Not all stories start with a "Once upon a time." Some begin with a loud bang.
The grating blare of the alarm clock jolted Alexandria Achara Anderson from her slumber. Rolling over in her too-large bed, she fumbled to silence the persistent noise. Her bleary eyes blinked at the clock's glowing digits-12:00 p.m. For once, she wasn't waking up at the crack of dawn. Today's late start was a rare luxury, a deliberate choice to give her enough time to prepare for Samantha's celebration party.
Stretching luxuriously across her king-sized bed-large enough to fit at least ten grown men-she made sure to avoid any reflective surfaces on her way to the bathroom. The past week had been a blur since stepping down as CEO of About Times Corporation, one of the world's leading electronics and gaming companies. Self-care had taken a backseat, and she didn't need a mirror to remind her of that.
Her bare feet barely registered the chill of the marble floor as she padded lazily into the bathroom. Eyes half-closed, hair a tangled nest on her head, she shrugged off her silk robe and let it pool at her feet. Turning to face the mirror, she finally took in her reflection.
On the surface, Alexandria was every bit the beauty the tabloids gushed about. One of the city's most eligible bachelorettes, she had admirers of every persuasion. Her petite frame stood at just 4'10", but her presence and confidence could make her seem much taller. Her body was a balanced blend of curves and strength, a testament to her commitment to health despite her busy lifestyle.
Her hair, a striking shade of fox-fur red, cascaded down her back in loose beach waves when tamed. Today, it was a wild, curly mess. Her rich brown skin glowed under the bathroom's soft light, her rounded nose and full lips a homage to her African-American heritage. Her almond-shaped, upturned eyes-dark brown and piercing-were the most striking feature, hinting at her Southeast Asian roots.
She allowed herself a small smile, appreciating her reflection for the first time in days. Stripping off the last of her sleepwear, she stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away the grime of the previous night. As the steam enveloped her, her thoughts drifted to the day ahead.
Samantha's "new life" party was her friend's way of ushering Alexandria into this new chapter-free from the suffocating responsibilities of being a CEO. With the company now in the capable hands of her older cousin, Alexandria could finally breathe, rediscover her social life, and reconnect with friends.
Samantha had always been her anchor. They met in high school, where the tall, slightly awkward Greek-Italian girl had transferred in their sophomore year. Samantha, with her towering 6-foot frame, freckled face, curly brown hair, and ever-present hearing aids, stood out just as much as Alexandria. Despite their physical contrasts, they clicked immediately.
Their friendship became legendary-a walking juxtaposition of the petite, reserved Alexandria and the exuberant, extroverted Samantha. While Alexandria preferred the quiet corners of the library, Samantha thrived on conversation, volunteering for school events, and dragging Alexandria along for the ride. They balanced each other perfectly.
As Alexandria finished her shower, she thought about how much she owed Samantha. Despite Alexandria's intense focus on building her empire, Samantha had remained a constant presence, always checking in, ensuring she didn't neglect her well-being.
Wrapped in a cotton bathrobe, she made her way back to the bedroom. Within an hour, she was dressed and ready, her outfit meticulously chosen for the evening's festivities. But with two hours to spare, she decided to make a quick stop-perhaps grab a bite and find something special for Samantha.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Samantha:
"Party's pushed back an hour. Btw, that red dress from the latest collection? My favorite! Can't wait to see you in yours!"
Alexandria smiled, shaking her head. Samantha knew her too well. With that, she grabbed her coat and headed out, ready to face the city's chaos before the celebration began.
YOU ARE READING
Rewritten Fates: Alexandria's Tale
Fantasy(Read to find out) Ever wondered what could happen sometimes after happily ever after? Or maybe when your time has come a little too soon. where do you go? These are questions that Alexandria never had yet ends up finding out.
