My Marked Mate

Waking up early this morning, I lay in bed mesmerized by the cool weather. You don't always have this kind of weather. When I checked my phone for some updates... My eyes went to the date and time: 12/05/2024, Time: 7:38 am. Then I remembered today was the day I was supposed to go for the interview on the outskirts of town. I had applied for this job as my only option since the pay was quite attractive. I rushed out of bed, took my bath, and dressed myself in the closest clothes my hands could reach. Being late even on the scheduled interview date wasn't a good review for any employer. I badly need this job; how could I have forgotten about it? I rushed out of my studio apartment; it was the only option left for me. I can barely meet up with the house rent now that I don't even have a job. And to even think that I would have to find my way down to the outskirts of town in thirty minutes is outrageous. I had only one option left: follow through the shortcut. Not that it is a bad thing to follow through the shortcut, but it is not advisable to go through that road alone. But right now, I have no other choice. It's either I make it to this interview on time or I have to consider working as a bartender at the nightclub down my street. Oh no, I cannot even stand the agony of any man touching me. I walked my way down the route that leads to the shortcut. I started by walking down the route. I could bear the silence as the trees and winds were the only sounds I could hear. I hastened my walk, then I started running. I ran halfway down the road, but I ran out of breath, so I had to stop for a while. I know I'm definitely not getting this job. I was already running late, but I still had to try my luck. I could rely on traffic; at least getting to the outskirts of town would take an hour if not more. I already had a planned excuse to give when I got to the house. But I was startled by a noise; it sounded like a wolf. Yes, the shortcut is close to the woods, so there is a 90% chance that one would come across a wild animal or something. But a wolf in summer is really rare... but I was startled again as it sounded so near. Then I took to my heels, I ran as fast as my legs could take me. My safety was of utmost importance. When I got to the entrance of the given address, the house was a big mansion, looking like those palaces you read in novels. It looked ancient and weird. The house looked empty from the outside. I walked slowly to the gate, looking at the house from the opened gate; one could see children running and playing on one side... And some men are looking after them. I knocked on the gate even though it was open for anyone to go through easily. One of the men looked towards my side, looking puzzled but came to me. "Hello, my name is Melinda, and I am here for the interview," I said even though I knew I was late, hoping no one had come in for the interview before me. The man ushered me in after I explained who I was. He took me into the house. What I saw before me marveled me; it was definitely not just any mansion you come across. This was different. To say the person who owns this property is an aesthetic kind of person, please do not doubt it. I was taken to what looks like the kitchen area where a lady was cooking. She looked up from what she was doing when she noticed we were coming towards her. "Jennifer, the chef you scheduled for today finally showed up," the way he said it was cringe, but I had to hold my posture as I knew I was terribly late. "Hello..." "Melinda," I told her, obviously she doesn't remember the name of the person she scheduled for the interview. "Well, Melinda, there isn't really much to say about the job; you're just here to ease the work of the chef," I nodded to show her that I was following through. "She has been a darling to us for quite some time now, so we want to ease her from cooking too much," she said, smiling at me. I smiled back, understanding her point of view quite well. "I am sure you can see the children outside; we have more of them." I raised a curious eye. "Yes, some are in school, well, some only God knows where, we also have more adults that live, or come and go." "So you see, she does a lot of cooking. If you are up for the task, please let me know." "I am," I responded quickly, even though the house was looking weird, the pay was compensating enough.