Chapter 12: New Beginnings
789 Words
Reina hated job hunting.
She had been doing it for exactly three hours.
That was enough.
The dining room table had disappeared beneath a mountain of applications, job listings, and handwritten notes.
Retail.
Receptionist.
Tutor.
Barista.
Administrative assistant.
None of them had anything to do with architecture.
But tuition wasn't going to pay itself.
Half required experience she didn't have.
The other half paid barely enough to cover transportation.
Reina dropped her forehead onto the table.
"How do people do this?"
The empty room offered no answer.
Carlos had left for work before sunrise.
The staff moved quietly through the house.
For the first time since returning to New York, Reina felt the full weight of adulthood settling on her shoulders.
Her phone buzzed.
Sofia.
A smile immediately appeared.
Sofia: How's adulthood?
Reina: I want a refund.
The reply came instantly.
Sofia: Already?
Reina: Three hours.
Sofia: Impressive.
Reina: I haven't even started school yet.
Sofia: You'll survive.
Reina: Unlikely.
A second message appeared.
Sofia: My mom says California remains an option.
Reina laughed.
Reina: Tell your mom thanks.
Sofia: She already bought your favorite snacks.
Reina: That's concerning.
Sofia: We agree.
The knot in her chest loosened.
Some things never changed.
A second notification appeared.
Brittany.
Brittany: Have you found employment?
Reina: It's been three hours.
Brittany: Lazy.
Reina: How's London?
Brittany: Wet.
Reina: Shocking.
Brittany: I know.
For several minutes they exchanged messages.
Nothing important.
Everything important.
By the time the conversation ended, Reina felt slightly less overwhelmed.
Only slightly.
She returned her attention to the stack of listings.
One paper immediately caught her eye.
La Paloma Hotel.
The familiar name pulled her in.
She picked up the listing.
Luxury Hotel Seeking Entry-Level Hospitality Staff.
Full-Time and Part-Time Positions Available.
Training Provided.
Competitive Pay.
Reina read it twice.
Then a third time.
Her fingers tightened around the page.
Maybe it was because some of the last happy memories she'd shared with her father lived inside those walls.
Or maybe because everything else felt unfamiliar.
La Paloma didn't.
Before she could overthink it, she opened her laptop.
The application wasn't difficult.
Name.
Education.
References.
Availability.
Work experience.
That section was considerably shorter.
When she finally reached the end, she stared at the screen.
Submit.
One click.
One decision.
One step forward.
Her father's voice echoed faintly in her memory.
Don't be afraid of beginnings, Bebesita.
The ache returned immediately.
But this time it didn't stop her.
Reina clicked submit.
Then immediately regretted it.
"Great."
Now she actually had to interview.
The rest of the afternoon passed slowly.
Applications.
Emails.
Waiting.
More applications.
By evening, her eyes hurt.
The front door opened somewhere in the distance.
A few moments later, Carlos appeared in the dining room.
His tie was loosened.
His expression tired.
He glanced at the papers covering the table.
"Productive day?"
Reina groaned.
"No."
Carlos pulled out a chair.
"That bad?"
The question surprised her.
Mostly because it sounded genuine.
"I think I've applied for everything short of astronaut."
Carlos nodded thoughtfully.
"Good."
Reina narrowed her eyes.
"That's encouraging."
"It wasn't meant to be."
Somehow that made her laugh.
For a brief moment, the tension eased.
Then Carlos noticed the La Paloma listing.
His gaze lingered.
"Hotel work?"
Reina shrugged.
"It seemed interesting."
Carlos nodded once.
"I started in hotel operations. Long before Hernandez Holdings."
Reina blinked.
"You did?"
A faint smile touched the corner of his mouth.
"A lifetime ago."
The answer felt strange.
Carlos rarely talked about himself.
The moment passed as quickly as it arrived.
He stood.
"Dinner is in thirty minutes."
Then he left.
Typical Carlos.
Reina smiled despite herself.
The next morning, her phone rang.
Unknown number.
Still half asleep, she nearly ignored it.
Nearly.
"Hello?"
"May I speak with Reina Hernandez?"
Reina sat upright immediately.
"This is Reina."
"Hello. My name is Anna Russo. I'm calling from La Paloma Hotel regarding your application."
Reina froze.
Her pulse quickened.
"Oh."
Excellent response.
Very professional.
The woman laughed softly.
"We'd like to invite you in for an interview."
For a moment, Reina couldn't speak.
La Paloma.
An actual interview.
A real opportunity.
"Reina?"
She realized the woman was waiting.
"Sorry."
Professional.
Very professional.
"I'd love to."
After confirming the details, the call ended.
For several seconds she simply sat there staring at the wall.
Then she grabbed her phone.
Reina: I GOT AN INTERVIEW.
The message went to Sofia and Brittany simultaneously.
The responses arrived almost immediately.
Sofia: SEE?
Brittany: Try not to embarrass yourself.
Reina laughed.
For the first time since returning to New York, excitement pushed aside the anxiety.
It was only an interview.
A chance to earn a paycheck before classes began.
Nothing more.
At least...
That's what she believed.
- Writer
