Midnight And Firefly

Chapter 1

Burkson city sun was riding high in the sky like a raging flame just at 7.a.m.

Rebecca stood up to her full five feet seven inches, glorying in the drowsy heat which made her white skin red like heated iron.

Her mom called her white A4 because of her skin in plain words she was pale white.

Growing up nearly all her life in Burkson , she was already an old hat to how extreme Burkson weather could be. Unlike the natives, she wasn’t brown skinned and always stood out wherever she was, she had an interesting voluptuous body and a bit of a supernatural beauty if she was willing to show it outside of her big librarian spectacles and plain clothing.

‘ugh, I wish it could snow in the middle of summer’ she mumbled.

Rebecca always loathed the city life, she called it mechanical as the jumbled and noises drains the little blood she had left one drop after another but as always, she was an old hat to them all.

Today was her 28th day in her new job and she still wonders every morning while she took the offer but as always, the pay is better than any other place she had worked. Her last job was technically her worst, all she did was sorting out stack upon stacks of messages which never seem to end. As a sales analyst, she was really good in her field and she evaluated opportunities effortlessly. Dawn to dusk, she was on hundreds and thousands of messages or so she acclaimed.

‘Rebecca, it’s morning A4 love, get your ass up’ Susan, her mother shouted from the stairs.

‘I’m up mother, stop shouting the house down and through the roof, ugh.. ‘she replied as she walked down the stairs

‘I wouldn’t have known your bed could be so cozy if you can still be in bed by 6:30’ her mom said as she looked at her daughter head to toe. ‘Roasted turkey ʼ Susan mumbled a bit loudly.

‘Mom! ʼ Rebecca groaned while rolling her eyes, her mom always seem to be an enemy to her pale skin especially when it gets really warm. ‘The entire place is hot, can’t you just be nice at least just for one morning, it's too warm for comfort.ʼ She walked closer to her mom with her hands ready to hug the poor woman, her mom tried to escape but it was too late. ‘I hate Wednesday mom.’ she complained

Susan looked at her as she wrapped her hands around her, she was just as tall as her daughter which was an interesting coincidence, so she had no problem hugging her and patting her back and head just as she did every Wednesday morning.

‘Okay, okay that’s enough for this morning young lady, now go and have your breakfast and get off to work.’ She chided her a bit. ‘This city weather goes from one extreme to another extreme, it’s either extremely hot or extremely cold, really some’in else’

Rebecca left her mom’s arm, she also felt like her mom never changed over the year except for some white hairs which was normal, she didn’t look any different from 10 years ago, always the same woman who was so casual.

‘Pancakes with maple syrup and butter with coffee’ Rebecca asked as she looked at the table. ‘Mom, you’re making me grow fat. ‘ she complained while eyeing the food.

‘You know, you can’t wait to devour, sit your ass down and eat A4, you should eat some more, you are getting bit thinner ‘ Her mom chided as if she was indeed worried

‘Mom, I’m always getting thinner to you ‘she turned her fork to eat her pancakes. ‘Besides, who would get thinner with what you serve to this humble lady every morning and night’ she added with a smirk.

Susan laughed a bit while glaring at her while she ate too

‘So, how has the new job? You got any nice looking young man saying a lot of hi’s yet? ‘

‘Mommmm, stop. There is no man and work is fired up, a place of competition but as you know, the pay is higher’ she replied.

‘Well that’s okay then. ‘ Susan replied stuffing pancakes in her mouth.

…

Rebecca stopped opposite her work building, she calculated the time it took her to get to work, looking at her watch and thinking how long the day was already looking on her hateful Wednesday.

‘Some minutes to 9, not too bad’ she muttered. It has become a bit of a habit for her to give herself a column of time to come to work, she looked at her office building.

Fence Inc” is a sleek, modern building with a glass exterior that mirrors the city surroundings. Upon entering, a spacious atrium with a lush green wall greets you, filling the interior with natural light and calm. The open-concept floor plan fosters collaboration and creativity, with versatile workspaces, state-of-the-art meeting rooms, and quiet focus areas. According to office rumors, the building was secured at a remarkably low rate, a fact that’s been passed down through a long line of hearsay. Amenities include a fully equipped gym (which Rebecca notes is rarely used), a rooftop terrace with city views, and vibrant artwork throughout (some of which Rebecca finds a bit cringeworthy). This dynamic workspace inspires innovation and productivity, with various zones and designated offices for each staff member. Throughout the building, you’ll find living plants, natural light, and artwork that sparks creativity, even if it’s not to everyone’s taste.

Rebecca felt like her company does lesser than other as a sales analyzing company they are.

Walking through the front door, she saw her Terri, her favorite black colleague.

‘Hey girl ‘ Terri called out immediately she saw Rebecca

‘Hey T, you good? ‘

‘yeah I’m good. What bout you? I’m asking coz today’s Wednesday ‘ Terri said looking Rebecca over like a ware for purchase

‘You really had to ask Terri’ Rebecca rolled eyes her intensely at her colleague’s question .

Terri laughed, it was a Wednesday ritual between few cliques of Rebecca’s as they knew she hated Wednesday which they always found weird on how a person could hate Wednesday. Rebecca was a newbie in the office but quickly managed to get herself few cliques. Terri was almost everyone’s friend in the office, she had no enemies but she was a bit more particular with Rebecca, always finding time to have warm funny banters with her which made Rebecca very comfortable with her in few days.

‘I still find it weird girl’ Terri replied while laughing

‘Quit it T’ She couldn’t help but laugh along.

They walked together towards the elevator, Rebecca looked around, always finding it a bit incredible at how everywhere was always pristine and shiny

‘We have a briefy at 9:30 before the day begins’ Terri said while looking at her nails

‘Okay, you made new nails last night?. How? ‘ Rebecca looked a bit confused at how Terri was able to make her nails after work.

‘Oh girl, you ain’t see nothing, but my cousin came over for night at my place and she made me some new nails’

‘Does she take her work tools wherever she goes? ‘ Rebecca still confused asked.

‘It was a coincidence this time, she had some new colors with her while I had some of the nails I hadn’t used. She and I, we close like real siblings so she had my nails done with the new colors like for some experiment or something ‘Terri replied

‘I get it now, it looks really good, where is her nail spa?. I would like to pay a visit perhaps by the weekend ‘Rebecca had to ask, she needed to fix have her nails done.

‘uhh, someone is getting more confident, whenever you are ready, I would take you.’ Terri was half laughing while she stared at Rebecca as if she is some new species.

‘Excuse me ‘Rebecca laughed along

Ding!. The elevator indicated their floor, they walked together, turned left then turn right straight to the conference.

Few people were already seated which were the five workers needed in the brief meeting.

Sally, Richmond, Spencer, Theresa and Rita. It was weird thing in the office because everyone first name were similar in initial

They had Sally and Spencer, Richmond and Rita, Theresa and Terri.

It was a weird place to be.

‘Good morning ya all’ Terri the ever outgoing person greeted everyone, Rebecca did the same but she mumbled, fortunately she was still hear.

‘Good morning’ They chorused together.

Terri looked at Sally ‘You look like you had your head hit by a trampoline girl’

Rebecca looked closely and couldn’t help but shake her head in agreement, Sally looked a bit bad with her eyes swollen like she hadn’t had enough sleep, Rebecca couldn’t help it while shaking her head internally at how blunt Terri could be.

‘I had a bad night’ Sally replied ‘But I’m good actually, it was eventually settled but a bit late than normal’ she added.

‘You sure baby ‘Terri asked in concern ‘Is it something you wanna talk about with me later’

‘Yes, I would like that ‘ Sally replied with a smile.

‘None of you asked why she looked this terrible ‘ Terri asked the others with a glare

‘We did actually, but you know Sally, everything is always fine with her’ Theresa replied tiredly , the other nodded too.

Terri glared at Sally while she smiles weakly. ‘It would have been better to call in sick than to come to work in such a state.” Terri complained

‘I just couldn’t stay home but I would be fine, I promise’ Sally replied.

Terri looked at her for some minutes then gently nodded.

Rebecca and Terri sat close, whispering together about relevant and irrelevant and irrelevant topics especially the new fashion style in vogue, Terri loves fashion than any one Rebecca had ever met.