Joseph & Vance

She was sitting on the couch with the laptop and her phone and checking her emails. She was a bit worried after checking her account details. Although her grandmother had helped her a lot in renting out the place and with the furniture. But till now, she had spent a huge amount of her savings as well. She had to find a job real soon because couldn't rely on her grandmother anymore.

She had applied to some architectural firms, and many other possible jobs. She had interviews in the upcoming week. She didn't have enough money in her account that she could stay at home and do nothing for even a month. She sighed and shut down the laptop. She put it aside and lied down on the couch, her arm covering her eyes.

A few moments passed by and her phone rang. She picked it up, it was her grandmother calling. She answered the call, “Hello, nana.” She chirped.

“Hello, dearest.” She said in a calm voice.

“How are feeling today? Did you take your medicine?” She questioned.

“Yes, yes. Mary is taking good care of me.” She smiled.

“Good. I’m so relieved that Mary is there for you.”

“How was your day? Did you have any interviews today?”

“Not yet. I have two interviews in two days at firms related to my degree.” She paused for a moment. “I have also applied at other side jobs; in case I don’t get my main job right away.” She pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Oh, don’t worry love. Everything’s going to be all right.”

“Thank you, nana. I love you.”

“I love you too.” She said and hung up the call.

She was lying on her couch when her doorbell rang. She opened the door to find the man from the night whom Richard had called to carry her bags, David. He was carrying a big cardboard box.

"What's this?" Asked Penelope.

"Mr. Grace has sent this. He said it has all the stuff you asked for."

"Oh right," she nodded "could you please place it on that table?"

He placed the box on the table and left. There were all the things she had asked for. She put all those in the kitchen and put the box aside.

Her stomach groaned. She checked the time on her phone it was almost 10. "Oh my God, it's already 10. Let's give you food little fella." She patted her belly.

She cooked ramen with eggs, spinach, and mushrooms. She sat on the bean bag on the balcony. Her hair was tied in a messy bun on the top of her head. The buildings in front of her were lit from roof to bottom and the roads were covered with cars – as usual.

She was slowly savoring every bite of her food, thinking about what she would do if she didn't get a job soon? Leaving her hometown wasn't easy at all.

She kept sitting there for so long, her bowl was empty and her face void from emotions. It was almost midnight but she was still sitting there all alone, staring in the empty spaces, her loose strands of hair dancing with the air.

*

Day after tomorrow:

It was 4 in the evening. She dragged herself into the building. She might not be showing this but she was pretty much exhausted from the interview she gave earlier. This place was way nicer and more elegant as compared to the other ones. Classic furniture, busy people rushing towards their work and in one corner on the couches, two people were waiting for their turns, holding files in their hands with nervous faces.

She looked at the other candidates and then at her resume. "There's no way I'm getting this job." She thought to herself. They were on the third floor of a high-rise building. There were so many artifacts and models displayed on walls and almost in every corner of the floor.

She pinched her nose bridge and let out a small sigh. “Why did I agree to schedule two interviews in one day?” She muttered to herself. “Then, of course, I’m one stupid-ass.” She swirled her loose strands around her finger and looked down at her file. She was wearing her bottle green dress, specially bought for the interview. She already had given an interview in the morning and seriously wasn't expecting any positive results.

She was sitting on a white couch, cross-legged when the lady called her name. She stood straight, adjusted her dress, and followed her trail. She asked her to go inside the room on the left. Penelope sighed before knocking at the door but immediately composed herself.

She gave a light knock on the door and opened it. Two men and a woman were sitting on the opposite side of the wooden table. She sat and handed them her file.

The walls on the left and right sides were made of glass. On the left, there was an empty well for ventilation and on the right side was a room, dimly lighted. She was nervous but didn't let her nerves overpower her facial expressions. Her palms were sweating but she was confidently giving answers to all the questions.

She was fidgeting with her fingers under the table. The door to the other room on the right side opened and a man in a black dress shirt and dress pants entered.

Damen Benjamin Laurent.

He was tall. Haven black hair set back perfectly. He was holding a pile of papers when he saw Penelope sitting on the other side of the glass wall. He put his hands in his pockets and watched her. He saw her fidgeting fingers yet a confident face.

He somehow found that scene amusing. He looked again at her face, it felt very much familiar. Damen tried to find a connection between the girl sitting in front of her to someone he knew but the interview ended and Penelope left the room. He smiled to himself and got back to work.

*

The other day, she was reading a book when she got a call that she had got the job and she can join on Monday. Her eyes widened. She wasn't expecting at all that she would get excepted at Joseph and Vance Architects. She was extremely delighted with the fact that she didn't have to stay at home for long.

She went to the coffee shop and bought some muffins. She knocked at the door, it opened after a second. Hailey stood on the other side.

"I got the job!" Penelope practically jumped. "Oh my God." Hailey wrapped her arms around her and gave her a tight hug. "This is such great news." Penelope handed her the small bag she was carrying and walked inside the apartment. Hailey locked the door.

"I'm so happy for you," said Hailey.

"Who's there?" Hailey's husband asked from the bedroom. "It's Penelope, hon," Hailey informed. Her husband came out of the bedroom with the twins clinging to both of his legs. "Nice to meet you." Penelope stood up and bowed a little. Nathan smiled and nodded.

The kids ran towards her. They started shouting in excitement. Hailey shushed them. "Behave. Both of you." She scolded.

"Can we play with her? Please, mom?" The boy in the blue shirt said. "Do you want to see my toy collection?" The one with light-colored eyes pouted. “You are Liam, right?” She bent down to his level. He gasped in surprise, “How do you know my name?”

“I know everything.” She smiled. “Well, my name is Aiden, missy.” The other boy said in a very composed manner. He stretched out his hand for her to shake. “Hello there, Mr. Aiden. My name is Penelope.” She shook his hands. “You guys can call me Penny.”

“Would you like to see our toys now?” Liam asked.  "Yes, of course." She smiled and said to them and then went inside their room.

"Such a nice girl she is," Hailey said with a warm smile, her hands on her heart. Nathan put his arm over her shoulder and kissed her forehead.

*

Weekend – Night Club

"Tell me more about her!" said James, chugging down the beer. "Oh, shut up." smiled Damen as he connected the beer bottle with his lips.

James was Damen's best friend. They were both sitting in the nightclub discussing the girl Damen saw at the interview. The music was blasting in the background, people were busy dancing and drinking.

"Who is the mystery girl, Damen?" James leaned in and wiggled his eyebrows. "James! Shove off." They both laughed. After a moment he started saying "I don't know... I mean, uh..." He shrugged and took another sip.

"WHAT??” James questioned with wide eyes.

Damen shrugged again and didn’t say anything for several moments.

“Why do always have to dramatically exaggerate your sentences, huh?" James hit his shoulder.

"She looked like Marissa to me." He finally spoke.

"Who?" James lifted his eyebrows in confusion. He looked around for the bartender and asked for another drink.

“Marissa,” Damen said again and looked at his phone.

James frowned in confusion and then suddenly his eyes widened. There was a smirk dancing on his face. He brought the bottle near his lips and said, "So, Damen my love … You are saying... your future girlfriend looks like your ex-girlfriend?" He said and busted out in laughter.

"What the fuck? NOOO!!" Damen hit his leg. "Asshole, she is not my girlfriend." He facepalmed himself

"Which one?" James laughed.

"What the hell is wrong with you. You sick son of a bitch." Damen frustratingly said and hit his shoulder.

“Ow… that hurts,” James said while holding his shoulder. “Good. It should.”

“But think about what I told you.” He smirked again.

“Okay. Master James.” He brought his hands together and bowed in front of him.

"You are my favorite student of all times." James sang and patted his back. They both started laughing again. A girl from the dance floor pulled James out of his chair and dragged him towards the dance floor. "Keep dreamin' bud!" He shouted and walked with the girl. Damen chugged down his beer and joined his friend on the dance floor.

***