Chapter 2—Here we go

Deborah's POV

The hunt for a new job started as soon as I left the bar. As time went on, the city felt heavier like every building loomed over me with judgement. My resume was tucked under one arm and my heels clicked against the pavement. I was exhausted already. I had been turned away from three places already each rejection craving deeper into my chest.

I was in the lobby of another office, my smile was a lot thinner but it was determined. I soothed my blouse(I had to go and change of course) and approached the receptionist.

“Hi, I am here for the new job.”

“Ok, welcome, please wait a second he will be with you shortly.”

She was so nice but what made me frown was he.

Maybe this time it will be different. I was ushered into the manager’s office, where he was already behind his desk, with his sharp suit polished shoe but his eyes lingered on me a bit too much. I sat straight answering every question he asked me with confidence because at this point, I am an expert. I clinged to the hope that maybe just maybe this would be different. I mean despite all the red flags.

“You're exactly what we're looking for,” he said leaning back and steepling his fingers. “And I see great potential in you.” 

Here we go…

“Thank you sir.” 

“Thank me when you have the job, I need you too allow me to help you reach your potential.”

“Creative one now aren't you?” I asked folding my arms across my chest.

He walked over and caressed my check whilst I urgently resisted the urge to punch him in the balls.

“I will give you the position of Production manager, if you do this one thing for me.” He bent over like he was about to kiss me on the cheek.

“I'd rather do this.” I slapped him across the face. He nearly fell sideways but just caught his balance. His face was red with fury and rage but that didnt make me flinch. He looked kind of cute. Make no mistake, he was every woman's dream but unfortunately he has a dark heart.

“Keep your offer, I am leaving,” I said softly, my voice cutting like glass. I stood up my chair scraping against the floor and walked out without another word.

The rest of the day blurred into a cycle of doors opening and slamming shut. For example, a diner owner stared at my chest more than my resume. A hotel manager who let his hand brush mine for too long. A store supervisor who's smile was just too knowing. Everywhere I went, it was the same thing. Interested in my body but not my skills.

By late afternoon, my feet started to hurt because I had been walking all day and my heels were too tight for that type of exercise. My throat was dry from the polite refusals and the rejection and the humiliation weighed heavy on my shoulders. When I was finally able to trudge back to my small apartment the silence was more suffocating than usual. I threw the resume folder on the couch and buried my face in my hands and I sulked beside it letting out a loud moan of frustration.

My phone was in my bag and I removed it and let out and stared at it confused. 

Why is my life like this?

I dialled Ellie to see how her day went.

“Well today has been quiet for most of the time apart from my boss firing someone for stealing.”

“Well at least he has a good reason,” I muttered. 

“What do you mean?”

“Oh you haven't heard yet? I got fired.”

“Oh babe,” her voice was warm and steady, her tone soft and caring. “What happened?” 

“My boss wanted to have sex with me.” My voice cracked. “That's all managers think about nowadays to have sex with helpless employees.” 

“Do you know what? Give me a few minutes and I will be there.” 

True to her word she was here in a few minutes. I got up to open the door for her when she knocked. When I opened it I smiled just a little, but it quickly faded. She breezed past me like she owned the place, I shut the door and folded my arms.

“I found this on the floor,” she says with a very serious look that made me shiver. Her green orbs were fixed on a piece of paper she was holding.

“What's wrong?” 

“I hate being the bearer of bad news but…-.”

“I am being evicted, thanks though.”

“Look, you can come and crash at my place if you want just until you can get back on your feet.” 

“Oh Ellie, you couldn't afford my eating habits. Heck I can't even afford my own eating habits.” The joke didn't work because she was still genuinely worried. The money I was receiving was never going to be enough because I had to pay off my student loan. 

“Deb, I am so sorry, why do bad things happen to good people?”

“It's just my turn, L.” I don't know why I always have to act tough even around her. She's the closest I have had to a family ever since they died. She's been with me every step of the way and I'll always owe her for that but I couldn't do this. I couldn't crash at her place. It would have been too much.

“How do you do it?” 

I shrug and act like I don't know what she's talking about but truly I do.

“Show no emotion even with all your predicaments. I have people breaking down going through half of what you're going through, you're just so strong.” I sat on the couch with my arms around on my knees and looked at her with a tear in my eye. 

“Today, I went for a job hunt. It was easy getting an interview but to actually start was the problem.” My voice was soft and broken. She sat next to me and put her arms around me caressing me like she's my mother.

She wasn't just a friend. She was like a mother, sister, cousin, aunty, you name it.

“The interviews went well to be honest but they wanted more than just my skills, they wanted my body also.” My voice broke as I wiped the tears from my face with my hand. 

“Let me make a call about a rumor I heard today and get back to you.”

I know the world doesn't evolve around me but, seriously? 

Now is the time to gossip?

She stood up and dialled a number and walked outside leaving her stuff on the table. When she came back inside a glimmer of hope was in her eyes.

She cleared her throat, forcing a brighter tone. “It's time for good news now.” She pulled out her phone and gave it to me. A job listing glowed on the screen. Secretary needed– Blackridge Logistics and Enterprise.

“Oh no like I'll ever get that job.” I put the phone in her hand and I saw a frown on her face. “I'll be competing with the best, there's no way I would qualify.”

“I think you misunderstood, Miss Brown.” She sat next to me putting one leg on top of the other. “You are going because I have already given them your details.”

“Then let them come and carry me from my apartment and interview me,” I scoffed at her. The audacity of her to do this without my permission.

“Well than in less than two weeks I guess I'll find you on the streets.” 

I rolled my eyes off her. “How is the boss like?”

“Ruthless, intimidating, he has a very cold demeanor, but nothing you can't handle. You have got this.”

If what she is saying is true than I have a chance. I am sure I'll make it just as long as he doesn't hit force me into sexual relationships with him.

“I'll do it.”

“Good, because they will be expecting you by 8am tomorrow morning.”

“Wait what? It's tomo-.”

“Yes so goodnight, sleep tight and don't let the bed bugs bite.” She stood up and I followed suit. I followed her to the door and hugged her. “Thank you, you're the best.” 

She smirked a little as she embraced me. “That's what I like about you. Always staying the facts.”

I pushed my hair back behind my ear and smiled as she took her leave, leaving me alone to my apartment. The tension had reduced with this news. The turning point I hoped will begin my arc. 

I crawled into my bed after brushing my teeth. I set my alarm too 5:30am tomorrow morning. I had at least 7 hours of sleep. I needed the sleep I had been exhausted from today's job hunt and I needed this. I needed this more than anything else. Slowly, I stared closing my eyes and my surroundings started to fade.

*“Mum, dad, where are we going?” I couldn't tell where we were, at first sight I thought we were at my childhood house but no. This looked different. I couldn't tell. “Where are we?” 

“Quiet now Deborah, we are nearly there and we won't hurt you,” Dad insisted.

We continued the long walk but I was getting tired. “I want to stop and rest a little.”

“No let's continue,” Mum said. “We are nearly there.” 

“No! Leave me alone.” With tremendous force I was able to break myself free from their grasp and once I did blood started oozing out of every hole in their bodies. Their eyes, their nose, their mouths. They turned around to look at me and I flinched backwards as I saw the look of horror on their faces. Red stained their white gown dresses.

“Don't leave us,” Mum whispered before falling on the ground. 

“I hope your next life is better than your previous one,” Dad said.

He also fell next to mum and once he did their bodies burnt.*

I jolted awake to find that my alarm was buzzing for 3 hours straight.