Pamela;
"We'll get back to you."
The words rang in my head as I moved like a mindless zombie through the mall. I have heard those words so many times in this lifetime that I know what they mean. It actually means I FLOPPED the interview.
It means I am not what they were looking for, and they actually will not get back to me. Except with the rejection email, of course…
Like the other 20 hideous ones I've received this month alone. The number's about to pump up to 21. Just when I thought I couldn't set a new record. If I keep going like this, I just might have one rejection mail for every day of the month.
I mean, I'm already on the right path.
My phone dings in my hand, and when I look down at it, it's a message from my younger brother William.
*Sis, we're out of Milk.*
I sigh before pushing the trolley towards the dairy aisle. My phone dings again, and this time, it's a message from my landlady. I stop dead in my tracks as I open the message, and the remaining drops of hope I had in my system vanish.
*This is a general UNNEGGOTIABLE announcement. The rent is going up by 30% starting next month. As we all know, we have rodent problems, leaky pipes, and the gate has fallen off again. We need money to fix all this. If you can not or do not pay next month, you will be evicted. That's all. Happy Easter!!*
I stare at the message for a few seconds. Frozen in place, and unable to process what I just read.
30%!!!
Where the hell am I supposed to get that kind of money? My pay from the strip club and the few tips I get are what help Williams and me scale through. Even at that, it's almost maddening to feed, clothe and live properly. And now this bitch has the nerve to… She even wished us Happy Easter! What's happy about this Easter???
I'm barely through with my train of thought when another Message from William pops up.
*Did you get the milk? We also don't have any eggs.* The message reads, and I take a deep breath.
I feel a scream bubble at the bottom of my throat, but I can't scream like some lunatic where there are so many people.
"I need a drink," I whisper to myself before putting my phone on silent mode and pushing the trolley to the alcohol aisle. It's been a long day. I'm just gonna drink and sleep the rest of it away till it's time to go to the club.
I'm about to be homeless anyway. I'd better enjoy what having a roof over my head feels like before hell comes down next month, cause I don't know the miracle that's going to happen before then-
I come back to earth when I suddenly bump into something… Someone. Firm. Tall. And definitely expensive-smelling. His cologne smells like it costs more than my monthly rent.
My collision with this person, however, caused the box of chocolate in their hand to fall to the ground, and my eyes widen.
"Oh my… I'm so sorry I wasn't…" I begin, but my words stick in my throat when I look up, and the man I just bumped into turns to look at me.
He has piercing, light green eyes, and black hair that's been neatly gelled back. His lips are so pink they're almost red… His nose is pointed, and his jaw line… Wow. He's gorgeous!
"Are you blind?!" He suddenly demands, and just like that, every attraction that built up in my system for him vanishes.
"Sorry?" I question, and he turns properly to me with one hand in his pocket. He looks like money… Smells like money, but that doesn't mean he gets to be rude… Or look at other people like they're beneath him… It might be true, but still.
"I said. Are you blind? This is a public space. Can't you look where you're going?" He replies, and my jaw drops.
"I was just about to apologise," I state, and he huffs.
"And that will unquash the chocolates? Look where you're going next time. Your eyes aren't under your feet!" The handsome brute spits rather arrogantly, and I glare at him.
I walk away from my trolley and pick up the ruined box of chocolate. I look at the price tag, and I see that it's worth $35.
Thirty-five dollars for chocolate!? What? Willy Wonka made it???
I groan in annoyance as I weigh the situation. I don't have enough money for this, but my pride won't let me apologise to this rude human. The more I apologise, the more his arrogance will sting.
Deciding to sacrifice logic to soothe my pride, I walk back to my trolley and drop the chocolate in it before reaching for my purse.
"Since a box of chocolate is more important than manners to you…" I begin as I start to pull out a few dollar bills from my purse with a heavy heart.
"Get yourself another box!" I add as I grab his hand and slap 35 dollars into it.
My heart screams in my chest at this decision, but my pride is satisfied. SO satisfied.
I soak in the stunned expression on his face before grabbing my trolley and walking away while internally cursing myself for what I just did.
So much for alcohol. I'll just get William his Milk and eggs. Hopefully, I'll get something to drink at the club. And PLEASE. Please god, don't bring any annoyance customers my way tonight, cause I swear I'd smach a bottle across someone's head if they piss me off… I'll probably be dead the next second after doing it.
But I'd still do it.
And Lord knows I will.
So, please don't stress me tonight. This is already a shit enough day.
"If you send me any stupid customer, I'll send him right back to you."