Love's Second Act

I stared at my bank account balance, the numbers taunting me like a cruel joke. $437. That's all that stood between me and complete penury. My house and office rent were due in three days, Dani’s tuition fees were in my email, and my event planning business was as dry as the Sahara desert. I looked around at the fifteen-square inch cubicle, slowly gathering dust on the ceilings, and sighed loudly. It was parched. Was this the universe's way of calling me a failure? It felt like I was drowning in a sea of debt, even though I could physically swim. I stood up and started to pace the hardwood floor. How did it come to this? One minute, I had some events to cater, with spare change in the bank. I had made it out of the darkness. So what happened again? Quickly, the memories I fought hard to bury came crashing down. My sister's screams, Ray’s silence, the feeling of being trapped and alone. I had survived, but at what cost? A tear dropped from my left eye, and I hurriedly brushed it away. I wouldn't cry, not again. Not anymore. I turned away from the window, forcing myself to focus on the present. I had to survive, for my sister's sake if not my own. But how? I had no idea. All I knew was that I couldn't keep going on like this, living day to day, unsure if I'd be able to feed myself or pay my rent. Something had to change. But what? Just then, my phone rang. Stretching to take a peep, I saw Sam's number flash on the screen. I hadn't talked to her in some days, so I eagerly picked the call, hoping that her cheerful voice would bring me out of my thoughts. "'Hey, girl! How's life?' she asked, her tone bubbly as always. "I hesitated, unsure how to answer. Should I tell her the truth - that my life was a hot mess? Or put on a brave face and pretend everything was fine? “It's...stale,” I said finally. “Just feeling really stuck.” “Really?” Her voice rose by an octave. “Are you alright? What's wrong?” “I'm drowning in debt, Sam. I don't even have up to $500 in my name. Everything is wrong, and I can't stop thinking about Ray and how he de–” “Shhhh. That's enough, Lexi,” she interrupted as a familiar beep began in my ear. She was requesting a video call, which I quickly accepted. “I understand, but you have to stop thinking about that. Look, there's a way out okay? That's why I called you. For a job.” I huffed and shook my head. “No one wants to have me as their planner, Sam Look at my office, my designs. They're so mid-level, so bland. The clients don't want that. They don't want anything from me!” The tears started again, and this time, I let them fall while my best friend watched. She was already used to it, seeing me cry for the better part of last year. I had stopped feeling insecure about it long ago. After some minutes, I started to sniff and she c****d a brow. “Do you feel better now?” “Not really, but I'm tired. And hungry,” I added, trying to smile. “As always,” she said, shaking her head before leaning in. “Well, I just got a gig for a high-profile charity gala, and they need an event planner. So, I put your name on the list.” My eyes bulged as I rushed to my seat, the only good looking one in the office. “What?! Really?” Sam laughed. “Yes. It's for some top people, Blackwood Corporation. Have you heard of them?” “No. What do they do?” She shrugged and opened her laptop. “Don't really know, but I know it's supply-chain related. Anyway, it's supposed to happen in two weeks, so we have to start as soon as possible.” “Wow,” I breathed, wringing my hands together so I wouldn't scream. “It sounds amazing. I'm ready for this,” I said. This could be the opportunity I was waiting for. My big break. A chance to prove myself, and show people what I was capable of. And of course… “Just so you know, the money is hugggeee!” Sam perked up, rubbing her fingers together in excitement, and I followed suit. “Oh, gosh. Thank you so much!” "'I knew you'd be interested,' Rachel said with a grin. 'I'll send you the details, so we can start tomorrow. You got this, girl!'" As the call ended, I spun my chair around, feeling a sense of hope that I hadn't felt in months. Maybe, this was the turning point I needed. The key to unlocking a brighter future. I desperately wanted to go home and start getting ready, but the one thing I held seriously were my working hours. So I spent the remaining time, prancing around my desk and creating ideas for the gala. I also browsed the internet for ideas about the Blackwood corporation, and tried to incorporate their vision and goals into the event details. Before I knew it, five p.m struck and I happily picked up my bag to go. As I stepped out of the elevator and onto the main road, I tuned into Spotify for my power song. I couldn't stop grinning as I sang along, bopping my head to the beat. Still, my mind raced with ideas as I walked down the street, feeling on top of the world. I stepped off the sidewalk, ready to cross when a whirring sound slowly approached me and I looked up in time to see the car running down the street. Filled with adrenaline, I threw my body to the side and watched as the speeding vehicle zoomed past me. My heart skipped a beat as the fumes entered my nostrils, and I covered my nose before standing up. The car didn't even stop slightly, but I managed to see the license plate before it disappeared out of sight. ‘Blackwood,’ it read, and I frowned. That was too close. With a sigh, I dusted my clothes and took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. As I made a few shaky steps forward, my mind quickly went back to the project at hand. I wasn't going to let a near accident dampen my spirits, so I continued walking, my feet feeling lighter than air. I couldn't wait to start working on the gala, and see where this new opportunity took me.