I extended the end of a bright maroon gloss and glided it over my lips, puckering them slightly to check if they were covered perfectly.
As I stared in the mirror, my t-shirt and jeans were clean. I was ready to go! I leaned down to set my belt, and my long black hair fell over my face.
"Oh damn it!" I tried to push it back with both hands but couldn't get a good grip on the thick strands, "today must be perfect," I muttered as I was done fixing my belt. I leaned back and stared at the mirror one more time, noticing how my jet black eyes looked as dead as ever. My reflection seemed to stare right through me like I wasn't even there. As I took in some air, I realized that this wasn't all bad. If I could just keep my mind occupied enough, the emptiness would fade away, almost as if it were dreaming of something else.
One last glance at myself and I was ready for the interview.
I grabbed my phone to check it but the time triggered me, "How am I late? I woke up early just for this!"
I grabbed my bag and shoved the strawberry into my mouth as I rushed to my new office.
"Ms Irene, there you are. I was looking for you." Seeing Emma's face calmed me down.
"Did I make it on time?" My hands got cold from anxiety since this job was my last hope.
"Don't panic. I think you're next."
I took a deep breath with desperation and hope to enter the room as the door closed behind me when I saw Emma giving me a thumbs up.
The whirring smoke around the espresso was giving off a hint of roasted walnuts as I stared at its love shape on the top. Letting out a long sigh, I sipped into the cup to think how nine years of my life went by in unemployment.
"It tastes like my life. I wonder what they're doing now. Did he grow up and get married?" I let out a sad chuckle, "Of course he is. Who will stay unmarried until age 28?"
Well, except for an independent person like me who decided not to marry and live a life for myself. My father sent me on countless dates and I declined all of them, seeing their personality. Marriage isn't for a person like me who has no interest in men. As for my sister, who returned home with her husband, is now living in Los Angeles with two kids.
My thoughts got interrupted by the sound of the commotion near the entrance. I peeked from my left shoulder to see the barista with a troubled expression towards a Karen.
"Where's your manager? How dare you talk to me like that? Do you know who I am?" The Karen was screaming with all the strength she had, probably because she had a glassful of caffeine.
"That's what I said, mam. If you're so much of a higher person, you shouldn't be ordering in this kind of places." Hearing this from the barista, a little whistle slipped out of my lips.
As for Karen, her eyes looked blood-soaked and wide like a witch's as she placed a loud slap on his face, which didn't sit right with me at all.
"What do you think you're doing?" I stood up when everyone's gaze was on me. That ginger-haired woman turned to me as if I was her slave who didn't know her place and that made me even more irritated.
"Do you know what happened here? Who are you to butt in?" Even her voice made my skin crawl.
As I walked closer, I heard another voice saying, "I saw. Lady, you should get a break and leave. Can't you even realize how everyone's looking at you?"
She took a glimpse at the room and rolled her eyes, "Fine, I'll let this go for now. Hmph, these commoners!"
I stared at her unsightly back as she walked out.
"This wasn't necessary but thank you for your help, mam." The barista put on a smile and spoke softly.
Now that I've taken a closer look, he looked kind of endearing and sweet with his blond hair. Those emerald like green eyes proved he was a pure Russian.
"I couldn't just sit back since I hate karens. Is your cheek okay?"
"Yes, of course. That was like a faint breeze." He scoffed, flashing the dimple on the right cheek.
I passed the card on the table but he glanced at me to return it, "It's on the house."
"I won't refuse it then," I smirked and walked out.
__________
My eyes snapped open at the sound of my ringtone. I picked up the phone, thinking about who might be calling me since there was no one other than Emma.
"Is this Ms Hensley?" The voice over the phone spoke first.
"Yes, how may I help you?"
"You were accepted for the job. I had to call you personally since you were the first to get selected by the CEO."
I blinked twice to capture his words in my mind, "Is this a prank call?"
"No, Ms Hensley. You can start working today at 5 PM."
"I-I understand. Thank you, I'll be there by 5."
After hanging up, I dropped myself on the bed while staring at the ceiling, "I really got the job!" A heap of overjoy gathered inside of me.
After making sure Emma also got the job, I slid open my wardrobe to check the best dress for my first day at work.
In the middle of the tightly-packed mass of people, Emma waved at me. "Ms Irene! You're on time."
"When will you stop calling me Ms? Call me Irene," I said while walking towards the elevator that had no people in front of it.
"Sure, but why're you taking this elevator?" I saw Emma's confused face.
"What's wrong with it? There's less p-" Before I could finish the Elevator door slid open and my heart thundered in my chest seeing a tall man in a neat suit and tie. His straight composure and cold gaze of his brown eyes were aimed right at me. He smirked as he walked out and it was as cold as frost on a windowpane.
I thought time stopped for a moment as I clenched my heart, thinking for a reason that I felt that way until Emma pulled me.
"No, it can't be. Was that Ethan? But how?" My trembling hands hovered just above my skin when my heart was ramming against my ribcage.