Chapter four

I sigh and follow to the kitchen. I pour some coffee in the cup and drink as I look at nothing, thinking of a miserable life I had with a miserable man. I remember the call I have to make and run towards the room, take the newspaper inside my bag and digit the number, take the phone to my ear and starts calling. Four rings later, I am greeted by a gentle voice on the other side of the line.

- Belmontt companies, good morning. What can I do for you?

I swallow a little nervous with the new direction of my life. I’m afraid of not adapting at work and being sent away on the first day, I did a lot of housework in life, but never for other people.

-Good morning! I read the classified in the newspaper and wanted to see if the vacancy for Cleaner is already complete.

I cross my fingers and hope they haven’t filled the slot yet, if they have, I’m so fucked.

- Let me see... No. Not yet busy, would you like to schedule an interview?

I think for a moment if that’s what I really want, but I probably won’t find another opportunity, it’s hard for a foreigner and black to adapt in another country, even if it’s Canada. I take a deep breath making my decision.

- Yeah, I want to set up an interview.

She gives me some information, such as the day, the time and the address. I thank and turn off the phone soon after. It wasn’t that hard, but here comes the worst part... the interview. I have to do everything to be presentable and make a good impression, as much as it is a vacancy for Cleaner, appearance always matters in the professional world, I have to pass the image of a person who will not steal the boss’s room at the first opportunity.

The day of the interview, I wake up earlier than usual, and I feel my stomach turn to think that I will be in front of an unknown person talking about my life. No one can know anything that happened the day I fled here, what I least want is to be arrested or taken back to that hell, the good part is that if so far I have not been deported, meaning that I am not being sought, I mean, Ethan must be fine and he didn’t rat me out.

I may have put up with all that for years, but now it’s different, I woke up to the real world and I know I can survive alone and I don’t need anyone to save me from the cruelties of the world, I’m capable of it myself. The princes are an illusion created by Disney to make us want something we will never find, in reality they are the horses themselves.

I put the best clothes I have, which to be honest is not so great and I try to fix my hair the best way, which is difficult, only those who have curly hair understand my suffering every day. I look at myself in the mirror, enjoying the final result.

- I want to, I can and I can.

I sigh as I admire my reflection and return to the small room. I take my bag and walk down the small narrow corridor, I swear that every night I almost break my two little toes by hitting everything I see in front of me, as soon as I arrive in the room, I take my keys and practically fly out of the apartment after going down the elevator.

The street is never busy, during the night I confess that I am a little scared, it is always so deserted that it seems that evil lives in the shadows just waiting to take the boat. I shake my head to move away these strange thoughts and walk to the nearest taxi rank, I could well go by bus, but I do not want to get all dented in the interview and it is strange to go by car by application to the company owner of the application.

The race to the company cost me my kidney, I almost cried when I paid. After the taxi boy leaves, I turn around and lose my breath when I see the size of the company and the Belmontt name flickering over the building. I notice a lot of people well dressed and with their nose standing walking to one side and the other, all seem to have a very important function and have enough money. I take a deep breath and enter the company, look around admiring the beautiful floor that I swear I could see my reflection in it.

The place is all decorated in shades of white, black and gray, on the walls has a compilation of photos of what was once this place and some works of art. I go back to reality when I feel someone beating against my shoulder, a woman walks by me and doesn’t even apologize.

- Uneducated.

I grumble and go towards the counter where the receptionist is. I put my hands on the surface and smile at the girl who seems to be very friendly.