Always You ✔

05 Chapter

**Sebrina's P.O.V.**

After surviving both the interview and that nightmare encounter with Austin, I dragged myself home. Honestly, at this point, I wasn’t sure if I deserved a medal or a nap.

The moment I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I kicked my shoes off like they’d committed a crime and headed straight for the couch. Blazer off, two buttons of my shirt undone, and a long, dramatic sigh of relief. If anyone saw me, they'd think I just came back from war.

“Hey, baby!”

I froze. *Wait. What?*

“Who the hell—” I whipped my head around, fully ready to grab a lamp as a weapon, when my eyes landed on the one person I missed more than pizza on a cheat day.

“NADIA!!!” I screamed like I hadn’t seen her in years (because I hadn’t), and launched myself at her, practically tackling her to the floor.

“Oh my God, when did you get here?! You said you wouldn’t be able to visit for *months*! You evil, cruel—” I was still clinging to her like a koala, in case she tried to escape.

Nadia laughed, peeling me off like I was an overexcited toddler. “So many questions! Calm down before you suffocate me with affection.” She held my hands, smiling wide. “I just landed and I’ve been dying to surprise you! You have *no idea* how hard it was not to text you.”

I stared at her, blinking. “Aww, I missed you!” I pulled her into another hug, softer this time.

After our little reunion, we both made a beeline for the kitchen because, as usual, we were both starving. I decided to whip something up while Nadia, as usual, "helped" by standing there and gossiping.

“When you told me you were moving to California, I was so excited. But of course, life had other plans,” she said, tossing a piece of lettuce in the air and trying to catch it with her mouth. She missed. Terribly.

“It’s okay, Nadia. I’m just happy you’re here now,” I replied, chopping vegetables and trying not to laugh at her lettuce failure.

She stepped closer, her face serious for once, and looked me up and down like she was scanning for injuries. "Hey... you okay? We haven’t really talked since your parents... and it’s making me feel like the worst friend ever.”

I shook my head quickly. “No, no, you’re not! Everyone’s busy with their own lives. I can’t drag you into my personal pity party.”

Nadia huffed, crossing her arms. “Yeah, well, I RSVP’d to that party months ago. You know you can talk to me, right?”

I gave her a weak smile but quickly changed the subject. After all, talking about my feelings was on my *avoid at all costs* list for now.

Once the food was ready, we settled in the living room with plates in hand, sitting cross-legged on the floor. Nadia, as usual, devoured my cooking like it was Michelin-star level. Honestly, sometimes I thought she visited just to eat.

“Ugh, so how’s work treating you?” I asked, knowing she had a love-hate relationship with her job.

“Don’t even get me started,” she groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically. “I swear, if I didn’t need money for my shoe addiction, I’d have quit ages ago. My boss is the *worst*. But, you know, capitalism.” She took another bite of pasta. “What about you? Did you find a job?”

I nodded, trying to chew fast enough to respond. “Yeah, I’m going to be working at Hunt Enterprises.”

And that’s when Nadia choked. Full-on, spit-out-your-wine choking.

“Wait, WHAT?!” She slapped a hand over her mouth, wide-eyed. “You’re going to work with your *ex*?!”

I blinked. “Uh... what now?”

“Please tell me you know that Ander works there as head of management,” she said, staring at me like I’d just announced I was going to live in a cave.

Now it was my turn to choke on my drink. I coughed, spilling wine all over my shirt. “WHAT?!”

Nadia laughed, clearly enjoying my panic. “Girl, you are seriously doomed.”

I threw my head back against the couch in despair. “Great. This is just *great.*” I sighed, frustrated. “One side, I have my obsessed ex-boyfriend, and on the other, my *actual* enemy.”

Nadia burst out laughing again, completely unsympathetic. “Oh my God, this is going to be so much fun for me to watch. You know Austin’s going to make your life a living hell, right? He’s got the perfect opportunity for revenge now!”

I shot her a glare. “Thanks for the support, Nadia. Remind me why I’m friends with you again?”

She wiped away a tear from laughing so hard. “Because I’m amazing. But seriously, Sebrina—Austin as your boss? This is karma at its finest. I’m grabbing popcorn for your downfall.”

I groaned, leaning into her shoulder, feeling my doom settle in. “I can’t believe this. I’m going to see *Austin* every day.”

Nadia rubbed my back soothingly. “Don’t worry. Maybe he’s matured. Maybe he’s moved on. I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

I lifted my head, looking at her like she’d grown two heads. “Austin? *Matured*? Did you hit your head on the plane?”

She shrugged. “Okay, maybe not. But hey, it’s in the past, right? College drama is so last decade.”

I nodded slowly, trying to convince myself. “Yeah, yeah, you’re right.”

Then I froze. “Wait... what about Ander?”

Nadia hummed, pretending to think. “Oh, you mean the ex you never really got over? He probably has a girlfriend by now. Moved on. Living his best life.”

I felt a small pang in my chest. *Great, just what I needed.*

“Okay, enough of my tragic love life. Tell me about you. How’s Polo?” I asked, changing the subject before I drowned in emotional baggage.

She smirked, knowing exactly what I was doing but letting it slide. “Oh, Polo? He’s living his best life too—stealing my food, shredding my shoes. You know, the usual.”

---

Hope you enjoyed this chapter with a surprise twist of exes, enemies, and best-friend banter! Don't forget to comment and vote! *Till then, adiós mi amor!* 💋

---

What do you think?