A Bumpy Start

I have no idea why I wrote this and even less of an idea as to why I'm considering continuing it. 🙈

It was ridiculously early in the morning, the kind of time when the city was still waking up, its streets quiet and only the first rays of dawn breaking through. Alexandra, known as Lexi to her friends, was making her usual stop at a small coffee shop near her apartment. She needed something warm and comforting to kickstart her day, and today, a rich hot chocolate was her chosen lifeline. The shop was a haven of warmth against the early chill, with the aroma of fresh coffee and baked goods filling the air. She wrapped her hands around the warm cup, savouring the heat seeping into her cold fingers.

Lexi was on her way to her first big job on a film set, where she worked in the lighting department. The prospect was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The film industry had always been her dream, and now, she was finally stepping into a more significant role. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and stepped back out into the morning air.

As she rounded the corner, Lexi was lost in her thoughts, rehearsing the tasks she needed to accomplish that day. The next thing she knew, she collided with someone, the impact jolting her out of her reverie. Her hot chocolate splashed forward, the warm liquid staining the other person's coat. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" she exclaimed, panicking as she fumbled with the napkins in her hand. She tried to dab at the spreading stain, her eyes focused on the mess she had made. Her body was tense, shoulders hunched in anxiety, as she worked to clean the mess.

The person she had bumped into grabbed her hands gently, stopping her frantic attempts. "It's alright. We were both at fault," the voice was calm, soothing. Lexi looked up, ready to apologize again, and froze. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized she was face-to-face with none other than Charlize Theron, the world-renowned actress. The situation felt surreal—here she was, standing in front of one of Hollywood's most famous stars, and she had just spilled hot chocolate all over her.

"Shit. I'm so sorry. Please don't tell my boss," Lexi blurted out, her voice a mix of desperation and disbelief. She stood there, wide-eyed and flushed with embarrassment, her body language shifting from tense to awkwardly stiff. Charlize raised an eyebrow, a small, amused smile tugging at her lips as she seemed to consider Lexi's plea.

Before either of them could say anything more, there was a flash of light and the unmistakable click of a camera shutter. Charlize's expression immediately darkened, and she muttered a quiet, "Shit," under her breath. Lexi's head snapped towards the source of the noise, spotting a lone paparazzo snapping photos from across the street. Her body went rigid, then she quickly positioned herself between Charlize and the camera, trying to block the photographer's view.

"Turn around," Lexi instructed Charlize, her voice low but firm. She placed her hands gently but urgently on Charlize's hips, guiding her to turn and walk away from the prying lens. Charlize hesitated, her body language showing a mix of caution and irritation. Lexi could sense the actress's reluctance and continued, "I need a new drink anyway. Let me buy you something to make up for ruining your coat. We can get it cleaned up while you freshen up in the bathroom."

Charlize nodded, her demeanour softening slightly. "Alright," she agreed, allowing Lexi to guide her into a nearby café. As they entered, the warm air and quiet ambiance provided a stark contrast to the cold, chaotic scene outside. Only one other customer was at the counter, and Lexi was grateful for the relative privacy.

While Charlize headed to the restroom, Lexi approached the barista, Daniel, who gave her a curious look. "I'll explain in a sec. Can I get something to clean up a spill, please?" she asked, her voice laced with urgency. Daniel nodded, handing her a handful of napkins and a cloth.