C1 CHAPTER ONE

In the dim glow of the living room, I found my younger brother Rob engrossed in a medical program on TV. His face beamed with excitement, and as he noticed me, he rushed over, enveloping me in a warm embrace.

His joy seemed extraordinary, prompting me to inquire if something significant had occurred. Brushing it off, he insisted it was just happiness to see me

Skeptical, I playfully tickled him, hoping to unravel the source of his elation. Still, he maintained that all was well. Satisfied, I inquired about his meal, and she cheerfully mentioned having lasagna, even saving a portion for me in the microwave.

With a promise to join him shortly, I retreated to my room, shedding the weariness of the day. After a refreshing shower, I returned to my laptop desk to discover a mysterious brown envelope. Intrigued, I considered showing it to Rob, but he urged me to unveil its contents.

The day unfolded with an unexpected letter revealing that Rob, my younger brother, had secured a scholarship at Stanford University in San Francisco, California. Overwhelmed with joy, I embraced him, realizing we were forging a path that would make our departed parents proud.

To celebrate Rob's achievement, we ventured out for ice cream because that is Rob's favorite. Little did I know that this outing would lead to a chance encounter with an accident. Thankfully, the collision was minor, and as I rose to my feet, a kind woman stepped out of her car, offering her business card as a gesture of compensation.

The following morning, at 6 am, the alarm jolted me awake. Today marked Rob's first day as a medical student at Stanford University. After a hurried breakfast, I escorted him to the magnificent campus. Grateful for the taxi that got us there promptly, we marveled at the comeliness of Stanford University.

As Rob embarked on this new chapter, our journey of triumph unfolded, intertwining moments of celebration, unexpected encounters, and the promise of a brighter future.

In the bustling atmosphere of Stanford University, we hailed the familiar taxi to the majestic campus. My younger brother, full of anticipation, was assigned to the medical and surgery department during the registration process. Meanwhile, I, in a rush to evade my boss's ire, headed to my regular coffee shop.

"Good morning!" Shouted Aurora enthusiastically

"Morning, Aurora," they replied acknowledging her vibrant presence. Not everyone reciprocated her greetings, as she was somewhat polarizing in the workplace. Amelia, her sole friend, seemed immune to this indifference.

"Aurora, hurry! Our boss will be here soon," urged Amelia. She presented chocolate bread and Aurora's eyes lit up with delight.

" yummy!" Aurora exclaimed, savoring the treat as they both scurried to change into their work attire. The day unfolded uniquely, with a surge of customers filling the tables.

Amelia and Aurora navigated the busy restaurant, managing a steady stream of orders. The day's energy felt distinct as if an unusual excitement had swept through the university campus.

In the bustling cafe, customers streamed in and out, keeping Aurora on her toes. Darting to the second table, she eagerly took orders, scribbling them down in her trusty jotter before dashing to the next. The constant chorus of " Barista!" echoed. Making her task even more demanding. Despite the help from fellow baristas, the influx of customers seemed never-ending.

Breathless and visibly weary, Aurora swiftly collected the orders before rushing to Amelia's side. Gasping for air, gratefully accepted a tray of coffee.

"Here is the coffee you ordered," Amelia said, handing over the tray. While Amelia worked in the kitchen with others, Aurora took charge of serving the customers." Thanks... Lest I forget, those are the orders on the jotter; we need more coffee, thank you," Aurora replied, quickly walking away to attend to her duties.

As they navigated the bustling cafe, the boss's unexpected entrance added a new layer of tension. Aurora engrossed in her tasks, was summoned by the boss to see him in his office after closing time. The impending meeting lingered in the air, casting a shadow over the otherwise dynamic atmosphere of the cafe.

By 6 pm when everybody had left filled with anxiety, Aurora entered his office fully aware of his inappropriate feelings. As he approached her regularly, Aurora's discomfort grew. Eventually, her boss confessed his love, crossing boundaries by expressing a desire for more. Despite her rejection, he persisted, attempting to force himself on her. Aurora bravely stood against his advances, determined to maintain her dignity in the face of an uncomfortable and unacceptable situation.

In a tense confrontation, Aurora retaliated, delivering a swift kick to her assailant. However, as she moved to open the door for escape, her boss seized her once more. A stroke of luck awaited her on the table - a bottle of wine. With quick thinking, Aurora grabbed the bottle and shattered it against her boss's head, creating a momentary diversion.

Seizing the opportunity, she sprinted away from the perilous encounter, leaving behind a shattered bottle and a thwarted assailant.

As I sprinted until I hit the bustling main road, a sense of vindication washed over me. Thoughts swirled about what might happen if he met his end, but I quickly dismissed them - none of my business. Tomorrow, job hunting will become my priority; the looming threat of getting sacked by my boss will propel me into action.

As I walked through the front door, I found my brother already at home. After exchanging warm embraces and greetings, he shared that his day had gone well, intrigued by the events of the day, I retreated to my room to ponder tomorrow's possibilities.

In the quiet of my space, I recalled the business card the woman had handed me earlier. Curiosity got the better of me, prompting a decision to give her a call. To my surprise, she answered promptly, and I introduced myself. Without hesitation, she mentioned she had been eagerly anticipating my call.

It turned out she had scheduled an appointment for us tomorrow at 8 am. As the phone call concluded, I couldn't help but wonder about the unexpected turn of events that awaited me in the business meeting set for the following day.

So the following day........