LARA SMITH.
Lara slowly opens her eyes when she heard the alarm sound from her phone. She grabbed her phone to switch off the alarm, and she didn't bother to check the time because she knows that it's exactly 5:30 in the morning, and it's her usual wake up time during her working days.
She immediately got up from her bed, went straight to the kitchen to boil some water for her usual morning coffee. While the kettle is in the stove, she decided to check her fridge to see what she can eat for breakfast.
Lara lets out a depressed sigh when she realized that there was only a slice of cold pizza inside the fridge. Her fridge is basically empty, except for a pitcher of water, and that was it.
She just decided to eat the pizza for breakfast. She popped the pizza into the oven, and at the same time, she started making her own coffee, using the instant one.
Eventhough the pizza doesn't taste good anymore, she forced herself to eat it all. She then finished drinking her cup of coffee, then afterwards, she went straight to the bathroom to get ready.
After a few minutes, Lara is now walking her way towards the bus stop to go to work...
================================Inside the elevator.
"It's payday today, so we should splurge a little bit tonight! Where do you want to go, girls?"
"Oh, why don't we try that newly-opened restaurant at the Metropolis?"
"Yes, that's a great idea! I've been wanting to go there. I've read many good reviews about that restaurant."
Lara suddenly felt self-conscious while listening to the girls inside the elevator. These three girls looks really pretty and glamorous as office ladies, and she feels so embarrassed with herself. She's wearing her usual black, one piece jumpsuit uniform and it looks entirely different from the branded clothes and shoes that these girls are wearing.
She is working as a janitress at Etoile Cosmetics for five years already. She's thankful for her job, but sometimes, she can't help but wonder... What if she's an office worker who looks beautiful, glamorous and chic? What if she can also afford to buy herself some expensive stuff and she can also eat at a high-class restaurant?
Lara sometimes imagine those things, but she always goes back to reality.
She's Lara, a poor woman who working hard everyday to make ends meet...
The cleaning and maintenance department should be riding on a different elevator, and the office employees have their own lifts, but their elevator is not working so they didn't have any choice but to use the white-collar workers' elevator...
She heaved a sigh of relief when the elevator opens, and those three girls started stepping out."Finally..." she said to herself.
But she suddenly froze in shock because she noticed that the owner and the President of Etoile Cosmetics company, Miss Amanda Montserrat. Her Boss looks so perfect and beautiful, and she looks like she walks straight from one of the fashion shows in Tokyo, Milan and Paris.
Aside from the physical beauty she possesses, she is also a successful entrepreneur. She's the epitome of a modern woman, a beauty with brains.
She wished to be like Amanda Montserrat, a beautiful, rich and a powerful woman who owns Etoile Cosmetics company. The world is her oyster, and she lives a perfect live. She's a trillionaire, she's a genius woman running a cosmetic empire on her own and she is engaged to be married to Emmett Albreicht, who is an extremely famous hotel magnate.
Lara's train of thoughts stop in a halt when she heard Amanda Montserrat's voice.
"Hello, how's your day?" her Boss smilingly asked her.
Lara wasn't able to speak for a split second because she can't believe that her Big Boss is talking to her right now! She only sees her from afar, and this is the first time seeing her this close!
"G-Good day, Madame!" she responded, while looking nervous.
"Please, just call me Amanda. And I hope you're having a good day today?" Amanda chirped.
"Yes, I guess so..." Lara forced herself to speak again.
"Hmm, your answer's a little vague... Tell me honestly, aren't you happy working here? Is someone bullying you? We might do something about it." Amanda encourages her to speak again.
"Oh, it's nothing like that Madame---uh, Amanda... I don't have any problems working in the company, it's just that I can't help but to feel jealous of other employees working at the beauty department. They look so pretty, classy, and happy." Lara doesn't have any idea on why she said those things, but she strangely feels comfortable talking to her Boss.
"But are you sure they are all happy?" Amanda asked her a serious question.
Lara was taken back by Amanda Montserrat's question. And she got a point. How the heck did she know that all those girls are happy?
"You see what I mean? You can't really define a person's happiness with their physical. appearance, expensive clothes, shoes and money... So you shouldn't feel jealous of other people." Amanda Montserrat gave her a piece of advice, while looking sincere.
Lara was about to say something but she wasn't able to do so when the elevator doors suddenly opens, and Amanda steps outside. And before the elevator closes, Amanda spoke again.
"I'll see you around, girl!"
The elevator doors closes again and now, it's making its way to the groundfloor.
She fell into a deep thought, as she tries to remember Amanda's advice to her. She actually wanted to ask her if she's happy being a successful businesswoman, managing a huge cosmetics empire. Not to mention, she is engaged to the most eligible and rich hotel magnate, which is Emmett Albreicht.
But her brief conversation with Amanda Montserrat made her feel better just a little bit. However, it doesn't change the fact that money can still make her happy and contented in life.
And maybe if they could switch places for a few minutes, Amanda will be able to understand where she's coming from...
Later that evening.Lara is eating an instant noodle for dinner while she's watching something on her mobile phone. She's actually watching Amanda Montserrat's interview for a popular talk show for businessman and businesswomen..."So, tell us Amanda. When did you start being in a cosmetic business?" the talkshow host asks Amanda, who looks gorgeous and classy with her overall look..."Well, ever since I was a teenage girl, I am already fascinated with make up and many other things that can make a girl pretty. That's why I've decided to take a Business Management course at a University to know the in and outs of running a business. After graduating, I decided to work as a normal employee at my father's airline company for many years, so that I can save some capital for the business that I want to establish. I was able to save enough money to start Etoile Cosmetics company, and the rest is history." Amanda told the host her success story, while looking so confident and at ease."I wish
Charles Montserrat gave his daughter a knowing look."Are you sure of marrying Emmett? Or are you just marrying him because of our company and not really for love?" he seriously asks her.Amanda was about to say something more but she wasn't able to say so when her mother, Mrs. Victoria Montserrat smilingly enters the room."Hi, darlings... Why are you still here? Our guests are waiting for the birthday celebrant! Not to mention your handsome future husband, Amanda." Victoria smilingly said to her husband and daughter. Amanda smilingly nodded, while looking at her beautiful mother."You really like Emmett as your soon-to-be son-in-law, don't you?" she asked her mother."I have this feeling that he's the perfect one for you, sweetheart." Mrs. Montserrat gently held her daughter's hand. The old man stood up and offered both of his arms towards the two most important people in his life, which is his wife and his daughter.."Let's go ladies... Let's make our grand entrance as a family."
"I cooked your favorite vegetarian dish. And there's newly arrived peaches, strawberries and avocados from your family's farm." the old woman informed her with a smile."Wow! Thank you so much! You really know my favorites. And thanks to you, Lisa and Karina for taking care of my needs everyday..." she thanked the other younger helpers."We're happy to do this for you, Miss Amanda." Lisa smilingly answered"She's right, Miss Amanda. Go ahead and eat a lot." Karina joins in their conversation."Wait, where are Daddy and Mommy?" Amanda suddenly asked."Your Daddy went to the office immediately after breakfast because they said they had a Board Meeting. Your Mommy went to a Charity Program because they will be giving out another scholarship grant to the children of the company's employees." Mrs. Chavez explained."Is that so? It's sad to eat alone. Please join me since I can't finish the food alone." Amanda smilingly suggested."Well, your wish is our command. Let's join her, girls." Mrs
After almost an hour, Amanda finally joins her future husband at the patio for their tea time."Tell me more about your parents, darling. How did they meet? How did they fall in love with each other? And how they are as parents?" Amanda curiously bombarded Emmett with questions."Based on what my mother told me, they met during their Freshmen year at Wyndham College. They became College Sweethearts. Right after graduating from College, they've decided to get married. My mother had me when she was twenty-five years old." Emmett started retelling his parents' love story."Did you have a lonely childhood while growing up as an only child in the family?" Amanda asked him another question."As a kid, I sometimes feel lonely growing up alone. I usually look at some of my friends who got their own brothers and sisters and I wished that I have my own as well. But as I was growing up, I'm not thinking about it anymore..." Emmett stated, while shrugging his shoulders."Oh, I felt the same way,
"The Master and Madame arrived at the mansion fifteen minutes ago. The Master is currently at the library, indulging himself with an excellent book and a glass of brandy, while the Madame is in her room upstairs, trying to freshen up before having dinner with you. If you will allow me to say this, there's no need fo you to worry because they are busy with their own activities." Henry, the Albreicht's long-time family butler, reassures Emmett and Amanda.At the same time, Emmett and Amanda heaved a sigh of relief after they heard Henry."That's good to know, then. Honey, you can go to your room first and try to freshen up before we start having dinner with my parents. I'll go to my room to take a shower and have a change of clothes, too. Henry will just call us once the dinner table is ready." Emmett suggested to his future wife."That's a fantastic idea, and I couldn't help but to agree, Young Master. Take your time and I will just notify you and Miss Amanda once the dinner table is
Amanda felt flattered and touched by Emmett's special surprise for her. She can see his real effort."Yes, I will marry you, Emmett!" she finally gave her answer.One of the reasons why Amanda accepted Emmett's marriage proposal is she wants to make her own parents happy. They clearly like Emmett as their future son-in-law and they have been encouraging her to finally accept him.And just like what she usually sees at the movies, Emmett slipped the jaw-dropping engagement ring on her right ring finger, they gave each other a quick kiss, then they started calling their family and friends to give them the good news.Both parties are extremely elated by the news of their engagement.And now, she is meeting Emmett's parents to have a special dinner with them and talk about the details of the wedding.After a few moments.Amanda is currently listening to Mrs. Katherine Albreicht who's talking non-stop about her vision for the wedding."What do you think about a Victorian-themed wedding, Am
Everyone at the company likes their Boss because she treats all of the employees with so much respect and kindness.Lara silently watches the female CEO as she stands in line with the others, while holding a tray. She patiently waited for her turn to order to get her own food. After a few minutes, Amanda Montserrat and her companions sat at a certain table, and started eating lunch while chatting with each other.Lara is observing her every move, like a predator eyeing its prey. She studies the way she talks, the way she eat and laugh with her companions.She was so concentrated with Amanda, that she didn't realized that her lunchtime is almost over. She almost jumped out from her seat because of surprised when she felt someone tapping her shoulders. She looked at her right side, and she saw one of her co-worker from the Cleaning Department standing beside her."I'm so sorry for surprising you like that, Lara." Christy said, while looking apologetic.Lara took a deep, calming breath b
"Oh, you don't have to worry about it. I'm pretty sure that I didn't mention my girlfriend's name in that phonecall." Oliver said, while shrugging in return."Don't worry, you're secret is safe with me. I'm a loner after all." Lara enunciated.Oliver took a deep breath before he spoke again."To tell you the truth, I'm getting really tired of keeping my secret. But exhausting as it may seem, keeping this secret is the only way to protect the woman that I love." he said, with a serious look on his face."I'm not really great at giving advices, but I can assure you that I'm a good listener and I'm damn good a keeping secrets." Lara said in return."Well, I believe in you. We've been talking for a few minutes now but we haven't introduced each other properly. I'm Oliver Doe..." he finally introduces himself, as he offered his hand for a handshake."Yes, I know you. You're the Head of the Security here at Etoile Cosmetics Company." stated Lara."Let's just forget about our job titles, sha