A tale of love and ambition

Finally, got home after a long day, unlocked the door to my apartment, tossed my keys into the bowl on the table next to the door, turned the lights on, then dragged myself up to my bedroom to undress and take a cool shower because there was no way I could escape that after all the day’s tiredness. Returning to the serenity of my quiet apartment that I now share with my best friend Chloe, was a delightful feeling after being around a lot of people all day. Chloe Preston, my best friend whom I met years ago in college, was my dorm roommate. She comes from a wealthy family but she decided to run away from home when her father decided to marry her off to close a business deal. She doesn’t believe in marriage at all and even if she got married it would be on her own terms and not because of a business deal. She decided against it, which led to her family cutting ties with her, mainly her father and her being my flat mate now. She recently just got a job at a bar not far from our apartment. She seems to love it, so I guess she’s doing well. I looked at the photo frame of me, my mom and my dad on the shelf. I miss them so much. The peaceful silence that greeted me upon entering the apartment was disrupted by the shrilling sound of my phone. Letting out a groan, I soon reached into my bag and searched through its contents, searching for my phone. Finally locating it, I swiped across the screen and tapped on the speaker button. The caller ID showed that it was Chole calling, “Mariah!!” Chloe shouted through the phone. “Hello to you too, Chloe,” I said to her. “Remember the charity event happening later this week at the event center downtown?” She asked cheerfully. . A charity event is held at the event center every year. It’s a big deal in this part of town, everyone is always trying to get a contract, be it the caterers or the florists. It’s like a war every year. I remember talking to Chloe about it a few weeks back and she persuaded me to bid for it. Oh..., yeah???,” “So… I know a guy that knows a guy that knows another guy…” “Chloe! Just go straight to the point”, I chuckled. “You got the contract!!!!!” I immediately stopped what I was doing as soon as I heard that. “Could you repeat that?” I asked her as I could not believe my ears. “I SAID YOU GOT THE CONTRACT!!” She repeated gleefully. I got up from the couch and started screaming, jumping. “Come to the bar, let’s celebrate,” she said. I couldn’t even decline as I would on a normal day because I was too excited. I really needed a big win and it just came; I knew I had to celebrate. “Okay, see you soon,” I said, hanging up the phone. I rushed to the bathroom and took a quick but thorough shower, lathering my hair with shampoo and rinsing it off with lukewarm water. I wrapped a towel around myself and one on my hair and rushed out of the bathroom. I rubbed lotion; air dried my hair. I wore my favorite skinny jeans and they hugged my legs but they were not too tight, which was perfect to wear for a night out. I wore a black short-sleeved top and brushed my long brown hair, and let it loose. I decided to leave my face free of makeup except for some light pink lip gloss, I pulled on my black and white Converse, and I was ready to go. I got to the bar just in time as Chloe’s shift ended, she was already sitting, waiting for me to show up. She sat with her back facing the entrance. I decided to pull a prank on her, so I walked slowly towards her, and it was as if she had eyes behind her head . She swiftly turned with her arms crossed as though she was expecting me to pull something like that. I laughed, which made her smile. I sat down next to her happily, we ordered shots to celebrate the contract. “How were you able to pull it off?” I decided to ask her. “Pull what off?” She asked with a smirk. “Come on, don’t play dumb, Chloe” I said, taking another shot. “Okay, okay, okay, I know one of the people organizing it, he’s a family friend. Well, he came to the bar like days after we talked about you bidding for it, we got talking and he made mention of the event and talked about how they are in dire need of a florist and I just knew it there and then that was the window of opportunity and I couldn’t let it close, so I showed him pictures of the flower shop and every other information he needed, he said he would get back to me the next day, I was dying to tell you when I got home that night but I was waiting for him to reach out to me so…” I interrupted her with a hug and a face full of tears. Tears of joy because I couldn’t have asked for a better friend and tears of sadness because dad is not here to witness this and he would have been so proud if he was still here. “Are you crying?” She inquired. “Why would I cry?” I replied, breaking the hug and wiping the tears with my hands, smiling. Thank God I opted for a no-makeup look, I thought. I reached over to take Chloe’s hand. She turned to me instantly with worried eyes. I gave her a smile, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, and she immediately smiled. Where would I be without her? I felt my eyes tear up again for the second time. I wondered if it was alcohol. She gave me a disapproving look before she turned away. “Oh, don’t start again, Mariah Williams!” I looked at her confused. “Start what?” “Where would I be without you, Chloe? You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Chloe, yada yadayada” she said, batting her eyelashes at the last part. I gave her a hard glare, “You are a jerk.” I said to her. “Very much better…” She replied, smiling. “I hate you, woman.” I grumbled. “Music to my ears” she said with a satisfied smile. I turned towards the bar man, taking the last shot to hide my smile.