Twisted Chances

Chapter4

A taxi driver pulled in front of them soon after, and they entered. Evie had told the hotel manager she was new in town and knew nowhere, then she begged the man to let them spend the night in the hotel, that they would leave the next day.

Instead, the man told her about an apartment that was nearby and that he knew the owner. He didn’t want them to spend the next minute in the hotel, as he thought of the damages done. He asked if she was interested, and Evie agreed.

They drove for twenty minutes, then alighted in front of a five-story apartment complex. The environment was cozy with trees and shrubs lining the walk path; coffee shops and grocery stores, just outside the building; there was a large playground by the other side of the road. They also passed a school on their way to the complex.

Evie thought this was perfect for them, for the moment, until things were better again. She thought to herself, how the tables turn.

First, she was strolling from city to city, finding shelter and food when her mum and dad died, working double shifts on different jobs just to survive, then she became the COO of a networking company, earning close to a million in a day, then she became the wife of a cheating bastard and gave all that away just to please him. Now, she reverted to the point she rose from. A thought about going from rags to burnt rags floated past her brain.

Refusing to be burdened, Evie pulled out her phone and called the number the hotel manager had given her. They waited close to an hour for the man to show up. Vivian was excited on the other hand, about staying up late with her mother and not going to school the next day.

A white-bearded man with a walking posture that spoke of years in the military walked up to them and introduced himself as the owner. He led the way to show them their room upstairs.

Evie had the feeling he was brothers with the hotel manager and thought she fell right into that family trap. She followed him into the complex with her daughter, leaving their luggage in the care of the security guard.

She let Vivian explore the space as she took note of the ceilings, windows, and the lock on the door. It was a two-bedroom space with a living room, kitchen, and laundry room. The walls were painted white, and the room faced the street.

Evie wondered if she could buy the place but thought against it. Anything could happen, and she didn’t see herself living in this place for a long time. It was past midnight, she hurriedly went over the documents and negotiations for the place, and paid for a year in one go. The man had the security guard bring their luggage upstairs.

When they were partly settled in, it was already 1 am, and Vivian was already asleep on the floor in one of the bedrooms.

Evie took out some blankets to make a temporary bed for them both, and placed her child on it, while she sat with her back resting on the wall, she listened to the street outside their window and went over the worst day in her life.

She thought about Andrew and what he would be doing at that moment. She didn’t feel as angry as she had earlier at him, but a feeling of detachment washed over her. If anyone told her she would end up like this yesterday morning, she wouldn’t believe it for the world.

She took out a pen and paper to write a list of basic things they would need to buy. Checked her account balance and cringed. If she didn’t make a plan soon, they wouldn’t survive the month. She sighed to herself and stared out the window again.

For the next few days, they settled comfortably in their flat, having purchased a bed, a sofa, some utensils for the kitchen, and groceries.

Evie took her child to the school down the street, it wasn’t like the one she attended back in their city. This one would have to do. Before they went in to see the school authorities, Evie stopped before her daughter in front of the building.

“Vivian, you know I told you that this was a long vacation. But we can steal some classes before summer comes around. Are you game?”

The little girl nodded gingerly.

“This school is nothing like your former school, so I want you to let them know how brilliant you are. Bring home many A’s, okay?”

She nodded again. “Will Dad come during summer? I want to show him my A’s so we could play together. That’s what he said.” She added. “I miss daddy.”

Evie stared at her baby, wondering what she could say. She just decided to go with it. “Yes, baby. I’m sure he misses you too, and he’ll bring lots of presents along with him.”

Elated, she squealed. “Really?”

Evie’s heart broke at her excitement. She knew that even if she grants him access to see his daughter, he wouldn’t come. Evie laid her hand on her child’s shoulder. “Be kind and courteous, make good friends, and stand up for yourself at all times, okay?”

After they met with the principal and made some arrangements, Evie watched a teacher take her child to her designated class and she walked out of the school with another mission.

She would find a job and start her life all over again. It shouldn’t be difficult since she already had first-hand training on life some years back.

Last night she browsed jobs around the city and applied for over 200 jobs. She got invited for a few interviews.

She hailed a taxi and went to the heart of the city, to the first interview she had. The

She handed over her CV, and when she told them her name, they asked her to go outside for a bit while they discussed. They called her in again.

“Madam, we’ve seen your certificates, but you are overqualified for the post you applied for.”