Chapter 3

Crystal's POV

I stood up and rushed towards her, shaking her vigorously. "What happened, Nina? Will you tell me or not?"

"You... Uhmmm, you.." she stuttered and kept gulping.

The hesitation was driving me insane and I didn't have the courage to take the phone and check what she had seen.

"C'mon, Nina," I urged with a pleading voice.

"You got it."

I furrowed my eyebrows. I got it? My heartbeat increased. Deep down I knew what she was talking about but I still needed to confirm, so I snatched the phone.

My eyes scanned through the content of the email. I kept reading until I got to the part where I froze. It wasn't what I was expecting at all.

"Congratulations Miss Clarke, you've been appointed to be the Personal Assistant to Mr. Jules Jordan. You're to resume work immediately at Deburn Group headquarters."

I rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. Once again, I read the words and it was exactly as it was.

My eyes weren't playing tricks on me.

Slowly, I raised my head to look at Nina and her jaw dropped. Her gaze didn't shift away from me.

"I... I got it." I said, still in shock.

Working in Deburn has been my long life dream even though I knew that it might be impossible, given that I had only worked in restaurants and cafes. And just when I had started to lose interest, I got the job.

"Congratulations boo!" Nina suddenly laughed and hugged me tightly so hard that she was crushing me but I didn't stop her.

When I didn't react the way she expected, she broke the hug and looked at me. "What's wrong Crystal? Aren't you happy?"

Am I not happy? Why am I not happy?

Even I am shocked at my reaction. Up until now, I thought I would be running down the streets in happiness but why was I quiet when I finally got what I've always wanted?

"Do I really deserve to work at such a big company?" The question rolled off my tongue. The words tasted bitter but I couldn't stop myself either.

"Oh dear," Nina's smile faded a bit. She held my hand and guided me to sit. We faced each other.

"Why do you think that you're not worthy?" She asked calmly.

I fiddled with my fingers and shrugged. "Maybe it's because I've never had such an achievement." 

"Tell me more," Nina urged.

"On the day of the interview, I saw better candidates. Ones whose resume fitted well for the role. Their educational background, status, experience....why me?"

Nina smiled. "Hmmm. This could be a sign that you sure deserve good things too. I mean you've suffered enough and this could be the start of more blessings."

Warm tears rolled down my face. I looked down at my shaky hands and my breathing became shallow.

"But..but," I stuttered but Nina placed her finger on my lips.

"Shhhhhh," she shook her head. "Everything you deserve is beginning to happen. Embrace it and own it." She urged.

I blinked rapidly and tried to steady my breath. I parted my lips a bit to suck more air.

I deserve it.

I'm human and I deserve to enjoy it.

I continued reaffirming myself. It was me and my thoughts against the world. I managed to secure a job at such a big company, that definitely meant the whole world to me.

I was still lost in my thoughts, my phone suddenly buzzed snapping me out of my thoughts.

My heart skipped a beat the moment I saw whose name was displayed on the screen.

Mum.

What does she want now? We already spoke yesterday and she didn't fail to remind me about getting the money for her precious daughter.

Nina's hold on my hand tightened a bit. I looked up at her and she raised her eyebrows. "Do you want to talk to her? I can help if you want," she suggested.

I sniffled and shook my head after flashing her a small smile. I gulped loudly and clicked on the answer icon.

"What took you so long to answer the phone?" She asked but I stayed silent.

There was no point in explaining myself, not when she wouldn't understand.

"Anyways about the money, can you send it tomorrow? Cherry suddenly needs it," she demanded.

Thankfully I now have a job. If I could tell her, it would put her mind at rest and she wouldn't bother me for a while.

They want money, while I want peace of mind.

"After all, it's the least that you could do. We can still make do with the token that you will send," she blurted out those words without care.

Token?

I don't have proper savings despite how hard I worked. Everything that I earned, I gave to them without hesitation.

Giving the money wasn't a big deal for me but realizing that no matter how much I do wouldn't be enough, so why bother?

"Make sure I don't call tomorrow to remind you or if you have the money currently, you should just send it." She commanded.

I gritted my teeth as anger coursed through my veins. I let out a sarcastic chuckle before I could stop myself.

"Money? You want money but I don't have any. I have been depending on Nina for food, she pays the bills. Do you know the reason?" I seethed.

She stayed silent for a while before speaking up. "You disrespectful and ungrateful child!" She barked.

"It's because I don't fucking have any money left. You keep asking for money but have you ever stopped to ask yourself where I would get it?" I cried bitterly.

"Liar.. don't you have a job?" She asked accusingly.

"Job? You mean the same one that I lost because of you all?" I ruffled my hair frustrated at her reasoning.

Silence.

"Listen, look for the money. Steal if you must. I don't care," she stated.

"No fucking way!" I hissed as the tears flowed continuously. "If Cherry needs money urgently, tell her to steal!" I yelled and ended the call.

I tossed the phone to wherever God knows where. I palmed my face as I sobbed. How could my own mother tell me to do something so despicable?

Hey doesn't she love me too? Am I not her child? Am I not a member of that family?

To think that a part of me was excited to tell them that I got a new job.

"Stop crying Crystal," Nina cooed with a low voice as she pulled me into a warm hug.

"Don't let her ruin your mood. Today's a big day for you and we won't let them make you sad."

I hiccupped. "But why do they treat me so badly?" I questioned.

"Because they don't know how precious you are? People don't know the value of what they have until they lose it." She shrugged.

The last statement rang in my head. Despite the chaos going on in my head, it was the only thing that made sense.

I calmed down after a while. The phone started ringing and I knew it was her again.

Nina took the phone before I could and ended the call and put it on Do Not Disturb mode.

"There... problem solved." She palmed my face, carefully wiping the tears off my face. "You my dear friend don't need people who drain you."

I nodded vigorously and sniffled. What would I have done without my best friend?

Nina raised her eyebrows and I could see the small smile. I could feel that she wanted to talk about something.

"What is it?" I asked with a cracked voice.

"Damn girl......." She burst out in laughter. "You're unbelievable!" She exclaimed.

My forehead creased into a frown. "I don't understand."

"You cussed!" She gasped, placing her hand on her chest dramatically.

My lips formed an 'O' shape as I realized what she was talking about. I rolled my eyes as I tried to control myself from laughing.

"I'm not a kid," I defended myself.

"I know but you hardly cuss and at your family.... Never. That was the first. Your mother would be blaming you for influencing you negatively."

My face dropped. She was right.

I was mad and I allowed my emotions to get the best part of me. My mother would be so disappointed.

"Don't tell me you feel bad?"

I fiddled with my fingers. "I do."

"Don't be. Good people should have boundaries too, else others would trample on them wherever they go."

Good people.

Boundaries.

If I was really trying to be a good person, I'd keep my distance. Feelings weren't a crime, but acting on them would be.

Deburn Group... Am I ready for that phase?