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Chapter 5

  • Jocelyn's POV
  • When he said. "however...." I knew that he wouldn't give me the job. Jamal Leicester is another biased racist.
  • What's happening? Did they announce globally that blacks shouldn't be given respectable jobs anymore? Why am I being frustrated?
  • I don't waste my breath on him because there's no need to. I collect my documents and leave his office. I enter the elevator with sadness boldly written on my face. It takes me to the last floor, where I meet Mrs. Bertha. She's working on her laptop when she shifts her gaze to my front as I walk by.
  • I want to walk fast because I can't take another white who would stare at me like I am lesser than them. I wouldn't be able to keep my tongue in check. I was surprised when she stopped me.
  • "Hey dear, he didn't recruit you, right?" She asks. I stop and turn around to her.
  • "Yes, he didn't," with my drooping face.
  • "I handpicked your resume myself and knew you'd be of greater advantage to the company, but he's the boss. He has the final say. You could try out other companies," She completes her sentence.
  • At least there's someone who doesn't hate blacks in the world. I told her thanks and bid her goodbye. It's 3 pm when I look at my wristwatch.
  • I'm lost on how to spend the remainder of my day. I resolve to go home and rest. I hail a taxi and tell him my destination, and I hop into his cab. I plug in my earphones to listen to music. I need to brighten up my mood. It's a rejection, not a death notice.
  • Jobs are hard to come by, but I would find one. I would have done adequate research into all these companies before applying, but my stepfather spoiled my plans.
  • Why do men keep on disappointing me? My boyfriend at the university also did the same. Sebastian, whom I thought loved me, was a flirt who chased anything in skirts.
  • Little did I know that he dated me over a bet. I learned from gossip that he and his friends had a chance over who would get me first. I was after my good grades, so I didn't have enough time for a guy in my life, but Sebastian charmed me off my feet. No wonder I was blind to his faults. I was attracted to a guy for the first time.
  • The day I found out, I went to his house to confront him on the said allegations, only for me to meet the shock of my life. Sebastian and my friend Ruby were having sex. I had a key to his apartment. He gave me that when we first started dating. I thought a guy giving me the key to his apartment meant that he trusted me and had no secrets to hide.
  • "Jerk!" I curse as I relive that day.
  • Sebastian, that calculating son of a bitch knew I wouldn't have the time for his apartment that often, so I played right into his hands. This key wasn't valuable until that day. I couldn't contain my rage when I heard the gossip after trying his number. I went to his house when he didn't return my calls. I let myself into the apartment when I heard moans.
  • I couldn't believe my ears. In order not to draw much attention, I tiptoed to his room. I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw a sandal like Ruby's. I still didn't believe it. I saw their clothes on the chair. It looked like they couldn't even wait to get their hands on each other. Nothing prepared me for the next shock.
  • I moved towards the bedroom to discover my friend Ruby below Sebastian. The funny sounds they were making disgusted me so much that I screamed.
  • "You scumbag!" Their attention was drawn to me. Ruby's eyes widened.
  • She quickly used the bedsheet to cover her nakedness while Sebastian came toward me, trying to explain whatever.
  • "Babe, it's really...." I slapped him with so much force that my imprints showed on his face.
  • "We are done!" I threw his key on the floor
  • Then I stormed out of his apartment and that relationship.
  • "We are here, ma'am," the driver calls my attention.
  • "Oh. Thank you," I say to him as I descend and pay him his fee. I heave a sigh as I climb the stairs to my apartment.
  • Jane's door isn't locked, and I can hear music coming from her room. I dip my hand into my bag for my key while she comes out of her room.
  • "Hey, what's up?" She greets me in an excited tone. I don't want her to feel hurt, so I force a smile on my face and reply to her.
  • "Hey, Jane. I'm good." She senses my reply and knows there's something wrong.
  • "You sound distressed. What is it?"
  • At this point, I need to speak with someone. My mom's not calling me. I don't have a friend to confide in. I feel cooped up inside. I sigh.
  • "Come into my room. Let's talk." I follow her into her room.
  • It's my first time in her apartment. Her room is charming, unlike mine. Pink must be her best color too. We have a mutual taste in that. There's a teddy bear on her bed and a stool by its side. It's a small apartment just like my own. She notices me staring, and I quickly compose myself.
  • "Oh... I'm sorry. I was lost for a while. Your apartment is so beautiful." I apologize.
  • " Thank you very much. It's no problem at all. Please have a seat." She points to a chair by the corner of the wall. She then serves me some cold drink from her fridge and gives me a look that I can spill.
  • "Thank you, Jane," I tell her before spilling.
  • "I need a job. I'm tired of searching for jobs in vain. The interviews I have been to reject me because I'm black. Some biased CEOs think we are still in the stone age." She doesn't show any surprise because she can relate. I continue.
  • "I'm broke. I need to get a job, but there's no job." Jane clears her throat and speaks up.
  • "Which post have you been applying for?"
  • I tell her about my degree in business administration.
  • "Oh wow, you attended NYC? That's great!" She smiles at me. "I couldn't attend school because of my mom's death." She says as sadness creeps into her tone.
  • I understand her plight. Growing up without a father, I always wondered what it would be like to have one. Sometimes I was jealous of my friend Jessie who had both. Even when my mom married that beast, I still felt that way.
  • "My condolences." I feel for her.
  • "Have all the companies you reached out to replied to you?"
  • "No," I answer back to her. "I still have at least two companies left."
  • "Then why not wait? Who knows, luck might shine on you?" I sigh. I'm tired of waiting. I'm fed up.
  • "Would you like to work in a restaurant?"
  • I shake my head. Impossible! My resume can't sit at home while I work three jobs because of money. I need a job, but it has to be a comfortable job.
  • "I can't work in a restaurant. I won't be happy there." I reply her
  • "I'll advise you to wait then. Continue the search. Let's play a game." She suggests to liven up my mood. She's trying her best to brighten me up.
  • "Alright."
  • An hour later, I yawn and decide to take my leave. "Thank you so much for today, Jane."
  • "It's nothing. Just be good." She closes her door after me.
  • I open my door and let myself in. My apartment is scattered. I arrange my room, dust the furniture, and sweep. When I'm done, I lay down on my bed and play Subway surf on my phone. It's almost 7 pm.
  • I quickly order food from Mac's before it's too late. In thirty minutes, my food order of spaghetti and meatballs gets to me. I settle down to eat dinner while I scroll through Instagram.
  • 'Billionaire Marcel Reynolds looks hot in this suit of his,' the headline says.
  • I check the picture and comment under "Damned racist!" I log out with a smile on my face. I pack the remaining food into the fridge.
  • I sort out my laundry and put them in the basket. I have to wash my clothes tomorrow morning. When I'm done, I turn off the light in my room and sleep off.
  • ___
  • It's 8:15 when I open my eyes the next day. I drag myself from bed to do my laundry. It doesn't take me much time to get it done.
  • I sit at my table after taking my bath to check my mail. There's nothing new there, so I surf the internet for vacancies. One catches my eye.
  • "We need an effective PA at Lenox airline. Apply with your resume at www.lenoxairline.com."
  • This would be another opportunity for me. I won't get to work as an administrator, but this job description is closer to my dream job.
  • I hurry to apply. When I'm done, I offer a silent prayer once more. I hope I get this job. Working in an airport would give me a different experience entirely. I would get to fly in a private plane and work closely with the boss.
  • Omg! I'm thrilled already. I hope I land the job.
  • I have always wanted to see the world. Traveling with him on business trips might be tiring, but it'll be fun.
  • This is a great opportunity! I shut my laptop and opened my door to check if Jane was around. Her door is locked outside. She's gone to work. I close my door and sit down to read some stories on my phone.
  • I'm getting lonely, and maybe I'd need to get a pet. I make a mental note to get one. I love cats. My mom never liked them, so I had to give out Bella when I finished school. It pained me to part with her, but I had to consider my mom. I'll get a kitten. Maybe I'd name it Selina. It seems close to my name.
  • I smile as I look at the images of some cats on a website. It is cloudy after some minutes. It will rain soon. I shut my window shutters and reach for my cardigan in the wardrobe. I love when it rains, and I'm home. The rain starts, and I jump into bed.
  • I decided to continue watching GOT. "Valar morghulis"
  • Arya Stark says in the movie. I receive a message in my email. When I log in, I see a reply from Lenox Airlines.
  • "So quick," I mutter. They accepted my resume. I have mixed feelings, so I don't jump up like the first two. Maybe after I'm given the job, I will be so happy.
  • Dear Miss Jocelyn Gbone Dizon
  • We have gone through your resume and are confident in it. You are lucky to have been selected as part of the finalists. Your interview is scheduled for noon tomorrow. Please dress corporately and be early.
  • Damien Lenox
  • CEO Lenox Airline.
  • I dash to my wardrobe to get my suit ready. If dressing well is the criteria for this job, I sure must get the job. I iron it and put it on a hanger. Then I clean my stilettos. After that, I google.
  • "Damien Lenox," to get a background of who he is. "He's pretty handsome, pink lips, busy yet neat eyebrows, " I notice.
  • So much news of his escapades is on the internet. "So he's a playboy too." I read up on his achievements.
  • When I was done, I got back to bed.