Terms and Conditions Apply

The weather is chilly, and for the first time in forever I didn't seem to care about the music blaring softly from the speakers outside. A song from my favorite Billie Eilish, tempting, my subconscious confessed. Still, I wasn't stirred. Infact, I wanted abrupt silence.

Nothing about my life felt lyrical right now. Don't get me wrong. Nobody died. Okay. Not recently though. My father did, but that was years ago, and that still remains the one story I am never excited to talk about.

The crispy rustling of papers interrupted my train of thought. I directed my gaze to the Hiring Manager of Redwood Advertising, and immediately, I regretted making that move. She’d been staring at my CV for far too long, so long that I began to wonder if the printer had mysteriously translated my documents into Arabic.

“Nice profile here, but…" she uttered, signalling I should hold on, as she went ahead to take a call.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. ‘Dear Lord, not again. Not another rejection.'

I’ve been flagged down by six companies in just eighteen days, and if this woman was about to tell another pathetic story of ‘we can’t hire, but we’d reach back to you', they might as well be prepared to call a 911.

“Apologies for the interruption, my dear,” she quipped sharply. “It’s too sad to share, but we have someone already recommended for your role, and we have to—"

The remnants of her words drifted into thin air as I struggled to mask the deep disappointment tightening in my chest. My instincts had whispered all along that my chances of getting hired were slim, but somehow hope refused to leave, nudging me to believe it just might work out.

My rent was only six weeks away from being overdue. I needed to settle my yoga subscription before the quarterly payment deadline, as well as replace a few household essentials. I wouldn't sort all of these if I had no funds, and I didn't want to bother anyone. Not my family, not Tahlia.

In a jiffy, I was on my feet, faking a smile I hope could prove that I understood all the Hiring Manager had said as I walked towards her to retrieve my CV.

Wiping the invisible sweat from behind my pants, I headed over to the exit, a deep sigh escaping my lips as I took a quick stare at my wristwatch.

“3:19p.m. Another failed attempt at getting a job."

‘Should I keep going, or was it time to rethink my plan?'

I silently hoped Tahlia was still at the restaurant close by, waiting for me as we agreed. The agency shared a building with The Minimalist Plate downstairs, an eatery that smelled expensive and made you question your life choices. My pity to anyone who fell for the name.

“Oops!” a male voice exclaimed as we both collided outside the elevator.

He was quick to pick up my folder, adjusting his glasses nervously as he