Painting Achromatic

Chapter 2: Family

AVS Group of Companies is calling me.

Why? It's too early for the results… It wasn't even about 12 hours. Why would they call?

I picked up my phone and answered it.

"Hello?" I gulped.

"Hello, good evening. May I speak to Miss Miller?" A woman's voice asked. It had an Indian accent.

"Speaking." I cleared my throat.

"Great! I am Sarah from the HR Department. I called to ask you again to come to our office for a second interview with one of our heads." She said.

A second interview? Why? Again? Do I have to embarrass myself again?

"May I ask why?" I asked in a calm manner.

"I wasn't given clear details why but we expect you here next week. We'll email you the details." She said.

"Oh, okay. Sure, I'll be there."

"Great! Goodbye Ma'am." She said and hung up.

A second interview? For what? Is this a second chance for my bad performance or just clarification? It's okay Skye.. Just calm down. Everything will be okay..

"Skye?"

A voice from the door. It was my brother Claude.

"I heard from mother you were here… why didn't you come over to me?" He asked.

It made me smile. Claude… I know he's old and mature now, but everytime I look at him, I see my cute little brother with his pale skin and dark eyes. Just like clouds.

I stood up and walked towards him.

"I saw you were busy studying." I explained.

"Well, you could've at least said 'hi'." He whispered and slightly pouted his lips.

So cute!

"Sorry, next time then?" I chuckled a little.

He didn't reply and kept his lips like that.

"What were you studying for, anyway?" I said and closed the door behind us.

"Nothing much, just reviewing our lessons." I smiled at him as we walked downstairs to help.

"Aren't you too busy? You're studying and you have a job, you also need a social life Claude. Have friends. " I said.

"I had one."

"Oh, who? Why haven't you introduced your friend to us?"

"Eh." He said, shrugging his shoulders and walked over to mom, then put on an apron heading towards the kitchen. Leaving me to wear mine and help take and serve orders.

After about 2 hours, we were near closing time. Claude and I helped out cleaning and closing the restaurant. After that, we all walked upstairs and freshened up. After a few minutes, we all met at the dining room.

Dad cooked our favorites and mom was helping him serve them. Meanwhile, Claude was silent and I kept checking on my phone waiting for the email. I have noticed that Claude had something going on with him, I know that I shouldn't confront him about it. We do not have an open and honest relationship but we have our ways of expressing ourselves.

Our parents sat down and Mom said grace together with us. We started eating but I was still on my phone. They all started laughing and I realized that they were bonding. I am here, but not really.

How many times have you let these moments go by? How many laughter have gone by your face?

When you're hurt, it seems like time is stuck in that moment to torture you with pain. And you can't do anything. But then when you're happy, time flies by so fast. The only difference now is that you have something to do about it. Savour it, seize the moment while you still can. Never let a ripple of love pass away without it touching you.

I put my phone away. And stared at my family.

I kept wondering why I kept on dreaming high. Why am I not content with what I have right now? I am content. I am more than happy to see my family like this, but this is also the reason why I need to strive harder. This is what I work hard for.

I can't quit. I don't want to.

I smiled as we continued our dinner as if there is nothing in this world that could crush us. As if this is all that matters. Right. This is all that matters. I understand… this is what I live for.

After that, I slept like a baby. As if the warmth of love comforted and rocked me to sleep. The moment I woke up, a wonderful and delicious smell came to my senses. With my pajamas on, I went out of my room and saw my mom and dad eating breakfast at the kitchen counter.

They were having fun. I can just imagine my life like them. It would be wonderful. Sleeping at night with the assurance of comfort that tomorrow will be just like today. Holding on to your partner like she's the only constant thing in this world. It would be boring and bland if you think about it. But with love, everything is wonderful, everything is magical.

A tickle on my sides from the back surprised me.

"Oh my god!" I said in surprise. I turned around and saw my brother. I gave him an irritated look.

"What's with you?!" And I only got a chuckle as a reply.

"Oh, you guys are awake now. Come by here, your dad had prepared breakfast." O heard my mom talk.

We walked towards them and saw a familiar table set up. Fried rice, egg and leek soup. Exactly like when we were kids. I remember waking up at 5 in the morning and fighting with Claude on who should use the shower first. After getting ready, this exact setup will always be waiting for us, with smiles on our parents eyes as they scooped our food onto our plates.

We had a perfect morning. And then I received an email. It was from the AVS group of companies. I opened it and read, it says that I should be there tomorrow, Wednesday at 2 in the afternoon. I was actually thinking about spending more days here but I guess there is another time for that.

At about 11, I started to get ready to go when my mother knocked.

"Skye?" I heard.

"Come in mom." I replied.

She opened the door and sat on my bed beside me.

"You're already leaving? She asked.

I slightly smiled. "I have a lot to do there mom."

She nodded and held my hand. "I know Skye. Just don't tire yourself out too much. If you ever feel tired or burnt out, it's never bad to take a pause and breathe. Always remember that there is a home here waiting for you okay?"

"I know mom, I know." I said then hugged her tight.

"Look at you, so big now. It's just like yesterday you were this small and couldn't sleep without your penguin stuffed toy."

I laughed as I remembered.

"Oh, I'll pack you lunch. Just pick it up later downstairs as you go on your way, okay?" She said and stood up.

"Okay mom, thank you." I replied.

When I finished, I bid my goodbye to Claude and then Dad. As I was told, I picked up the lunch mom prepared and also bid her goodbye. As I went out the door, I left a sigh and called a cab.

--

I arrived at my pad, it was almost 1 pm. I ate my lunch and tried to practice more. If I want to make a good impresion tomorrow, I should practice. I called Sam to help me as she plays as an interviewer. I got some questions from the internet and some from her. She arrived at about 3 pm, and we got started on the table.

"Hi Miss Miller." She said and offered her hands.

I chuckled. "Just the interview Sam."

"Tch, if you want to ace this, just ride along with me."

"Really?"

"Really." She raised her eyebrow.

I sighed and accepted her hand. And she shook it.

"Take a sit." She said and sat on her chair.

"So, I read from your files that you resigned from your current job. Why is that?" She started.

"I resigned from the architecture firm since I wanted to aim higher and try to explore more." I answered.

"Uh-uh.. How did you hear about this position?" She asked again.

"I read it from an article and saw some ppsts on social media." I answered.

"No, Skye. You have to be straight forward but stil learn how to arrange your words. Try again."

"Oh, oka." I cleared my throat. "I heared that AVS Group of Companies was hiring architects from an article I read and also I saw some posts on your social media pages." I said.

"Oh.. okay. Getting better huh?"

Our practice session went nice and smooth. I kind of picked up some lessons and tried to apply it. The whole day, all I did was try to practice and get rid of my nervousness. Everything went great, and then Wednesday came.