"What! That lady is definitely you! I mean it's only the right explanation, but who could the guy be and why haven't you met him yet!!' Emily let out a sigh
"So it's really me then? I wonder why I always feel this thing in my heart after every dream, it's like his soul is calling out to mine and it's crazy because I turned down most guys hoping one day he'd come along but here I am and he's nowhere to be found,"
Marilyn muttered
"Oh, well...uhm, it could just be a dream and even if it's real, you said it seemed like she was in great danger, Maybe you should just avoid whatever it is and move on. Live your life my dear cousin, make way for love," Emily looked at Marilyn with a face that showed she wanted the best for her
"Mmhmm," Marilyn nodded "So tell me all about yourself, your love life and new friends and how was your experience in Australia?"
"Amazing," Emily said with a slight blush
"Wait, you're seeing someone?"
"Well," Emily giggled
"I knew it, I definitely knew it, you look completely different, like someone who's seeing someone," Marilyn laughed making Emily laugh out as well
"I missed you," Emily said
"I missed you more Mimi," Marilyn replied as a sad look covered her face
"I know that look, so sorry it has to be my family that would be putting you through all this or I would have whooped their asses like I did those bullies in highschool days!" Emily scowled
"I know," Marilyn laughed "thank you Mimi, I'm so glad you're here now."
Emily replied with a warm smile that showed she was always welcome.
_____
"I got the job," Agnes shouted as she made awkward dance moves in the dining
Emily looked up at her "A job?"
"Yes, at Chic fashion house," Agnes replied in excitement
Marilyn started choking on her tea as soon as she heard the name of the company. That's the same company she had applied to, but since her phone got broken there's no way she could access her email to know if she had gotten an acceptance mail from them. She was also shocked at the fact that Agnes applied at her dream company and got selected, not like Agnes didn't have the fashion or modeling skills needed, she was a beauty with brains too but she never showed interest and even always discouraged Marilyn about applying to the company because it was too big and a hard shot.
"Isn't that Marilyn's dream company?" Emily asked. She was happy for her sister but also curious as to when she developed interest in working at a company she always talked down on to Marilyn
"Well, I've also always talked about it. I'm so happy right now. I was asked to come for an interview by Monday. Whooooo. Muuuuum," Agnes screamed in excitement as she ran from the dining to give her mother the good news upstairs.
"Wow, I'm shocked but happy for Agnes. Knowing she could ever be passionate about something that involves working," Emily laughed as she took a bite from the cookie on her plate
Marilyn formed a fake smile "me too, uhm, do you mind if I check my email with your phone later on?" She asked
"Sure, of course," Emily answered
"Thank you," Marilyn replied
"But what happened to your phone?" Emily asked
"I guess I skipped that part! Agnes broke it," she replied
"Wait, what! Why would she do that! And why did you let her?" Emily asked surprisingly
"There's just so little I could do around here. She thought I was flirting with her ex and just assumed and jumped into conclusions! But it's alright I'm used to all that. I just really need to check my mail," Marilyn answered
"My phone is currently charging in my room. You can go ahead and use it once you're done eating," she said "and yeah the password is Sammie," She added with a slight blush on her cheek that failed to go unnoticed by Marilyn
"Oh, my! Emily, I know that look and then the password is a guy's name. Emily you're in love," Marilyn squealed "you would have to tell me all about this guy that's making your cheeks so red."
"Did I make it that obvious? there's actually a lot to talk about," Emily giggled
"You'll tell me all about it when you finish having your breakfast," Marilyn smiled back
*******
Emily walked into her room to see Marilyn crying. She wondered what could have happened and rushed over to her immediately
"Mari what's wrong?" She asked as she raised Marilyn's face up.
"I didn't get the job," Marilyn replied as tears accompanied her words
"Wait, you... you applied," Emily asked
Marilyn nodded with tears still flowing down her face
"Oh, dear. Come here" Emily pulled Marilyn into a hug "but I just don't get it. How could they ever not accept you? I guess you were too good for them," she said angrily, making Marilyn giggle. She loved how Emily was trying to make her feel better but how can she, Marilyn Peterson, ever be too good for the chic fashion house!
"Thank you Mimi," she smiled
"Always and forever Mari," Emily replied "what can I do to cheer you up?... let me see. How about I tell you all about my love experience at Australia?"
The expression on Marilyn's face changed into a relieved one that gave Emily a go ahead
"So his name is Sam, we met at a party a friend invited me to...."
______
Marilyn's life was never a convenient one, she faced several mental and emotional abuse from her aunt Margaret, and Agnes for so long that all the pain they caused her became a norm, so every time she faced an abuse from them she looked at pictures of the chic fashion house and found solace in the fact that one day she would work with them. Now that she hadn't gotten a mail from them, all hope was gone, even though she spent the night laughing at Emily's jokes, her heart was troubled. It really is over. Her fate must have been a cursed one that involves her spending her life with her toxic aunt and cousin, the only thing hopeful about living with them was Emily!
She had cried all night in her room thinking of ways to break herself free. She thought about running away but considered Emily's feelings if she disappeared without saying a word, and where would she stay, how would she get money for an apartment? After thinking about all these things, she decided to accept her fate and keep living with them, but she could only keep surviving with them if she had her phone. Avicii and Sia's songs were like medicine to her soul.
A loud noise erupted from Marilyn's room, thankfully her aunt and Agnes were still fast asleep
Emily rushed in to see broken pieces of Marilyn's piggy bank. She was shocked because Marilyn has had that piggy bank since they were kids and never broke it even when she needed it the most.
"Marilyn! What's going on?"
Marilyn looked at her in frustration, with dark eye circles that made her look like she hasn't slept in years.
"I need to buy a phone," She sighed
Emily stood and remained silent. She was hurt that Marilyn was going through so much pain that was caused by her family and there's only so little she could do. The one time she tried standing up for Marilyn when they were little her mother almost disowned her. And how could she ever choose another over her family, even though they were toxic, they still had their good side, which they only showed to her of course.
"Okay, you do that and let's clear this mess," she gestured her hands towards the broken pieces of the piggy bank and turned towards the door to go get Parker and broom
"Wait," Marilyn called out, making Emily turn around
"Can you not tell Mum or Agnes about this?" She asked
"Sure," Emily answered