"I'm sorry, Hazel. But after giving you numerous warnings, we regretfully have chosen to let you go," Lisa says the following Thursday.

As I expected.

"Thank you for the opportunity." I smile, then proceed to collect my belongings.

I wonder if my colleagues will miss me at all. But truth be told, I never connected with them anyway.

The next day, I shower at the gym, then meet Harry at his office. It's a beautiful, modern place with indoor trees, colorful furniture and tall ceilings. He shows me their cafeteria, where employees can help themselves to snacks, flavored water, tea, coffee, a big bowl of fruits and a bunch of other free things.

There's even a small gym, a tennis table, little nooks for naps, and dogs. Yes, people bring their dogs to work.

"I was worried that this job would be depressing..." I say to Harry.

He laughs. "It is. We need as much help as we can get to balance it."

At least he's honest. "I'm scared of the phone calls to be honest, would it be possible for me to focus on operational work before moving to one-on-ones?"

"You don't have to do phone calls at all. I don't want to force you to do a job that you're not going to enjoy. If you don't enjoy your job, you won't succeed. And what we do here is too important. It's not something I can force people to do."

I wonder if Harry has a personal motivation, but I don't want to cross the line by asking.

"Let me introduce you to someone you'll be working with." He steps into a small office with desks and computers, and motions at a curvy young woman with blonde hair. "This is Andrea, she's in charge of setting up the appointments between our members and professionals. You know, nutritionists, career counselors, therapists. She'll train you."

"Nice to meet you!" Andrea rises from her chair to shake my hand.

She smells fruity and her gold jewelry brings out her bright green eyes.

I notice her French manicure and instantly feel insecure. I can count on my hand how many times I've gone to a nail salon in my entire life.

Harry leaves me with her and I do my best to appear friendly. Inside, I'm praying she doesn't hate my guts. Any second, I expect her to say something hurtful.

"How long have you been here for?" I ask as we sit together.

Her desk is cluttered with colorful knick-knacks, polaroid pictures, little toys, paperwork.

"Four months! I told Harry that I was getting sick of my job. I worked at an ice-cream store before. Customer service. Blah." She sticks her tongue out in digust.

"You don't like ice-cream?"

"Are you kidding? I love ice-cream. No, I hate men. See these girls?" She points at her breasts squeezed in a white button-down. "Try selling ice-cream to creeps who can't stop staring. And I have a baby face. So imagine how that goes."

I wince. "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine, it gave me thick skin to deal with assholes. It could be worse, right?" She sighs, rummaging through paperwork. "What about you? What's your story?"

"Um, personally or professionally?"

"Whichever you're comfortable with sharing."

"I just got fired from a bank teller job. Yesterday, actually."

She gasps. "I'm so sorry."

"Oh, it's more than fine. Harry was so kind to offer me this job."

"He's amazing! I love working for him. It's been a blessing."

The rest of the day goes abnormally pleasant. I feel a little mind-fucked, waiting for the camera crew to jump out and scream 'You got pranked!'

Later that evening, I'm watching the sunset at the beach from my car when Hayden texts me.

Hayden: Congratulations on your new job

Even his name on my screen makes my heart beat faster.

Hazel: Hopefully soon I won't have to clean for you anymore

Not that my new salary is crazy, but it is enough to rent a small studio in a cheap neighborhood. Not yet, though. Landlords require a bank statement from the last three months to know I make enough to cover rent. So I'm stuck in my car for at least ninety more days.

Hayden: How else will you overcome your hoarding problem?

Hazel: lol I don't think I can be saved

Hayden: I can be persuasive

Hazel: Someone has amnesia about losing in Monopoly

Hayden: Beginner's luck

Hazel: Whatever makes you feel better

When I look again at the ocean, the splashes of pink and blue, the sunset and clouds and the foamy water, the soaring seagulls...everything is lovelier.

The next morning, I wake up to the sound of the rain hitting on my car's roof.

Most coffee shops are packed in this weather. Thankfully, it's Saturday. So I'm at Hayden's.

Hazel: Is Milo okay in this rain?

Hayden: Yes, he's in his house

Hazel: Won't he get cold?

Hayden: He has a blanket

I catch a glimpse of Milo, resting his chin on his paws, brows raised at the gray clouds.

By 5 PM, my back is knotted, but the house is dust-free. I've been saving the extra fifty dollars Hayden leaves for lunch. But I dare to allow myself coffee with ice cream.

Hayden: Don't drive in the rain. I'm running late, stay inside

Hazel: I drove here...

Hayden: It's been raining all day. It's more dangerous now

Sergio: Hazel, I need that car. Soon.

My anxiety hits the roof. Would he dare to show up here? Is he already out there, waiting?

Hazel: When will you be back?

Hayden: Don't know yet, why?

Hazel: I want to bring Milo inside. I don't want him to get cold.

Hayden: He's an outdoor dog. I promise, he's fine

Hazel: Can I still bring him inside? Please? I feel bad

Hayden: Just this once

I text him a celebratory dancing gif along with 'drive safe!' and run out to get Milo.

"Wait, wait! Let me clean you first." I use wet wipes to clean the mud off his paws. "We should get you little socksies so you don't get the floors dirty. You want little socksies?"

Milo barks in agreement (or at least that's how I translate it).

The fact that I've quit college dawns on me like a dark cloud. I think of Andrea and Harry and my new job, and I decide to thank Hayden for connecting me to them by cooking him dinner.

"What are we having, Milo?" I search inside the fridge as he watches me. "You want mashed potatoes? Let's do mashed potatoes. With roasted cherry tomatoes, asparagus and garlic. And spicy chicken breasts. Tell me that doesn't sound good. You down? I'm down. Let's do it."

Hazel: Can I organize your cabinets?

Hayden: Watch TV

Hazel: Why do that when I can take your money? *smirking face*

Hayden: Fine, you greedy shit

Hazel: That'll be a thousand dollars

Hayden: in your dreams

Listening to music on my phone, I finish organizing, then move on to dinner. I'm giving the performance of my life to Milo as my audience.

"She said, Hello, hey Joe. You wanna give it a go? hmm hmm." Using the spatula as a microphone, I point at Milo who has never looked more lost. I sound like a group of old dying cats. "Gitchi gitchi ya ya da da. Gitchi gitchi ya ya heeere...Mocha chocolata, ya ya. Creole Lady Marmalaaa-aaaa-aaade."

Keeping one eye on the front door, in case Hayden decided to barge in, I grind on whatever is around me. In this case, it's the kitchen counters.

Milo barks, overwhelmed by my talent. He runs out of my sight, maybe wishing to go back out into the rain than go through this.

I turn around to flip the chicken breasts.

"Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir? Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?" Oh, now it's time for the rap and I am so confident. I know every word. "I'm sayin', 'Why spend mine when I can spend yours?' Disagree? Well, that's you, and I'm sorry. I'ma keep playing these cats out like Atari..."

This is the best part. The most dramatic.

I'm moving my hips. I am arching my ass. Using the towel as a prop. I smack it like it's a whip. I take it off like it's a glove. Rolling my neck back, popping my chest out. I am coming alive.

"...touch of her skin, feeling silky smooth! Color of café au lait,..Made the savage beast inside, roar until it cried..." I am fierce. Badass. I am Christina Aguilera. "More, more, more, more, MOOOOREEEE!"

I sense movement behind me and turn-

Hayden.

Hayden is standing in front of the kitchen, wet head-to-toe from the rain.

Pressing his lips hard as hell not to laugh at me.

"How'd you get here?!" I scream, lowering the music.

"The back door."

I'm going to cry. How much did he see?

"Why! Why not walk through the front door like a normal person? Jesus Christ!"

Milo barks to defend me or to thank Hayden, who knows.

Hayden laughs and once again I'm dumbstruck. He's so handsome. My heart throbs every time. My mind keeps replaying it.

He raises his brows at the stove. "What uh...what are you making?"

"Oh, just dinner. You know, for helping me get the job at Harry's nonprofit. It's nothing."

"He's happy to have you." Hayden glances at his clothes. "I should shower before we eat."

"I'm not eating." I laugh. "I didn't cook for myself. I cooked to thank you. You can save the rest for tomorrow."

I rush to put my shoes on.

Hayden blocks me and chuckles. "I don't think so. You're not going anywhere."

"Huh?"

"Your friend lives too far." He still thinks I live with Dania. "It's not safe to drive in this weather. Just stay."

My smile only proves how nervous I am. "And do what? Have a sleepover?"

"Why?" He tilts his head, teasing with dark eyes. "Should I leave you alone so you can continue your karaoke session?"

"I hate you."

"It was quite entertaining."

"Clearly."

"Let me guess, you haven't had lunch either?"

"I'm not hungry." My stomach is in knots from this week's nonstop anxiety.

"How can you not be hungry?"

"Because I'm not."

"Hm, too bad. You're eating."

What has gotten into him? "No, I'm not."

"Also, don't I have to pay you for organizing my cabinets? You know, assuming you haven't stolen anything like a greedy little shit."

I make a mocking face. "Oh, yeah. I've stolen your crusty underwear. How'd you guess?"

"Because I can smell yours." He scrunches his nose. "Yeah, maybe you should wash them sometimes. "

My mouth slacks and his crooked smile widens.

"Asshole! My underwear doesn't smell!" I yell as he walks away to go to the bathroom to shower.

"Whatever you say."

"What just happened?" I ask Milo.

All he does is wag his tail with overjoyed speed.

A/N
When I tell you brat tamers are just bigger brats, hehe...this is what I mean

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