My Hockey Alpha Neighbor

Carol’s POV

After the chaotic whirlwind of the live interview and promotion event, there is no one in the world I want to see more than Fiona. Luckily, we had already planned to grab lunch today to catch up on the events of the weekend. We hug tightly before settling down at a cozy cafe near my workplace.

“I missed you!” Fiona says, kicking me playfully under the table. You need to tell me everything. How was your trip? How was his family?!”

I shift awkwardly in my seat. The trip was nice. His family was… fine.”

Fiona raises an eyebrow at me. “Okay. I speak Carol. That means you hated it and they were terrible.”

I let out a sigh and rest my head on the table in defeat. “Not exactly. But yes.”

We spend a few minutes recapping the bizarre events of the weekend and the semi-disastrous party. Fiona cussed out Katrina for a few minutes before demanding to see photos of my dress. She’s practically drooling at the photos once I show her, which makes me laugh.

I move on to the conversation to describe the party. Fiona nods appreciatively when I describe how Aiden’s mother surprised everyone by sticking up for me. I even briefly mention Morgan, the witch who took a strange interest in me. I conveniently leave out the part where Aiden and I snuck off into his room and relaxed.

Eventually, we make it up to the events of that day, “It was a long weekend, and now I’m already having a long day, too. I just finished an important interview,” I say at last. Fiona raises an eyebrow at me.

“You did an interview? What, for a new job?”

1 let out a tired sigh. “No. A live interview, On Statford Today.

I would

Fiona’s jaw drops. “What? You were on Statford Today?! Dam*it I wish I didn’t have class on Tuesday mornings have absolutely watched it live!” She quickly pulls up her phone and begins searching for footage of the svent. I bury my head in my hands.

“Oh, god. Please don’t judge me. I had no idea I was going to be on live television. I was probably a completely stuttering

mess

Fiona glances up at me with surprise as she scrolls through her feed. “Seriously?! Your boss didn’t even warn you it was going to be broadcasted ahead of time? Isn’t that, like, illegal?”

I shrug weakly in response. Fiona watches a few short clips drifting around on social media and reads through the comment sections. She nods occasionally, then lets out an appreciative whistle.

“I have no idea how you managed to remain so elegant under pressure. Even with the interviewer asking all those prodding questions.” She nudges me playfully. “You’re a total class act!”

I furrow my eyebrows. “It doesn’t feel like it.” I admit. “I feel like a complete joke. I showed up thinking we were going to talk business. Instead, I used my new boyfriend’s popularity to promote my personal brandTM© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“What That’s not what it seems like at all!” Fiona insists. She holds up her phone to me to show me a few positive cominents underneath a video sontrone posted of the interview To my surprise, they aren’t nearly as brutal as I expected them to be

“Well it could be wone,” I say eventually. Hona rolls her eyes anime and Laughs.

|

***Could be worse? Come on, don’t be so humble! Everyone’s unpressed by how down to earth you are! You come across so

111

O

MJ

capable and mysterious, everyone wants to know more about you!”

I feel a little grateful at Fiona’s reassurance, but I’m still unsettled. “I doubt everyone feels that way.” I sigh. “Besides, the problem still stands: I used my new fame for my own personal gain.”

“It wasn’t your idea, though!” Fiona reminds me. “Look, if you’re not okay with what happened, it’d probably be best to tell your boss. By the sound of it, he’s hoping to do more events like this.

I nod reluctantly. “You’re right, as always,” I say. I shake my head to rid myself of my overwhelming thoughts. “Anyway- that’s enough about me. Tell me what’s been happening with you!”

We happily chat about Fiona’s life for the rest of our lunch break. Fiona is currently working part-time at a local restaurant, dedicating her free time to completing additional schooling for a degree in journalism.

I can’t help but smile as Fiona describes her life with a dramatic flair. She rants about a few of her obnoxious classmates and excitedly tells me about the professional connections she’s been able to make. I’m more than happy to celebrate with her.

The entire conversation becomes a breath of fresh air in comparison to the suffocating expectations that loom over me from seemingly all directions. I decide to take Fiona’s words to heart and have a serious conversation with Daniel. Fiona and I hug our goodbyes at the cafe and I make my way to my boss’ office.

The warm ambiance of the cafe was a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the office. I step in through the doors muster up my courage and make my way back to my boss” office I knock on the doorframe. Only moments later, Daniel swings the door open, clearly in high spirits.

“Oh, Carol. Good to see you again. Have you heard about all the buzz the interview is bringing?”

I shift uncomfortably where I stand. “Right. About that… I’m not sure if I’m comfortable using my personal life to promote business opportunities. I worry about the ethics of blurring the Ines between the two.

To my surprise, all Daniel does is scoff. “Alright, Miller, Let me level with you- you crossed the line between personal and professional the moment you started publicly dating celebrity

My hopes of having a reasonable conversation with Daniel quickly crumble. “I… Understand what you’re saying, sir, but I still don’t know that details of my personal life should be used for professional leverage.”

Daniel waves a hand dismissively. “Everyone has to use whatever they have to keep business booming. As an employee, it’s part of your job to dedicate yourself to the company. That includes everything that comes with it.”

I stare at him in shock. I had never heard Daniel express an opinion so candidly unprofessional before. I stare for long enough that Daniel becomes impatient.

“Is that all?” He says. I swallow down my pride and barely manage to nod

“That’s all, sir.”

Daniel shuts the door with an air of finality. Brushed off and unheard, I leave the conversation with a heavy heart. I find myself trapped somewhere between frustration and anxiety. I need to talk to someone about this.

In a moment of vulnerability, I decide to reach out to Aiden. I thank over a few different messages as I try to fight off the fear that he’s already seen the interview. Finally, I send him a simple message.

“I miss you. Can I see you after work?”

I put away my phone and try to shake off the guilt that clings to me. I want comfort, but part of me fears I don’t deserve it after promoting myself in such a shallow way. I can only hope that Aiden is more forgiving of my actions than lam

M