Two Weeks Later - Luminère Store, Late Afternoon

Her POV

I was starting to find my rhythm. The work wasn’t difficult helping customers, processing sales, maintaining displays. Most clients were pleasant, and the ones who weren’t, I’d learned to handle with polite professionalism.

Today had been particularly busy. The holiday season was in full swing, and the store was packed with shoppers looking for perfect gifts.

“Excuse me!” A sharp voice cut through the ambient music. “I ...