Hope

Lily

Time skip

I stared down at the same object I had found a month ago. The sole relic from that mysterious night at the hotel when a stranger had whisked me away for a night of desire.

The curiosity was the sole silver lining among the darkness, especially after what happened earlier today.

……

Earlier

I stood straight against the multiple eyes that scrutinised me, a shaky smile on my lips as I tried blinking out the cold realisation seeping into my veins.

The men and women sitting opposite me in my job interview held the same tension, looking at me as though I was alien to them.

It had started well. Greetings were exchanged and polite pleasantries were said. My qualifications had successfully captured their attention.

As I spoke about my past experiences and aspirations, there had been nods of approval and the occasional encouraging smile. The atmosphere had been professional, the questions straightforward, and with concealed joy, hope had bloomed inside me.

But then…

A subtle shift in the atmosphere rose out of nowhere. I noticed, my heart falling slightly as they glanced down at my resume.

“Lilian…Grace.” the raven haired woman in the center drawled out. I felt the tension in her words. Suddenly her gaze, once warm and welcoming, had become distant and- dare I say, cold.

The shift was glaringly obvious now. Silence and tension fell upon the room. I watched as the people around me began looking at each other discreetly, communicating in a silent language I wasn't privy to. Their eyebrows furrowed, and a fleeting expression of discomfort had crossed their face.

It had been a split-second reaction, but I caught it all the same.

When they turned back to me the woman at the forefront smiled jerkily.

“Let's continue.” she spoke.

They continued like normal, but it was too late for that. The conversation had become stilted, and the positive energy had dissipated into a palpable unease. One by one, I answered the remaining questions with a sense of defeat settling in my chest.

“We'll get back to you in a few weeks.” she ended in farewell. No matter how positive the words were, I saw it clearly in her eyes. On all their faces.

I wasn't getting the job.

Now, as I made my way back to my apartment, I couldn't help but replay the interview in my mind. I pondered over every word spoken, every gesture made. It never mattered though. I was always the same result.

Every. Single. Time.

Hours later, I opened my eyes lethargically after a restless sleep. The evening glow filtered through the thin curtains, casting a feeble light across my apartment.

As I stepped out of my bed, the air hung heavy. My eyes wandered over the mismatched furniture within my bedroom as I walked through.

The coffee table bore the scars of countless cups of tea and journaling. The patchy yet cosy armchair by the window had cradled me through my worst moments.

The walls, painted in soft hues of lavender had borne witness to my happiness and sadness and everything in-between.

Framed photographs adorned my space, capturing moments of happiness frozen in time. I paused before one, a nice shot of me and Malina, our faces full of laughter. It was a reminder of simpler days. A time when I felt invincible, like I could conquer the world.

A row of bookshelves lined the far wall, filled with books. They were my companions through sleepless nights and lonely afternoons, offering an escape to worlds far away.

And then there was the mirror in the bathroom where I stood now, splashing water on my face before staring at the reflection. At the face that bore the weight of countless job applications, endless rejections, and the suffocating grip of despair.

I leaned closer, my eyes tracing the lines etched onto my face. The shadows beneath my eyes darkened by sleepless nights and the anxiety of uncertainty. The mirror was a merciless reflection of my growing self doubt.

The large bags under my weary green eyes and frazzled blonde hair perfectly captured my frustration.

My mind went back to the interview today, one amongst many.

It always started with promise, but something always changed in-between. In the end I always met the same disappointing outcome; a polite rejection mail, an apologetic phone call, or worse, deafening silence.

It had been four weeks total, almost a month since my birthday. Where I once hoped I could get a new job in no time, my future and hopes were turning bleak with every day.

The world outside was a lot colder than I remembered.

I gazed into my own eyes, once bright with optimism, now clouded with uncertainty. The relentless questions echoed in my mind.

Was I not saying the right things? How had I messed up in-between? What made them constantly change their minds? Was it the company? Was it my appearance? Or was it…

Sharp heat grew in the back of my eyes from the tears welling up. I swallowed the heavy knot at my throat as I dared bring those words to mund.

‘Was it my fault? Was I not… good enough?’

My insides quivered at the piercing negativity.

I slumped against the bathroom counter, clutching the edge like it was my lifeline. My hands trembled, tears threatening to spill.

The emotions I had suppressed for so long surged to the surface. A turbulent sea of frustration, self-pity, and a gnawing fear of the future. The weight of everything hung over my head like a guillotine. It was too hard to bear.

I was so near giving in to them before I stopped myself.

‘No,’ I whispered to myself.

Shutting my eyes tightly I fought the burning away from my eyes. Looking back up, I surged up whatever strands of determination I bore.

"It's going to get better. I don't know when or how but it's going to get better." I spoke to my reflection, quiet self assurances only spoken within the cool space.

‘It has to.’ I quietly hoped.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened, my eyes still meeting the reflection in the mirror. Giving one last look I turned away , shutting the bathroom door before making my way over to the dresser.

Opening the shelf, I looked down at the item that laid within the hidden area of that expensive dress.

……

And here I was now.

The sleek, blank envelope sat in the drawer.

I remembered the day I first saw it, the shock that passed through me as I took it out of my clothes.

At first sight I questioned the envelope, coming up with all sorts of ideas regarding how it got into the clothing to no avail. Yet, looking at the second reminder of that night, I couldn't help being intimidated at the sight.

‘What if it was a note from him? what if it was accidental?’ I had thought back then.

It may have been something completely bland or something puzzling. The possibilities were endless.

Then reality hit and I forced all thoughts away. It was in the past and I had plenty more things to look after.

And so I pushed it away, keeping it in the drawer.

In the days that followed, I had been consumed by the relentless search for a job, drowning in a sea of rejection emails and unanswered applications.

And now? After another string of rejections that had left me questioning my worth, the urge to open it was unbearable.

Why not open it? What was stopping me from doing so? Even if it wasn't anything truly important, at least I could be distracted for a moment. Anything was better than the disheartening cycle of job hunting that had consumed me.

With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I pulled the envelope from the drawer and slowly slid my finger beneath the flap. It gave way with a soft rustle, revealing—a single black card, pristine and elegant, with a series of numbers printed in bold silver letters. The card bore no name, no indication of its purpose, only those digits.

I stared at it, perplexed and intrigued. What did it mean?

The urge to unravel the mystery overtook me. I picked up my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I dialled the number on the card. Trepidation filled me with every digit. Each one felt like a step into the unknown.

The phone rang twice before a voice answered on the other end.

"Luminous Works. How may I assist you?"

The voice was calm, but I couldn't hold back the shock that sparked through me.

"Um… hello," I began, my voice wavering with uncertainty.

"I... I'm not quite sure why I'm calling, but I received this card with a number, and I thought…” I trailed off, unsure on what to say next.

“What is your name?” the woman on the other side answered.

“Lilian Grace.” I replied.

There came a moment of silence, leaving me with confusion. Before I could ask, the woman spoke.

"I see...We have been waiting for you miss.”

‘What?’ I blinked in confusion,

“You must be calling about the secretary position at Luminous Works. Lilian Grace, correct?”

My heart skipped a beat, and confusion swirled within me. Secretary position? I hadn't applied for a job!

But could I say it?

I contemplated my options. Should I agree for now?

Taking in a deep breath and a silent prayer, I made my decision.

"Yes," I replied, my voice steadier now, tinged with curiosity.

"I... I suppose I am?" My voice pitched high in uncertainty.

The person continued unwavering "Very well. We will scheduled for you tomorrow.. Be there early.”

A location was spouted out. I could barely comprehend it all, dizzy from the turn of events.

Before I could ask any more questions, the call ended abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone in bewilderment.

What had just happened?

Questions popped up in my head.

How did Luminous Works get my credentials? Who had done all of this? These questions swirled in my mind, like a puzzle with missing pieces waiting to be put together.

I looked at the shiny card one more time.

In the end, could I really answer all of those questions? Especially when an opportunity laid in my grasp?

I steeled myself, gripping the card tighter.

Tomorrow, I would go there. If for nothing else, at least for answers.

“Tomorrow…” I trailed into silence, looking down at that card and envelope.

This entire thing was confusing, but still...

looking down at the card and the mention of a job, a twinge of hope bloomed in me.