Starting Point

The starry night was beautiful once they glowed in the sky, adding its shimmer to the already bustling city showing its grace and splendour as usual.

Amidst it all, a young lady stood by the roadside, her eyes blinking back the tears that threatened to spill as she tucked behind her ear the loose strand of wavy maroon hair and lifted her eyes.

It was such a lovely night, but why did it start with such shattering heart-piercing news?

She was a sales representative for New Dawn Auto Sales company and had been doing well in her job until recently.

Although she was new to the business, she had what people called starters luck, enjoying the start and making sales but with that luck came big problems, a dirty desire of men — greed, envy, wickedness.

From it, a change she did not think should happen, surely did, leaving her in a mess of things as those who envied her plotted to ruin her.

Like a myriad of events, she soon had all her customers and clients stolen from her by none other than her supposedly close friend — Bella Elise Anderson, BEA as she was fondly called.

All her life she had her by her side but never knew of her friend's bitterness towards her ease and success.

After getting her job, she managed to help her friend get in too but who would have thought she went behind her to steal her clients?

Heaven knew just what scrupulous means were used.

That didn't matter though as the company had its rule. No client for a month and you lose your job.

Given her earlier progress she was given a grace of another month after 'Bella' supposedly pleaded for her, offering to give her a client that month.

She had been thrilled to be helped by a friend and worked harder the next month only to have them bail on her and instead came to the company and signed a deal with her friend.

As suspicions grew, she tossed it aside, not wanting to be mistrusted until today when she overheard Bella on a call with one of the new clients, she had happily informed no one about.

How she got to Mr Clifford, she had no idea but she mentioned doing her best to serve him and thanking him for letting her take the deal instead of herself, she understood it all.

Devastated, she could barely think of anything and returned to her office.

Unable to calm her rage, she marched to her boss' office ready to make a complaint when she stumbled upon a sight that left her dazed.

Bella straddled the thighs of her boss with the front buttons on her blouse open and her bra slightly pushed down while his big hands massaged her butt bringing her skirt to her waist.

Her rage and disgust took over when she saw the latter make no effort to cover herself and instead snickered at her.

In his anger, he questioned her behaviour for not leaving but Bella stopped it and spoke instead.

"I believe Ms. Aiden would like to report something to you."

Mr. Liam scrunched his brow at her but fell silent. Lifting his eyes to Astra he nodded, giving his go-ahead.

"Thank you, sir," Astra managed to get out without looking at her friend. Now she knew just how she landed those jobs.

"First, I would like to apologize for the interruption but it is concerning Ms. Anderson's behaviour." Mr. Clifford arched a brow but kept quiet.

"I recently found out she has been stealing my clients and..."

"I am afraid I would have to stop you there, Ms. Aiden. Just because you have failed for two months does not give you the right to slander others."

What?

Astra couldn't believe the words her ears heard. Slander?

"Maligning a friend who helped you out last month and taking my grace for granted is a big offence."

"But sir..."

He held his pa, silencing her involuntarily. "I know what this is."

"You do?" Her disbelief was sent through her words. Right now, she knew everything was futile but could not help in trying to fight one last time.

"Today marks the last day of the month and still you delivered nothing. By the rules, it is your last day of work in New Dawn Auto Sales."

His lips curved upward slightly as his bad intentions shimmered in his eyes.

"Sir, you can't do that. I just told you what Ms. Anderson has been doing and..." Her words got cut in her mouth when his sharp glare narrowed on her.

"What matters is who brings the most client and who doesn't. When you had your beginner's luck, no one spoke I'll about you but now that it is her time, you malign her. Okay if you say she stole, do you have proof?"

At this point, Astra knew she made a mess.

She had left her office to get coffee and decided to pay her friend a visit when she heard her on the phone.

With no phone with her, she could not record anything but being the last day of work, she let her desperation lead her in hopes of clinging to her last hope, him, the man who knew her worth, Mr. Clifford.

"I see, no evidence. Aren't you just looking to make a fool out of yourself? Besides, if she stole your client as you say, doesn't that mean you are lousy as compared to the effort she puts in to get them? It is simple, Bella is a better Sales Rep than you."

Tears stung her eyes at his insults. Better Sales Rep? Bloody hell it was all her luck and shine.

Astra gritted and squeezed her fist beside her with her head lowered.

She knew the inevitable was coming and when he finally voiced out those words, her heart sank big time.

"I'll save everyone the stress, Ms. Aiden. You are fired."

She had wanted to beg but given their position, she knew it was worthless. She raised her head, her eyes settling on the mistake of a human being she once called her close friend.

A triumphant smile lingered on her lips in her disgraceful pose but that obviously did not bother the latter.

"Thank you, sir. I hope with me gone she can continue being the best."

With that she stormed off, waving them to their business and went to pack her things.

Sneers and side comments were thrown after her. Suddenly no one likes her.

It felt as though they had waited for this day. The day of her defeat.

Trying to fix the scorching pain in her heart, she ventured towards a bar but the second she took her first drink and it burned her throat, Astra knew it was a silly mistake.

Quickly she paid and ran out of the bar, her only thought now was where to start and how to end this painful betrayal steering at her heart.

"I'm so tired," she muttered and lowered her gaze.

Astra took her first step without caring about her surroundings, walking into the road to cross to the other side.

A silly and lost mistake the next second, the screeching sound of an incoming car at high speed reverberated in the bustling street followed by its horns but before it could totally gain control, it slammed into her.

HONK!

All Astra heard before her life flashed in front of her eyes was the sound that brought her brain to life a little too late.