Tangled Embers

Episode3

ZENA's POV

“You almost cashed in your V-card?!” Ana said with a mixture of shock and excitement as I recounted the experience, the night of the ball.

“It’s not that much of a big deal” I said rolling my eyes, rubbing on the purplish marks on my chest and collar bone. We were about to go on the next phase when Ana’s call came in.

“To you duh! You just want to get done and over with. It's supposed to be with someone special, a memorable experience” she said wistfully and I rolled my eyes so hard they almost fell out of their sockets.

“Well, whatever. You see, coming with me was not such a bad idea after all ”

Ana had to drag me to the ball so I wouldn't wallow in self loathing .I’d been crying since I moved in. I missed Preston. I wasn’t going to leave him just yet, especially with mom working her ass off to keep up with the bills, she’d be very emotionally unavailable to a “whiny” teenager . He only has me. And it pains me all the more that I’m not stable enough yet for both of us. Financially and otherwise.

“So you heard from him?”

“Who?”

“Karl of course.”

I scoffed “Nope, and I’m not expecting. It's a one-night stand, not a marriage proposal” I said with a one-shoulder shrug “He might even be hitched to one 2nd generation conglomerate princess. It'll be greedy to ask for more”

Ana furrowed her brows at me like I was speaking Mandarin “How can you be so emotionless”

“What? I'm only being realistic. We are two worlds, planets, universes apart. Parallel to each other. No point of interception. It is what it is” I said, letting out a deep breath. “The sooner you accept the truth, the better. It’ll save you a lot of baseless expectations and building castles in the air.” I tried to convince Ana and myself.

I've been thinking a lot about that night. I just scurried out of the room after Ana's call came in. He said to forget about the laundry and I low-key wished he didn't cause then, I would have a valid reason to see him again. But that's just because I feel guilty for spilling wine on him right?

“There's a rumour he's gay tho”

“He didn't seem gay to me”

“Of course he didn't” Ana said, bouncing her brows in a teasing way.

I laughed “But why”

“Uh, he rarely talks to women, there's never been an ex or scandals..so they said”

“Ugh. I'm calling it bluff” I said, because where did he learn to work like that? That could easily pass as the best s****l activity in my dormant s*x life. He didn't seem like an amateur. Goosebumps surge through my skin at the thought of his hands on me.

“Yes please” she said, snapping her fingers. “And just so you know, baby girl. Mr. Love? He doesn't need your permission. He badges in and out of your heart as he pleases.”

I laughed “bet it can't penetrate the bulletproof, firewall fortress of this heart”

A message notification popped up on my phone and my mood dampened immediately. It was a reminder that I was long overdue on my student loan. It wasn't meant to get to this. I worked so hard. That darned scam.

Apparently, my bachelor's degree cannot get me a decent job. I had to have a PhD or Masters degree from an Ivy League University and 10 years of working experience to get the lowest contract employee slot in any of these companies. All 26 of them that I've tried. I’m beginning to think it's a curse. I've been racking my head on how to earn money some entrepreneurship stuff.

Ana wasn't complaining but it aches my heart even more that I was freeloading off my friend with no financial capacity to contribute or even appreciate her. Blame me for being used to Khloe’s toxic hounding but being this loved made me uncomfortable, like I was unconsciously bracing myself for the worst to happen. We’d been roommates in College and she’s stuck with me ever since. Even now she insists I move my broke ass in with her when I finally left mom’s house.

******

I sat in the waiting room of GMT TOURS, alongside other interviewees. 43, was the number tag on my chest.

I'd given up on interviews but Ana applied here without my knowledge and I passed the first phase assessment. Things were looking up, I hope. I kept my fingers crossed trying not to get too excited so I didn't jinx it. I’ve learned to temper my enthusiasm, knowing that the crash back to reality can be jarring when the dopamine wears off.

It happened with Dad. I was happy whenever he came home and at the peak of it, He dips. Disappearing into the shadows. So whenever he reappears, I prepare for the storm that surges when he leaves. Mom being on the edge, always annoyed and transferring aggression, depressed. It's a whole rollercoaster.

I wasn't so nervous, I'd done this several times and it has almost become a muscle memory. Number 42 came out of the conference room and I couldn't read the expression on his face. I stood up and adjusted my shirt as I prepared to go in.

“It's nothing out of the ordinary, the worst that could happen is that I don't get the job. Whatever happens happens” I muttered under my breath as I opened the door.

My legs went wobbly and I blinked rapidly to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

It was Karl, he was one of the interviewers. I breathed hard and shuffled to the seat apportioned for me. Tugging at my blouse to cover up the souvenirs of our passionate night lined on my collarbone, I pulled myself together putting on a blank expression that perfectly conceals the absolute chaos going on within.

His burning gaze at me didn't help as I adjusted uncomfortably on my seat. I knew he headed one of the GMT Groups subsidiaries but I didn'tknow it was GMT TOURS. And that he would man the interview specifically.

“Why should we employ you, Miss Zena?” His cold but familiar voice said. I liked the way my name sounded when he said it. Like music to my ears.

I cleared my throat “While the labour market is filled with generic CVs and particular qualities required to be eligible for a job. I don’t prize myself as the best candidate in that regard but I’m willing to employ everything in my arsenal; unlearning, learning and relearning whatever I need to” I said, acknowledging my weaknesses and highlighting my strengths.

The rest of the interviewers asked me questions which I managed to answer to the best of my ability.

Stealing glances at Karl who seemed to be smiling, was I impressing him? As lame as that sounds I actually wanted to, just a tiny little bit.