A/N

This story is unedited so apologies for grammatical and spelling errors if any.

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Fiora (POV)

Waking up in an unfamiliar place, I was initially filled with confusion and apprehension. However, as I scanned the room, my eyes landed on my book, accompanied by a reassuring note from Zack.

"Welcome to your new home. I'm sorry I couldn't prepare a meal for you; duty called. I've arranged for two days of sick leave and your luggage transfer. I'll call when I can. There are supplies in the pantry; feel free to help yourself. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to reach out. From Sexy Zack and Hairy Theo"

I smiled at the note and was grateful for his kindness, I reached for my phone and quickly typed out a message expressing my heartfelt thanks to Zack for his support and assistance

I quickly surveyed the house, appreciating its lack of ostentation. Desperate for some privacy, I was relieved to know I could finally have the space to myself and come and go as I pleased. Hostels had too many time restrictions, often forcing me to sneak out just to have some freedom.

The first thing I did was prepare a meal for myself; I was famished. I whipped up some stuffed potato flatbread with spiced yoghurt and savoured it in blissful solitude. As I unpacked and settled my belongings, I called my parents for a lengthy chat. It was a comforting hour of catching up, all while I sorted through my meagre possessions

Afterwards, I took some time to catch up on office updates and what I needed to prepare for before officially returning to work after nearly ten days of leave.

During our conversation, I sensed a hint of rudeness in the lady's voice. However, I quickly dismissed the thought of dwelling on it, reminding myself that I didn't have the luxury to delve into office politics. Whatever the issue, I resolved to address it directly in the office. Besides, I had my hands full managing a substantial portion of my parents' business, which seemed to have accumulated an overwhelming backlog in my absence. I promptly called upon my subordinates to provide updates on all that had transpired during my time away.

In my circle, consisting mainly of business partners and colleagues, Zack stands out as a notable figure. Despite our professional ties, it's disheartening that he never seemed to notice me. My role as my parents' assistant's assistant kept me in the shadows, with only one person in the office aware of my true identity i.e. my parents' assistant 'Myra'. She's the one I confide in about my matters making her technically my only friend who accepts me for who I am.

Zack and I only interacted in formal settings, and it's clear he doesn't remember our past working relationship. Now, I'm torn between conflicting emotions. On one hand, discovering a deeper connection with Zack through my powers is fulfilling, yet it saddens me to think that without them, we might not have even been friends. It's a poignant reminder of the beautiful relationships that might have been missed.

While I worked, a persistent thought plagued me: "Who am I doing this for? Even if I possessed immense control over my power, which I don't, what would be the purpose of it all? What drives my daily grind to unravel the mysteries of my abilities? I go through the motions day after day, like a robot, seeking answers about my powers without a clear end goal. I find it difficult to engage with people in ordinary, purposeless conversations. Casual interactions devoid of transactional intent seem foreign to me. As for romantic relationships, I shy away, fearing that I might inadvertently cause harm to those I care about"

Exhaustion consumed me, despite the day not being overly long since I woke up. I found it increasingly difficult to focus on my work. My mind incessantly posed perplexing questions, all centred around the simple word: "Why? , Why am I doing any of this?" The only clear answer that surfaced was to avoid causing pain to my parents, and beyond that, I felt adrift, lacking any real purpose in my existence. I couldn't discern the driving force behind my struggles, leaving me questioning the point of it all. At times, the thought of simply ceasing to exist seemed like an appealing resolution to this existential quandary.

It's a curious realization that I've never taken the time to ask myself what I truly want to do or become. Instead, there's always been this pervasive sense of being a burden on my parents, compelling me to focus solely on lightening their load. From my earliest memories, I threw myself into office work, even against my parents' wishes. Somehow, I managed to persuade them to let me pursue it.

But beneath the surface, there's a whirlwind of emotions—guilt, obligation, and a nagging sense of inadequacy. Despite their support, my mother's persistent hope for me to find a more conventional path stirs conflicting feelings. On one hand, I understand her desire for me to engage more with the world beyond paperwork, yet on the other, there's a deep-seated fear of disappointing her that her daughter is simply different and dangerous.

And I still remember the expression on her face when I shared the news of applying for a job here. Her eyes lit up with genuine joy as if seeing me emerge from my cocoon brought her immeasurable happiness. The encouragement she showered upon me was palpable, almost tangible, urging me to spread my wings and engage with everyone around me, to smile and connect.

And yet, despite her earnest pleas, I found myself veering in the opposite direction. Instead of embracing her advice, I retreated into the safety of strict professionalism, keeping interactions business-like with everyone, except for one individual who seemed to stir something deeper within me.

I still can't wrap my head around how I got entangled in an unprofessional relationship with Zack. I vividly recall our first meeting in this city—it left me utterly shocked. I was convinced he would recognize me, and the sensation of emptiness that washed over me was suffocating. It felt as though my very energy was draining from my body, and I even passed out briefly in my cabin. Fortunately, my workload wasn't overwhelming at the time.

It's remarkable how much has changed in just three months. Amidst it all, I find myself longing for my parents more than ever. Perhaps it's time to plan a trip home; I miss them terribly.

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I attempted to refocus on my work, later in the day deeply engrossed in my assistant duties, when a call from Myra unexpectedly interrupted my concentration, instantly bringing a warm smile to my face.

"How's work going?" she asked eagerly as soon as I picked up the call.

"No 'hello', no 'how are you'—just straight to work talk," I replied, feeling a twinge of annoyance at the abruptness.

"As if you call me for personal chats every day. I bet you don't even remember the last time we had an informal conversation. It's been nearly a month," she retorted, her tone matching my irritation, though tinged with a hint of playful reproach.

"I got caught up in a quest to find myself," I responded with a touch of melancholy, feeling a pang of vulnerability in admitting it.

"Bloom, you don't seem okay. Is something bothering you?" she asked, genuine concern seeping through her words, stirring a mix of gratitude and discomfort within me.

"Nothing, everything's fine. I'm just tired," I said, attempting to brush off her concern, not wanting to burden her with my struggles.

"Bloom," her tone shifted, a note of seriousness underlying her words, 'confess or you'll find me next to you in an hour.'

"I don't want always to be the one seeking support. I'm not a child anymore," I confessed softly, a flicker of frustration mingling with my admission, revealing the complex emotions swirling beneath the surface

"You may not realize it, but you've always been there for me. Remember when my husband passed away? You were my rock, offering comfort and support. And when I needed help with the kids, you stepped in without hesitation. You've shown immense maturity and strength, both physically and mentally. So don't doubt yourself. It's okay to be vulnerable. I'm here for you, just as you've been there for me." Myra's voice trembled with emotion, each word carrying a weight of gratitude and empathy. Her tone was tender, yet firm, as if she were gently coaxing me to open up It was a reassurance that I wasn't alone in my struggles, a reminder of the depth of our bond, and a testament to the strength of her friendship.

I started crying, and Myra was there patiently, waiting for me to calm down. After I got a little calm, I said, "I miss you," amid my tears.

"I miss you too, Bloom," she said pleasantly, her voice a soothing balm to my raw emotions. We chatted here and there for some time before she finally asked, "So, what's the deal?" She asked casually, yet her question held an underlying sense of concern.

I hesitated for a moment, grappling with the weight of my thoughts, before finally mustering the courage to speak. With a deep sigh, I responded, "I don't know... I'm lost. At first, I wanted to understand myself so I wouldn't trouble my parents. Now that I'm somewhat in control, I don't know what's next. I don't know what I want, what I like... I don't know if I... I lost the purpose of life. It's empty... you know." My words trailed off, leaving a heavy silence in their wake, as I struggled to articulate the depth of my inner turmoil.

Myra hummed in response, carefully listening, encouraging me to continue. "I remembered I wanted to travel the world, taste their cuisine, learn multiple languages, create a Silver Surfers board and travel on that," I shared, a flicker of passion igniting in my words. "I don't understand how I ended up becoming an architect. I have always been interested in technology, machines, and bikes. I wanted to make an Iron Man suit... How did I end up being Wanda instead?" I smirked sadly, a brief moment of humour breaking through the weight of my thoughts. "Why..." I trailed off, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on me as I sighed heavily, grappling with the unanswered questions swirling in my mind.

"You need to get laid urgently," I laughed at Myra's unexpected remark, appreciating her candidness. Then she continued her words carrying a wisdom born of experience. "I'm not in your place, Bloom, but I know something for sure. That's how life goes, and that's how it should be—random, with vicissitudes in them. A straight line often indicates burial." Her words resonated deeply, offering a perspective that was both comforting and thought-provoking

"I can't comment on your life because it's not mine, but I can certainly slap some perspective into it," Myra remarked with a blend of humour and sincerity. "You wanted to gain control over yourself, and you've succeeded. You've reached your goal, Bloom. Now, it's time to set a new one. The emptiness you're feeling is a classic case of arrival fallacy."

"Bloom, what you need is some normalcy, some drama, perhaps even a bit of catastrophe. You need relaxation, you need moments of wonder. Your life seems so predetermined: office, home, obsessing over power dynamics, and then repeating the cycle. It's time to mix it up. Get into a relationship, experience some ups and downs, make friends, go through breakups and betrayals, and have some fun. You've been closed off since your abduction, and I understand that was traumatizing. But it's been nearly ten years. It's time to step outside... are you listening?" Myra's words were a gentle yet firm nudge.

I hummed in response. "What, hmm...?" she said, a hint of annoyance in her tone. "I understand," I replied, sensing her frustration.

There was a sigh before she spoke again. "Let's go on a date," she suggested. "When and where?" I asked, feeling a surge of excitement.

"Darling, you're well-off, whereas I'm on a salary-based contract, so it's up to you whenever you're in a city," she said, pouting slightly.

I chuckled and responded, "I was already planning a trip home. We'll catch up then."

"Okay," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation, like she was reluctantly agreeing to go on an adventure she knew would end in chaos.

"Bree," I called out, Myra responded with a hum

"Thank you," I said, with genuine thankfulness

"I don't have money, nor am I available for rent," she retorted, her tone dripping with sarcasm as if I had just suggested she join a circus as the resident clown.

"I was being sincere," I insisted, my sincerity genuine.

"So, was I," she replied, her laughter erupting like a volcano of absurdity, as if the situation had suddenly morphed into a scene from a sitcom

We chatted a little longer before hanging up, a satisfied grin plastered on my face like a badge of honour. With newfound determination and a lightness in my heart and mind, I began to tackle my pending work with gusto. It was as if our conversation had injected a dose of caffeine directly into my motivation, propelling me forward with renewed energy and determination to find a new purpose.

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A/N

Word count:- 2200

Hello, my lovely readers, I hope you all are doing well

Here, is the 24th chapter of my book

This chapter might not be everyone's favourite, but it's a necessary step for my character's growth. Life's all about those unexpected twists and turns, right?

And hey,

let's keep the curses to a minimum, I won't mind them though I know that this chapter was quite boring 😁😁

Solly😓😅

Ok

Thank you

Love you

bye:)

Until next time

Happy reading 💐

Date:- 13/05/2024