The weekend was finally over, and Emma was back behind her counter at a store where she sold clothes. She worked as a salesgirl and cashier at the store and loved the job more than anything in the world.
"Ugh, I hate this job!" Emma exclaimed as she rested her head on her counter. She had sacs under her eyes like she hadn't slept for a while, and her once glimmering ruby-red eyes had turned grayish and lifeless.
"Common, don't say that… You've done this job for years now and you've loved it so far." her co-worker Natasha, said, placing her left palm on Emma's back.
"I want something more, Natasha. I'm a designer, I design clothes. And I'm supposed to be with the biggest clothing companies in the city, but no! I'm stuck behind this marble desk counting money I don't even own."
"Hmm… I'm sure it'll happen one day, just keep dreaming…" Natasha said. Emma turned to her, and replied, "That sounds more sarcastic than encouraging."
Natasha was an 18-year-old girl, who hailed from Fraidland, one of the five continents that made up the world. She was a redhead with bright orange eyes and brown freckles on her cheeks and nose. She had a dream to travel around the world and see all the beautiful and exotic animals and plants the earth had to offer.
"Emma Jackson, please report to my office immediately…" A woman's voice sounded through a small speaker at a corner of the store. "Wow, I forgot we had cameras in the store," Natasha said. Emma let out a sigh, saying, "I'm totally getting fired…"
*******
"Emma, I heard every single thing you said back at the reception." Mrs. Corinne said from her side of the desk. She had black hair, green eyes, and a body figure every woman would kill to have. She was only 38 years old and was a mother of two teenagers. She worked at the store as a branch manager and was in charge of hiring and firing anyone she pleased.
"Are you going to fire me now?" Emma asked with a sad look on her face. "Yes! You're getting fired…" Mrs. Corinne replied with a stern look. Emma was speechless for a few seconds, then opened her mouth to say, "Thank you for the opportunity Mrs. Corinne, I appreciate it."
As Emma got up from her seat, Miss Corinne said, "You didn't let me finish Emma…" Emma turned around as she heard this, and sat back down.
"You're getting fired from here, and getting hired in a place where you can realize your dreams of becoming a big designer…" Mrs. Corinne said.
"I… I don't understand ma'am, what do you mean?" Emma asked as excitement started to build up in her heart.
Mrs. Corinne closed her eyes, let out a sigh, then said, "I have a brother at DCI, I'll give him a call and set a meeting between the two of you. There, you can present your work and other necessary files to him. He will submit them to the board, and If they like your work they'll call you for an interview, and you can start your journey there…"
"Oh my goodness! Mrs Corinne thank you so much. I promise I won't disappoint you." Emma said with much joy and excitement.
Miss Corinne got up from where she sat and turned to a window that was behind her. "I too had dreams just like yours, but due to circumstances, I wasn't able to fulfill them. I'm not going to let that happen to you too. Emma, it's not going to be easy getting into that company, many have tried and failed, but if you do get in…" Corinne turned to Emma, "I'll be the proudest, happiest, and most satisfied boss in the world." She concluded.
Emma smiled at her, then replied, "Thank you…"
*******
Emma danced back into the reception, pulling off the ribbon that held her hair together in a bun. "What's going on, Emma? Did you get a promotion?" Natasha asked. Emma shook her head, saying with a large smile, "Nope, I got fired."
Natasha got confused, "But, you look happier than rainbow ice cream, what's going on?"
Emma walked towards the door, shaking and moving from side to side, and as she got to the door, she yelled, "Just keep dreaming!!"
Natasha stared at her with a very confused look on her face, "Eh, she's probably smoked something…" She said, then went back to work.
******
"Ah, why are there so many new applicants, this is going to take a while to sort through…" Bruce said, staring at his computer screen, going through a list of designers aspiring to join their company.
Suddenly his phone started to buzz on the table. "Hello, how may I help you?" he asked, having no clue who was on the other side of the phone. "Hey little brother, long time no speak…" a female voice sounded.
"Corinne! Uh, how have you been?" Bruce asked; she replied, "I've been great, thank you." Then said, "I need a favor from you, it's urgent!"
*******
"... Like I promised, I died by your side. Are you proud of me ?"
Emma's voice re-echoed in Daniel's head. Over one thousand years had passed, but the voice of his first Emma kept on ringing in his head like an unforgettable lullaby.
Every one hundred years he was made to suffer the same fate. He was made to lose his Emma over and over again. But, this time he wanted it to stop, he wanted so much to find a way to break this curse that plagued him so. All he needed to do was find out how.
He was in his office. Fingers locked, and with an emotionless face as he stared at the computer screen through his glasses. Suddenly, he felt a shock reverberate through his chest. It felt like he was being electrocuted, but the shock didn't phase him at all.
Daniel kept his composure like he was always expecting the feeling, but he knew something was wrong as that was one of his many abilities, the ability to sense danger right before it happens.
Daniel shut his laptop, picked up his suit from a coat rack that stood by the door to his office, and quietly walked out.