Whisper of Fate: A Quiet Love Story

Chapter 7: The Clocks betrayal

Song for this chapter : My honest face by Inhaler
Style by Taylor Swift

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June's Pov

The elevator dinged, and as soon as the doors slid open, I dashed out, my bag nearly slipping off my shoulder. My heart raced, and my cheeks burned with embarrassment. I rushed towards Ms. Campbell's desk, trying to steady myself while fumbling with the strap of my bag.

"I'm so sorry for being late, Ms. Campbell," I blurted out, the words tumbling out in a flurry of panic. "My alarm didn't ring, and then my car ran out of gas on the way here, and—"

"June," she interrupted me, her voice calm but firm, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "It's okay. Things happen, I understand. Just don't make it a habit, and we can pretend it never happened," she added with a chuckle, though her tone still held authority. Her subtle seriousness was a clear reminder that this was my only free pass.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and straightened my blouse, trying to compose myself and look more professional. "Thank you so much for understanding, Ms. Campbell. I promise this was a one-time thing," I said, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. The anxiety that had gripped me all morning started to ebb away, but not completely. I still had a full day ahead of me.

"Good," she said, glancing at her screen before looking back at me. As I turned to head toward my office, which was connected to hers through a side door, her voice called out again. "Oh, June, I almost forgot to mention—I'd like to introduce you to some of the other photographers in the company today. I showed them your work, and a few of the younger interns are really eager to meet you and get some advice."

Her words stopped me in my tracks. My face felt hot as I processed what she'd just said. Praise from fellow photographers? It was both thrilling and intimidating. "Of course," I said, forcing a smile despite the nerves bubbling up. "I'm just going to drop my bag off, and then we can go." I smiled at her again, hoping it looked more confident than I felt, and walked into my office.

As soon as I closed the door behind me, I collapsed into my chair, releasing a long breath. The small office was cozy, with photographs from past shoots lining the walls, reminders of the path that led me here. Still, the weight of the morning lingered. I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Iris.

She picked up on the second ring, her voice groggy but teasing. "Why are you calling me so early? Are you okay? You're never up at this hour," she said with a laugh.

"I started my job yesterday, remember? I had the most horrible morning," I groaned, rolling my eyes even though she couldn't see me.

"Take a deep breath and tell me what happened."

For a second, I debated telling her about the dreams I'd been having about my mother— vivid and disorienting, leaving me restless at night—but I decided against it. No need to start the day off weird. Instead, I launched into the story of how my alarm hadn't gone off, how I'd rushed around my empty flat trying to get ready, and how my car had run out of gas, leaving me stranded in the middle of my frantic commute.

"You sleep so deeply, not even an army could wake you up," Iris laughed. I couldn't help but laugh with her, my earlier stress melting a bit more with every chuckle.

We talked for a few more minutes, her telling me about the stress of her exams, and I comforted her by promising a girls' night in to unwind later. As we hung up, I felt a little lighter, though I still had the rest of the day ahead of me.

I walked back out to Ms. Campbell's office, and together we made our way to the elevator. For the next three hours, I found myself immersed in conversations with photographers from various departments. Some were seasoned pros, and others were fresh-faced interns eager to make their mark. I gave them advice based on my own experiences—how to frame shots, how to work with natural light, and the importance of capturing emotion in every frame.

"But you have to remember," I said, speaking to a small group of interns, "every photographer is unique and has their own style. Don't feel like you have to follow what everyone else is doing. It can trap you in one area when there's so much more to explore." Their wide-eyed nods made me feel proud, like maybe, just maybe, I had something valuable to offer.

By the time I returned to my office, it was already 6 p.m. I was exhausted but satisfied with the day. I clocked out, said goodbye to Ms. Campbell, and headed to my car.

Sitting in the driver's seat, I turned on the heat, letting the warmth relax me as I pulled out of the parking lot. I still had one more stop before the day was over—a quick trip to the supermarket to grab snacks for tonight's girls' night with Iris.

Once inside the store, I grabbed a cart and made my way through the aisles, picking up all the essentials for a perfect night in: popcorn, chocolate, chips, wine. After paying for my groceries, I headed back to my car, making sure to lock it before starting the engine. (Note to self: always lock the car.)

Just as I was about to pull out, my phone rang. It was my dad. I put him on speaker as I drove, chatting with him about work, his shop, and the latest neighborhood gossip. It was comforting, hearing his voice after such a hectic day.

"Love you, Dad. I'll come by the shop tomorrow since I have the day off," I said as I pulled up in front of Iris' apartment.

"Love you too, June. Be safe, okay?" he replied.

I hung up, knocked on Iris' door, and before I could even say hello, she engulfed me in one of her famous hugs. I laughed, hugging her back. "I missed you too," I said.

"Of course you did," she teased. "It's been way too long since we had a cozy night in."

She had everything set up—the movie was paused, the snacks were ready. "Go change into the PJs I left on my bed, and I'll sort out the food you brought."

"Will do! Thanks, boo!" I called back, making my way upstairs.

I changed into the pink pajamas that matched hers and padded back down to the living room. We settled onto the couch, the familiar glow of the TV flickering in the background as we dug into our snacks. The comfort of the night washed over me, the chaos of the day fading into a distant memory. Eventually, we both drifted off, the movie still playing as the room fell into a peaceful quiet.

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Filler chapter, because I want this book to have a plot line before they meet. Also I don't want her life to only revolve around a man and love, but don't worry, boos I got you!! They'll meet again very soon;)

I wonder who's helping June with all the cartons 🤔

Anyways.... don't forget to vote

XOXO 💋