MOVING ON
771 Words
Lavender's POV.
Monday arrived faster than I expected.
Tessa and I spent the morning getting ready for work.
Since we had already completed our interviews online before moving to Los Angeles, all that was left was to officially begin our jobs.
I adjusted my blouse and checked my reflection in the mirror.
"Are you nervous?" Tessa asked while fixing her hair.
"A little."
"A little?" She laughed. "I'm terrified."
That made me smile.
"You're going to be fine."
"I know. I'm just dramatic."
"Very dramatic."
She pointed a finger at me.
"And proud of it."
A few minutes later, we left for work together.
The company was enormous.
The building alone was enough to make me nervous.
Employees moved in and out of the glass doors while others hurried through the hallways.
Everything looked so professional.
After orientation, we were assigned to different departments.
Unfortunately, Tessa and I weren't placed in the same section.
"Great," she groaned. "Now I have to survive alone."
"You'll live."
"I might not."
She sighed dramatically.
"Tell my family I loved them."
I laughed before heading to my department.
The first day was exhausting.
There was paperwork.
Training.
Meetings.
More paperwork.
By the time the day ended, I felt like my brain had stopped functioning.
During lunch break, Tessa and I met briefly and complained about our workloads before returning to our respective departments.
When evening finally arrived, I was ready to go home.
I called Tessa.
"Are you done?"
"No."
I frowned.
"What do you mean no?"
"I still have work to finish."
"It's our first day."
"I know."
"I thought first days were supposed to be easy."
"So did I."
I laughed.
"Should I wait for you?"
"No. Go home."
"You sure?"
"Yes."
She sighed.
"I'll probably be here for another hour."
"Alright."
I grabbed my bag.
"I'll prepare something for us when I get home."
"I love you."
"I know."
I was heading toward the exit when I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry."
"No, I'm—"
I froze.
The person in front of me smiled.
Daniel.
"The ice cream guy?"
He laughed.
"The ice cream guy?"
"I'm sorry, Daniel?”
"Lavender”
I couldn't help smiling. He didn't forget my name. Good.
"What are you doing here?"
"I work here."
My eyes widened.
"No way."
"The world is small, huh?"
"A little too small."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"I was actually planning on calling you."
"Planning?"
"I forgot."
I laughed.
"It's no biggie.”
We walked toward the parking lot together.
Then Daniel suddenly stopped.
"Do you need a ride home?"
"Oh, no. You don't have to do that."
"I know."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Then why are you offering?"
He grinned.
"Because I want to."
I rolled my eyes.
A few minutes later, I found myself sitting in his car.
While he drove, we talked about work.
I glanced at him.
"So you work here too?"
"Yep."
"What department?"
"I'm the financial manager."
I stared at him.
That was an impressive position for someone his age.
Daniel noticed my expression and laughed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You look shocked."
"I'm just surprised."
"Why?"
I shrugged.
"You seem a little young."
He gasped dramatically.
"Was that an insult?"
"Maybe."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"I can't believe this."
I laughed.
The rest of the drive passed surprisingly quickly.
Talking to Daniel was easy.
Comfortable.
By the time we reached my apartment building, I almost wished the drive had lasted longer.
Daniel parked and turned toward me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he smiled.
"You know..."
"What?"
"I really enjoy talking to you."
I felt my cheeks warm slightly.
"Oh."
He chuckled.
"Very smooth response."
"I was caught off guard.”
"I noticed."
I laughed.
Daniel leaned back in his seat.
"Are you free this weekend?"
I looked at him.
"Why?"
"I'd like to take you out."
My heart skipped a beat.
Not because I was overwhelmed.
Not because I was in love.
But because it felt nice.
Simple.
Normal.
After everything that had happened with Mark, and after all the confusion surrounding Kai, this felt easy.
Safe.
Daniel waited patiently for my answer.
Finally, I smiled.
"I think I'm free."
His grin widened.
"I'll take that as a yes."
"Maybe."
"That's good enough for me."
I laughed before opening the car door.
As I walked toward my apartment, I found myself smiling.
Maybe Tessa was right.
Maybe Daniel was exactly what I needed.
A fresh start.
A distraction.
A chance to finally move on.
And maybe, just maybe, I could finally stop thinking about Kai.
- Writer
