We chose this life

Chapter 7 - The opportunity

"So, Ms Nobokov, as I said in my email, I am impressed by your CV. I know it is a bit unusual to be received by the CEO of the company instead of someone with whom you will be working directly, but right now, most of our staff is on their holidays. I would like to hear now your motivation for this vacancy we have." Mr Van Denkx sat in his chair right across the table that separated us.

I gulped as I wasn't sure how to defend my interest in the job offer the company had. My sole wish was to remain in the UK without having to start my life anew somewhere else. Suddenly I felt that I was ready to do anything to try my chances once more in this country and so I started answering Thomas Van Denkx. The more I spoke, the more he seemed to be impressed with my ideas and enthusiasm about working for his company.

"Annie, I will forward your contact to my two colleagues who work in the architectural department, and I will ask our HR principal to be there. You will discuss your salary and the whole package you will be entitled to when you start working with us. I would also like to discuss with you in detail what you have shared with me now. I think you have some quite interesting ideas and we, as a company, are seeking to reinvent our way of working." Mr Van Denkx concluded. I couldn't believe my ears. This meant that I would stay.

"Thank you for considering my application, Mr Van Denkx. I am more than happy to start working soon." I proclaimed as we both stood up to shake our hands.

"Oh, you can call me Thomas. We are all quite friendly here, and we all address each other by our first names." He winked at me and let go of my hand. This wonderful man escorted me to the door of his office, and when I turned to say goodbye, he politely replied the same way and smiled. 

I was so thrilled about the opportunity I was given that I had to call my mother immediately. I heard her and my brother scream out of excitement, and then Kosta took over the phone.

"What did I tell you, Annie? I knew you would make it! Way to go sis! I am so happy for you." He was always so supportive of me.

"Thanks, bro! Oh, God, I cannot tell you how grateful I feel right now." I told him as I felt a few tears of joy and relief slide down my cheeks.

"Be sure to call your father and tell him the news!" I heard my mother shout while trying to take the phone from Kosta's hand.

"No, I won't. He doesn't deserve it." My mind was suddenly clouded with the refusal to say anything to the man who left the three of us struggle for life. 

"Annie dear, please, call your father. He is lost, but he loves both you and your brother, and I am sure he will be happy to hear that you've got another chance for your work." My mother tried her best to persuade me to contact my father. I still cannot understand how she can demand this of me after everything we've been through since our father left us for another woman. 

"Mom, I know you think that that is the thing to do. And maybe you are right. But I don't feel like doing it, and I don't see why you need to push me. We forgave him, but that doesn't mean I want to have anything to do with him. He hasn't asked Kosta or me how we have been all these years. Clearly, he is not interested in our lives, so I don't see why he would be interested in this news." I stated with the calmest voice I had. 

"He is your father." She replied, and that was supposed to be the only valid reason to call a person who doesn't give a damn about me and break him the news.

"Alright, I'll give it a thought," I said finally with the hope that my mother will finally leave me and accept that I will make the final choice of contacting or not my father. "I have to go now. My train is arriving at the platform." I notified my mother.

"OK, Annie, give us a call when you have time." Both Kosta and my mother shouted, and with that, I hung up. I stepped into the train, found the economy class and sat next to a window on a random seat. A familiar chime on my phone announced that I have just got a message. Probably Kosta sending me one of his photos to make me laugh.

"Hey, Annie! How did it go?" Mark sent me an SMS.

"Seems like I've got the job, but I'll wait for the contract, and once it's signed, I'll let you know." I chuckled while I was typing the answer.

"Sounds like you indeed got it. Congratulations! (if I may say that already...) :)" Mark replied.

"We'll see..." I was still a bit sceptical about my new job. With everything that happened since I moved to the UK, I've learned never to trust naively in all the good things that were happening to me. And this was no different.

I leaned back in my seat and gazed through the window into the beautiful landscape in front of me. I was going back home and the thought of unpacking my suitcases to put all of my belongings back to where they were made me realize this might be really happening.

When I got to the apartment, I checked my mailbox and found a few advertisements for the clothes shopping. The last envelope in that pile of rubbish came from the municipality. I knew what was inside. It was that time of the year. I was asked to present myself at the municipality hall and extend my residence permit. And then it dawned me. I couldn't extend my visa as I didn't have the contract. By the time I would have it, my visa would have expired, and all of the time I spent in the UK wouldn't be considered if I applied for citizenship in two years. So all this effort would have gone down the drain. I didn't have any other option but to ask for some help from my two friends, Nathan and Mark. The only way I could extend my stay was if one of them vouched for me by proving he will provide for me throughout the whole year. It was no easy task, asking that to someone who you don't know so well, vouches for you in this way.

I unlocked my apartment, removed my shoes and went to my desk. I threw myself on the chair and felt sudden uneasiness. Who to ask for such a favour?