It was a normal day. There was nothing special or out of the ordinary just like always.
I woke up and got ready in my small apartment before I started to move out. It was long when I started staying here in a city known for its high key life, a city that fulfilled the dream.
I can only sigh when I think about it as I look back at my closed apartment door. Well everyone says how many people have achieved success but very few tell how hard it is to actually make it here.
I started walking as I smiled at my neighbors. I feel lucky to at least have good and supporting people around me. As I hailed a cab and sat, my phone started ringing. I looked down only to realize that it was my mother who was calling me.
I sighed as I took the call, and the angry voice of my mother sounded. "Rose, where are you?"
"Mom, I am on my way to the office."
"Office, Office." my mother's voice was increasing and I could feel it through the receiver. I was thankful that I wasn't at home otherwise the situation would have been completely different. "Do you even know what day it is?"
I was confused by my mother's words. I looked at the phone and saw the date. '10th February.'
I could only close my eyes and get my ears ready to be scolded. "Rosabel McCarthy, are you listening to me?"
I swallowed as I knew that my mother only uses my full name when she is extremely angry and annoyed.
"I know, I know." I said hurriedly, "I haven't forgotten your words."
I can hear my mother taking deep breaths to control herself as she said the words. "You better not forget what you promised me." before she kept the phone.
I closed my eyes as I looked outside the window. The fast moving cars and tall buildings filled my vision. The city looked beautiful at night when all the nights in the building twinkled. Just like fireflies but in the daytime, only people could be seen, rushing to go to work, trying not to be late.
I took a deep breath as my mother's words filled my mind. 'Don't forget what you promised me.' My eyes closed automatically to refuse it.
My mother was a very strong headed person. Maybe I have had those traits embedded in me since young. I can only imagine what my mother would do if I don't find a partner fast.
I sighed as I continued looking outside. I could see the love that was overflowing in the air. For a person who only had a crush but not love, it was a little difficult to watch. The couples were giving each other hugs, somewhere kissing while others held each other's hand.
I shook my head as I waited for the cab to reach my company.
—----
"Rose you are late." My supervisor Ella said in an annoying tone.
I took a deep breath as I looked down at my watch to see the time. '9:56 am'. I could not believe that she could say that to me. Just because I was a new employee on probation? The company timing was from 10:00 am and yet I was early. I wished I could shout and say that to her but I could not. I looked down as if I was sorry for my actions as I said. "I am sorry. It won't happen again."
"It should be better not," Ella said in an irritated tone as she passed a file to me. "Complete this and bring it to my table before 2."
I could only bit my anger as I took the file respectively. I gave her the sweetest smile I could and moved towards my table.
"Did you meet the demon?" Jane said in a soft tone as she moved her chair towards me.
I raised the file slightly before putting it on the table in annoyance. "Imagine."
Jane was one of my best friends in the company. We had joined the company at the same time and were working together. I could still remember the time when Jane and I first met. We didn't interact that much. Maybe it was the fear but soon we started facing problems and none of the managers were that helpful so we had to communicate.
Although we still had to keep on asking for help from the supervisors, Jane and I connected. I found that we had similar interests and hobbies. And once you have things in common the initial awkward stage is crossed then everything works perfectly.
"What is it today?" Jane asked as he rested her head on her hands. "Plans for promoting valentines day?"
I read the contents of the file as I nodded. I could not believe that Jane would get it, spot on.
"WHAT REALLY?" Jane's excited voice said, which made my heart frightened. I knew that my eyes would have widened as I hit Jane's arms. "Be quiet."
Jane shrugged her shoulders as she smiled. I of all the people with this smile, the smile that was ready to gossip.
"What is she telling you to do?"
I read the contents as I rolled my eyes. I could never guess why would Ella make me do this work.
"She wants me to search the recent trends and come up with five ideas to promote the beverages that they are planning to launch on valentines day." I could hear the sadness in my own voice.
"She really is too much. We are not permanent employees here yet and still, they make us work like this." Jane complained. "What would happen if we got the permanent position?"
"What can happen? We only have 15 more days to serve as temporary employees, to get out of probation. We will be getting a permanent position soon."
"But these 15 days are not easy at all." Jane sighed as she murmured. "It's the cost to pay for working at Kennington Corporate."
"You are right." I opened my computer as I started doing the research. The theme for Valentine's Day is love. What else could it be? But to my surprise, there were different types of love. Gentle, rough, dominating, cute ..
"Look at your face. You look like a person that has lost all the hopes in life." Jane laughed as she looked at my computer screen.
"I truly have."
"Why is she giving you all these things?" Jane said angrily as her eyes narrowed. "Yesterday she asked you to write some reports about the gaming company's recent marketing strategies too."
"I asked Ella, she said I have to do all the work as we are hired for the corporate office."
"That is bul…"
"Jane." I raised my tone to make her quiet. I know that it makes no sense but I have come to a realization that when you keep your step into a new world, it is never easy.
"Don't look at me like that Rose, I swear to god that even if Ella makes you do all the work she would be taking credit for it."
"Even if it is true, I have no right to question her. Haven't you seen what happened a few days ago when I tried talking to Mr. Fitz?"
Jane was quiet for a few seconds as she was looking at her phone. Her eyes were glowing as if she had found something interesting.
"What? Did you and your boyfriend make Valentine's Day plans?" I asked her but then I saw Jane's face showing annoyance.
"Or not" I murmured as I shook my head.
"He and I both do not have holidays, and to be honest I don't feel like wasting one more holiday. Who knows how Ella would react if I take a leave on the 14th."
I laughed as I whispered to Jane. "She would probably kill you for having a boyfriend."
Jane laughed along with me. "True, but that was not something that got me interested. Have you not checked the group?"
Jane pushed the phone towards me as she said with a smile. My eyes could see a man walking through the front door. Although the picture was quite blurry, I could see that the man had a fit body and a personality.
"There was some news that the president would be resigning and the position will be taken over by his son. But I didn't know that he would take charge so soon."
"His son? I think he had his own company as well?" I remembered seeing the news. The Kennington Corporate was not a small company. They were like an umbrella consisting of many companies in different sectors. From fashion, makeup to gaming and electronics. Any news that affected the company was blown and exploited.
"Yes, he had an entertainment company when he returned back from abroad. I think it has only been three years and now it's one of the top 3 entertainment companies." Jane said as she scrolled down her phone.
"He must be good at his work," I murmured as I pushed the man's thoughts behind my back. I started scrolling down the pages and I noted the concept. I did not have time to think about anything else. If I did not deliver the work on time, then Ella would write a bad review about me.
Although I did not want to think in that way, I had no choice. I had seen the way Ella had been evaluating my work over the past few days.
"I heard his methods are ruthless as he is known as the devil of the business world." Jane was still talking as she played with her phone. "But the man is really handsome."
"You have a boyfriend Jane," I said in a soft tone.
"Hey, I know that and I love him the most. But I am just admiring beauty. It's not a crime." Jane returned as she kept the phone and looked at my note. I can hear her sigh. "Give this thing here and let me help you. I don't understand why Ella would give a person who had never been in a relationship such kind of work. I bet she wants to embarrass you."
I saw Jane take it as she started writing it down in the notebook. I could see Jane working on it with interest. "You are really into it," I said as I saw Jane writing everything with a speed of light.
"That is because I have been dating for years. I know what young love feels like as well as mature." Jane hit my forehead which hurt a lot. "Unlike someone who just knows how to admire from afar."
"Ouch!" I rubbed my forehead as I looked up. "But there are many who do not have a Valentine."
Jane laughed as she said. "Then include that as well in the idea."
I nodded as I started working. Jane was beside me when Ella came as she rolled her eyes. I could see the unhappiness in her gaze. "Jane, complete this and keep it on my desk till the end of the day."
Jane took the file as she sat back. We both saw Ella leave our table as she walked in her high heels. Jane and I both looked at each other with a smile.
"She is angry," I whispered.
"I think she is jealous of you." Jane winked as she opened the file.
I shook my head. "I don't think that is the case."
"You don't understand anything Rose. But make sure that you don't cross her at least for now." Jane advanced in a friendly way.
"Why would I cross her?"
"I just have a hunch that she might be up to something," Jane said in a meaningful way as she looked at the file in my hand. I could not understand what Jane meant until her assumptions came true.