She groaned, dragging a pillow over her head as if that could block reality out. The ringtone stopped blessed silence only for it to start again, louder this time.
She fumbled across her nightstand, knocking over her charger, a half-empty mug, and what might have been yesterday's snack wrapper. Her voice came out rough, half-asleep.
"what do you want?"
"umm..do you have any idea what the time is SIERRA OTEGA!" mel yelled across the phone, sierra face twisted as the checked the date and time
"Holy fxck" sierra exclaimed " I thought it was the weekend" sierra bolted towards the toilet and frantically reached for her toothbrush
"I've warned you to stop drinking like a fool sierra you just won't listen you might as well stay at home cause supervisor James is already livid" Mel said while rubbing her temples together. Ever since Sierra lost her dad the only parent she'd ever truly been close to she'd been slipping. Grief had hollowed her out, and for a while, she stopped caring about everything, including herself. It almost broke her completely. But Mel, her best friend, and Sophie, her teenage sister, were always there for her.
"I'll make it" sierra said briefly while hanging up. She was ran out the bathroom and caught a glimpse of her reflection , dark eyes , chapped lips, and pale skin. Sierra couldn't even fathom that this was actually her in the mirror . She blinked several times, as if snapping out of a daze, then hurriedly slipped on her shoes, grabbed her keys, and dashed down the stairs. In the living room, her little sister Sophie was sprawled comfortably on the couch, eyes fixed on the TV playing some reality show.
"Excuse you, ma'am—aren't you supposed to be at school?" Sierra called out, hands on her hips.No response.Frowning, Sierra walked closer, only to realize Sophie was fast asleep. She sighed and gently tapped her shoulder.Sophie flinched, rubbing her eyes before slowly getting to her feet.
Sierra repeated her question, a hint of impatience in her voice.
"We're on a three-day break," Sophie mumbled sleepily. "I told you about it yesterday."
Sierra blinked, then rubbed the back of her head nervously. "Oh-right. I'm sorry," she said with an awkward laugh. "I'll make it up to you when I get back, I promise."
Sophie only rolled her eyes and waved her off, shooing her sister toward the door.
Sierra let out a heavy sigh while the road wind hit her face. Who would know she is late to work with her cool demeanour. She picked up her phone and checked the time as if expecting it to go backwards.
Just as she made a sharp right turn her car collided with another car. 'great just what I needed right now'. She quickly hopped down to check the damage while examining the dent on the bumper she heard a soft , professional voice. Sierra spun her head around only for them to meet with the most beautiful woman she's ever seen her hair neet and styled into a near bun and her suit tailored to perfect. She was tall and elegant like she belonged in a victoria secret magazine. Her voice interrupted Sierra's thoughts. "We are so sorry for the damage here is my business please do well to contact me for compensation" and with that she shoved the card in Sierra's hand and walked graciously back to her car and sped away like nothing happened. Sierra stood there dumbfounded staring at the card in front of her ADRIANA PETERSON—LEVMORE INDUSTRIES.
Sierra pulled up in the company's parking lot and jolted for the door like her life depened on it she ran through the hallways with her heels clicking left and right. Her colleagues only stared and her for a short while then resumed their duty like it was a normal thing.
She stopped at the conference room door hesitating to open it,then it burst open and all the supervisors and admins and other colleagues walked out chatting about the meeting. Some even looked at her then whispered amongst themselves which was followed by laughter . Sierra felt humiliated once again - 'SIERRA' her name cut through the air she turned around to find her superior staring daggers at her I'm really sorry—"
"This is your second time this week," the woman interrupted smoothly. "You're good at what you do, but talent doesn't excuse tardiness. Consider this a warning."
Sierra nodded, cheeks burning. "Yes, ma'am. It won't happen again." The supervisor gave a curt nod and left, heels clicking decisively down the hall.
She gave a sigh of relief then saw Mel casually watching her with amusement
"Well well well if it isn't the CEO of vintage communication" mell teased
"I don't have the energy for this mell I think the universe is against me for some reason" sierra said "was it the universe who woke you up late miss" Mel attacked while walking towards her then releasing a tiny laugh
" It isn't funny, like it wasn't enough to wake up late I had to play bumper car this morning" sierra added " huh what do you mean" Mel looking confused " my car got hit but I'm grateful it wasn't a hit and run they gave me a business card and then 'ran'"
"Your car got hit?" Mel asked
"Yep" sierra replied while handing the card to Mel. Mel eyes ran through the card as if Searching for something then it lit up like a light bulb. Sierra snatched the card and asked what . "Do you have any idea what levmore industries is ? " Mel said with suprise in her eyes
" No? Why would I?" Sierra said ignorantly
" Well you dumb girl , they are literally the leading company in this city the biggest and richest. These people are rich rich I mean old money, private jet rich " Mel filled sierra in "well she didn't look old money she looked classy and model-like" sierra protested
"Even worse , You better call her. Forget insurance, forget the mechanic make her pay for that bumper. That's at least three months of your salary right there."
Sierra laughed, tucking the car back in her purse and "you're being dramatic"
" No I'm being smart" leaning closer the. Pointing to her bag you better call her.
Sierra held her hand up as if surrendering
"Fine fine " .
The sun had already gone down when sierra pulled up to the driveway. Her body felt like it had been running on caffeine and alcohol all day. The moment the stepped inside Sophie's voice drifted from the living room " you're late again sierra". Sierra groaned kicking the heels off her foot " you sound just like my boss" her sister laughed softly "maybe because we both care about you"
Sierra closed her eyes and lay on the couch and chucked " oh please ".
"So how was work today" Sophie jumped in with questions
Sierra stood up slowly while walking to her room " boring as usual"
"Have you eaten!?" Sophie yelled while sierra continued walking
"I'll come down soon I wanna take this stupid work outfit off me first" sierra mumbled before leaving Sophie's sight.
The dinner table was quiet as usual. The sounds of plates scratching and spoons clicking filled the air
" So what did you do today" sierra broke the silence
"Nothing much" Sophie shrugged
" My car got hit today" sierra said abruptly.
Sophie stared at her waiting for sierra to say she's crack a joke or something but she didn't "sorry" Sophie added while facing her meal.
The converstion felt dreadful when sierra put her spoon down with a loud thud and looked at Sophie "what's wrong you don't seem excited did anything happen?"
Sophie shook her head and then wiped her eyes and looked at sierra with teary eyes " I miss dad" then she burst into tears.
Sierra rushed to her side and held her while she cried uncontrollably . Sierra brushed her hands across Sophie's back repeatedly trying to sooth the situation. This has been their life for 6 years now. Sierra was the only parent Sophie had she was just 11 when Thier dad,Their only parent left this earth. 17 year old sierra had to stand in the gap and become strong not just for herself but for her sister Sophie.
When Sophie finally fell asleep sierra cleared the table and did the dishes .
She slipped into her room
She slipped into her room, letting the door click shut behind her. The exhaustion finally hit. She threw herself onto the bed face-first, breathing into the pillow. Then her hand brushed her bag, and then remembered the business card the pulled it out and stared at it. Before she could overthink it she had already dialed the number. One ring, and she silently started regretting it. Then—"Adriana Peterson speaking"
The woman's voice was low, calm, and disarmingly graceful. Sierra froze, her throat dry. "Uh—hi. It's… Sierra. From earlier today. The car accident?" A soft hum came through the line. "Ah, yes. I was expecting your call." Sierra blinked. "You were?" "Of course. I'd like to make things right. Are you available tomorrow afternoon to discuss it in person?" "Tomorrow?" Sierra stammered. "Yes..yes, I am." "Good," Adriana said smoothly. "I'll send the address."And just like that, the line went dead leaving Sierra staring at her phone, her heart thudding with a strange mix of nerves and curiosity.
The next day came by quickly. she in the middle of getting ready to go see Adriana when a knock came on her door. It was Sophie "can I come with you please" Sophie pleaded with hands clasped together. Sierra looked at her in amusement "you know I can't take you with me sophs come on this is business" Sophie looked devastated but not surprised she lay helplessly on Sierra's bed and started scramble around with her property.
"Alright I'm ready how do I look" sierra stood up then spun around so Sophie can see how outfit property. " Wow you look amazing you're gonna blow them away with this outfit" Sophie praised. Sierra put on an off shoulder white sweater that hugged her body, skinny jeans paired with long boots. And a shoulder bag. She looked casual and professional at the same time "okay Sophie I'll see you later" sierra said with a smile and left.