Chapter 2

In the confines of her cubicle, Emily sat focused at her messy desk. Papers, pens,  and sticky notes covered her space. A cactus plant was set on the side, the only decoration on her table aside from hundreds of pens, notebooks, and sticky notes. 

"Mr. Sterling's 10 a.m. with the board got bumped to 11," Emily said calmly.

As she sorted Oliver's schedule, a quick look at the pic on her desk of a financial goal scribbled on a note by her desk.

Her goal of hitting a $1 million mark within a certain time frame was like her guiding star. But as the night dragged on, frustration started creeping into her expression. She double-checked her progress last night, studying the numbers with a wrinkled forehead as she faced a setback in her carefully planned-out goals.

With a heavy sigh, Emily leaned back in her chair, her fingers massaging her temples as she stared at the screen. As the night wore on and the clock struck midnight, she found herself the only soul in the company. Exhaustion hung heavy on her shoulders.

"Man, I'm beaten," Emily muttered to herself, rubbing her tired eyes as she shut down her computer. She felt utterly drained and worn out.

Gathering her things, Emily walked through the eerily quiet office, shadows stretching from the flickering lights. She longed for the comfort of her bed.

"Maybe I should just quit," she pondered out loud, her voice echoing in the empty office. 

She sighed deeply, considering the temptation to walk away from the grind. But the hefty paycheck kept her tied to the job. Her footsteps echoed in the empty hall. The guard gave her a nod and opened the door. 

“Be safe on your way, Ms. Collins” 

“I will, thank you” she said with a small smile. 

That guard was used to her getting out late.

She stepped into the cool night air, a tired sigh escaping her lips. The lively cityscape in the day seemed like a ghost town now. She made her way to her car and silently drove to her apartment.

"Can't give up," she muttered to herself with a sigh, "The pay's too good to walk away from."

Reaching her apartment, there is a modest spot tucked away in the city. Fishing out her keys, she unlocked the door with a tired sigh, just craving the comfort of her couch.

Her small place, lit by a flickering lamp, welcomed her. The place wasn't much.

Letting out a tired sigh, she undid the pins holding her neat bun, letting her ginger hair fall freely around her shoulders. Emily took off her glasses, placing them on the table, revealing her hazel eyes and the sprinkle of freckles along her nose.

Dropping her bag, she headed to the window overlooking the street. In the evening's dim light, she grabbed a container of cat food from the windowsill and spread the food outside, hoping to attract some of the stray cats that hung around now and then.

Watching the cautious felines approaching, their hungry cries breaking the quiet night, Emily felt a tug at her heart. She wanted to adopt one of them. But then came the guilt—knowing her job would keep her away for long stretches, she wouldn't give the pet the time they deserved.

"I wish I could take care of you," Emily murmured, watching the cats nibble at the food. 

She knew her lifestyle's limits—a demanding job and boss. With a heavy heart, she shut the window, the cats' meows fading into the night. 

After taking a bath, feeling refreshed, she headed to the kitchen and whipped up some noodles—her go-to comfort food. With a steaming bowl of noodles in hand, she settled on her couch, tuning in to her favorite drama on her phone that she was always late on watching.

Just as the tension in the drama reached a peak, her phone flashed with an incoming call. Pausing the show, she answered and immediately heard her older sister's voice on the line. 

"Hey, Em, I know you're still awake" Emily's older sister's voice sounded warm and familiar through the phone. “How's everything going?”

"Hey, Elaine. I'm good, just got home," 

"At this hour? Still keeping crazy hours huh?" 

"Yeah, it's been pretty hectic. But I'm managing. How about you? How's the family?"

"We're all good here. I and Thomas also just got home from Aunt Petty’s house. Our cousins invited us. Then Mom is still busy with her work as always and…..Dad bought a land" 

She frowned, “A land? For what?”

Her sister chuckled, “You know the usual stuff. But enough about us. How are you really doing, Em? Is anything new or exciting happening in your life? Got a boyfriend?"

“My boyfriend is my work, Sis” Emily paused, swirling the noodles absentmindedly in her bowl. "There was nothing new. Just trying to stay on top of work and, you know, the usual routine."

"Gosh, you’re too devoted to your work. You even take care of the personal matters of your boss. I know that he pays you fairly but you need to take a break sometimes, Em. You work too hard! Have you thought about going back home—here?"

"Soon..." 

"Listen, Emily," her sister said firmly, "You deserve some time off. Don't forget to take care of yourself. Promise me you'll consider it, okay?"

"I promise I'll think about it, sis. Thanks for looking out for me."

After catching up for a while longer, Emily and her sister eventually said their goodbyes. As the call ended, Emily let out a deep sigh. 

She leaned back on the couch, the remnants of her meal still on the coffee table. Completely forgotten. She glances at the family picture she has on her shelves. Her mind drifted back to her goal. 

“I need to achieve that first before going back home, Sis,” she muttered to herself. 

Her voice echoed in the silence of the living room.