19
1034 Words
(Unedited version)
Jocelyn's POV
On my way back home, I thought about it. Does it actually make sense to stoop this low to work as a maid for this woman? Yeah, I know she tripled my salary but it wouldn't be fair to other maids who might even work more than I do. It just feels really strange that she'd have to work as a maid when she aimed higher.
Getting back home, I am lucky to find Jane sitting outside and enjoying the night breeze. I take a seat beside her.
"I got the job."
There's no excitement in my tone as I drop into my chair and Jane sees it. So she doesn't squeal in delight. Instead, she sits up and places her small hand on mine. Then she sighs.
"Celyn, I get that you're not happy with this job you got. But you've gotta survive one way or the other. Remember we discussed sitting home idle? It doesn't really do anything to help. It's just for the meantime."
"It's just really crazy. Schooling from kindergarten through college only to settle for a job that suits a highschool dropout," Realizing that I might have made an offensive statement, I quickly apologize to her. "I'm really sorry, Jane. Didn't mean to come off as elitist."
Jane shakes her head. "It's no problem at all. I get where you're coming from and you're absolutely right."
"Well, she tripled my salary and gave me accommodation."
"That's great! Wow!" Jane exclaims.
I nod but I don't really feel comfortable. "It's great, I guess. But I don't really feel good working alongside colleagues while knowing fully well that I get paid three times their monthly or weekly income."
"The world is unfair, Jocelyn. First of all, look at it from your angle. The world has been unfair to you by limiting a whole graduate to a maid. Yes, you get paid three times your salary and that's fine. She decided to do that. Maybe she likes you."
She's making quite a lot of sense, I must say. I never really knew Jane would make a good company. "Thank you, Jane. I have gotten more clarity from what you said."
Jane smiles at me. "You're welcome. I just like to offer help when I can."
"I do that, too."
"So, what are you going to do next?" She asks as she joins me in standing to my feet.
I shrug. "I just need to have dinner first. I'm really hungry even if I ate back at my new boss's place. I had to stop by at the bank and wait for three hours in the queue before it got to my turn."
"You've got any food?" She asks. When I give her a strange look, she returns it with a stern one. "I know you haven't. I'm quite the observant one. C'mon, I made dinner and I'm very sure I can't eat them all."
I honestly find it awkward. I have never really been helped this way by anyone and it's kind of embarrassing because I never lack things. I guess it has come to this.
I followed her into her apartment.
As I step in, I am hit with the familiar scent of lasagne and bacon and I close my eyes. It's been a while since I had good food. All I've been eating is junk and cereal. I really need a break for real.
Her home is cozy and I can sleep here all day without thinking about doing anything. How does she get to make her apartment look like this with her income?
When I realize that I am overthinking it all, I banish that idea.
Jane goes into her kitchen and I hear the clatter of pots and clink of ceramic plates. In no time, she's returning into her living room with two steaming plates of food filled to the brim. That's when my belly decides to rumble.
Jane hears it and chuckles as she drops the plate before me on a glass table. "Has your stomach ever rumbled around your crush or a potential date?"
"I don't think so. But if it does, I'd kill myself afterwards." I have always met potential dates. Having standards set, I always make sure I dress and act the way I am addressed. If I tell Jane how my routine before a date is, she'd go crazy.
"I have." She shares and laughs. "It was this mechanic from the next town. Prior to the date, he helped fix my car and we kind of had the conversation that led to him asking me out. On the night of our date, we were conversing and then, my stomach burped."
I find it hilarious. "What happened after that?"
"We made a joke about it and hung out for a few more weeks before it all died down."
I nod in understanding as I dig into my food. I am really starved and I speak with my mouth stuffed with food. "It happens to most of us."
We both focus on our food before Jane asks me a question that has me confused. "How about you?"
"How about me?"
Jane nods. "Any guy in your life right now?"
I smile and shake my head. "Nah. I've decided that I do not really want a guy in my life right now till I have gotten to where I want. I just need to be stable before worrying about someone else." Jane is looking at me with a strange expression. "What?"
"Nothing, actually. It's just, I don't think it always works that way."
"Oh, really? Tell me about it."
"There's nothing to talk about. Everyone and having different dynamics. I do not believe I have to grow financially before letting anyone into my life. That shouldn't be at the top of the priority list."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you are only not in a relationship because you aren't where you want to be. You can always grow with a partner financially and all that."
"I totally disagree. Don't wanna invest with someone, give them my all and end up being strangers and trying to heal. That s**t is f****d up."
- Writer
