Renaissance Affair

PROLOGUE

KAIA

“That’s the last box, Hannah!” I called out to her from the doorway.

“Kai, I can’t believe we’re finally here!” Hannah emerged from her room and gazed at our still messy condo.

“Who would’ve thought this would happen sooner than expected.” I walked towards to the living gazing at everything in awe.

“Hey! Check it out we’ve got hot neighbors!” Lisa called out from the balcony.

“God Lisa, couldn’t you lower your voice?” Hannah said but eventually skipped to the balcony.

“You guys shouldn’t be so obvious ogling our new neighbors like that”

“Oh just check out that little cutie, best view ever,” Lisa said pretending not to even hear what I had to say.

“These guys are your type, Lisa. None of them appeal to me” Hannah left Lisa by the balcony and came to help me unload the boxes for our living room.

“Well more for me” Lisa grabbed one of the chairs and sat idly by the balcony avoiding unpacking and shamelessly watching our neighbors.

Hannah and I continued to unpack and decorate our living room before moving to the kitchen. Eventually, when night came, we each went to our rooms to unpack but I wasn’t even halfway through unpacking when I decided to have an early night. I laid in my bed letting my independence sink in. I was alone in a foreign country without my family, just my friends. I couldn’t even express the overwhelming feeling inside my chest, I feel scared and excited all at the same time.

“This is finally the start something new” I whispered into the darkness as I let my eyes flutter close.

“Ms. Vega,” Mr. Anderson the son of the owner and founder of Biblio. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I get to work at this publishing firm, “I hope you will find our facilities to your liking and know that this firm isn’t just a company but a family so we expect excellence and loyalty.” Mr. Anderson said.

“Everything’s amazing. I’m ecstatic to be part of this firm. I’m a fan of most of your authors.” I said and Mr. Anderson smiled at me.

I didn’t know what to expect on my first day but it surely wasn’t this feeling of realizing that I belong amongst these people. So I was so excited to tell Hannah and Lisa that I finally found a place that I knew my worth and growth was worth investing time and loyalty in.

4 YEARS LATER

“… oh and Ms. Kaia, your 5:00PM meeting rescheduled to Tuesday 10:30AM and I’ve arranged the same room for you” Anya stated the final report to me for the week and fortunately for me, I get to leave early from the office and relax at the café.

“Thanks, Anya. You can go, I’ll just finish organizing my desk.” I smiled at her and waved goodbye.

As I was about to close the door to my office, Mr. Anderson walks beside me with a smirk his face. I knew what he was about to say so I held my hand up at him.

“I am not going on a date okay. Stop it Mr. Anderson” I chuckled at his fallen face.

“I’m not stopping until you quit calling me ‘Mr. Anderson’, you make me sound so much like my dad.” Hunter said and we were walking side by side as we exit the office premises, “Where are you headed?” He asked.

“I’m headed to a newly opened café in Winsland” I answered him.

“Oh yeah, my friend went there once,” Hunter said

“Well maybe your friend’s my soon to be café buddy then” I joked

“Maybe he’ll be your next boyfriend” He countered

“I highly doubt that”, Shaking my head at him

“You never know Kaia” He winked at me before stopping by his car, “Anyway have a good time and say hi to my friend for me when you do meet him” He continued before sliding inside his car.

I rolled my eyes at him and waved as I head over to Winsland.