The Idol and The Manager

Carmela's POV Carmela could feel the weight of the moment as she walked toward the stage, her steps light but her heart heavy with anticipation. At last… she thought, a smile tugging at her lips. My dream of graduating from college has finally come true. Four long years of dedication, sleepless nights, and endless assignments had led her to this moment—the culmination of all her hard work. She had made it. The excitement surged within her, but there was an underlying pressure, too. The responsibility of her family’s future rested heavily on her shoulders, and that weight never really left. She couldn't help but glance over to the left where her family sat, beaming with pride. Her mother, her sisters—all of them had supported her through the toughest times, and now it was her turn to give back. Her father’s passing in her third year of college had left a void in their family that was impossible to fill. Her mother had never been able to provide enough for the family. And so, Carmela had taken up the role of the breadwinner, despite the emotional and financial challenges it entailed. As she waved back to her family, Carmela felt the familiar pang of determination in her chest. I will definitely give them a better life. I will make sure they have everything they need—and everything they want. That was her promise, and she intended to keep it. The thought of seeing her family struggle, especially after everything they had been through, was something she could not accept. Carmela had just came back from her part-time job as she hadn't found a job that could support her whole family. Carmela then found herself sitting in front of the computer, pondering her next steps. She had graduated just three months ago, but now she had a decision to make. What was next for her? Her mind raced as she thought about her family’s needs. The financial pressure, the expectations—she had to find something good. Something that could help her survive with their everyday needs. “Caren, I’m going to use the computer, okay?” Carmela called out to her sister, who was in the next room. “Okay!” came the cheerful reply from Caren, her voice full of energy, as usual. Carmela opened the computer and began searching through job listings. She had sent out countless applications after graduation, and now, two weeks later, the responses had started to come in. She had options—some of them were decent, others not so much. She looked through her emails, her eyes scanning the subject lines one after the other. Starbucks was offering her a position as a barista, McDonald's had a managerial role, and several call centers wanted to hire her as a call center agent. The secretarial job seemed less appealing, but at least it was something. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw the managerial position at McDonald's. It pays more. It’s stable. But then, there was Starbucks. The idea of being a barista had always intrigued her. She loved the idea of connecting with customers, of making their day just a little brighter with a perfectly brewed coffee. But the salary at McDonald's was undeniably tempting. She bit her lip, conflicted. What should I choose? Hmmmm... She stared at the screen, her fingers hovering over the keys. She knew she wanted something related to her degree in Hospitality Management, but her mind kept drifting to her family’s needs. Her twin sisters were in college, and their scholarships barely covered their expenses. The youngest sister, still in senior high, was studying hard and excelling, but scholarships could only go so far. Carmela had to make sure they were provided for. Her thoughts wandered back to the day her father passed away. That was when everything changed. Her mother was a senior citizen now, unable to work, and the responsibility for the family had fallen to Carmela. It hadn’t been easy, especially with her own dreams of a flourishing career in Hospitality Management. But life had never been easy for Carmela, and she had learned to take the punches, to keep going even when the world seemed like it was asking too much of her. She sighed, her eyes briefly closing as she thought about her older sister. She’s married now, Carmela thought. She can’t help as much anymore. Her sister was expecting a child, and though Carmela loved her dearly, the reality was clear. It was up to her now to hold the family together. Her fingers typed out a message to Starbucks, confirming her interest in the barista position, but the nagging thought of McDonald's continued to pull at her. I want to be a barista, but I can’t ignore the fact that McDonald's could help more financially. "Focus, Carmela," she whispered to herself. She knew what she had to do. She would take the first step, even if it wasn’t the perfect one. I’ll work hard. I’ll make this work for us. Carmela’s phone buzzed on the table, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from her mother. "Did you hear back from any companies today?" She felt disappointed and relieved with her mother's message. Disappointed because she did not asked her how she was, relieved because she messaged her. She smiled softly as she typed her reply, feeling the weight of her promise to her family once again. No matter what path she chose, Carmela knew that she would give her best for them. She couldn’t afford to fail. She must not fail...for them. The sound of her mother’s cheerful voice calling from the living room reminded Carmela of everything she had left to do. She quickly closed the computer, her heart determined. Whatever job she chose, it would be just one more step toward securing a better future for her family. Her top priority is her family. Maybe next time, Carm. There is still next time for what you need.