THREE-Broken

CHARITY

'I'M REALLY sorry things turned out this way. I tried my best to get Genevieve to sign you some sort of testimonial so you could be able to secure a job at some other company in the city but she wouldn't have it. Your portfolio and of course your award should be able to get you a job somewhere else but I guess not in this city anymore. I transferred money that should be enough to secure you another job, let's say my way of apologizing. Trust me when I say you’re a great person, I had fun with you. Goodbye, miss Everton"

The word fun didn't hurt me. As much as it sounded like I was some whore, it didn't hurt. Even the fact that he sent me pity cash didn't hurt—no it didn't.

But the formality? How it sounded like this was some sort of business? It drove me crazy!

It made me go over all of our previous messages, I cringed at the series of erotic messages, sexual innuendos and cocky moments we shared. I literally held back a very angry Shayne from calling him and yelling at him but it didn't stop her from sending a voice message, telling him to shove his stupid money up his ass right before reversing the it. Sometimes I really wonder how she ended up being a doctor with an attitude like that.

It's been exactly a week since I lost my job at the Nations news company and those days have been hell.

Micah wasn't joking when he said it would be difficult to get a job in this city. You see that's how reporting works.

News companies know news companies that know news companies that know news companies that knows the company I used to work at. The reporting world is a competitive one.

Sometimes, It's like a game of predator and prey, you let one out of your sight, others a willing to grab immediately and most times it's a game of Mutual understanding, we both could win if we play our cards right and that's why I see where Genevieve's coming from when she refused to give me a testimonial.

My portfolio was one to die for, I could get a job in the twinkle of an eye but with a company as influential as The Nations news? All bets were off.

The Nations news was the best there is. It had always been my dream to work at the company right from when I knew I wanted to be a reporter. It wasn't easy to get into a company that big and on top of that the crime Related team? The competition was brutal.

I worked my butt off get into that company. It wasn't just about the money, yes, the money was pretty catchy too but it was about the pride of working for the best news company in and out of the city.

The best day of my life was the day I got the job. Heck! My parents threw me a party and their proud gaze is still fresh in my memory. And it was from that moment that I money from my parents relatively small city to Connecticut.

I didn't stop working hard. I Worked my ass and put myself in dangerous situations till I bagged the award of the best article a year ago. An article that revealed the crimes of the mayor and opened the eyes of the people of the city. My dreams came through. But now? It's just like it never happened.

Now here I was, staring blankly at my computer screen looking at the 10th   application letter I have sent in a week.

Nothing.

Not a single one has gotten attention. Whenever I go back to check the vacancy details, I'd find out that the spot was no longer available. 5 freaking years of experience and not even a single company had any interest in me.

Except for one.

I didn't want to result to it. Damn! I didn't even want to consider it as a choice but it now seemed likely. Shayne had told me to think outside the box. It was my only resort.

It's a small newspaper company. I had sent the application randomly and in less than an hour, the acceptance e-mail stared right back at me in the face. I was hired. The e-mail stated that further details of the job will be discussed when I show up.

What company hires without an interview?

Still, I didn't have a choice.

Maybe this way, I could bring my life back together. It could be my stepping stone to taking charge of my career again. As impossible as it sounds, I want to believe that Riverdale will change my life—for good.

AS the only child of my parents, I received all the love and care in the world. My parents groomed me into the perfect daughter. You see my parents were the true definition of prim and perfect. Emphasis on perfect. I grew up learning to fit into the society and taking control of things.

I wasn't really a goody-two-shoes, I've had my rebellious moments while growing up, courtesy of Shayne but I still made sure I followed my parents perfectly rehearsed life and never disappointed them.

And that's why it felt  like my heart could burst out of my chest as I talked to my parents on the phone. I had told them point blank that I was coming to Riverdale—for days.

My fathers why still hung in the air, they—he especially knew I would never do anything without a reason, that's basically how I was raised.

"Charity my dear, is something wrong? "

I heard my mother's voice from the other end and it sounded so soothing that I wanted to spill it all out but I Swallowed the lump in my throat.

"Mother! I'm fine. Do I need a reason to come sees you? It’s been.... Months" I said instead. My voice is croaky from all the tears and I hoped to God my parents wouldn't notice.

"It's unlike you " Father's deep voice come through. I could picture him, index finger tapping noiselessly on his moustache, something he does when he's trying to read into people. As a retired counselor, I didn't expect less.

"I just miss you guys so much okay? Mum? I miss your special tuna casserole recipe so bad! "

I heard her let out a rather childish giggle. I've got her.

"And your job? You're going to leave it for days ---isn't that irresponsible? "

Father again. I should have known it wouldn't be easy with him, his respect for law and principles scares the hell out of me. My mouth ran dry as I thought of a better excuse than getting leave off work to go see my parents.

"Edward leave the poor child alone, she just misses her mama so bad"

Thank you, mum, I desperately wanted to say

"See you soon my dear! Bye. I love you"

"Love you too mother".

And the line went dead.

I was relieved to the bones the moment the call ended finally letting out the breath stuck somewhere in my throat.

One problem down. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I felt bad for lying to my parents but this was only the first step into getting back on my feet.

Got to bring my shit together and Riverdale holds the key to that. Again, I willed myself to believe that Riverdale would change my life–for good.