CHAPTER 2: Back where it began.
Nyla's pov (present day)
The alarm went off like it hated me.
I hit the clock trying to get it to shut up, it just wouldn't budge. Another morning, which only meant more bills to pay and more work to do.
I got out of my bed, had a lazy shower and got dressed, thankful I didn't have anywhere to be today.
The apartment smelled like detergent and burnt toast, Karen was probably cooking something. The TV in the living room was switched on to a cartoon channel, but I could have sworn I turned it off last night
I walked into the kitchen and was greeted by the pile of dishes Karen had been promising to wash for weeks. A few slices of burnt toast Karen left out for me sat there looking cold and unappetizing.
I brushed it to the side and reached for my trusty cup of instant coffee.
A little blue cup sat beside my cold coffee from yesterday. I picked it up, rinsed it, and tried not to think about how quiet the place felt when the cartoons stopped.
My phone buzzed. It was probably Leah, I was right.
Leah: you up?
Nyla: yes, is there a problem??
Leah: no just check your emails.
Nyla: alright..
I opened my laptop wondering what was so important that made Leah text this early in the morning, and there it was—an email she'd forwarded:
"Personal assistant Needed – Reeds Corporation, New York City."
"New York".
The name itself made my stomach twist. I hadn't been back since the incident, I promised myself never to step foot there again.
Leah called before I could close the laptop.
"Did you see it?" she asked, sounding way too
cheerful for seven a.m.
"I saw it."
"And?"
"And no."
She sighed out loud expressing her disappointment .
"Nyla, come on. It's a good job. Big company, steady pay. You said you wanted something stable."
"Yes, but anywhere else."
"They're hiring fast," she pressed. "I know someone in HR all you'd have to do is schedule meetings and stuff, plus the job comes with your very own apartment"
I rubbed my face. "Leah, you know I don't want to go back there."
"it's a big city Nyla, you'll probably never run into him"
"but still.."
"You wont be able to get another offer this good on such short notice, and I also know your landlord's been hinting about the rent again. Be practical for once. Apply. If they say no, then fine. But what if they say yes?"
I didn't answer. The silence of the house seemed louder.
"Send me the link again." I muttered after giving it some thought.
She laughed. "That's my girl."
I sighed rolling my eyes even though I knew she couldn't see them
"how's my little man", she asked.
"he's doing fine" I replied absent mindedly, still thinking about the job
"I can't wait to see him" she announced happily.
"if we make it to New York"
After she hung up, I stared at the screen. Reeds Corporation. Downtown Manhattan.
Big glass building, probably filled with hotshots and lots of competition, definitely not my dream job but we needed this.
I filled in the form, attached my half-decent résumé, and hit send before my courage evaporated.
The rest of the morning was pretty much the same cheap coffee, noise from the street and awkward silence. I busied myself making a mental list of why New York was a terrible idea.
Then, just before lunch time, my email pinged again.
>Dear Ms. Park,
Thank you for your application. You've been shortlisted for the next stage of interviews. Our team will contact you soon.
My hand actually shook a little.
Not a job offer, but it sparked a little bit of hope in me.
I leaned back in the chair deep in thoughts, not sure how I should be feeling
"Guess I'm going home after all."
The cartoons had switched off hours ago, leaving the apartment too quiet. Karen my roommate wouldn't be back for hours, today was my day off.
After sitting with my thoughts for a while, I decided to bake his favourite snacks before he got back.
The snacks were in the oven, I proceeded to do the laundry. By dinner time I had done every single chore one could think of, I still couldn't shake of my feelings of uncertainty towards that city.
Memories from that one reckless night flooded my mind.
Looking back then I still couldn't believe one reckless night had ruined my entire life and made me loose my dream job.
2 days later
I woke up early enough to prepare something other than the burnt toast Karen specialized in.
After making breakfast I had a cup of coffee and headed over to my scrapy job.
The day ran by quickly pretty much the same boring old routine laced with several hints of disappointment.
My landlord was seriously at my neck for my cut of the rent but my boss insisted I waited till next week, my favourite sweater got ruined and Karen was having a night shift at the clinic where she worked so basically it was just us tonight.
I got back home, waited till he was asleep before having dinner.
My phone buzzed, definitely Leah, no one else gave shit about me.
Leah: you still up?
Nyla: yeah, what's wrong?
Leah: I called in a favour with my friend at HR check your email
"not this again" I sighed not knowing how I should have felt.
I opened my email unsure of my emotions and expectations.
And there it was:
>Dear ms. Park
Thank you for your recent application for the personal assistant position at Reeds corporation.
After reviewing your qualifications, we are pleased to invite you for an interview in-person in 2-days time, at our corporate headquarters in New York.
Please bring along a valid ID and printed copy of your resume.
I stared the message still in shock.
My phone rang, I picked it up
"so… what do you think" she asked a little too excited.
"2 days Leah, it's too sudden"
"I had to call in favours for this, don't screw it up "she called almost in a plea
"what am I going to do with him, it's too sudden" I complained, but deep down I knew I didn't have a choice.