Alice's POV
The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the white ceiling above me, and my head hurt a little. I blinked, trying to remember what happened.
When I tried to move my arm, it ached. I turned my head slowly and saw a bandage around my wrist.
A nurse walked in immediately when she saw me move.
"Oh, you're awake," she said softly, smiling. "How do you feel?"
"I… I'm fine," I said quietly. "Where am I?"
"You're at Saint Luke's Hospital," she replied. "You were brought in last night. You passed out on the road."
I frowned, trying to recall. Then I suddenly remembered the motorbike, the sudden hit, and me passing out.
"Who brought me here?" I asked, sitting up slowly. My hand throbbed a little.
She looked down at the clipboard in her hand. "A man did. He didn't stay long, though. He just said to make sure you were okay."
"A man?" I repeated. "Did he leave a name?"
"Yes," she said, checking the slip on the table.
"He signed as Antonio Knight."
I whispered the name under my breath. "Antonio Knight…" It didn't sound familiar.
The nurse smiled again.
"You're lucky he found you when he did. You had only a small bruise on your wrist and a light sprain. Nothing serious, but you need to rest that hand for a few days."
I nodded slowly, still trying to make sense of it all.
"Can I leave now?"
"Yes," she said.
"You've already been discharged. Everything's been paid for."
"Paid for?"
"Yes. He handled the bill before he left."
That made me pause for a long time. I didn't even know him, yet he'd paid my hospital bill. Why would someone I didn't know do that?
When I stood up, the nurse handed over the discharge papers. My legs were a little weak, but I managed to walk. I thanked her quietly and left the hospital.
I took a cab home, and when I got to my old house, the movers were already there. They were carrying boxes out of the door and loading them into a van.
"Ma'am," one of them said when he saw me. "We were just about to call you. We've packed almost everything."
I nodded, not in the mood to talk much. "That's fine. I'll take a few things myself."
I stepped inside. The house was almost empty now. I picked up a small bag, looked around one last time, and closed the door behind me. I got out, and we were soon on the way to the new place.
When I got there, I was surprised. The house was even prettier than I thought it would be. It wasn't big, but it was clean and quiet.
The workers helped me move things in, and I asked them to arrange the furniture properly. I spent the next few hours putting things in place, folding clothes, unpacking books, and organizing the kitchen.
By evening, I finally sat down on the couch. I was tired, but it felt good.
I looked around the house and whispered, "This is my home now." I breathed an air of relief.
Then I realized I needed a job; I had all that was needed, so it would be easy to get one around here. Funny of me to praise myself, but to be brutally honest, I am quite intelligent.
I took my laptop from one of the boxes and sat at the small dining table. I opened a job site and started applying. I didn't even care what position. It could be a secretary, an assistant, or anything. I just needed work. When I was about to type my name, I instinctively typed "Alice Morgan," but then remembered I was now divorced, so I went with my dad's name, "Reynolds."
When I finished applying, I closed the laptop and lay down on the couch. The clock on the wall read 10:30 p.m.
When the thought of that man flashed to my head again, I covered my face with my hands. "Stop it, Alice," I whispered. "It was just one night." Until I finally fell asleep on the couch.
Two days later, on one fateful morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing. I reached for it and saw an email. It said,
Subject: Interview Invitation.
From: HR Department, Hale Global Enterprises.
My eyes widened as I opened it.
"Dear Ms. Alice Reynolds,
We have reviewed your application and would like to invite you for an interview on Friday at 9:00 a.m."
I couldn't help but smile. I was finally getting a chance to start again.
I stood up quickly, rushed to the bathroom, and stared at my reflection in the mirror. My wrist still had the bandage, but it was healing.
I brushed my hair, made coffee, and thought about what to wear.
The week passed quickly. I prepared all I could, printed out my CV, and on Friday morning, I was ready.
I dressed in a simple black skirt and a white blouse. I wanted nothing too fancy. I tied my hair neatly and put on light makeup.
Before leaving, I whispered a small prayer. "Please, let this be the start of something good."
I took a bus downtown and stopped at a small cafe near the company. I bought a cup of coffee to keep me calm.
As I stood by the counter waiting for change, I checked the company's name again. It was Hale Global Enterprises. It sounded big and important, and it made me feel nervous already.
When I got to the company gate, I stared up at the tall glass building. It looked expensive, too expensive for someone like me. But I had come too far to turn back now.
I walked in, and the receptionist gave me a visitor's tag. She told me to go up to the 5th floor for the interview.
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped in holding my coffee. I was nervous.
When the elevator stopped, I walked out quickly. The hall was busy as people moved everywhere.
I bumped into someone hard. My coffee splashed right on the person's shirt.
"Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" I said, panicking. I quickly tried to wipe it off with a tissue.
Then I looked up and froze.
The man standing in front of me looked just as shocked as I was.
"You…" I whispered, my voice barely coming out.
He blinked, staring at me.
For a few seconds, neither of us spoke as we just stared at each other.