Camellia’s House, 8:30 am.

Employees from Camellia’s parents’ private hospital crowded the house. Camellia smiled at them while she was going downstairs to her mother. She couldn’t hide the anxiousness that washed over her face. She had an attractive beauty with an hourglass slim body and a round face. Wavy brown hair, full round naturally red lips, and hooded light hazel eyes that shine encounter with her glowing tanned skin.

She went to the backyard garden where her mother Layla was having breakfast next to the pool. Her mother was a psychiatrist. Famous for her calm and friendly personality. “Good morning, Momma,” Camellia said and sat on the chair next to Layla.

“Good Morning, did you sleep well?” she asked and then eyed her, noticing Camellia’s anxiousness. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m worried about Nadine,” Camellia said, taking one toast to eat.

“What happened yesterday was a lot to take in,” Layla said, sipping from her cup of tea.

“I can’t believe what he did; how could he hurt her like that? I tried to call her yesterday, but her phone was off,” Camellia said and sighed. “She always keeps herself busy and does not share what she’s feeling.”

“Not everyone knows how to express their feelings, so don’t leave her; she definitely needs someone with her,” Layla said and eyed Camellia again.

“I won’t,” Camellia said and gulped her breakfast. She tried to call her again yet no answer.

At the Azmi corporation, 9:10 am.

“Sorry Mr. Adam, you’re not allowed to go inside,” the security man said firmly.

“I want to talk to her now!” — Adam held the man’s collar roughly — “Move.”

The security man held Adam’s hand, shoving it away, causing him to slightly lose his balance, and said, “You’re not allowed to enter, and your belongings are already here.” Adam looked beside the man to see one big brown box with all his belongings.

It took Camellia a solid forty minutes to get to the company. After she parked her car. She saw Adam walking in the parking lot. He noticed Camellia and hurtled toward her, calling her name.

She didn’t respond. She put her bag over her shoulder, grabbed the coffee she bought for Nadine and locked the car. Adam stopped right in front of her in a quick movement that almost pushed the coffee cups over her. She gave him her iconic death stare that sent shivers down his spine along with an apology look washed over his reddish and sweaty face.

“Can we talk? Please, I need your help,” Adam said and left the box on her car. She cringed at his action and quickly shifted her body and walked away, yet Adam followed her fast steps. “Come on, Camellia, just give me a chance to explain myself! You owe me.”

“I owe you?” her stare was dark and cold.

“We are friends, and I need your help.”

Camellia looked back and chuckled. “Don’t flatter yourself. You know I hated you from day one.” She left Adam standing behind her about to cry. Camellia mumbled cursing words, till she reached the elevator button. She rarely gets angry; she has a joyful, optimistic personality, yet when she gets angry or nervous, she curses nonstop.

The elevator reached the ninth floor of Nadine’s office. Everyone was nervous and sweaty as if they were running for their lives. Camellia walked slowly as she reached Nadine’s secretary’s desk and found her about to cry. “What’s wrong?!” Lena’s entire face blushed.

She was trying hard not to cry. “Everything messed up… she is furious, and I don’t know what to do!” Lena blubbered. “I tried to fix it without getting her involved, but I couldn’t.”

“Calm down, go wash your face and I’ll talk to her,” Camellia said. Hopefully, she could calm the beast inside whom she could hear her loud voice from behind closed doors. She knocked on her door and opened it to find Nadine standing in the middle of her office. Talking in a high angry pitch, not paying any attention to anything else.

Camellia entered and sat on a chair in front of Nadine’s desk. “Finish this damn project before the end of the year!” She had never heard Nadine this angry before. “What! Now you realize that we have a problem! We had one year to finish! But now we only have two weeks!!” Nadine screamed, which made her jump a little.

Camellia whistled shrilly. Nadine glared at her; Camellia smiled and pointed at the coffee. Nadine moved her eyes and continued her call.