Olivia's POV:
Heartbreak doesn't just steal your time, but it also hijacks your sanity" I thought to myself, staring blankly at the ceiling.
It's been a week now since I moved in with Anna, and I was grateful for her support but as the days turned into weeks, I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever.
Anna walked into my room, wearing a concerned expression on her face. "Livvy, you need to get out of this house. You can't keep hiding from the world."
I sighed, knowing she was right. "I know, Anna. I just need some time."
My sister had been trying to get me out of the house for days, but I just couldn't muster up the energy.
But today, I was tired of feeling sorry
for myself
Anna sat down beside me. "Time is not going to fix this, Olivia. You need to face your fears, and the first step is to get a job"
I raised an eyebrow at her suggestion but before I could respond, she added with a mischievous grin "and maybe sleep with your boss and his workers"
I burst out laughing "Oh jeez Anna, you're a slut!"
Despite the levity, I knew Anna was right. I needed to work but I still couldn't shake off the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest
"You're right, I'll start looking today" I nodded, feeling a spark of determination ignite within me
Anna smiled, handing me her laptop. "I've already started searching for you. Here are some job listings that might interest you."
I couldn't help but stare at her and smile. I was grateful for having her by my side at that point in time. She should be called Angel instead, not Anna.
I scanned through the listings, and quickly submitted my application, at several enterprises. Honestly…it felt like a fresh start.
***
"Brace up, you're gonna kill it" Anna said, assisting me with my hair. Her words gave me all the confidence I needed.
I stood up analyzing myself in the mirror. I looked really great. I never usually bothered to put so much effort into my looks when heading to work. But Anna made sure I looked the best. That added to my confidence I must say.
"Thank you Anna" I said, heading towards my sister to give her a hug
I stood outside the office building, feeling nervous about the interview. I took a deep breath and walked in. "You've got this" I muttered to myself hoping it'd help me feel better
Inside, the lights were bright and the air was calm. I went to the reception desk and told them I was there for the interview. The receptionist smiled and gave me some forms to fill out.
"Everyone seemed nice here," I thought to myself
I sat down in the waiting area and started filling out the forms.
My mind was racing, thinking about what questions they might ask me. But the quiet atmosphere helped me focus.
I needed this, I needed to get this Job, nothing can go wrong I kept telling myself.
"Hi, I'm Kate The HR manager, follow me. " A woman came out introducing herself.
She looked really stylish and confident, her cologne filled the air. She smelt like money.
She took me to the interview room, and we sat down. It was time to start the interview. She smiled and started asking me questions about my skills and experience
I felt nervous but I tried to hide it. I couldn't help but notice the office around me. It was much more modern and sleek than my previous workplace. I couldn't imagine myself working there surrounded by friendly colleagues.
"Thank you for coming in today, we'll be in touch soon to let you know our decision" Kate said standing up and smiling at me.
I got up heading towards the door about to leave and I bumped into a guy holding hot coffee
"Watch where you're going!" I snapped, irritated , trying to clean myself without looking up at the person.
But the words died on my lips immediately I saw the man standing before me
"Oh sir, I'm so sorry, you're drenched!" Miss Kate's voice shrieked with panic as she rushed to grab some tissue to clean up the spill.
Her voice suddenly turned stern. "What have you done, Olivia? This is the CEO!" She paused then continued "apologize now and leave"
I felt my face flush with embarrassment as I processed Kate's words.
"The CEO?".
My eyes widened as I realized the magnitude of my mistake. The guy I insulted at the club, is the guy I had just spilled coffee all over,and it appears that the same guy was the owner of this company.
I felt my face burning with embarrassment as I stuttered out an apology. "I-I'm so sorry...I didn't mean to…"
At that point I felt like crying. It felt like I had lost the job already
But the CEO just smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "It's okay, Miss...?"
"Olivia," I replied, feeling like I was drowning in embarrassment.
Wait what? He didn't shout at me or used demeaning words like Mr Lawson always did. But I could tell from his face that he was strict. Maybe he was having a good day today.
The CEO's smile widened. "Well, Miss Olivia, it seems we've met before"
A part of me wished he hadn't asked that
"Oh,the clumsy girl from the club right?" he asked with a sheepish smile
I couldn't bring myself to answer the question, I was embarrassed, I needed to leave.
I quickly gathered my belongings from the floor and made a hasty exit, feeling like I'd just made a complete fool of myself. "I had lost this one" I thought to myself
As I walked out of the office building, I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was about to take a dramatic turn.
And I had no idea what lay ahead.
But one thing was certain…I was in trouble.
***
Welcome back boo, I'm sure you nailed it" Anna said happily staring at me with a cute smile "what's up?, you don't look so good" she asked as she noticed the sad look on my face
"I bumped into the CEO spilling coffee all over him" I said in an embarrassed tone "and that wasn't the worst part, It was the same guy I insulted on the club that night
"damn, that's crazy, he's probably your soulmate" Anna teased
"He's hot, he's damn hot" I blurted out without an atom of shame
"Ouuuh-uh someone wants to get drilled by her boss" Anna teased again.
I didn't mind getting drilled by the person I had set my eyes on. But I had to face reality.
My chances of getting the Job after what happened earlier was slim. Anna read through my thoughts and whispered to my ears holding my palms in her hands "Don't worry Livvy, you're gonna get it".
For some reason, she knew when I needed assurance. She could tell when I was disturbed or distracted. She read body language perfectly.
"Thank you". I responded.
"Mom misses you" the sound of that statement was irritating to my ears. We've always agreed never to talk about her. She was dead to me
"I don't care," I said in a flat tone, removing my hands from Anna's grip.
"Please talk to her, she's still our mother" Anna pleaded "I don't have a mother" I screamed with so much anger and rage in me
Anna learned to forgive Mom but I could never move past the reality of her actions leading to the death of our father.
"Olivia, Mom is dying!" Anna's voice shattered the air, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
I couldn't help but wonder if she meant that in a literary sense
My mind recoiled, refusing to grasp the words. "Dying?" I repeated, as if the term was a foreign language.
"What kind of dying?" I felt a morbid curiosity creeping in.
"cancer" Anna responded but this time the unshed tears were all over her face rolling to her mouth