Chapter 2
1161 Words
Ayla
I've always held an unwavering belief in the hidden hand of fate, a conviction that even amidst the chaos, things ultimately fall into place. It might not be immediate or even recognizable at first, but by some twist of cosmic luck, it happens.
The following day, I may or may not have indulged in a fleeting fantasy or two about the last-minute customer at the coffee shop. A welcome distraction. A lovely distraction. A pleasant distraction. Still, it was a distraction, and right now, distractions were the last thing I needed. I'd allowed myself a night of daydreams and stolen glances at those mesmerizing heterochromia eyes that seemed to pierce my soul, but now it was time to refocus. I needed a job—a lifeline to carry me through graduation.
Everyone around me seemed to be eagerly anticipating their summer vacations, already counting down the days until Friday when they could escape to their chosen paradises. But summer breaks had always been a time of relentless work for me, a desperate scramble to secure enough funds to see me through the upcoming semester. Projects were expensive, and other students seemed to have an endless supply of money. I had to work hard to maintain my financial stability.
The current situation isn't exactly rosy. My anxiety about finding work, surviving the summer, and meeting my basic needs was growing. I had received no responses to my emails and texts, or worse, polite rejections informing me that the positions were already filled.
Leaving my last class of the day, I was mentally rehearsing new strategies for my job hunt when a voice jolted me from my thoughts.
"Ayla!"
I paused, turning to scan the faces in the hallway. The name wasn't common, and I didn't recognize anyone. Then I spotted her: Kaye, my intermittent roommate. In reality, Kaye was absent more often than not, perhaps as much as 75% of the time. Her wealthy boyfriend had gifted her a luxurious apartment near campus, and that's where she effectively lived. The dorm room was merely a formality, a concession to her parents, who remained blissfully unaware of her grown-up lifestyle.
"Hey, Kaye," I responded, curiosity piqued. "What's up?"
"Thank goodness, I finally found you!" She gasped, catching her breath. "I left a note in the dorm room. Did you not see it?"
"No, sorry. I've been so exhausted every night after work that I barely have time to look at anything on my desk. Is everything alright? How did you find me, by the way?" I confessed, vaguely recalling a sticky note on my desk that I had ignored.
"Everything's fine. I just need a little help from you. Your schedule is neatly displayed on your desk, so I asked a cute guy where this building was, and... here I am!" she explained, finally regaining her composure. As always, Kaye commanded attention, drawing the eyes of everyone in the bustling hallway. "Can we go somewhere to talk?" she asked.
I nodded silently, intrigued and slightly apprehensive.
Kaye was the epitome of beauty and grace, blessed with a figure that turned heads wherever she went. Her statuesque frame, ample curves, and flawless skin had already caught the attention of several modeling agencies. Her hourglass shape, pouty lips, almond-shaped eyes, delicate nose, and high cheekbones were a perfect combination for the industry. I could easily envision her gracing billboards and magazine covers around the world.
It was no surprise that every head in the café turned as we entered. Or rather, as she entered.
I wasn't sure I wanted to rank if Kaye was a perfect 10. I was average, plain, and unremarkable. My dark brown hair hung to my shoulders, requiring minimal effort, unlike Kaye's radiant strawberry blonde locks. My amber eyes paled in comparison to her captivating baby blues. But what I lacked in physical allure, I made up for in intellect. I was exceptionally intelligent, which I clung to as a source of pride.
I'd met Kaye's parents, and it was clear she was their mirror image, inheriting her father's height. Both were professors, and their Midwestern hometown had a cattle ranch. They had showered Kaye, their only child, with every advantage, including a top-tier education.
Because I was an orphan, I had no reference points. The orphanage had taken me in as a newborn and raised me for 18 years. Adoption had never been on my mind, so I focused on academics, earning a scholarship that would be my ticket to survival and a future.
We settled into our seats at the café, and I waited for Kaye to reveal the reason for her impromptu visit. She toyed with her croissant, barely taking a bite, while I devoured two blueberry muffins. Despite sharing a room, our interactions rarely ventured beyond the realm of mere acquaintance.
"So..." she began, "I got a call from the agency."
I smiled, remembering her initial anxiety when she'd first applied. "That's great! Congratulations! I told you not to worry."
"I know. I know. It's just me and my damn nerves; you know how it is."
"There's absolutely nothing to worry about. It's summer break. Everyone's off doing their own thing, which is perfect for you, right?"
"Well, there's just one little problem."
I took a sip of my coffee, savoring the warmth as I waited for her to continue.
"I'm flying to Paris next week for a shoot. I've already signed the contract, so I have to be there."
I stared at her blankly. "I'm sorry, what does this have to do with me?" I asked, utterly bewildered.
"My mother, bless her heart, signed me up for a job all summer. She asked me to house-stay for a few months in a rural town I'd never even heard of. Can you believe it?" A hint of frustration crept into her voice as she spoke.
"And? I'm sorry, I'm still not seeing the bigger picture here."
"I know this is totally out of the blue, but I need your help. I need you to take over that job for me and, while I'm in Paris doing actual work." She pouted, and I could almost feel the desperation emanating from her. "It's only for a month or two. The whole summer, actually. I want to be in Paris doing what I love, but I also don't have the heart to tell my parents no or that I do not want to follow in their footsteps of being a teacher."
A wave of déjà vu washed over me.
Everything always works out for me.
"Are you serious?" I inquired, too stunned to believe this was anything but a prank.
"Yes! Of course, I am. I just know you're the perfect candidate for the job; that's why I came looking for you."
My eyes widened, a flicker of hope igniting within me. Maybe I wouldn't be starving and broke this summer after all.
Everything always works out for me.
- Writer
