As I was on my way to hunt for a job, the word "vacancy" caught my eye, and I paused to read the details inscribed on the notice board. It turned out that a well-known hotel, "*Crystal cove hotel*," was looking for a stewardess.
Excited, I jotted down the Gmail address listed, my heart swelling with a sense of accomplishment and joy. "I didn't hunt in vain today," I murmured to myself with a sigh of relief, despite the scorching sun that burned my skin. I could almost feel the brightness smiling at me.
I hailed a cab and described my destination to the driver as I made my way home.
---
My name is Emily, and I graduated from Saint Paul University in scarlet town. I've been living on my own, far from my parents, ever since I was admitted to the university.
Unfortunately, my parents passed away when I was in my third year at SPU. At first, I had mixed feelings about their death. I wasn't sad immediately because I thought they had gone to rest, and they deserved that peace. But, at the same time, I started to miss them. I couldn't help but wonder how I would navigate life without them. Who would walk me down the aisle on my wedding day? I began to worry about my future without their guidance.
The death of one's parents doesn't happen often, and I want to share a bit more about mine.
My parents had me later in life. My mother was forty-two, and my father was fifty when I was born. Their journey to becoming parents was nothing short of a miracle, a dream come true for both of them. You may be wondering how they passed away so close together.
First, it was my father. He was older, so it seemed natural for him to pass away at that age. Then, my mother followed shortly after. She died from a combination of heartbreak and hypertension.
I am twenty-five years old, and completely single. "Am I made of stone?" I often ask myself when I see couples being lovey-dovey on campus or as I make my way to different places.
There are days when social media seems to go out of its way to torment me, flooding my feed with videos of happy couples. Despite my curvy shape and blue eyes—features many consider beautiful—I'm still single. And as much as I used to believe in love, I've started to give up on it. Instead, I pour my attention into the imaginary relationships in the novels I read and the K-pop idols I watch online.
---
"It's been such a stressful day," I muttered, glancing around my room. My walls were covered with pictures of BTS K-pop idols and Korean actors. I dropped my bag onto the center table in front of my blue chair, then flopped onto my comfy sky-blue couch with a sigh.
A few minutes later, I reluctantly stood up to take a bath, feeling drenched in sweat. "I should've gotten my A/C fixed before the spring season started," I grumbled, using the back of my hand to wipe the sweat dripping down my face.
It's amazing how a bath can feel like a boost of energy. After showering, I felt refreshed and decided to put my renewed energy to good use by making lunch. I sat down on the old student chair I'd been using since I first enrolled in the university. Across from me stood a brown metal and wooden table, cluttered with my documents neatly arranged on the left side. In the center, my HP laptop sat, waiting for my attention.
I tapped the power button and sent my curriculum vitae to the email address I'd copied from the billboard earlier.
Then, I heard it. Knock knock knock.
The sound of someone knocking on my door pulled me out of my daydream. I sighed, reluctantly getting up to answer.
"Mia, how are you?" I greeted her.
Mia is a slim, perfectly proportioned woman—someone I jokingly call "moderation" because nothing about her is too much or too little. She's just… right. Her blonde hair sets her apart, making her look both unique and somewhat glamorous. People often say she looks wealthy, and I can't argue with that.
I don't keep many friends, but Mia is the one exception. She's been my friend since college, always there for me, like family. Despite her own privileged background, she's humble and loyal—qualities I deeply appreciate.
"Hey Emily!" she called out, her face lighting up with a broad smile. She hugged me as if she hadn't seen me in years, ignoring my question entirely.
"Hey, what's up? What's the good news?" I asked, pulling away from her embrace and closing the door behind me, eager to hear what she had to say.
"Content pour vous!!!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling like diamonds. The excitement radiating from her made me snap out of my daze, leaving me suddenly nervous.
"Are you happy for me? What's the good news?" I asked, glancing at her, feeling a little jittery.
"Emily! I've got a hot, sexy boyfriend lined up for you, and guess who he is?" she said, practically jumping with delight, as if she had just won the lottery or signed a million-dollar contract.
I hissed in frustration at what she was saying, disappointed.
"What is it?" she pressed. "You should be happy! And I *am* happy for you. Your singleness is turning into loneliness. And what the heck—" (She raised her voice, realizing she didn't want to sound like a sweet girl, but the excitement was too much) "—you didn't even ask who this hot guy is!" She made a mock angry face.
"Okay, okay, who is this hot guy? And how come I have a boyfriend I don't even know? This is all so weird," I said, still confused.
"I went to visit one of my friends who just came back from the States," Mia explained. "I was showing him some pictures in my gallery, and we came across your photo. He *loved* you at first sight. Emily, this guy is *so* handsome and rich."
"Cut the crap, Mia," I said, shaking my head. "How can a guy fall in love with me from just a picture on your phone? Ew, that's not love, that's just some nasty lust."
"Even if he's a little... lascivious, give it a try! You've been single for so long," she said, blinking her eyes as if to persuade me cutely.
"Hey, hey, that won't work on me, so quit it right now," I said, trying to stay firm.
"Just give it a shot, Emily," Mia urged, her tone softening. "You two could fall in love, and finally, you can graduate from the single life!"
"See who's talking," I laughed sarcastically.
"Mia, will you please let me meet your boyfriend today?" I asked sweetly, batting my eyelashes at her.
"I'll get married soon, so stop making fun of me," she replied, rolling her eyes.
"Says the person who doesn't have a boyfriend but thinks all the guys want her because of what she has," I laughed again.
"It's okay. Let's just go get something to eat. I'm famished."
"What about you call your boyfriend to join us?" I smiled, enjoying poking fun at her.
"Emily, stop this," she snapped. "I *assure* you, he doesn't love you! Will you stop now?"
"Oops, are you hurt?" I teased, laughing sarcastically. "Next time, don't preach to me about getting a boyfriend when you don't even have one yourself!" I couldn't help but laugh again.
"Okay, boss. Just get dressed, and let's go..." she replied, rolling her eyes.
---
Later, on our way to the restaurant, I found myself quietly conversing with God in my heart about the job I'd applied for. Oops, I hadn't told Mia about it yet.
Her talk about the guy made me forget to mention it. As I mulled over it, I realised I should've let her show me his picture. Maybe I'd like him. Honestly, I do want to be in a relationship, but I keep dreaming and making plans about guys who don't even know I exist.