questions.” I stopped talking, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

Maxine gave me a pitying look, her head tilted slightly as she listened attentively. Daniella walked closer to the bed and placed her hand on my shoulder. “I know you don't want to hear this now, but I have to say it: everything is going to be fine. To hell with that company. It's their loss kicking you out.”

“Yeah,” Maxine added. “You're a hard-working person with great skills, and you're good at what you do. I'm sure you’ll get another job soon.”

With their comfort, I felt reassured. It's good having people like them around. It makes life less depressing.

"Thanks guys for your kind words," I said with a small smile while getting up from bed. Walking to the closet to change into a more comfortable outfit, something that won't remind me of how my morning wet. I had taken a nap with the clothes I wore to work this morning."I will be fine, I just have to make a better decision this time."

I opened the closet door to search for what to wear.

"What's that?" Daniella asked.

"Not to work in a short company like I did before, I'm thinking of a place outside the city. In that way, I would have to relocate from this neighborhood and move to a better one. Last week, Tessa and I had a conversation. She mentioned how good it is to work for companies outside the city, their pay is perfect, and they provide accommodation for their employees if it's necessary. Mine will be because it's impossible for me to work outside the city when I am here. "I took out a T-shirt and a pair of jeans from the closet." I mean it's high time I did what I wanted. This could be an opportunity that I have been waiting for my whole life. I can't keep on living with my mum, I think she needs her privacy. " I explained, turning around.

I glanced at Daniella and Maxine, waiting to hear what they thought of my plan.

" Well? "I questioned with raised brows.

Daniella shrugged." It's a nice plan. If that's what you want, then I wish you the best of luck."

She didn't sound excited like I had wanted her to be. It's the first time I have been making a decision this big, at least I should get a cheerful speech from her.

I looked at Maxine, who was also having the same facial expression as Daniella.

"That's a great plan, you have our support. Look, I also think your idea is good, and I have no doubt that you would be successful out there, but are you really sure you want to do this? Are you ready to leave everything behind?"

"C'mon, you guys know how much I want to leave my mum's place, if an opportunity like that comes, I won't hesitate. I'm going to do what it takes for me to get out of here." I said, walking back to bed.

"Alright, I think I'm going out for a drink." Daniella got up from the bed. "Race you girl there." She walked out of the bedroom.

"Are you coming?" Maxine asked.

I nodded my head. "Yeah, after changing."

"Okay." I watched as she walked out of my bedroom, closing the door behind her.

****************************

Daniella and Maxine spent the afternoon with me, carefully avoiding any mention of my work. We sat in the living room, mostly watching movies and talking when necessary. My mum left the house for her shift, leaving us to our own devices.

Later in the evening, Daniella suggested we go to a club, not the one where my mum works. I didn’t refuse since I had no reason to be up early tomorrow morning, and it had been a while since I last went to a club. We planned to meet later in the evening, but with only an hour to go, I still hadn’t found something to wear. Most of my club outfits had been thrown away since I hadn’t seen the need for them while I was always working.

After going through my closet for more than an hour, I realized it was a waste of time. An idea popped into my head: my mum and I wore the same size. Shocking, right? I often wondered how she maintained her size and shape after giving birth. I left my bedroom and headed straight to hers. Opening the door wasn't a problem, since she never locked it.

I walked to her closet and began searching for an outfit that I could wear to the club. As expected, she had a lot of those clothes. Just as I thought, I found a beautiful red dress. It was so stunning that I fell in love with it the moment I saw it. Without bothering to look at the rest, I took the dress and went back to my bedroom to change into it.

As I slipped into the red dress, I went to the mirror to check how it fit on me. My mouth fell open when I saw my reflection. The gown was short, ending just above mid-thigh, showcasing my legs in a way that was both daring and elegant. The neckline was a plunging V that dipped provocatively low, revealing just enough of my cleavages. My breasts were perfectly shaped in the dress and it looked seductive. The bodice was fitted, accentuating my waist, and that made me look really sexy in it.

It had been a while since I saw myself looking beautiful and sexy in a dress. I thought I had lost my touch in looking pretty. No wonder the men at the company never approach me.

After taking a good look at myself in the mirror, I remembered that I had wasted enough time getting ready, and it wouldn't take long for Daniella and Maxine to come knocking on my door. I went to add the finishing touch, which was my make-up.

I had learned how to do my makeup myself, and I was pretty good at it. Not taking more than an hour to finish, I got up from the dressing table to go get my phone on the bed.

I walked out of my bedroom to the living room while trying to send a text message to Daniella. Why aren't they here yet?

"Oh my goodness."

I got startled by the sudden voice when I got to the living room, it was Maxine and Daniella. They were seated at the couch, looking dressed up for the club.

How the hell did they get in here?

I looked at them one after the other. "Really? You couldn't have called to tell me that you were ready?"

"Daniella, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Maxine asked as she gently got up from the couch.

Daniella nodded her head. "Oh, yeah I'm. It's our Sophie." She stood up with a smile on her face. "I think I'm going to cry."

"Cut it you guys, I know what you want to say," I said.

Maxine shook her head without hesitation. "Hell, no you don't. You don't know how good-looking you are right now. I mean how come you had this dress in your house and never for once followed us to the club since you got a job?"

Daniella crossed her hands above her chest. "I thought you wouldn't have anything to wear tonight."

"Me too." Maxine added, slightly raising her hand.

"I know right, this dress really suits me, fun how it is for my mum. I wondered where she gets nice clothes. They looks expensive too." I said, roaming my hands on the dress.

"That's your mum's?" She asked, pointing at the dress I was wearing.

I hummed, nodding my head.

"Wow, that's unbelievable how you both could fit in the same dress. You know if I didn't know better, I would think your mum is your sister, junior sister for that matter." Maxine said, then chuckled softly.

I stared at her dully, not finding it funny.

"Oops, I shouldn't have said that. Anyway, the dress suits you better. I haven't seen your mum on it, it would look as great as it is on you." Maxine added.

"That's enough Maxine," Daniella stepped into the conversation. "You look really beautiful this evening, Sophie. I wouldn't be surprised if you got a man for a nice night. It's been a while, don't you think?"

"It's been a while, what? That I have gone to a club? Don't you think I know?" I walked to the table to pick the empty can of coke from the table. This was obviously Maxine doing. I have told her not to leave an empty can on the table.

"Yeah, we both know that. You have refused countless invitations to join us at the club. I'm referring to you having s*x. When was the last time you had a pleasurable night?" She asked.

"Can we just leave? I do not want to talk about that."

"Alright, let's go get you a man." Maxine said loudly as she walked to the door.

I rolled my eyes, and walked with them to the door.