Chapter 1: Destiny

Do you believe that destiny will give you what you deserve? Well, if I could touch destiny, I would smack it. Why? Simply because destiny is my worst enemy.

Can you imagine it? I am already mid-twenties .I am twenty-seven years old, and has yet to find a decent and nice job.

Honestly speaking, she isn’t smart, and her looks aren’t beyond average either. She is also small and mistaken for a teenager because her height doesn’t match her age. She has wavy hair with curls on the edges, and her eye color is butterscotch. She is half Filipina-American. Because her life is complicated, she learned to be an independent woman at a young age. When she says it’s complicated, it means her life stinks.

“I think I’m really unlucky, Tiffany,” I said tearfully to my best friend, Tiffany Maurer, while drinking coffee at a coffee shop near the company where the woman worked. My best friend had just come home from a business trip, so we decided to get together to celebrate her return.

I tried to apply for a job for the nth time, but to no avail. As expected, it didn’t go well. The company texted me to inform me that I had failed to pass the interview. It wasn’t as if it was the first time, but I couldn’t seem to get used to it.

I couldn’t help but recall my childhood with a twinge of bitterness from my past. My world was turned upside down fifteen years ago when my parents died in a car accident, which was the cause of my downfall. I was left with nothing and had to fend for myself.

In the blink of an eye, everything in my life vanished into thin air, as if continuing to live would be such a waste of time. Everything I remembered had only become a fragment of my memory. They slipped away all at once.

Their company went bankrupt, and the best option was to move to another town to run away from loan sharks that were chasing me to charge me on my father’s debt.

I grew up with Eleanor Finley, my reliable godmother, who adopted me after my parents had died. My godmother, like me, had been living alone since her husband died a year after their wedding, and they had no children, adding to her longing and misery. Eleanor and I shared a house under one roof. We considered ourselves family. We formed a special bond, and it was a mother-daughter relationship.

However, as I entered ninth grade, my godmother, whom I acknowledged to be my mother, passed away as well. It turned out Eleanor had a serious illness that she had kept hidden from me. I was deeply saddened by her death because I felt indebted to her for taking care of me and being with me, even if only for a short time.

I took on various jobs to support myself and my education now that I was back on my own. I assumed I would have and live a good life after graduating from college, but I was mistaken. Yet, I remained unbreakable in a life full of twists and turns. Despite my past scars,I appeared unbothered by loneliness and melancholy. I am, indeed, a fearless woman. I am indestructible.

Tiffany rolled her eyes. “You’re not, okay? You just haven’t found the right job for you yet.”

I pursued my lips, and adjusted my bangs. “Then, what job is perfect for me? At the age of twenty-seven, I should be working to become stable, looking for love, and living the best life there is, but here I am, jobless and penniless.”

“Let me think…” My best friend pretended to be contemplating while holding its chin. “Perhaps digging graves is the best career for you,” Tiffany quipped, having fun teasing me.

 I scowled and shot my friend a sharp glare. “Tsk! It’s not funny! You’re not making me feel any better.”

I shook my head and frowned, becoming intrigued as Tiffany rummaged through my bag. When I noticed a paper coming out, I jerked an eyebrow. My friend handed me a newspaper and pointed to a large front page, which read the details in the headline.

The President of Crimson Group Incorporation is hiring for a secretary. If you are interested in the position, please contact us or visit our company for the application.

“Why don’t you try applying here?” Tiffany suggested.

Instead of being happy, I became even sadder. I was eager to give it a shot, but I knew the company. It is one of the most famous companies in the country. To my dismay, I would have a difficult time searching for a job.

“In the company you’re working at?”

Tiffany nodded, her voice brimming with excitement. “Yes, why? Is there a problem with that?”

I waved both my hands dismissively. “No, thank you.”

“Why not? Just keep trying until you get a job!”

“I’m not sure, Tiff. Do you think I can get in there? If they see my record, they might drag me out. They wouldn’t want an inexperienced employee in their company, right?”

It caused my friend to sigh. “Come on, Mallory! Don’t look at it in a negative way! There’s no harm in trying, and why bother worrying when you have nothing to lose?”

I crossed my arms across my chest. “What do you mean, there will be no loss? If I don’t get the job, my self-esteem will plummet even further.”

“Then, just dig graves! You’re hopeless.” Once again, Tiffany rolled her eyes, shaking her head. I stared at my friend, mouth agape.

Is she really my friend?

I sipped my coffee and let out a burdensome sigh, peering out into the clear blue sky, considering my friend’s tempting offer.

Will I accept the job? Or will I pass up the opportunity?

***

I took a deep breath before entering the company in front of me. I was even more nervous because it looked like I would be blocked by the guard at the entrance. I wasn’t comfortable in a skirt, so Ionly wore jeans and a formal blouse.

“Good morning, ma’am,” I greeted the woman behind the counter. I smiled to make it easier for me to breathe. Those who came out were treated rudely by the intimidating woman at the registrar’s office.

“Good morning. What can I do for you?”

I released a subtle smile. “I would like to apply for the position of secretary. Where can I give my resume?”

It’s a good thing I was accompanied by a nice front desk receptionist. I didn’t want to get into any trouble with my application.

“Ah, yes, ma’am. You can give it to me, and I’ll send it to the president’s office. He’ll make the decision.”

My eyebrows formed a thin line. “Will there be no interview?”

It’s weird because, shouldn’t there be at least a test or an interview?

“No, as long as you fit the president’s likings, you have a chance to be hired,” the woman replied, explaining the company’s policy.

That’s when I winced. If my personal information is used as the basis for the qualification, I am out. I has no prior experience and is a failure. I doesn’t have much quality. I has no chance of passing at all.

“Oh, is that so? All right, here it is.”

I handed my resume. The woman smiled and picked up my folder. “Got it, ma’am. Wishing you good luck! I hope you get the job.”

“Thank you,” I said before leaving.

I made my way to the exit of the company; I came to a screech halt and scratched my head, remembering I didn’t have any money to buy food today. It was inconvenient to bother Tiffany, especially since I was only going to borrow money from her again. Because my mind was wandering somewhere else, I was completely unaware of a vehicle approaching me.

“Oh, God!” I screamed when I heard the car horn. My eyes widened as I realized it was speeding towards me. I was immobile and frozen in place. It was as if the car was slowing around me and I was just waiting for it to hit me.

But, before anything could happen, the car stalled. My entire body trembled at what had happened. A few people were staring at me, and murmuring because of the terrifying incident –my first near-death experience.

I gasped for air, panting before glaring at the car that had almost hit me. “Hey, you! Are you crazy?!” I yelled like a gangster on the streets.

I kicked the car’s tire, which caused me to wince as I felt the stinging pain.

“Get out of there! I’m going to charge you with attempted murder!”

I backed away as the sports car door opened. I first saw the black shoes, which were obviously expensive because of the polish. My face was ashamed of its luster.

“What if you killed me–” I began only to be distracted after catching a glimpse of the man’s face. My lips parted open, as if I was mesmerized by a celebrity.

In all my life, he was probably the most handsome man I had ever seen. Because his eyes were on me, I swallowed the lump in my throat. He was frowning, and for me, he was intimidating. His blue eyes were filled with annoyance, but also with concern?

“Are you insane, miss? Why weren’t you looking at where you’re going?”

My lips hung open again, not because of its beauty, but because of embarrassment.

Antipathetic!

Irritation and anger gave way to a wave of surprise. “Me? Insane?! You nearly killed me!”

He rubbed his nose. “Exactly, what are you doing, and why are you crossing the road as if you’re daydreaming?”

Ouch! Well, that’s true, but it still hurts. It was partly my fault, but I refused to take the blame.

I bit her bottom lip. I didn’t notice the young man’s eyes were following the movement of her lips. He swallowed, averted his eyes, and cleared his throat.

He slid his hands into his pocket. “Do you want me to bring you to the hospital?”

I shook my head immediately, disagreeing at a swift speed. It would only be quite expensive, and I couldn’t afford to pay if he charged me a fortune! I still doesn’t have any money and I looks fine, except for my face, which is enchanted by the handsome man in front of me, and the trembling of her thigh because San Pedro almost took him, nonetheless, I am okay.

“No, I’m fine.”

The young man squinted. He also didn’t pay attention to the people who were staring at them because they knew who he was.

“Are you sure?”

I quickly nodded before bowing, “I-I’m sorry! Goodbye!”I said before running away.

I hoped we wouldn’t cross paths again because it was embarrassing for me.