Terms and Conditions Apply

The weather is chilly, and for the first time in forever I didn't seem to care about the music blaring softly from the speakers outside. A song from my favorite Billie Eilish, tempting, my subconscious confessed. Still, I wasn't stirred. Infact, I wanted abrupt silence. Nothing about my life felt lyrical right now. Don't get me wrong. Nobody died. Okay. Not recently though. My father did, but that was years ago, and that still remains the one story I am never excited to talk about. The crispy rustling of papers interrupted my train of thought. I directed my gaze to the Hiring Manager of Redwood Advertising, and immediately, I regretted making that move. She’d been staring at my CV for far too long, so long that I began to wonder if the printer had mysteriously translated my documents into Arabic.“Nice profile here, but…" she uttered, signalling I should hold on, as she went ahead to take a call.I rolled my eyes in exasperation. ‘Dear Lord, not again. Not another rejection.'I’ve b

｡⁠♡ Andrea “If you’re easily intimidated, you can leave now."For some seconds, there was heavy silence. Yet, no one moved.Everett Langston leaned back on his chair still scanning the four of us like a man weighing apples for freshness. With one ankle rested casually on his knee, his fingers drummed once against the armrest before he looked away. How arrogant!"Good... That saves me time. You could have your seats" he ordered.He reached for the four cream envelopes sitting in a neat row on the polished table and slid them toward us. "One of you doesn’t belong here. Decide."What? My brows knitted. "Decide? Based on what?" The other male candidate whispered nervously to his neighbor. The eyes of the lady who had been staring a little too openly at Everett sparkled with excitement as she shifted in her seat. It was as if the challenge only heightened her interest in him.I ignored her. I wasn’t here to gawk."Everything is part of the interview,” Everett replied calmly. “Five min

***• Everett •***She’s bold. Too bold. Threatening me over the phone. Who does that? This is why I dislike people, especially ones who feel the world revolve around them after they have tasted a little success and forgotten who held the door open.I had given her the chance because she looked one rejection away from a bathroom breakdown. But now? The raw fear that was once present in her face is no longer there, it vanished like magic. It didn’t stop there.Her chin tilted up as soon as she noticed I was staring, her lips pursed into something that certainly wasn’t polite.I stepped out, totally dazed. She even dipped her head slightly as if mocking the idea of bowing before walking into the elevator panel. Interesting. I took a long view of her through the glass. Blonde hair, not bleached within an inch of its life, lips—full, slightly glossy, pressed together as she adjusted the strap of her bag, then she lifted a hand and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear avoiding

***• Andrea •***If someone had told me that I'd be second guessing my decision of being an employee on my first day at work, I would have laughed in their face and called them dramatic. When I first arrived today, I was thrilled. Who wouldn't? Mr. Bradley ushered me in for onboarding before I even got to show the card, but now? I don't know what to think. Love’s unpredictable, very complicated, but being a Love Consultant was a bigger adventure I didn’t knew I signed up for. I turned to face my first task ever - Marilyn and Jordan seated in front of me. Marilyn had her leg crossed, a weary expression visible on her face. On her left was her non- chalant boyfriend, sprawled comfortably in his chair, spinning a sleek car key between his fingers.I cleared my throat briefly, flashing my most professional smile as I let Mr. Bradley's words during the short onboarding play in my head. ‘Do not side with either parties, and please don't roll your eyes. One mess up and your salary is

***• Andrea •***“Now that’s how you know a badass consultant. A thirty-day reset? You called off Marilyn’s relationship the other day. How exactly do you do all of this?”“Oh... please, Kylian. I’m just being realistic. His partner tagged his care and constant attention as suffocation. I only want to know who’s wrong.”I paused, squinting slightly at him. “I call it the Quiet Decompression Phase.”Kylian cackled loudly, drawing embarrassed glances from nearby tables.“Keep it low,” I muttered, nudging him with my foot.We were at the cafeteria for a quick lunch break and between us sat a tray of rice, grilled chicken, and two unopened bottles of soda, barely touched. We only had a few minutes before resuming our duties. I grabbed my fork, taking a small bite.“You are actually the bravest newbie this company has ever had. When Vanessa was here, she would do anything to stay in Mr. Bradley’s good books,” Kylian continued, his gaze drifting over the employees walking in and out.“I’m