Rose

The alarm went off, jolting her awake. Hazel rubbed her eyes as she sat up, trying to reconnect with reality. She looked at the display on her digital clock, "06:05". She yawned and trudged to the bathroom. Another day of surviving.

*****

By 8:30am, she was already stepping into her office. The restaurant was busier than other mornings..... Well, that's because they were having a 5% discount on every order to mark their successful 5 years in business. She smiled encouragedly at the workers as they greeted her, before entering her office. Documents were already waiting for her as usual. She groaned. Being a CEO was a hella work! Her usual ritual; wiping her space with disposable wipes, even though they'd been wiped clean by the cleaners, sit down and say a little prayer to God, rearrange the stack of papers, have her freshly prepared hot chocolate tea with a croissant before settling down to business.

*****

A knock on the door, her assistant stepped in.

"Good morning, Madam" Cassy greeted warmly and professionally "Your meeting with Miss Amanda was scheduled for 12:30pm. It's 11:30am already ma"

"How long is the drive to the fruits shop?" Hazel asked, still going through documents

"Normally 40 minutes, but could take us longer, as there's a report of traffic along the road"

"Alright then, get the car ready for me, please, I need to complete confirming these reports and documents. You will help me with signing some other ones, please"

"Understood, ma. I will go get the car ready now"

"Thank you, Cass"

****

"This is definitely a first for me" Amanda chuckled "The most punctual person I know, is actually 5mins late"

Hazel rolled her eyes, smiling, as she sat opposite from her friend "There was traffic along the way"

"Yeah, I know. Just wanted to tease you. What are you getting?"

"My normal fruit pops combo. With extra mango please"

"I got you babe" Amanda called her attending waiter over and placed Hazel's order. "So tell me, how did your weekend go?"

"My weekend?" The complimentary cold drinks were served. Hazel took a sip

"Yeah, you left the club with that hunk that night"

"Hahhh. I got confused cos you said "weekend"" Hazel spoke flatly

" Yeah, I mean, I am sure he followed you home.  If it was good, you should have kept him for the weekend"

"I didn't sleep with him"

"What?!" Amanda gasped admist a laugh "what happened?"

"He was too eager. No spice"

"Ah, I see. Definitely not your type of men. So what, you threw him out of your house that late at night?"

"He didn't even get to see the turn I take to get home. I had the driver drop him off at the bus stop"

"Girl you are mean" Amanda joked

"I am not about to let just anybody know where I live, you know. The world is no nice place. At least I dropped him at the bus stop. He could easily get a ride home"

"Gave him cash?"

"You know I am not nice to men"

Amanda laughed. Hazel was just a hilarious person. "Oh well, we have that school reunion party tomorrow night. Attending?"

"I am, if you are"

"Definitely" Amanda grinned. Hazel just smiled to her glass. The waiter brought in their fruit pops.