MEGAN
I took a fist full of popcorn and threw it all in my mouth. Camila and I let out a laugh while staring at the screen. A scene being played reminded me of what I wanted to inform her about. I turned to her.
"I have decided to go back to job hunting."
She slowly turned her head to me with her lips slowly widening. "Are you serious?"
I nodded with my lip in a thin line. She lets out an ear-piecing squeal. I had to cover my ears as I let out a chuckle at her insanity. She jumped at me and hugged me tightly.
"I know I never complained. But finally! I won't have to pay all the bills alone, and buy food. Taking care of both of us was getting harder by the day!" She pulled back and pouted. "I want to cry. Should I cry?"
I stared at her, taken aback by her words. "Wait, why did you not tell me about the bills weighing down on you?"
Her eyes widen. The room was filled with silence for a few seconds. "I let out too much. Didn't I?"
I set up, keeping my gaze at her. "Why didn't you let me know?"
She lets out a sigh. "I didn't want you to feel guilty or anything. I knew you would want to leave."
I stared at her with concern. The room filled with silence. A heavy bag filled with guilt was suddenly thrown at me. "Oh no, that is what I was avoiding." She muttered. She placed her hands on my arms. "I love you, Meg. I love your company so much. So don't worry about it. You are worth so much more. You know that, right?"
"Still, you should have told me. I wouldn't have stopped searching." I was being a burden to her without realizing that just because she didn't attar the words doesn't mean I shouldn't have thought of that. I was too comfortable and ignorant.
"I knew you gave up searching because you were exhausted. I totally understood how you felt. I knew it would be nearly impossible for you to get a job at a company because you haven't completed your college degree."
I let out a breath. I pulled her in for a tight hug. "I'm sorry for weighing you down with so many bills. I'll never stop until I find one." I promised her that. I don't even want to imagine how she felt when I told her I gave up searching for one.
I was frustrated, okay. I knew I didn't finish my degree in business, but that doesn't mean I wasn't good enough. I searched for a job for months, three freaking months. Every day, until I got so frustrated and gave up.
Why haven't I tried working in a bar? Or club? I was scared. My parents filled me with so many stories about how mafias and gangs would either break you or kill you. I was so mortified and concluded to never go near a club or bar. I tried searching in restaurants and cafés but none!
Camila was someone who gave me, a complete stranger to her, a shelter when I was desperate for one. I ran away from home, with nothing on me on a rainy day and bumped into Camila. I pleaded with her for food as I was so hungry. She wasn't scared of who I might be like other people were. She gave me food and offered me a room to stay in. She bought me clothes as well. We have been friends ever since then for more than a year.
She owns a small café herself, which I always follow her to help since I was staying rent-free with food and all. That's the least I could do.
I pulled back, staring into her eyes. "I promise I won't give up."
She smiled at me and nodded.
***
I borrowed her laptop to search on the internet for a job.
I didn't go with her to the café today because I had to start my research. I spent hours searching for companies that are hiring. I ate some snacks, lunch, and it was time to stop for the day and make dinner for Camila and I.
The next day came and I continued searching. I finally found about 4 that are looking for employees that are good in the business sector. I called and registered. All the interviews were placed next week. Two were placed on the same day but the times were different. "Monday, Wednesday, Thursday." I memorized the dates. If I get accepted, I'll just disappear on the others.
***
The week for the interviews came. None of them ended well, as I expected, but two promised to get back to me. I knew deep down they wouldn't. It was a nicer way to dismiss me.
I went back to searching and this went on for weeks with interviews all giving me the "why are you asking for the impossible" stare. That discouraged me, and I was so closed to giving up again, but I made a promise and I hate broken promises.
I decided on applying for secretary or an extra hand with helping with anything. I found a few companies and did the whole process, and I was booked. There were only three companies. Two were booked on the same day and one on the next day.
***
I stared at the huge building. I let out a sharp breath. This was my second interview today and, obviously, the first one didn't seem promising. "You can do this Megan! They can't all be the same, right? This is different. This is another one!" I encouraged myself before pushing the glass door open and stepping my foot in. I made my way to the receptionist. She smiled at me. I tried mirroring hers, but I was so anxious to make a sincere one.
"Good morning, Ms..." I checked her name tag. "Nether."
"Good morning, how may I help you?"
"I am here for the interview."
"Your name please."
"Megan Carter."
She types away on the keyboard. "Oh! Here you are." She turned back to me. "I'll call someone to come and lead you to the floor." She picked up the telephone and spoke awhile before ending it. "Ms. Charles is on her way."
I nodded. "Thank you."
I moved away for the person queuing behind me.
A few minutes later, I met the lady. She had a long brunette on her, and she was dressed formally, but her boobs were begging to be let free fully, and she was wearing an extremely short skirt. Can she even bend to pick up something from the floor?
"Carter, right?"
I gave her a smile and nodded. She never returned the smile. "This way." Her pencil heels clicked on the marble floor as she made quick steps. I almost nearly didn't catch up with her, something told me she was doing it on purpose.
Anyway, we waited and waited for the elevator to get to us, but it took forever. After a little longer, she suddenly scoffed. Next thing I knew is we were walking away from the elevator, and I was praying and begging the heavens that we were not taking stairs.
Thankfully, we weren't, but rather a more fancy elevator. It was almost as if we weren't supposed to take it. She pressed on the button, and it didn't take long for the elevator to arrive. I kept my mouth shut and got in the elevator with her.
Just as the elevator was about to close completely, a foot stepped in.
"Sh!t." She cursed, seeming to already know who it was.
Were we caught? Were we seriously not expected to take this one? My anxiety returned. The elevator began to open again. Why am I nervous? I wasn't the one who said we should enter this elevator, right? Why am I? Wait, was I expected to?
The elevator opened completely and a fine tall man with a neat, expensive tuxedo stepped in. He was gorgeous, no hot! Actually strikingly, my heart throbbing hot! Am I exaggerating? No, never! I do at times, but not this time! I only see this type of beauty in magazines. Isn't he a dream come true?
"Morning sir." The lady whose name I had obviously forgotten bowed to him and I quickly did the same.
"Good reason why you're in this elevator?"
Yep! I was right! We were NOT expected to take it. You could tell the elevator was screaming "VIP! VVIP!!! VVVIP!!"
I gulped nervously.
"The other elevators were taking a long, okay? You know I wouldn't mess with your rules like that." She turned to him and I could swear on my life that she had a seductive smile on her face! I saw and witnessed that! Why am I surprised? Her outfit was clearly screaming 'I want you, and you want me'! But I couldn't just judge her by that, right? Remember, 'never judge a book by its cover'.
"Well, that doesn't give you enough reason to flock around." Is it just me or does his words have a deeper meaning? I mentally scoffed, I'm over thinking, right?
"Okay, I just didn't want her to be late for her interview, okay?" She gestured towards me. Wow, I really didn't think she cared about me. I suddenly felt so small behind them, well since he entered.
He turned towards me and nodded with a quick smile before turning back around.
"Who is she?"
Did they seriously think I couldn't hear them?
"Remember? Interview for secretary."
"My secretary?" He questioned.
"Yep, since you didn't want me to."
The handsome man whose name I still don't know turned yet again, stare at me while I stared back with a smile I mastered. His eyes moved slowly all the way down my body and up again, meeting my gaze. Why is he staring at me like that? Was he trying to read me or something? Was I supposed to dress a certain way?
He turned back forward.
"Cancel her."
"What?!" Yes, that was my voice, but thankfully not only mine. I was alterly and completely shocked. Why?!
"Why?" Miss, whose name I forgot, and I asked in unison, again.
But he ignored me but spoke loud enough for me to hear his answer as well.
"She's not sexy, not my type."
The lady snickered. I was shocked. How does his answer make sense? I couldn't hold back. I walked to his front and face him, finally getting his full attention.
"I wasn't told you were looking for a wife!" I said with my arms folded and a side smile from shock.
He smirked. "Did I say I was?"
"Are you joking right now? Why am I being canceled for the interview?"
"You got my answer."
I chuckled. "This is not funny, okay? Why am I being canceled?"
"You're not sexy, neither are you hot."
"It wasn't in the qualification!" I yelled. I was angry and annoyed right now by this jerk's behaviour. I freaking walked all the way here to get rejected because of what?
"Hey! Don't you dare yell at the Boss." She glared at me.
The elevator is finally open. I was still shocked, as he walked past me out of the elevator. How does this make sense?
I watched his retreating back, stunned.
"We'll have to go back down since you were canceled. " The elevator closed on my face. I could tell the lady was unbothered as she fixed her hair looking at her reflection on the elevator door.
***
As soon as I got in the room, I walked straight to the bed, picked up the pillow and screamed at the top of my lungs on the pillow.
How could he? How does that make sense? Does he even know the struggle of looking for a job?
I yelled again at the pillow. My eyes filled with warm tears and a sob suddenly escaped from my lips. It's so exhausting and frustrating!! Was I going for an interview to become a stripper? Or his freaking girlfriend?
I switched on the laptop to check what the interview was for again. After a few minutes, I found it. It clearly says secretary! I picked up the pillow and yelled at it yet again.