The black, long sleeved dress hugged my body in all the right places, showing off just a little bit of cleavage. Paired with a pair of sleek, black stilettos and a clutch bag to match.
My short dark brown hair was parted in the center and curled into messy waves.
Other than the necklace my dad gifted me for my twenty-fifth birthday, I didn't have any other piece of jewelry-my ears weren't even pierced.
Not a fan of it anyway.
Or anything artificial, save for fruit-scented lip glosses, body spray and antiperspirants.
I wore the diamond neck piece and it completed my look. It always did.
I checked myself out in the closet mirror, while doing a little swirl, and mannn...was I dressed to kill.
Having self-obsessed to my satisfaction, I exited the closet, turning the lights off on my way out.
My eyes happened to trail to the wall clock as I stepped into the hallway and I felt my soul almost leave my body.
Birthday or not, I wasn't going to hear the end of it from Mario, that's for sure.
I ran down the stairs and thank the Lord for years of repeated practice, even I don't know how I managed to make it to the front porch on four inch heels without falling over.
"Shit. My keys." I cursed under my breath then rushed back inside to grab my car keys from the coffee table.
Finally made it to the garage and got in my car, I paused to catch my breath for a few seconds after the marathon I'd just run.
Igniting the engine, gear on revise, seatbelt on, I pulled out of the garage and drove off.
I drove past Brews&Pages and felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Over time, it had become a ritual for me to grab coffee and donuts there every morning before work.
I really could've used one at that moment but given my tardiness, I didn't have time for such luxury.
I'd have given anything to have an iced vanilla latte and a jelly-filled donut at that moment.
My mouth watered just at the thought.
"Finally..." I let out a sigh of relief as I pulled up in front of the sleek, modern skyscraper that housed our media company.
I pulled down my sun visor mirror to check how I looked which was exactly same as when I left the house.
I stepped out of my car, my clutch in hand before handing the keys to the valet.
"Good morning, Miss Yareli. You're a bit early today, eh?" Harold teased me with a mischievous smile on his face.
"Oh, come on. Cut me some slack today, will ya?" I replied him with a small laugh.
"Go on now...oh and a blessed birthday to you, child." The man wished me with a bright smile.
"Thank you, Harold." I smiled back.
I felt a flurry of eyes on me as I walked past the glass doors and into the building. I smiled to myself, knowing I looked absolutely gorgeous despite the chaos of my morning.
The diamond piece on my neck sparkled in the bright lobby lights, and my heels clicked confidently on the polished marble floor.
I made my way to the elevator, exchanging pleasant smiles with a few colleagues as I passed by.
My hands shook a bit as I clicked on the 18 button.
Lord knew my ears weren't prepared to listen to Mario's incessant nagging.
The doors slid open and close with people entering and leaving, until it was just me left.
In the entire building, I was the only one who didn't work on the top floor, but got a free pass to go there whenever I wanted or had to.
Guess it was part of the perks when your friend's CEO.
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