BLACK CARD

I never knew getting a job was this hard. For over two weeks, I’d been going from company to company but all I got was rejection. They all either wanted someone with at least 5 years experience working on-site for a company or my qualifications were not enough for them to hire me.

“I’m tired” I said to myself as I sat down on a spare bench beside the road. I stayed there for a while and just when I was about leaving, I saw something that caught my attention.

Two men were bullying an old man and they were about to steal his money when I ran towards them and stood in front of the old man, spreading my arms out so they could not reach him, or his money.

“Step aside miss, we were just discussing with this old man right here,” One of them said with a fake smile on his face.

I smiled back as I gazed up at him. “Well, this man over here is my grandpa,” I said, then turned to look at the old man “Grandpa, do you know them?” I smiled at the man and after a while the man shook his head.

“Lady, we were just having a talk as man to man, please step aside, when we are done, we would call you to take your grandpa,” The other man said, ignoring what I said.

“And I said that you would not talk to him as my grandpa does not know you. Now, if you would excuse me” I held the old man, and just as I was about leaving, one of them grabbed my hair, yanking me backwards harshly and I yelped from pain.

“Let me go asshole” I shouted as I bit the arm holding my hair harshly and the man retaliated by slapping me hard on my cheeks.

The other man grabbed the old man, caring less about how the man coughed hard.

“Just let him go,” I said in an attempt to stop the other man from manhandling the poor old man.

Just as those words left my mouth, I heard a bang and I opened my eyes wide, trying to check for the source of that sound and then, I saw some men dressed in suit.

One of them yanked the man holding me and beat him up and all I could do was stare.

“Are you ok, Mr Jefferson?” one of those supposed bodyguards asked as he helped the old man up.

“Thank you, miss. If you don’t mind, my men would escort you home, just so you get there safe” I turned my head to hear another bodyguard say as the others escorted the old man to the luxurious car that just pulled up in front of them now.

“Oh, I’m fine. I live closeby” I said, refusing the offer and the man nodded his head and turned to meet his colleagues.

Just as I took a step forward to go back to my apartment, I felt something under my shoe and I bent to pick it up.

It was a black card, one that only the top five richest families in this country have. And it probably belonged to the old man.

I quickly turned around but they were gone.

“Today is not my day,” I said to myself as I put the card in my purse and left.

—————————————————

”What” I shouted as I looked at my phone, awestruck at what I was seeing.

I was invited for an interview. Not just any interview, but one with the biggest company in this country.

I pinched myself, but all I felt was a little pain. It is real, I am not dreaming.

Just then, my phone beeped and I picked up the call.

“Babe, I have good news”

“Babe, I have good news,” We both said together and I laughed.

“Ok, you go first,” I said to her, trying to contain my happiness.

“Remember I told you that I was trying to close a deal with Mr Lawrence, one of the richest in our country who specializes in Real estate?” Mira started and I hummed.

“Well, he just called me and invited me to come to his office tomorrow. I am so happy Chloe, if I am able to secure this deal, it will move the business to another milestone and those stupid board members would not be able to raise a petition that I should be removed as CEO again” Mira said and that just made me squeal as I could not contain my happiness anymore.

“What. I am so happy for you. Finally, you worked so hard for it baby girl and you deserve it and more. I have a huge news as well” I said as I walked towards the microwave to turn it off as my spaghetti was ready.

“Spill it, ASAP,” Mira said and I laughed at how fast she said it

“Well, today was a hell of a day. All my applications got rejected and even some of the interviews I underwent. But less than an hour ago, I got an email. I have been selected for an interview for the position of the Secretary to the CEO of Jefferson holdings, one of the richest companies in the country” I said while pouring myself a glass of water and I had to keep some distance between my phone and ears with how loud Mira screamed.

“What? Really?” Mira said in surprise and I felt even happier.

“Yup. I can’t believe it myself and even had to pinch my arm to ensure I was not dreaming” I said with muffled voice as I ate my spaghetti.

“You know what, this calls for celebration. I heard there is this new restaurant that just opened and their food is nice, let’s go there, don’t worry, bills on me for now, but when you get your first salary, you will take me on a treat. Gosh, I can’t believe my friend is about to be a millionaire in less than a year” Mira said acting like she was about to cry and I laughed at her reaction.

“Stop exaggerating babe. I’d see you in three hours, bye, I’m about to eat my spaghetti” I replied and immediately cut the call to focus on my spaghetti but as I took another bite, I could not help but wonder why I was picked amongst thousands of applicants even when I was not really qualified for such a position.

Meanwhile, a car was parked in front of Chloe’s house, with a man gazing at her door from inside his car.

Soon, he brought out his phone and stared at a picture of Chloe, caressing her face gently.

His phone rang, obstructing his view and he picked up the call.

“Boss, it has been done,” The voice said and the man just hummed.

He cut the call, stared at Chloe’s door one last time before he drove away.