Vixen

Chapter 1

Fresh start

The afternoon sunshine painted New York's streets into deep orange and bright yellow colors. The summer breeze blew between the enormous buildings and everything seemed like it came alive from a Hollywood movie set. A young girl from the countryside struggled with her huge suitcase while she tried to pull it out of the cab she hired. Finally, all her efforts paid off. She managed to get her suitcase out of the car and that left her alone. Carol looked around and inhaled the city’s smell. It wasn’t as clear as the one she got used to, but living in New York was her childhood dream and after many years of hard work and studying she was ready to make her dreams true. Her pastel blue, knee-length dress waved around Carol’s long and slim legs while she walked along the street. She had a tiny apartment rented already, everything was ready, Carol only needed to bring her belongings there. Her high-heels clicked while she walked and Carol’s blonde wavy hair seemed like she just stepped out of the cover of Cosmopolitan. There was a large smile on her face and she still couldn’t believe that this was real. After a few minutes of walking, Carol arrived at a tall apartment house. It wasn’t the most modern, but Carol loved the red brick wall, white window frames, and green door. She searched in her purse and got out an envelope. The landlord sent her a copy of the keys to her apartment. Carol put her new keys on a keychain which was decorated with a tiny pink fox. The apartment house had twelve floors, but luckily there was a lift in it. Carol rolled her suitcase inside and pushed button 10. The lift took her to the tenth floor and she opened her apartment door. It was a tiny apartment with an American-style kitchen on the left, two large windows just in front of the door. On the right, there was a little bathroom and a gallery bedroom on top of the bathroom. A vintage-looking cupboard waited for her clothes on the gallery next to the king-size bed. Apart from this furniture, there was an L-shaped sofa bed, a little rounded table with two chairs, and white living room furniture. The walls were made of bricks as well but they were plastered on white. The landlord left a note for Carol on the kitchen counter and a few flowers in a glass vase. Carol closed the door behind herself and grabbed the note.

“Dear Carol!

I hope you find the apartment just like you imagined.  I live on the first floor under the number 3. Please feel free to ask for any help you need. The apartment fees have to be paid on the tenth of each month. The garbage is due at dawn on Tuesdays. Please always throw the waste in the common collection by then. I left my number on the fridge and bought the items you asked for. I hope you will love to live here! Have a wonderful day and congrats on your new life in the Big Apple!

Greetings

Mr. and Mrs. Jones!”

Carol smiled at the welcoming note and opened the fridge. Mr. Jones definitely did a great job with her requests. She unpacked her belongings and smiled while she looked around her new home. Carol plugged her phone into the charger and grabbed her laptop. She will start in a few days on her new job as a hairdresser in a nearby beauty salon and she was so excited about it. While her phone charged she browsed about the latest trends in New York. Also, she googled a few clubs near her apartment. She didn’t have any friends because she only lived for her job and studies before, so it was time to find a few friends and maybe love. Carol opened one of her windows and pulled a chair next to it. She poured a glass of white wine for herself and just stared at the people who walked under their building. She tried to imagine what they did for a living or where they were heading. When it was getting dark she closed the window and took a hot shower. Then Carol jumped into her favorite Pj’s and turned the TV on to watch her favorite series called “Castle”. She held a pillow in front of her stomach and watched the show excitedly wondering if these kinds of criminals really existed or they were only made up for the series.  Without realizing Carol fell asleep on the sofa and she only woke up for the first sunrises. Carol groaned when she glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only six am. She stretched and with a big yawn walked to the kitchen to make some coffee for herself. She searched for coffee in every kitchen cabinet but her search ended up unsuccessful.

-        Mr. Jones probably forgot the coffee. – she said to herself and went to the gallery to change. When she was in a presentable state, she searched with her phone for a coffee shop. Carol smiled victoriously when she found one just a block away from her apartment. She jumped into her sneakers, grabbed her keys and purse, and headed down the stairs in hope of a fresh coffee and maybe some breakfast pastries. She walked down the street and soon found the coffee shop called "Fresh Corner". Carol entered and took a big sniff in the air. The cafe had an amazing smell of fresh coffee, in the counter, there were many delicious-looking pastries and Carol heard her stomach grumble. " It seems like those few glasses of wine wasn't enough for dinner" -she thought. Carol ordered a Latte and two chocolate croissants from the seller. She was a kind-looking young girl around her age. She had dark skin and big afro hair, her incredibly white teeth shined out of her face. 

- Your order will be ready in a few minutes! -she said.

- Thanks a lot! - Carols answered but the seller girl kept looking at her strangely. Carol lifted her eyebrow and started to look at her t-shirt and jeans if there was any spot or dirt on them what the girl could've noticed. 

- Sorry for staring! There is nothing wrong with your outfit!- she apologized and continued.

- I have a great memory but I can't remember seeing you here ever before. My name is Sashel! - she said pointing at her name tag. Carol returned her warm smile and extended her hand to Sashel for a handshake.

- My name is Carol, and you weren't wrong. I've never been here before. I just moved to the city yesterday, this is my first day here. - Sashel grinned at Carol and squeaked in excitement. 

- This is so cool! Where do you come from? - Sashel asked but before Carol could've answered a man's voice cut their conversation.

- Sashel! There is a large line of clients waiting for their coffees. Stop the chit-chat and get your pretty ass to work! - Sashel rolled her eyes but answered in a sweet voice. 

- Immediately Joey! - she wrote her number down quickly on a napkin and gave it to Carol.

- Just in case you would like to hang out sometime! I know a few great places and clubs filled with hot guys. - Sashel winked and Joey screamed again.

- SASHEL! - Sashel and Carol Chuckled. They waved goodbye and Carol sat down to have her morning coffee and tasty breakfast. This adventure started pretty well for her. After her breakfast, Carol decided to take a long walk and check the famous places in the city. She didn't have too much time for acting like a tourist, in only a couple of days Carol could finally start her dream job. She spent her day city sightseeing, when the evening arrived she dialed Sashel's number. After a few rings, she picked up the phone.

- Hey! 

- Hi Sashel, it's me, Carol. We met today at the cafe. - Sashel giggled from the other part of the phone.

.- It didn't take you long to call. - Carol blushed a little and felt like she acted desperately. Her silence made Sashel talk again.

- I'm just mocking you! - Carol sighed in relief.

- I wanted to ask if you want to hang out tonight? I've got this feeling that I need to dance! 

- I thought you would never ask! - this time Carol chuckled. 

- I know the perfect place to lose your club virginity here in New York. What if we meet in an hour in front of the Coffee shop? 

- That is perfect! See you in a bit! 

- See you! - Carol hang up the phone and her smile spread from ear to ear. She rushed to her wardrobe and started to get ready for the first girls' night in the big city. She had no idea that this will be the biggest mistake of her entire life...