The Woman He Never Wanted

I checked my mobile. 

No texts. 

No missed calls. 

I knitted my brows at the unusual occurrence. 

Jess probably forgot to, yet my instincts kept screaming at me not to let this slide. 

I sighed heavily and opened my personal computer to check my email for reviews on my new book. 

Furthermore, I smiled when I saw two new emails.

Sure, it was a rejection and this will not stop me from my dream of being a successful writer, but the second mail was something else. 

I clicked on it, and it was a final interview invitation from a publishing company I had recently applied to; Quinn's House. 

My mouth fell open, and I screamed. I picked up my mobile to text Jess about the joyous information. I did not care that he hadn't called or texted for two days, twenty minutes, and seven seconds. 

' Jess, I've been called over for the final interview at Quinn's. Call me when you see this. Love you! '

My door flung open, and she walked in, flinging her bag and shoes all over.

The ultimate best friend has arrived. 

“ Why were you screaming like you just got stung by some bee? " She scolded, sniffling her nostrils. 

“ Just don't disorganize my room, girl” I handed her some medication. 

Her eyes widening with curiosity, she stared at me, waiting for some spills. 

“ Okay! I got called in for a final interview at Quinn's”

Excitement glowed in her eyes as she squeezed herself all up and crawled up to me. She touched my nose and I cringed. 

" I thought you knew I hated nose touching, not from you though, " we both giggled with locked hands. 

“ Congratulations! You haven't spilled it all up yet, I'm waiting to hear about your book review and if Jess called you already” she looked at me with caution. 

“ What exactly do you want to know "

“ Ooh! You forgot you made me stay awake all night while you were lamenting about how he hasn't called or texted you? 

Oh, Please”

I closed my eyes for a moment, sighed deeply, and told her of my book being rejected again. 

“ And as for Jess, it's still the same” I replied. 

She cupped my jaw in her hands and gazed into my eyes. 

“ You don't worry about it. You're more than what you think you are. This wasn't your first rejection, but still, you continued to push forward.

 Now, who knows if you're being rewarded with being an editor at Quinn's. 

About Jess, you know things will fall back in place. He's probably busy and will contact you in no time. 

You lovelies will get to see more of each other when you get employed. “

My face brightened, I would be able to see Jess more when I get employed. I clapped my palms together and prayed in my heart. 

“ See? You're much older but little things brighten you up and that makes you look cute”

I looked at her and hugged her as tight as I could. 

Zoey and I have been best friends since middle school, and we have always been there for each other. But after we graduated from high school, we attended the same university, but in different majors. 

While I majored in Communication, she was a Cosmetics Technology major. I had always felt grateful for having a friend like her. 

Same outfits

Same birthdate

Same age

Same vibe

I always thought she was my sister in my past life as we never had misunderstandings that escalated. 

We got into trouble and came out of it together. If not for our different surnames, everything would have been perfect, but I still loved her nonetheless. 

“ You got anything for Jess's birthday yet? " Zoey said, bring me back to reality. 

“ I'm off to pick up a gift today, you want to tag along? " I noticed her holding my portable desk calendar. 

“ You're looking at the new head of the cosmetic department of Binge Agency. I got promoted yesterday” Zoey spilled as she held my both hands. 

“ Congratulations! You should have informed me about it immediately” I questioned, raising my brows at her to hear her excuse. 

“ I wanted to tell you in person” 

“ You're living your dreams, while I'm still stuck on a failed one. I look pathetic, right? " I pouted. 

She moved closer until there was no space between us and hugged me tightly. I was moved to tears. I hated this feeling of pity, but not from her anyway. 

“ Tasha Rowan, my best friend! 

You are my biggest motivation for not letting go of what I truly want. 

I hope you get to see what becomes of you. I hope you patiently wait to see that. You're only in your 20s, and you're doing great…" 

“You too,” I said, cutting her off her speech. 

“ You sure have a knack for spoiling good moods, do you know that? “

I laughed out loud and gave her a slight punch on her arm. 

“ Girl, you have a bachelor's degree in Communications. I bet you are the best writer there is”.

“Bachelor's degrees don't guarantee good writing. Besides, if that's true, why do I keep getting rejected? “ I stared at her. 

“ You don't get to say that, you should extend your networks. Those companies don't know the value of your books” she explained. 

“ That was the last company there is”

Cornered, she batted her lashes and changed the topic. 

“ Dinner's ready" Mum called out. 

We rushed to the kitchen and we sat down, ready to dig in. 

The smell was mouthwatering, as I could not wait patiently to get served. I took a bite from the stir-fried chicken and pasta. 

“ Mrs. Rowan, your fried chicken is the best. I honestly wish I can eat this every day” Zoey complimented as she raised her thumb to show appreciation. 

Mum smiled and glanced at me. 

“ While some are busy complaining about the everyday dose of fried chicken”

I stopped halfway as I was about to take another bite of the food. I looked at Mum, and she turned her face away. Likewise, I resumed eating as I had the feeling shades were being thrown at me. 

“ Do you need another plate, Zoey? " Mum asked with a brightened face. 

“ Sure, Mother”

“ I'll serve you two portions for calling me Mother” 

My mouth fell open as I dropped my plate harshly. Mum observed me with a questionable expression and I reacted positively. 

I continued to eat as I watched with jealousy. I could no longer take it and burst out. 

“ Mum, why would you give her two portions of my favorite? “

Mum eyed me and answered after hesitating a little. 

" Are you getting mad at me, you are raising your voice”

I recoiled like a puppy that had just been warned by its owner.

“ You eat all my money up, You should get married soon, or should I set you up with someone? “

“ Marriage? “ I laughed hysterically and Mum got scared. 

“ Stop scaring me, That is not funny” Zoey laughed at my mother's expression but decided to keep mute. 

“ Don't you try setting me up, I have a boyfriend” I warned. 

“ Then tell him to come over for marriage discussions, "she retorted. 

I was lost as to how the marriage discussion came about. I looked at Mum's annoyed face, 

“ What's with the marriage discussion? What has that got to do with my pasta! "

“ So you can stop eating up my money! " She screamed, and I dropped my fork in surprise. That was intense and it caught me unawares. 

Mum will never stop this if I try to prolong it more than it already is, and I decided to lift the mood. 

“ Well, you have to put up with me and spend more of your money because you will spend mine in the future. Can I get another portion of pasta now? "

“ Yes, My chubby princess" Mum chuckled softly and took my plate to the kitchen. 

Zoey nodded her head in affirmation for a job well done as we talked about her hysterical boss who loved to bully at any given opportunity. 

Of course, that was before she got promoted. We wrapped up dinner and Zoey left. 

I lay on the bed and covered myself up with the duvet. I stared at the ceiling, thinking about how the final interview was going to turn out. 

I wished I were called immediately, but then I was grateful for having enough time to prepare myself. Having thought about that, I decided to sneak a peek at my mobile. 

Jess has not read my message. 

 I'd have gone to check up on him at his office, but he restricted me from that. 

Going to his house was out of the option because I had to call him first. 

Worrying about him was eating me real up. 

“ Is he that busy? " I thought to myself as I rolled on the bed, then my mobile rang. 

I checked the caller ID and it was Jess. 

" Hey Jess, I've been worried"