Contracted Love

Suffering with hope

SCARLETT'S POV

"Scarlett, I know you are in there, come out now." There was a bang on my door, which was accompanied with the undisputed baritone voice of my Reckoner.

" Scarlett, come out now!!" he roared again. His voice broke me from the serenity of silence that my sleep brought. I laid on my creaking bed and my shallow room with things scattered around. There was leftover milk I had drunk the night before, which was beside my bed on the floor.

News flash, the voice that came with the resounding knock was that of my landlord who I have been owing rent for months now. We agreed on a monthly payment but then I defaulted. Not because I didn't want to pay off, but then I had no income to achieve that.

"Scarlett, you can keep hiding right there. I know You can hear me vividly well. You don't want to answer me, but be rest assured that I am going to smoke you out of the room very much soon. Pay up your rent to avoid further humiliation." He cussed and after some seconds I heard footsteps indicating that he left. Phew, I exhaled.

I tried rolling on the bed to the end so I'd drop down. I restrained myself from the action and moved tenderly. I got off the bed and with my right hand behind my waist, I moved towards the door to observe if truly Mr. Rogers, my lessor, was gone.

I grabbed the door knob, and slowly bent it to open the door. It made a sharp creak and I strained my neck to peek and found out through the little opening and saw that he was in front of his apartment, having a conversation on the phone with someone. Though his loud voice and paralinguistic features depicted that he was having a banter with someone.

I went back in and picked up the milk that was on the floor and drank it. At least I didn't want my hard earned milk to go to waste. As of then I didn't know if I would have any again.

Staggeredly, I walked to my bathroom and showered. Came back to my unarranged room and went straight to my wardrobe to pick up one amongst my clothes to get ready for my futile job hunt. After the whole epic drama with Miguel, I was trying so hard to make a living for myself because I was relying solely on his income. Now trying to make ends meet on my own seemed impossible because the city of angels didn't really seem Angelic, as getting a job here was like swallowing a rock, yeah impossible so I mean.

Though that day I was a little optimistic because I applied for a job in one of the biggest trading companies in L.A, and my interview was today, so yeah there was some hope. I wasn't really so certain of it because I was used to rejection.

Phew, I broke out of my subconscious and picked out a black pants and topped it up with a red shirt. I got dressed and styled my hair in the mirror, moving it to the back.

Now it was time for the great mission impossible. It was time for me to escape outside without my lessor catching me. It was tiring to do this every day I needed to go out for job hunting. But then I had no other option. At least it came like the exercise which I never had.

I opened the door slowly and peeped to evaluate the perimeter as usual. No one was outside and the corridor did seem tranquil. Pushed my neck outside further to have a lucid view. I pushed the door slowly to avoid the loud creaking sound the hinge did make. I stepped my right foot outside and then the left followed. I locked the door slowly after me with my eyes rolling around to be very sure no one was viewing me.

I tiptoed to the stairs where the landlord's house was. When I got close to his room, I bent down so he wouldn't get a glimpse of me from his window. The television in his house was loud and I exhaled out of relief because then I knew he was inside. My right hand pressed the wall as support whilst I took long strides.

" Thank you mother Teresa" I sighed and made a sign of the cross as I passed his room. I rushed down the stairs, so I would get a cab, and with the seven bucks I had with me.

"And where do you think you are going to?" A voice came from downstairs which shook me. I staggered on the stairs. I grabbed the rails of the stairs trying to regain my sanity after I saw that Mr. Rogers was downstairs and I was staring at him and him me.

"Ummm I umm good morning Sir Rogers' ' I stuttered and spluttered as well to some extent. His black eyes lasered right into mine.

"Where is my rent?" He inquired straight to the point. My heart was racing so fast and my eyes couldn't stay on him for more than two seconds as it ran elsewhere. He was wearing a black turtleneck shirt and black trousers, obviously he was prepared for my burial because he already promised to send me packing but if I insisted on staying, then he would kill me.

"I ummm I promise that I will bring a scot for my apartment today. I am actually going to my grannie's, she has a sum she will be giving to me today and I will pay your rent as soon as I get back. Please, I beg of you to wait for me." I pleaded.

" Oh, so your Granny who is dead now gives money to you is it not?" He said with his hand folded behind him.

"Umm no I umm meant my mom, yes my mom" I scudded words. Damn, my lie came back into my face because my both grannie's were dead a long time ago.

"Scarlett, I have no grudge with you and I know you are struggling but then business remains on the business lane. I am going to give you just the grace of a week. If you do not bring your rent, then I have nothing else to do than to bring the Police in to evacuate you" He said and walked away with no more word.

I stood for a while on the staircase and pondered on his words with tears in my eyes. I regained courage back and got control of my legs.

*******

After about a fifteen minutes drive, I finally reached the Brourora company. It was a high and gigantic building. I got the email to come for an interview for the post of a financial manager.

I sighed and then took steps forward to the building. On entering, there was indistinct chatter amongst people inside. I looked around and saw the receptionist behind a glass counter. The whole building was magnificently built and furnished. It was painted in white and a gigantic chandelier drew down. There was a staircase by the right and then an elevator beside it.

"Good day" I greeted the receptionist.

" Good morning and welcome to Brourora. So how may I help you ma'am?" she said with a broad smile on her face which exposed her white shiny teeth.

"Umm, I am Scarlett Johansson and I received Mail for a job interview for the position of Financial manager" I bawled, also trying to keep a smile on my face.

" Oh okay. Head upstairs and by your right on the last floor, the CEO is running the interviews today himself." She instructed.

"Okay, thank you" I uttered.

I rushed to the elevator and pressed the 'last' bottom which was for the last floor. I got to the floor and immediately saw the CEO door to my right. I sighed heavily before I headed towards the door with reluctant steps.

" Can you leave my office now!!!!" I heard a roar which came from the CEO's office and then followed with the door opening. A lady came out looking quite distorted with a file in her hand. She looked moody and despairing. I stared at her as she walked away. Fear gripped me and my eyes became dry.

Nonetheless, I had no other option but to take the bold step. I knocked on the door mildly.

"Come in" a hoarse voice vibrated. I grabbed the door knob and sighed before I pushed it open…