One

Life is unfair and I know it.

Even though they were a part of my life and strives, I could hardly remember one. Ha, those endless interviews! But what was the use of remembering them when they yielded nothing. 

Now the one and only thing on my mind presently was the one I was going to now. I had seen it last month and called the number and what I heard was,

'We will get back to you shortly'

I had heard similar words before:

' We will get back to you in a day or two'

But those days turned to never and when I wasn't called throughout the month, I gave up but here I am getting prepared. I had the determination to achieve two things of which I had achieved one

Get to be called for interview; and

Win the job.

Unfortunately, I had always only made it through the first stage as the second stage don't pan out well. 

Now, I wore a green coat after styling my hair in the coolest manner and a lemon head warmer.

"I'm off," I shouted to my mom as I held the door knob. 

"Aren't you going to eat before you leave?" my mom asked appearing into the room. 

I must always be not doing something because I often hear 'aren't' from her. 

" At least a tea," she continued. " You'll need strength you know."

"You know I fast every time I do something serious" I reminded her. She knew but she always pretend not to.

"Okay good luck," she said after kissing my cheeks and I walked out.

Once I was out the door, the chilly breeze brushed on my face and all girls eyes was on me and I sighed.

I was used to it already because I was the most attractive guy in at least in town. Also I take part in charity works like shoveling the snow off the pavements or helping old people lift their loads. I'm pretty popular. 

Now I am about to face what I dread the most; calling attention to myself. 

"Todd!" "Hi Todd." "Come on, Todd."

One of the girls, a korean slipped her hand in mine and looked up my face expectantly. 

" Todd oppa," she said, smiling. "Where are you going?" 

I tried to remove her hand carefully when another girl; an American this time put her hand over my neck.

"Todd, you are so good looking," She said. 

Now I must say what I always say to pursue them away. 

" Okay beauties," I said sounding cheerfully. "We'll see when I come back and I'll do whatever you want."

I had to book appointment with each of them although I was not sure if I was going to keep them and they left after kissing my cheeks. I ran over to my destination ignoring everyone else and only greeting old men and women. 

It was at Tanner's coffee shop. There was lots of high schoolers in it presently and after heaving a sigh of relief, I went inside. 

When I got in, the eyes which turned to me stuck and stared in awe. 

"Isn't he Todd?" I heard.

"I never thought I'd see him physically?" " Isn't he so hot?" 

I ignored them and went over to Tanner, a big round man. 

"Hey pretty boy, you're here already?" were his first words to me. 

He was an hairy man and he wore a yellow apron. 

"Yeah I'm here for the job of a counterman," I announced.

He noticed the eyes on me and smiled. " Your looks got you a job," he winked. " But how about being a waiter? Your looks can attract customers."

I wanted to argue but I held myself. 

"You got it, man," I replied. "So how much is my pay?"

" Fifteen dollars per hour," he answered. " You may begin immediately."

I went into the dressing room to change into the waiter's clothes and came out after drinking a cup of coffee. 

" Now get the orders," Tanner told me and I went to the raised hands. First off to an old woman. 

"A deep coffee... and how handsome you are!" she commented. 

"Well thank you, ma," I said and was going when she held my hand. 

"I have a granddaughter whose name is Madeline and she's twenty-two. She's very beautiful," she told me and I forced on a smile, nodding. Then gently, I released my hands. 

The next order was from a girl who kept staring at my face. 

"Um... what's your order?" I asked again for the fifth time. I felt uneasy with her staring at me. She stared for some time more before saying her order. She and others even asked for my number which I politely decline and finally the high schoolers flood out to school. 

I worked for some hours more ignoring my tiredness. It was in the fifth hour that the door opened and someone entered.

..... 

Who's that?

When the glass door opened, that was the first question that came to my mind. I had thought of this because of the manner the door was opened. I dropped my tray on the counter and turned swiftly to the door. 

As soon as the face appeared, Tanner ran past me to the guest. It was a black haired lady who had her brown coat over her shoulders and a black gown under. Her countenance was serious and I wondered who she was for Tanner to welcome her in that manner. I watched him show her a seat and run to me. 

"Don't just look! Attend to her," he told me. 

"Who's she anyway?" I asked. 

" The heiress of Putin Global," he told me hastily. "Hurry!"

  'Why does it matter,' I muttered as I walked to her in my normal manners. 

  She was pressing her phone when I got to her and I cleared my throat and said," And what would your order be?" 

She looked up at me in arrogance but her face soften when our gazes met. But in some seconds, her serious countenance returned. 

"My usual," She said in an unfriendly way. 

"Actually I don't know your usual so can you spell it out?" I asked her wondering if she was dumb. " You haven't seen me before so you should know I'm new without me saying it."

" Are you actually speaking to me in that manner?" she asked in disbelief. " Who are you to speak like that to me? Do you even know who I am?"

" Well I'm someone who respect those who respect me and you're the heiress of Putin Global, so what," I replied. " So tell me your usuals and I'll be out of your presence, princess."

  Get hold of yourself, Todd. You can't get anyway by antagonising the rich, I told myself. 

She looked exasperated and was flushed now staring at me in horror. "Why you..."

" Calm down, Miss," I heard behind me and turned to see Tanner. " Go over to the counter,now," he ordered. 

"Why..." I was saying. 

" Go over," he insisted and I went hearing her complain and him trying to soothe her. He arrived at the counter after some seconds.

" Your looks is the one that secured your job. It's better you stay behind the counter."

I was thankful because being a waiter was stressful. 

I got home by nine pm, tired. U had to sneak into the neighborhood because of the girls. Work has been especially tiring this night as more female flooded in tonight. Instead of waiting for the waiter, they would come over to the counter to place their orders. Ugh. 

  Mom had already made the sitting room into a personal cinema when I got in. She was watching a K-drama which I totally hated with a pop corn beside her. 

"Looks like someone was successful," she said after pausing the film and turned to me. 

" Yeah I got a job," I said and put off my coat. Then I sat down. 

" Over at Tanner's, huh?" she asked munching her popcorn, wanting to be sure. 

"Yeah although it was stressful," I replied. 

"Too much attention, right?"

"Right," I answered. She was always guessing what was in my mind right. 

"Your dad faced that too... and yeah, aren't you hungry? Your food's in the kitchen," she informed me. 

  I stood up and walked to the kitchen. It was spick and span. The utensils and cutleries were either stacked, hanged or arranged in the cupboard. On the cabinet was a bowl of fried potato and egg. I took it and a glass of milk along to the sitting room. 

"Mrs. Grundy gave me the eggs. Her hen laid a lot," mom said as I sat down. 

"Are you still working there?" I asked her as I dropped my glass on the table and started eating. 

" No I'm working shift at the bakery now," she answered. "My shift tomorrow is mainly based at night. Just going in the morning to assist. I got to sleep."

  She stood up and patted my shoulder before walking in. 

' I need to sleep too,' I muttered and took a drink of my glass. 

The next day was predicted to be sunny so I just wore a doublet and trouser. I resumed early. Tanner was just opening. 

"Hey kid. You're pretty early," he said which surprised me. "And make more of deep coffee today."

"Yeah, yeah whatever boss," I replied and took the shaker. I added extra caffeine and then shaked it violently. 

That morning work was fun because I danced as I shake hearing words like:

"A trio." "A couple." "A dozen!" and me replying, "Right up." or "Coming up."

As usual girls came over to the counter to look at my face. There was a lady; a blonde who came by 7:30 rushing to the counter. I was backing the counter when she came. 

"Give me two cups of coffee and be quick for I am in a hurry," I heard and after preparing two coffees, turned to her. 

She stared at me looking dazed for a moment before regaining herself. "Uh, hi."

"Here's your order," I said giving her the coffees. 

"Uh, thanks," she said and collected it from me. Then she turned and zoomed out of the shop.