Three
1161 Words
Strangely enough, what woke her up wasn’t the realization that she had to continue working at the coffee shop and wear the ridiculous outfit, even though her dream was filled with different scenarios of how it would be a terrible idea.
Some of them portrayed her walking to a table with cups in her hands and the skirt getting caught by a sudden breeze- offering her only a split second to choose between the job and her dignity.
It wasn’t that.
It was the notification sound from her phone, which she had unknowingly used as a pillow after crying herself to sleep.
It shrilled- one, twice and realization came with her tumbling to the floor with a thud.
Her morning ritual.
Just as she got up, the door opened, and her mother stood in her usual stance, arms akimbo.
“Yeah, yeah. I get the memo. I’m up. I’ll be off in a couple of minutes,” Maya quickly said before her mother could go on about her sleep schedule.
“I just came to wish you luck. That’s all.”
“Do I need it? I’m going to work in a coffee shop, where no other employee aside from me. I’m working for someone who thinks the future of the coffee shop is in my hands, and I don’t know how much longer I can stand until I..” she sighed.
“You know what? I’m happy. Thanks for getting me the job.”
“You’re welcome. I have breakfast ready for you,” her mom said before leaving.
Well, what do you know? You’re allowed to eat for free once you have a job.
She walked to her wardrobe- a tiny thing that held all her possessions after the apartment where she lived was repossessed and took out the uniform.
Misery.
Then, it occurred to Maya that she woke up to the sound of the notification bell from her phone. It meant there was a message.
It could be a rejection mail, she thought to herself. There was a lot of that pouring in lately. It would only be cruel to get her hopes up, check her inbox and ruin the day before it even had a chance to get better.
Still, she returned to bed, picking up the phone and scrolling her mail. Just a sneak peek- she would know if it was good or bad from the subject line.
It read- Job interview.
And that was it. Should she? Should she not? Was it wise?
Maya contemplated her choices for only a split second before she opened the mail. And screamed. It bubbled up from the places she did not know could be happy and came out of her mouth loud enough to attract her mother’s attention.
“If you don’t want to go today, you can call in sick. You don’t need to scream the house down with your frustration.”
“No, it’s not that-“ Maya turned to her with a grin on her face. “It’s a job. I got a job. They sent me a mail yesterday that I got the job. I have to go for an interview this morning on a formality basis.”
“You did?”
Her mother did not quite believe her.
“Yes! Yes, I did. I mean, I don’t recall applying for this, maybe because I applied for so many, but I got the mail yesterday, and it did not come in “ Maya stopped.
What was the point in explaining? That fact was, the mail said that after a thorough evaluation, she was deemed the best candidate for the role of secretary to the Director.
And she had to come in this morning for a quick physical interview.
She looked at the uniform on the bed, and the anger she felt at the thought of putting it on completely disappeared.
“Mom-“ Maya had both hands on the other woman’s shoulders and practically pushed her out of the door. “I need to get ready to take this opportunity of a lifetime. Thank you for the coffee serving job, but please let your friend know I respectfully decline.”
She stood in front of the building and stared..for a couple of seconds. This was her chance to prove to the world that she could do better things.
There was also the fear that when they saw her, someone would point out the scandal issue, and she would lose the job before she had it. But they must have carried out a background check, right?
A company as big as what she was looking at would not just hire anyone without digging deep into records- even sealed ones. Not that she had any secrets to hide.
Maya took the elevator, as instructed, to the top floor. She was told that someone was waiting for her there.
When the doors opened, a man in a blue suit stood a few feet away, with a blue folder in his hands. He looked up as the elevator bell dinged, but a slight scowl was on his face.
Was it just her, or was the man reluctant to assist her in doing anything? Maybe he was the previous secretary, and she was taking his job.
Oh, well..life goes on.
“Miss Anderson, the Director, is waiting for you in his office,” the man said. “This way, please.” And began walking away without stopping to see if she was following him.
It wasn’t right, but Maya hoped he was either the former secretary or someone who worked on another floor. She could not afford to have a nemesis right now.
The man stopped in front of a thick glass door with a silver square thingy that told people they were about to enter the Director’s office.
Nervous, she wiped her hands on her suit pants and thanked her lucky stars; she chose to wear the black instead of her cream-colored one, which her mother suggested would make the best impression.
“You can go in,” the other man said.
Swallowing hard..thoughts swimming in her mind, Maya nodded and walked through the door held open for her.
It closed, and she held her breath.
The office was big- fitting for a Director, and the man in question was standing by the window with his back facing her.
It was one of those offices with the best view, and she could imagine how he felt- looking from up there, down to the world around him. She stood there for a couple of seconds (it felt more like minutes and years) and waited.
Okay, it was time for him to turn around.
“Maya Lovett Anderson, I presume?”
The man said, turning around to face her.
Maya was about to reply- eagerly, and then..then she saw him clearly..and her gasp echoed as her jaw dropped.
Even if this was a dream, she wanted to wake up.
Please.
- Writer
