The Don's Mistake

At least it is a job

Emily’s POV

I’ve been in this new city for a few weeks now, and I must say, I love it here. It feels so different from my previous city, and that's exactly what I needed for myself. I’m determined to get my life back, free from love and heartbreaks.

But first things first, I need to find a job. Maybe in this city, I'll be lucky.

So, I hurried to get dressed, eager to explore all that the city had to offer.

“Where are you off to?” Layla’s voice stopped me before I could leave the apartment.

I turned to her with a smile. “I’m going to explore the city and maybe find a job,” I answered, my excitement evident.

“Alone?” Layla asked, her expression serious.

“Yes, alone. I don’t need you to babysit me anymore, and I need a job, you know,” I reassured her, but she still seemed unconvinced.

“You know it's okay, right? You don’t have to find a job right away. We’ve only just arrived,” Layla said, and I smiled.

“It’s been weeks. I can't keep living off you and your boyfriend. I need to find a job and maybe move out someday. You need your privacy,” I insisted, trying to make her understand.

Layla grumbled but eventually accepted. “Fine, you win. But today, you're not looking for a job. We’re going out, just the two of us, even if it's just for the last time,” she declared.

“As you wish,” I agreed, smirking, and Layla squealed with excitement.

“I’ll go get dressed. Just give me a few minutes,” she said, rushing into the room.

In no time, Layla emerged, dressed and ready, with a contagious smile on her face. “I'm ready. Today will be awesome, I’ll make sure of that,” she said, grabbing her bag.

“And Danny? Isn’t he coming? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen him today,” I recalled.

“Danny started his job today,” Layla informed me.

“That’s great. I’m happy for him,” I replied.

“Yeah...” Layla’s demeanour suddenly fell.

“Okay, out with it. What’s bothering you?” I asked, noticing her change in mood.

Layla looked up at me, confused. “Don’t you think I have tried to ask, but he keeps on telling me to trust him, and that the pay is good,” Layla answered.

“Then trust him. You’re just being paranoid. Danny loves you, so don’t overthink it. Focus on your job. So, tell me when you’re starting,” I prompted.

“In three days,” Layla replied, and I smiled.

“Great. Then focus on that and don’t bother yourself with something that’s just in your head,” I advised, and she nodded, smiling.

“You’re right. I’m just overthinking. I’m sure it’s nothing. We should go,” she said, pulling me out of the apartment.

Layla and I explored the city, and I loved every part of it. We visited every new place the map suggested until nightfall. We ended our night at a bar, enjoying the best cocktails I’d ever tasted.

As we sipped our third glass, the bartender announced, “Last call.”

Layla and I were surprised, as bars like this back home never had last calls.

“One more glass of this cocktail,” I requested, ignoring his announcement.

“I’m sorry, I can’t get you another. You heard me say last call,” the bartender replied, his expression unreadable.

“Why? Where I’m from, we never have last calls,” I protested.

“Miss, you’d better head out because, trust me, the nights around here aren’t safe, especially for beautiful women,” the bartender warned.

Grumbling, Layla urged me to leave, and soon we were on our way back to the apartment.

“Can you imagine that bartender? He was so rude,” I complained.

“Maybe he was right and was just trying to help,” Layla suggested, but I continued grumbling.

---

“The morning came soon enough, and I must say, the cocktail got to me more than I thought it would. But I knew I had to push past the slight hangover and get ready to go job hunting.

Hurrying out to the living room, I bid goodbye to Layla as I made my way out of the apartment.

Navigating the city alone was much harder than I thought, and getting a job was even harder. But it was only my first day, so I didn’t think too much about it. I still believed I would find a job soon.

However, when a few weeks turned into six months, and I still hadn’t secured a job, frustration set in.

“Don’t worry, babe. You’ll get a job. Don’t stress about it,” Layla reassured me while making her sandwich for work.

“It’s easy for you to say. You have a job,” I groaned.

“And you’ll get one soon too. I just know it,” she said, packing her lunch.

“It’s been six months, Layla. We moved here six months ago. I should have found a job by now, but I’m just so unlucky. It’s like Ethan’s curse followed me to this new city,” I vented, feeling the weight of my disappointment.

“Stop, Emily. Your ex-boss and boyfriend have nothing to do with this. You’ll get a job. So, get in there, get dressed, and keep looking. Something will come up,” Layla encouraged, kissing me goodbye.

Sighing, I got dressed and resumed my job hunting, but all I got back was more disappointment. Frustration was all I could feel.

I found myself back at the bar with the rude bartender because all I wanted was to drown my frustration in alcohol.

“You’re back! I never thought I’d see you again after the way you left,” the bartender, Chris, said.

“Just give me your strongest bottle of whiskey,” I demanded, feeling defeated.

“A bottle?” he asked, surprised.

“Did I stutter, bartender?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.

“It’s Chris,” he corrected me, and I groaned, not caring.

“I didn’t ask for your name. Just do your job and bring me the bottle,” I said dismissively, rolling my eyes.

He soon brought the bottle, and I poured myself glass after glass, desperate to numb the pain.

“Rough day,” Chris observed.

“Rough months. But it’s none of your business,” I muttered, continuing to drink.

Suddenly, I heard people singing, and it caught my attention. I glanced towards the source and saw it was karaoke night.

Before I knew it, I found myself on stage, singing to a bar full of people, all thanks to the alcohol.

As I finished my song, the crowd applauded and cheered, and I made my way back to my seat.

“You sing well,” Chris commented.

“I’ve always loved singing. But tonight, it was all thanks to the alcohol,” I admitted with a smile, pouring another glass.

“You know, I’ve always wanted to be a singer too, but I chose a much more stable path. But now, that path isn’t so stable anymore because I can’t even find myself a job,” I confessed, unsure why I was telling him any of this.

“You can work here,” Chris offered, his words catching me off guard.

“Can you even give me a job? You’re just a bartender here,” I questioned sceptically.

“It’s cute of you to assume. But I own this place,” he revealed, leaving me stunned.

“So, is it a yes? Are you taking the job?” he asked.

I didn’t know what to say. Being a singer was the last thing on my mind right now. But I needed the money desperately.

“Fine, I’ll take the job. Thank you, Chris,” I agreed reluctantly, but he shook his head.

“I’m not Chris to you anymore. I’m your boss now,” he stated firmly, leaving me groaning in frustration.

“At least it’s a job,” I muttered to myself, downing the contents of my glass.