The Big Day

“You’ve got to be kidding me!!!”

Gabriella lifted her purple blouse from the ironing board and stared at it, feeling defeated. It was her favorite, and she planned to wear it to her interview this morning. The blouse had ruffles down the center with silver buttons and a collar that made her look mature and professional, but now it was ruined, the burnt material staring back at her mockingly.

“Well, I guess that’s that.” 

She flung the blouse to a corner and walked to her closet, trying to find something else to wear for the day. Reaching for her second favorite, a red satin blouse that hugged her chest area a little too tightly, she pulled it off the hanger and examined it.

“This will just have to do,” she said as she put her hands through the sleeves and stepped in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom to assess her appearance. She had mid-length brown hair that fell in soft waves to her shoulders, with matching brown eyes that complemented her round face perfectly. Her small waist was accentuated by the knee-length, black pencil skirt, which she had chosen earlier. Pressing her full lips to a thin line, she stared at her five-two petite body frame.

“Not bad, I guess,” she concluded.

Walking out of her bedroom, she checked the time on her kitchen clock. It was already 8:20 AM.

After seven long months of being unemployed, Gabriella had finally been able to secure a job interview, and not just any interview, an interview to be the CEO’s secretary at the prestigious KINGSTON ENTERPRISES. One of the biggest companies that produces the best smart home devices in New York.

Gabriella had tried to get a job at almost every restaurant, hotel, or company back in Arkansas after getting fired from her last job, and when it got to her fourth month of being unemployed, she had finally had enough. She made a drastic decision one day and gathered all her things, and with her life’s savings, she moved to New York to start over. That was three months ago, and now it was a pitiful, grand total of seven months being unemployed.

“I'd better hurry,” she thought as she gulped down the last of her coffee and put the mug in her dishwasher, turning it on. She was about to leave the kitchen when she realized something was wrong. The dishwasher wasn’t working.

Stepping closer to examine it, she pushed the square button again, but nothing happened.

“God, I really need this job.” She breathed as she looked up to the ceiling of her apartment, begging for patience to survive the day. First, her blouse got burnt, and now this. It was almost as if the devil was hell-bent on frustrating her. Today was important, and it honestly wasn’t off to a good start.

Walking away from the kitchen, Gabriella grabbed her purse, which contained all the belongings she needed for the day, and stepped out of her tiny apartment into the hallway.

“When I come back here today, I will be employed, and things will get better.”

It was like a prayer to the universe. Things just had to get better, or else she was really done for.

Taking the steps two at a time, she got to the bottom of her apartment building and waved at her old neighbor, who always sat at the bottom of the stairs in his wheelchair on mornings like this, watching people go in and out.

“Big day today, isn’t it?” The man said as he beamed a smile at Gabriella. He was probably the oldest man who lived in the building. Although he was disabled, he always had an enthusiasm about him that made Gabriella like him. She would even bring some food to him every now and then from the little she had.

“Yes, Mr.Austin, you remembered.” She laughed as she approached the elderly man.

“Well, of course missy. How could I forget my favorite neighbor’s big interview, and even if I did forget, your outfit would give it all away. You look amazing, darling.”

“Thank you, Mr. Austin. You flatter me too much.”

‘Did she look beautiful?’ She thought to herself. 

Well, she hoped so because even though this outfit wasn’t her first choice, she needed to make a good first impression at that interview.

“I have to go now, but have a good day, sir.”

“Goodluck little lady.” Mr. Austin called after her as she quickened her steps.

“Thank you so much.” She shouted back as she stepped out of the dull ambience of her run-down apartment complex and into the hustle and bustle of New York City.

She really needed that good luck today, she thought to herself.

They say that anyone can make it here. “So take it all, the city is yours”- Gabriella remembered those lyrics from a song in the popular musical, “Annie”. She recalled sitting on the floor in the general living area back at the group home when she was in foster care. She used to imagine her life to be as spontaneous as that. Bump into a rich billionaire and have her life change automatically for the better. Unfortunately, this was real life, and her billionaire never came.

Finally hailing a taxi, she opened the door and stepped into the vehicle.

“Where to, ma’am?” The driver looked at her through the mirror and asked.

“Kingston Enterprises, and please hurry.”

She couldn’t be late.

“Will do.” The middle-aged man replied and stepped on the gas.

Settling into the cab, she heard her phone buzz in her hand, so she unlocked the screen to find an e-mail from her landlord. It was a reminder that her rent was two weeks overdue. She skimmed through the message and locked her phone, sighing deeply. 

‘I’m dangerously close to getting evicted.’ She thought.

Gabriella let her head rest on the window as she drifted into deep thought. She had rehearsed everything she needed to say at her interview many times in front of her mirror just to make sure she was ready.

“I’m Gabriella Whyte, and I am the perfect fit for this position.”

She had repeated those words so many times to herself and even practiced her “professional smile.” She’d put in so much work, and if she didn’t get this job, well, it was really over.

Gabriella had been alone all her life. Well, except for the girls back at the group home and the very many social workers, she never really had a family of her own, like everyone else.

Never got adopted, was home-schooled by the teachers the government provided for foster kids, up until she turned eighteen years old and had to leave to find her own way in the world, and that is exactly what she has been doing ever since.

She somehow managed to put herself through college with a whole lot of on-campus jobs and a whole lot of student loans. Loans that were now due and piling up with every month that went by. Ever since graduating 4 years ago, things had been tough for her, but the last 7 months being unemployed after being fired from her last job at a hotel was nothing short of hell on earth.

“Ma’am, we’re here.” The driver pulled her out of her daydream.

“Oh, right. Thank you”

She opened her purse and scrambled for some dollar bills to give to the cab driver and stepped out of the car.

Getting out, she stood in front of the tall building and literally had to tilt her head all the way to see the top. It was massive.

“Kingston Enterprises.” She breathed deeply, straightening her skirt and making sure her top was still tucked in snugly.

“Here goes nothing,” she said as she walked briskly towards the entrance.