Chapter 2: Storm

The emerald locks cascading over her shoulders shines as she brushed them with care.

Lily stood before the mirror, adorning herself for a job interview.

Lily Cooper is a young adult aspiring to achieve a simple, yet, stable life in her city. Her optimistic spirit inspired her to keep on achieving her dreams despite the challenges she faces juggling multiple jobs.

"This is my chance to change my fate! I'll finally have a stable job!" Lily exclaimed in excitement, hoping to ditch her part time jobs for a permanent one.

Exiting the bus, Lily's phone buzzed with a call from Cedric, her boyfriend. A curved from her lips formed.

He greeted Lily and gave her his good luck wishes, reassuring her that success was within reach. With a grateful smile, she bid him farewell and began the short walk to the interview building.

She adjusted her blouse, her thoughts drifted to her supportive boyfriend, Cedric, whose encouraging words echoed in her mind.

Passing by a cafe, Lily's steps faltered as she caught sight of a familiar figure through the window.

Her eyes slowly widened in shock. It was Cedric, sharing a sweet moment with her best friend, Eve.

Her heart raced. Watching their intimacy made her feel like being sliced through by a knife. With a heavy heart, she made her steps quick, passing through the café unnoticed.

The weight of betrayal was bearing her down. Inside the elevator, Lily's facade cracked, tears started to form and fall, stinging her eyes as she grappled with the pain.

"How could he?" she whispered to herself, her heart aching with each passing floor.

During the interview, Lily struggled to focus, her mind was clouded by thoughts of Cedric and her best friend's betrayal.

"Ms. Cooper, are you alright?" The interviewer's voice cut through Lily's haze as concern etched on her face.

Lily forced a smile, her voice strained. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little nervous."

Her palms feels clammy and her mind is racing. Each question felt like a trap she couldn't escape.

"Can you describe a time you led a team successfully?" the interviewer asked, and Lily's mind went blank, unable to summon a single instance.

In each answer she makes, she stumbles over her words, as if she hasn't prepared for several days for it.

In the end, Lily was rejected. She left the interview room feeling defeated and overwhelmed. Lily went home, her spirits crushed by both rejection and betrayal.

"This has to be the worst day ever," she sighed, placing her shoulder bag on her bed.

"I can't believe I would be cheated on and rejected at work in the same day. Just wow!" She laughs at herself. Tears started welling up in her eyes. Remembering what just happened.

"That jerk! How could he do this to me? And with my best friend, too?" Trying her best to stop the tears, Lily firmly closed her eyes.

She wiped the tears in her cheeks as she checked for her phone. She saw Cedric's text asking how her day went, but his text only fueled her anguish.

Meeting at a fried chicken store, Lily decided to confront him. Her voice was trembling with hurt and anger.

"Cedric, how could you do this to me?"

Cedric looked confused. He had no idea what she's talking about.

"What do you mean?"

"I already know. You and Eve." Lily's voice cracked as she fought back her tears.

Cedric's expression softened as he realized.

"Lily, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you." Guilt was flickering in his eyes.

"Sorry? Is that the only thing you know?" Lily's voice rose, her fists clenched in frustration. "You betrayed me, Cedric. With my best friend! Sorry will never be enough... So forget it."

Cedric's shoulders sagged, his gaze falling to the ground.

"I know, and I regret it every day. But things haven't been easy for us lately. Baby, you're always busy with your part-time jobs and I felt alone. Since then, you've never had time for me!"

Lily's eyes was filled with tears, her heart breaking with each word. "You know I had to..."

Cedric shook his head, his voice tinged with sadness.

"No, I'm sorry. But Eve was there for me when you weren't. I didn't mean for it to happen."

With a heavy heart, Cedric walked away, leaving Lily alone with her pain and a box of fried chicken.

Days passed, Lily remained trapped in a cycle of grief and uncertainty. Lianne, her sister, offered comfort and a glimmer of hope in the form of a party invitation.

"It was given by a co-worker, I couldn't go," Lianne rest her head on Lily's shoulder, rubbing her back. "Why don't you go instead? Use this to unwind."

Reluctantly accepting, Lily prepared to attend the extravagant event aboard a yacht, hoping for a reprieve from her troubles.

As the yacht sailed into the night, Lily slightly felt comfort in the cold touch of sea breeze, making her troubles momentarily forgotten.

Holding a glass of orange juice, Lily turned around to see the crowd. There were only few guests invited. Apparently, it was a birthday party of a hotshot bachelor in their city. The ticket was a prize from a raffle her sister told her about.

She couldn't care less about whose birthday it was, her mind was solely focused on forgetting her problems.

"Alright. I'll take care of it as soon as the party ends." A deep voice interrupted Lily's thoughts, drawing her attention to a handsome stranger leaning against the bar from a distance.

The young man put down his phone into his pocket. He stood straight and was ready to go back into the party when he noticed the stare from somewhere.

Lily's cheeks flushed as she met the young man's gaze, her heart fluttering in her chest.

The stranger didn't mind and walked out.

She tried to follow the man when suddenly a familiar voice pulled her back to reality.

"Lily! Is that really you?" A familiar face appeared beside her, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"Sarah!" Lily exclaimed, relief flooding her as she embraced her old friend. "What are you doing here?"

Sarah laughed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I won tickets to this party in a raffle! Can you believe it? Talk about luck!"

Their laughter echoed across the deck as they caught up, their bond stronger than ever amidst the chaos of the party.

Their conversation lasted for almost an hour. Lily couldn't help but tell Sarah about what happened. Sarah felt sorry for her, assuring she will eventually get over it.

The small caught up of Lily and Sarah was suddenly interrupted by a distant rumble of thunder.

Lily glanced up at the darkening sky, a frown creasing her brow.

"Looks like a storm's rolling in,"

"We should head inside," Sarah suggested.

Just as they turned to make their way back to the safety of the yacht's cabin, a deafening crack split the air, followed by a blinding flash of lightning.

The yacht lurched violently beneath their feet, sending guests stumbling and shrieking in panic.

"Everyone, remain calm!" The captain's voice boomed over the chaos, his words a feeble attempt to quell the rising panic.

Lily's heart leaped into her throat as she gripped onto the railing for her dear life, after being rejected for a job, cheated by her boyfriend, now this?

The roar of the storm was drowning out all other sound. Amidst the chaos, Lily guided Sarah to safety. There were crews guiding the guests to evacuate into lifeboats.

As they boarded on a lifeboat, Lily's hands shook with fear.

"Sarah, what do we do?" her voice trembled as she clung to the gunwale, the roar of the waves drowning out her words.

Sarah squeezed her hand.

"We hold on, Lily. We hold on."

Lily closed her eyes... For a moment, her entire life races through her mind.

As Lily opened her eyes, a giant wave rushed towards their boat, filling her with fear. She scrambled to her feet, unable to find her voice as the wave crashed closer and closer. Time seemed to freeze as they prepared for the impact, unsure of what would happen next.