The weight of decision

Chapter 4

Ameera's Pov

It was raining.

Raining so hard I figured it was better to just stay in and rest. I called in and said I wasn’t going to make it.

I know I shouldn’t be resting, as I still had bills choking me, but it was the beginning of a new month and I had just gotten paid my salary from both jobs. I immediately used it to cover half of my rent and pay some of my mum’s hospital bills.

At least it could get her some drugs.

I didn’t have much left for myself, but Cassie usually gave me some money every month. She worked as a nurse at one of the local hospitals in our area. There weren’t enough nurses, so they usually paid the little ones they had well enough for the crazy workload they faced.

I was always grateful to God for bringing her into my life. I don’t know what I would have done without her.

We actually met at that same hospital. She interned there when she was younger. I went there to get drugs. The rest, as they say, is history.

I used the day to clean up all the mess my house held—dirty dishes and laundry.

I plugged in my earphones, hit play on my phone, and let Nelly Furtado’s music drown out my thoughts. Her music had a way of keeping me grounded, and I couldn’t bring myself to leave her songs behind.

I started off with the dishes and went straight into laundry. I was turning over my clothes when a card fell from one of my jeans.

I squinted my eyes to read what was written on it.

“Blackwood Corp.” I read out to myself.

The old lady… I remembered.

I didn’t bother contacting the person after that day. It’s been a week since she gave me the card. I didn’t have time, and I definitely didn’t plan on leaving my jobs a week before salary pay.

I searched up the company online.

It was a big organization. The headquarters was situated right here in New York. It was quite far from my home.

I studied the card again. What could I possibly work as in such a glamorous building?

Maybe she thought I’d make a good cleaner. I really didn’t mind, as long as the pay was better than my two jobs.

I should call the number, right? I thought to myself.

What if she had already forgotten me and never actually told her people about me? It would be so embarrassing.

I hesitated, then thought to myself—it won’t hurt to try.

“Hello,” I said into the receiver.

“Hello, good afternoon. Who am I speaking with?” a lady with a sweet voice answered through the phone.

“My name is Ameera Parker,” I said.

“What can I do for you, Miss Parker?” she replied.

“I… I was asked to call this number,” I said, starting to regret my decision.

“Okay, who asked you to call?” she said.

“Mrs… Lora… I think. I’m sorry, I don’t really remember her name. It was an old lady though, she wears glasses, she has curly hair.”

“Mrs. Loretta?” she asked.

“Yes, it’s her. Mrs. Loretta did,” I said.

“Give me a minute, I’ll call you back, Miss Parker,” she said, and hung up.

Well, that was horrible.

I was just about to drop my phone when it began ringing again.

“Hello, Miss Parker,” she said with her cheerful voice. I bet she doesn’t have bills to worry about, considering how happy she sounded.

“Hey,” I responded.

“You were supposed to call a week ago. Is anything the matter?” she asked.

“No… no, there’s nothing wrong. I was, emm, busy.”

It took a while before I heard her voice again.

“Okay,” she replied. “Can you be here as early as 8 a.m. tomorrow?”

“Yh, I’ll try,” I said.

“No, you have to, not try to,” she said quickly.

“Alright, that wouldn’t be a problem,” I said, assuring her.

“Great!” she chirped. “Please do just that. The boss despises lateness. And please be dressed corporately.”

It was more like an instruction than advice.

“One more thing. Please come with a valid ID and a copy of your résumé so we can complete your details,” she added.

“I will… thank you so much,” I answered.

“Sure,” she replied, and hung up.

I called Cassie immediately after.

“Hey, girl,” I said.

“Hey, babes, how are you doing?”

“I’m good, I’m good. I wanted to ask if you have anything classy and corporate I could borrow.”

“Okaayyy… what’s the occasion?” she said.

“I finally called the number on the card that old lady gave me,” I replied.

“What! Crazy. How did it go? Are you hired? Are you rich? Are we rich??!” she said, laughing.

It made me laugh.

“Girl, I haven’t even gotten the job,” I said. “And I’m probably going to end up working there as a clerk or a cleaner—some lame-ass position anyways.”

“Girl, come on, let’s be positive. It might be a really nice position.”

“Well, we both don’t know that yet,” I said.

“Exactly why I said you should be positive,” she said. “Anyways, of course I have those. You can stop by to collect them. I’ll pick out one I know they’ll take one glance at you in and give you the job instantly,” she said happily.

“What would I do without you?” I said.

“Nothing,” she replied, laughing.

“Okay, text me when you’re on your way. I have to help my mum with something,” she said.

“Alright, I’ll text you. Thanks, babes.” Then I hung up.

Cassie’s statement made me start to picture working in such a company.

I would look like one of those sophisticated ladies I saw at that bar—just that my clothes would probably not be designers or handmade like theirs. But it’s chill.

At least I don’t get to work for greasy old Jacob and rude old Samuel anymore.

What’s burning? I sniffed around.

“Shit! My pancakes!” I cursed, quickly turning off the gas heating the pan.

I need this job—and I need it now.