【 Chapter 1 】



Evelyn

"Honey,Its almost seven thirty you must be out of your bed now."

Mom's yelling disturbed my deep slumber.

I fluttered my eyes open as my Mom's voice floated continuously into my ears.I lazily stretched my arms to get rid of the last traces of sleep before starting a new day.

I took a fresh mild shower and quickly slipped into a grey shirt and black fitted trouser as they are the most comfortable clothes that I have in my closet.

I switched on my lap top and checked the mail box.Luckily, two companies accepted my resume and called me for an interview.

I mentally prayed the god to support me this time because more than me my family needed the money.

Living in a city like London isn't easy for a middle class family like mine.My father settled down here from America  twenty seven years back and used to work as a clerk in a private firm.

When the firm shut down ,it was like a thunder fell upon us.My father bought this apartment with his savings and bank loans.Being jobless at the age of fifty led him to the bankruptcy.

The monthly loan payments as well as the family's expenditure made his condition more vulnerable.He had to take up the job of a watchman

Since then I started doing a part-time job at a bakery shop which is on a fifteen minutes walk from my apartment.The owner of the shop is Bobby Smith,a man in his sixties and my father's good friend.He runs the shop with his wife but now they are too old to handle everything so,when they asked me to help them,I couldn't deny for heaven's sake.

I grabbed my wallet and opened it to see how much money I had for spending in the whole one month after subtracting the different bills .

I sighed and closed it.It had only thirty bucks that I was succeeded in saving for myself.

"Evelyn you need a handsome job as soon as possible."I collected all my necessary stuffs and moved out of my room.

When I entered in the living room,I found my Dad rocking on his favorite chair.His face was dug into the newspaper.I walked upto him and back hugged him.

"Good morning Dad."I kissed his right cheek.

"Morning honey so kitten is up so early?"He cracked a joke kissing me back on my forehead.

"Umm yeah actually I have a couple of interviews today so."I told him with a smile while making my way to the dining table which is set up in one of the corner of the middle size room.

His bright face lost its color as he took a deep sigh.A tinge of sadness was draped on his wrinkled cheeks and I couldn't bear the sight.

He folded the newspaper and put it on the shelf beside the chair and joined me at the table.

"Dad I am grown up now and it's high time when I take up your responsibilities as the eldest child."I said though I knew it could only make him feel more helpless about himself.

"Evy you're only twenty three and girls in your age live their lives in exploring the world and persue their dreams.I really wish I could give you all these."He sniffed trying hard to hide his tears.

My heart pained seeing my Dad in vulnerability.

"Dad you have given me more than when your condition was like a fish in troubled water so please stop pondering over the facts that actually aren't."I said to him with clear words.

"What's going on between you two?"my Mom asked coming over to the dining table with the breakfast tray in her hands.

"Good morning Mom."I gave her a flying kiss .

"Morning baby."She wished me back putting the plate in front of me which had baked eggs and roasted breads.

"Where are two little devils Mom?"I looked up at her.

"Do you really think they are very easy to drag out of the bed morever they have a off today from the school."Mom told me.

"So honey what's your plan for today.Do you wanna stay at home and help me in cleaning the house?"Mom asked me munching her own toast.

"Sorry Mom I can help you other day but today I have two interviews first is at 10:00 A.M and another one is afternoon may be around two."I detailed her my schedule .

"Ohh so there is a good gap between the interviews so you want to come back for the lunch?"She asked.

"No Mom it will be waste of time and money as it is in the north -west of our place and you know the traffic. Morever,Bobby needs my help as it's weekend and the bakery will have more customers."I gave her an apologetic look.

But her aged eyes were able to catch my lame excuses.We'd been through a very hard time when it comes to money that I need to save single penny to run the family of five .

"I pray best for you my child."Mom kissed my hairs.Her warm hug somewhere gave me a little relief from the nervousness which was building inside me.

Bidding a good bye to my parents,I walked to the busy lane in the direction of the bus stop .I glanced at my wrist watch.Luckily I wasn't late for the bus that was about to come within ten minutes.

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It was around four when I stepped out of the company's office building with whom I had my second interview.

I ran my fingers through my hairs out of frustration.My eyes instantly welled up thinking about the future of my family.I couldn't able to get a job in both the companies though I had a university degree with good grades.

The cruel fact that angered me more was they selected the girls who barely passed the exams with minimum scores but they got selected on the basis of their appearance rather the display of their body.

For them,an employee must be quite representable in front of the corporate world which I lack somewhere.All these pent up in my head causing a severe headache to blow my senses.

There was no use to cry over the unsuccessful interviews,I reached at the bakery shop by taking a cab as I didn't had left stamina to wait for

the bus.I knew it would imbalance my budget but my body was protesting me to give it some comfort.

"Hey Sweetheart how were the interviews gone?"Lydia ,Bobby's wife greeted me with a smile.

I just gave her a weak tired smile sitting on one of the stool.She understood my answer.

"Don't worry Muffin ,I know you won't be working here for a long time."She tried to cheer me.I love the nickname she gave me.

"Well a cup of hot coffee and cheese cake will light her mood and her growling stomach."Bobby walked to us with a cup of coffee and my favorite cheese cake in a plate.

My stomach growled more loudly when the delicious aroma of the cake hit my nostrils causing me to bit my lips in embarrassment.

"Do you need my help in baking or I can sit at counter?"I asked Bobby.

"Hon we want you to go back to your home and take some rest.The day was quite hectic for you."Lydia said.

"No way I came here all way along by taking a cab so let me assist you."I protested.They were too kind hearted and I didn't like to take undue advantage of their generosity.

"Okay."Bobby sagged his shoulders,"Come and help me in baking an anniversary cake which we have to deliver tomorrow at two."He made his way to the back of the shop.

I took the empty cup and followed him .

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