TWO

DAMON

"And she said it." My hands flew into mid-air with slight annoyance in my gesture. "She freaking said it."

"Damon." Disbelief filled Linda's tone. "You are twenty-five years old. A freaking twenty-five-year-old photography genius. A freaking handsome dude."

My head turned to face her and the expression she had confirmed the official title given to her by our colleagues. She was the drama queen of our company.

So, as I relaxed and decided to give in to the moment, I knew that her utterances were yet to come to an end. 

Gripping the steering wheel a little hard, Linda continued, "I mean, you should have seen the look on my face the first time you stepped into our building. I was almost drooling. You looked like an angel in human clothing. So sweet, cute, and good-looking. And then I heard your voice. It... Oh my God."

I cleared my throat because her loud moan was causing our discussion to go a little off-track.

"Okay fine. What I am trying to ask is, how are you a virgin with this..." She took her eyes off the road briefly and quickly scanned my body before her attention went back to where it was needed. "... amount of handsomeness? Have you ever seen yourself in the mirror?"

 "Linda..."

"Don't girls swoon over you? Wait, are you for the other..."

"Linda!" I shut her up loudly. "Yes, I am a virgin. And there's nothing wrong with that. And, I don't play for the other team."

"It is just strange." I heard her desperation to utter more words.

But, a light sigh was all she gave and silence finally ruled the car. Not for long though.

"But why?" Linda persisted after an eternity of tranquility.

"I want to give myself to someone special." I saw her brow rise. "There is nothing weird about that, okay?"

She nodded with a grim look and I heaved a heavy sigh while trying not to roll my eyes.

Time seemed to be graciously on our side as we soon reached my house. Not a second wasted, I got off the car and raced toward my house. 

My house is a small abode with a bedroom, a barely spacious bathroom, and a crappy living room. Most of my cooking is done in the backyard which is quite spacious compared to the entire house.

 I hurriedly took out my keys and entered. I headed for my room and grabbed the blue file from my tiny table on which I worked on my photography projects while brooding about the sorry state of my life.

After making sure to take my wallet which was resting freely on my couch after I forgot it in the morning, I walked out of the house. 

The wooden door locked once again, I approached a patient-looking Linda and I did not miss the bright smile on her face. As I entered, I had to ask, "What's with the smile?"

"I think I found my man for the night." Her head gestured toward some dude across the street. I didn't know the man at all. In fact, I have never seen him in the neighbourhood.

But then I couldn't act fatherly or brotherly and say, 'Hey he is bad news don't mix with him,' because I hardly know anyone in the neighbourhood apart from Grandma Nooni who died the previous week.

Bless her soul.

 "Just be careful Lin," I finally said once I took note of the man's important features. I will certainly remember him next time when I see the flower tattoo that covered his entire back. 

Linda gave a quick nod and the car's engine was brought to life again. 

As soon as we hit the road, my imagination started to run wild. I began to picture how the interview would go.

I even played a scene where I would be grossly embarrassed for coming late.

Yes, sometimes, I deliberately hurt myself by thinking about terrible things.

Once I halted my thoughts, I checked the time. 6:45 pm. 

I was at an advantage and I could make it provided...

"Aw shit! There's a freaking hold-up" Linda exclaimed and hurriedly stopped her car before it could kiss the rear of the vehicle in front of her. 

My hopes were almost crashing as I looked around and saw the long line of cars waiting to leave the hold up which was likely to have no exact cause.

"I am so sorry Damon, this will delay you. But I promise you'll get to that place today. You must get that job," she said assuredly.

I gave her an appreciative nod and looked ahead, my lips rolling out deep exhales as I watched the muddled cars move slowly. 

 Of all days, I just had to be unfortunate at a moment when things could change for me. 

But what can I do? 

My gaze travelled to the digital clock on the dashboard and the way time continued to race told me that I needed to prepare myself for the incoming disappointment. 

Since I have experienced the same thing numerous times in the past, it was not hard for me to do just that. Though I wished to push that moment to the end, I told my soul to kill the excitement and expect the least. 

An hour later, we were in front of TIANOR, the huge signboard adjacent to the building insulting Linda's Micra.

"Go, go, go. Go win this, baby." Linda pushed me out with her words of encouragement. I thanked her loudly, pulled my file to my chest,t a deep breath, and raced into the building.

A few hurried steps after, I bumped into a suited lady who let out a peculiar shriek. It was really weird. It was like hearing baby dragons cry.

No, I don't know what they sound like, but let's just imagine they cry like a person in distress.

"Watch it." The woman glared at me with her tiny eyes. 

I gulped hard and apologized.

When she kept her hands on her slim waist to communicate her impatience, I wondered if she was one of the models. I didn't want to tell her my reason for being there at first, but I quickly realized that I was not in a situation that allows me to be picky. 

So, with haste, I said, "I am here for the interview."

She stared me down and turned in her heels before I could utter an additional word. 

"Well, aren't you the earliest?"  she asked sarcastically. Her heels began to make clicking sounds and I wasted no time in following her.  "Hand me your university certificate." She extended her hand over her shoulder.

My hands trembling, I took the documents out.

But the papers in my hands didn't have purple or pale green colours with gold or silver stripes decorating their tips. I didn't see any form of calligraphic writing on them either.

My chest began to pound with fear. 

I stopped in my tracks, stood upright, and stared palely at the lady's back.

"No, no, no, no," I murmured frantically, my brows twitching with further confusion.

 "Mister, I am waiting." Another scowl was directed at me when the woman sharply turned and watched me drown in a pool of distress. 

How would I even explain this?

 How would I explain that I had the scribbled drawings of my niece instead of the documents that make up my entire CV?

"Mister..." She sounded like I was testing her patience. As though she had any. 

"I..." I cleared my throat to force out the words. "I... Um... I happen not to have my documents at the moment."

My hand reached for the back of my head and I began to wish for the floor to swallow me because the look she instantly gave me was deadly enough. 

"Look at me, Mister." I raised my head slowly to meet her eyes. "Do I look like I am trying to be funny? I might tell jokes from time to time, but right now, I am not freaking joking."

My hands which were feeling listless suddenly clasped in front of my chest as though I was about to pray. Then, I did something I swore to never do.

"Please, don't chase me out." I took a step closer. "At least give me a chance to get the interview. I swear I didn't mean to get the wrong file. I was rushing at that moment. Please give me a chance." I begged profusely as though my existence depended on it.

 Well, it does. If I land this job, things will be set for me. I will finally have a good life.

I will say goodbye to my days of endlessly searching for a decent job. 

 She stared at me for a while like I was speaking gibberish before she finally talked.

"Mister, get out." Without mercy in her eyes, she stretched a finger toward the huge doors behind us. 

I quickly fell to my knees and as I did that, my hands formed tight fists and they rested on my lap.

That moment annoyed me more as I felt a slight shiver in my system. I really hate the position I have found myself in. 

But the more I thought about the failed days I spent trying to get a stable job opportunity, the more I was willing to endure that shameful moment.

"Please," the slight quiver in my voice told me that I was close to breaking down with tears, "I need this job. Just give me a chance. Just one chance."

If only she could understand the pain and desperation in my voice.

But it was clear that she didn't because she kept ordering me to leave.

"Mister, you can come back tomorrow. I will reserve a seat for you."

‘That is a lie. A big fat lie. There are no interviews set for the next day,’ I was tempted to say,  but I needed her help not her hatred.

"No, let me stay here. I will kneel here till I get the interview."

"I said..." Her rash words stayed incomplete as another lady walked towards her and whispered something into her right ear. It was then I noticed I had attracted an audience who were watching me beg for something I may never get.

I was waiting for the other lady to leave so I could plead some more but she didn’t leave.

Instead, she faced me and said, "The boss wants you upstairs."