Surprise Party

Surprise Party

Mia's phone slipped from her hands as she received the heartbreaking news. As she turned to leave, she heard Harry's voice calling out to her. In a state of shock, Mia asked him what he meant. Harry explained that it was all just a prank and that it was actually their anniversary, marking six months since she started working there.

Taking her hand, he guided her to the workers' lounge and told her to close her eyes. He whispered in her ear, asking her to only open them when he said so. The anticipation grew within Mia as she nodded, curious about what awaited her inside. When Harry finally gave the signal, she opened her eyes to a breathtaking sight.

Every corner of the room was decorated with professional elegance. Her co-workers stood before her, wishing her a happy anniversary in unison. Overwhelmed by the beauty of it all, Mia turned to Harry, who wore a smile on his face. She couldn't help but ask how he knew she would return and why he went through all this trouble for her, a mere worker. Before she could finish her sentence, Harry placed a finger on her lips, causing her heart to skip a beat.

"Mia, I knew you would come back, and I did all this because you're special," he confessed. A blush spread across Mia's cheeks as she hugged Harry tightly. It took him by surprise, but he reciprocated, slowly patting her back. After a few moments, they broke apart, leaving Mia feeling slightly awkward. She thanked him as her boss, but Harry insisted she call him by his name.

"Please, don't call me boss. Stick with Harry. Consider it one of your rewards. Now go and enjoy yourself. I have a meeting to attend. Goodbye," he said with a wink, causing Mia's cheeks to turn an even deeper shade of red. As she scolded herself for her behavior in front of Harry, her best friend Vanessa approached her.

Vanessa, with her long dark brown hair and brown eyes, was undoubtedly beautiful. Though not as stunning as Mia, they had a bond stronger than any sisterhood. They had attended the same high school and college, and it was Vanessa who convinced Mia to work at the same place. Vanessa, a vivacious 26-year-old, took a keen interest in others, particularly the opposite gender. She had gone through many boyfriends and even nursed a crush on their boss.

Ordering two glasses of champagne, they took their seats at the bar segment. Amidst the soft music and the laughter of the partygoers, a brief silence fell upon them. Mia observed their coworkers, seeing them at their happiest, chatting, laughing, dancing, taking selfies, and even engaging in some mischief fueled by the absence of their boss and manager. It felt like they were the owners of the party.

Breaking the silence, Vanessa snapped her fingers in front of Mia. "Hey, Mia, does Harry like you? Or do you like him? Are you guys dating?" she bombarded Mia with questions, her expression appearing downcast and sad.

"No," Mia quickly cut her off. "I don't have feelings for him, and I don't think he likes me either. We're not dating, okay?" she assured Vanessa. "I'll never run off with your man, silly," she added playfully.

Apologizing for her curiousness, Vanessa urged Mia to get up and dragged her onto the dance floor. The party eventually came to an end, and everyone dispersed, heading home. Mia returned to her quiet and deserted house, feeling a sense of loneliness. She wished her aunt's children attended a nearby school so they could keep her company.

When Vanessa wasn't around, Mia felt a deep solitude. Going to Vanessa's house was different, as her large extended family always visited, creating a lively atmosphere. Mia climbed the stairs and settled onto her bed, reflecting on the events of the evening. She also pondered her perpetual loneliness, with only her aunt and Vanessa as her friends. Apart from Vanessa, she had no other close companions.

"Maybe I should consider Vanessa's suggestion of finding a boyfriend," she mused aloud. But then, determinedly, she added, "No, I'll just embrace my loner nature. There's no point in getting involved. They all end up breaking your heart, leaving you hurt and miserable."

Feeling drained of energy, Mia rose lazily from her bed. The party and the flurry of emotions had taken their toll on her. She undressed and stepped into the bathroom, turning on the cold shower to soothe her scorching and uncomfortable heat.

As the water cascaded down, memories of Harry flooded Mia's mind.

Vanessa's confession about her feelings for Harry had been genuine, even though Mia knew deep down that Vanessa also harbored feelings for him. It was a difficult situation to navigate, and Mia knew she had to be cautious when Harry was around. Perhaps it would be best to avoid him altogether.

After showering, Mia changed into her cozy footy pajamas and slipped on her furry bear slippers before hopping onto her bed. Sleep eluded her, however, as thoughts of Harry consumed her mind. She tried her usual method of rolling over to fall asleep, but this time it didn't work. Desperate to push the thoughts away, Mia considered calling Harry. She held her phone in her hand, contemplating making the call, but ultimately decided against it. What would she even say?

Mia gulped down a glass of milk, hoping it would help her sleep. Finally, exhaustion overcame her, and she drifted off into slumber.

The next morning, Mia rose from bed early, determined not to let yesterday's events define her. She completed her household chores with lightning speed, surprising her aunt. Although her aunt wanted to inquire about her rush, she wisely chose to mind her own business and not spoil Mia's mood. Mia headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

For work, Mia donned a blue T-shirt with the Harry's Supermarket logo on the right side, coupled with a pair of black jeans that accentuated her hips and perfectly shaped butt. Completing her outfit were white sneakers, the required dress code for supermarket employees. She styled her hair into a bun, adorning it with a red ribbon. She looked like a cute Christmas present.