[Day 1, Early Morning, Weather: Sunny]
Even without an alarm, Luellen was forced to open her eyes. She looked to the side and found her wall clock in a steeply angled sad face. It was only five minutes past 5:30 AM. The system woke her up too early.
"Is this necessary? I know I have a big day ahead, but…" Luellen yawned and stretched around her bed. She would lie on her side and close her eyes, but her body jerked again. It was as if the system was kickstarting her mind.
"Do I have to get up this early?" Luellen sat up and stretched some more. She left the bed and trudged around the house to get ready for the day.
[Required Attire: Business, Outfit Score: B+]
Luellen dropped the small smile she wore. She only wanted to comb her hair in front of the mirror. Why was the system grading her outfit? It didn't matter. Luellen had no other outfits to squeeze into. It was already a tailored pair of blouse and pencil skirt. It should have been enough for her office work.
As for the 'Day 1' in her system's calendar, it was her first day in her new work. Well, first work, even. Luellen had helped her father in their small family business in the neighboring town. However, recent circumstances had forced her to find work somewhere else. Thinking about it made Luellen's arms limp.
Her countenance grew more exhausted. It had been three months since the accident. On their way back from a meeting, her parents met with a car crash. A bigger SUV ran the red light and smashed right into her parents' car. It was a head-on collision. Front passengers had no chance. The only thing that survived was the small, empty vivarium her father was supposed to gift her. They were supposed to collect pretty butterflies and put them up on display.
In the end, Luellen's life took a sudden turn. She had to pay for the services and keep herself alive as if she had been doing it for so long.
However, what should have saved her was taken away. Her father's partner and her uncle took over their family business and kicked Luellen out. She only had this apartment she rented… and a friend working in a big company.
Three months was enough time to mope. Luellen had to move forward.
"Hey! Lue, over here!" A high-pitched voice called Luellen. The maiden standing on the side of the bus stop waved at her.
"Hey, Sue. Good morning!" Luellen walked toward her and waved back.
"I'm happy I got here earlier than normal." Summer, known as Sue, laughed and did an animated gesture of relief. She gestured at the bus stop. "Get to know this stop, Lue. You will be here every day! Oh, and August said he'll pick us up tomorrow. He's still out there, doing who knows what. I did tell him you're starting today, though."
Luellen chuckled. "It's all right. I'd have to learn this route for work. Tell August thanks for the offer."
Summer looked at her with a little squint. She clicked her tongue. "Luellen Piper, you can't settle with a small character like my brother. You're now hitting the big city with me! There are a lot of handsome men where I work!"
A laugh came as her only answer.
Luellen wasn't interested in settling down or dating. She had a lot of things to attend to. She couldn't even live on her own just yet.
The city bus soon arrived at the stop. No one got off at their stop, so Summer and Luellen had to squeeze inside and pick a seat near the entrance. The bus ride was only a few minutes long, just as short as their extra time. It was best for them to get off as quickly as possible. Working hours didn't wait for the rank-and-file like them.
"Lue, do you want to come with me to the mall later?" Summer glanced at her seatmate. "I mean… I think I can find you a good foundation and a blush-on."
"Hm? You're buying me makeup?" Luellen's brows rose. She waved her hand. "They're expensive, Sue. I should be fine like this."
Summer stared longer and rummaged through her bag. "Not quite, Lue. I know it's not in the job description, but the women there are… ruthless. Here, I'll lend you some of my products. At least wear something to keep your face from sweating."
Luellen could only do her best to apply makeup while on the bus. She had Summer beside her, so she wasn't completely helpless. She didn't realize her face would look different once she wore more colors. Not that she had become heaven-defying… She just looked… professional. Lined eyes, red lips, faint blush. A proper office lady.
[Required Attire: Business, Outfit Score: A-]
The system's sudden ping startled Luellen. It seemed that the system was asking her to look more like a real office lady. However, she could only do this with Summer's help. Buying cosmetics on her own will blow a hole in her budget.
She even wondered if Summer could hear its voice. After all, this system only showed up after Luellen opened that pink notebook on her nightstand. It was only supposed to be an empty notebook, but Luellen wrote her name on it. Everything that belonged to her kept slipping out of her hands. Luellen just wanted to see her name written on something she could keep. It might not mean much, but Luellen grasped onto it.
However, a system was activated alongside her ownership of the pink notebook. It called itself the Hearts System, but Luellen hadn't heard about any hearts yet. At most, it functioned like some kind of electronic companion.
…
The Wentworth Towers were supposed to be only one company. However, it had multiple towers, with the highest rising in the middle. If Luellen were asked, she would call it a palace. After all, it was comparable to a king's palace in quality and standing. The Wentworth Towers held onto the heart of Wentworth Industries. The conglomerate's CEO, owner, and president usually stayed on the eighteenth floor.
Summer and Luellen would be working on the tenth floor, however.
"Only employees can access the sixth floor and up. You have to report to the receptionist's desk first." Summer walked in with Luellen. "Good luck, Lue! You can handle this! You handled everything else very well!"
"Thanks, Sue. I'll look for you later." Luellen waved at her friend. Her small smile almost fell as she watched Summer go.
Summer Bloomfield was a pretty lady who knew how to make herself prettier. She might not be a top beauty, but men still turned whenever she walked by. Just now, Summer got on the elevator, and three male employees watched her all the way. Luellen could only dream of having that kind of charisma.
The more she compared her looks to Summer, the louder Luellen sighed within her. Her hair was not as wavy as Summer's, while her body lacked shape and silhouette. Perhaps, she only looked decently pretty because Summer helped her.
[Envy detected! You have earned 1 black heart/s!]