Love Behind the Desk

Chapter Three

The woman leaned forward slightly, her interest piqued. I continued, my voice growing more confident. "I came here to experience life on my own terms, to face challenges and make decisions independently. I wanted to know what it feels like to rely on myself, to succeed or fail based on my own choices. I believe that stepping out of my comfort zone and facing the unknown is the only way I can truly grow and find fulfillment."

I could feel a sense of resolve building within me as I spoke. "New York is a city where people come to chase their dreams, to carve out a space for themselves. I came here not just to prove something to others, but to prove something to myself—that I can take care of myself, that I can thrive even without the constant support I’ve always had. I’m here to discover what I’m capable of, and to find a sense of fulfillment that comes from knowing I did it on my own."

When I finished speaking, the room seemed to settle into a momentary silence. The woman studied me for a long moment, her expression softening slightly. There was a hint of approval in her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. "Thank you for sharing that," she said, her voice now carrying a touch of warmth. "It takes courage to step out on your own. Let's see what you can do here."

I thanked her sincerely, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. "You’ll receive an email in two days with details about the role you'll begin next week. You’re going to do great," she reassured me with a warm smile. Her confidence in me was contagious, and I couldn’t help but feel more at ease.

I stood up, still buzzing with a mix of excitement and nerves. "Thank you so much," I said, offering a final handshake before turning to leave the room. As I walked back to the reception area, a sense of accomplishment settled over me. The interview had gone well, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was falling into place.

When I reached the reception desk, I saw Queen still seated there, her expression kind and welcoming. I walked over and thanked her, genuinely grateful for her support throughout the process. "I'll see you around," she called out as I headed for the door, her voice filled with a friendly warmth. I turned back and waved goodbye, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her, even though we had just met.

As I stepped outside into the afternoon sun, I allowed myself a moment to savor the victory. This was a big step, and I was proud of how I had handled it. When I reached my car, I quickly got inside, eager to share the news with the person who had always been my biggest supporter—my mom. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number, my heart still racing with excitement.

She picked up on the second ring, her voice instantly comforting. "Hi, baby girl, how are you?" she greeted me, and I could hear the smile in her voice.

"I'm alright, Mommy," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I just came out of an interview. I got the job, but I don’t know what role I’ll be starting in yet. I’m just so glad I finally have something lined up."

There was a brief pause on the other end, and then she spoke, her voice filled with pride. "I am so proud of you, my darling. This is wonderful news! It definitely calls for a celebration. Your father and I have been talking, and we decided to get you a car so you don’t have to rely on Uber every day to get to work. And before you try to say no, let me just tell you—we’re insisting. We know you’re determined to do things on your own, but we’re still your parents, and this is something we can do to help. You deserve it."

I felt a lump form in my throat, touched by their thoughtfulness. "Thank you so much, Mom. That really means a lot to me," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "But I have to say, the house you guys rented for me is already more than enough. It's way too luxurious, and honestly, I’m not sure I can keep up with the rent once the lease is up. And renting from an influencer? Was that really necessary?"

Mom’s laughter rang out on the other end of the line, light and carefree. "That was all my doing," she confessed. "I wanted you to have a comfortable place to live while you get settled in. And don’t worry about the rent—I paid it for the next two years. This gives you time to focus on your career and find your footing. Plus, Emily seems like such a nice lady."

I couldn’t help but smile at her thoughtfulness. "She is, Mom," I admitted. "She even lent me her car for the interview today. She’s been really helpful."

"See? I knew she was a good choice," Mom said, her tone triumphant. "You’re going to do great things, my love. This is just the beginning."

As we continued to talk, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the support system I had in my parents. They had always believed in me, even when I doubted myself, and knowing they were there for me made this new chapter in my life a little less daunting. We chatted for a few more minutes before I hung up, feeling more at peace than I had in a long time.

I sat in the car for a moment, letting the conversation sink in. The excitement of the day was still buzzing in my veins, but now it was mixed with a comforting sense of security. I wasn’t doing this alone—I had my family behind me, cheering me on every step of the way. With a deep breath, I started the car and began the drive home.

As I stepped into the house, I was greeted by complete darkness. It felt strange, unsettling even. I quickly turned on my flashlight, scanning the room, when suddenly the lights flickered on and a chorus of voices shouted, "Surprise!" I nearly jumped out of my skin as Emily rushed forward to give me a big hug. "Congratulations on your first job, baby!" she exclaimed, her excitement contagious.

I was still reeling from the shock. "How did you know?" I managed to ask, trying to process everything.