Chapter 3 I got the freaking job

The red notification icon above my Mail app was shining in my face while my heart thumped in my chest.

I couldn't open it this morning, or even this week. If the response is negative, it could totally mess with my productivity for the rest of my week. I ignored my intuition and got Max ready for school, dropped him off then went to the office.

My beat-up Volkswagen almost gave up on the road but the heavens must have been in my favor that day because the car got me to and from work.

The day went by really fast, although my eyes kept glancing at the mail logo on my computer. It took all the willpower I had left to not open the mail.

Max was spending the night at Rachel's place; he and her kids were having a sleepover so I had the house to myself. A few days ago, I started sending out job applications again.

I had not done that in quite some time because I got tired of the reject mails here and there. The money I needed for Max's treatment and management drugs now cost almost my whole salary, which left me having to settle everything else with the little that was left.

There were job openings, of course, but not many that fit my requirements. Yes, I had requirements too. Nearness to Max's school, nearness to our apartment.

But the biggest requirement of all was a fat income with a reasonable amount of workload.

I hadn't told Rachel I was job hunting again; she would have gotten mad at me, saying that my novels are going to be picked up by an editor soon and I should have patience while trusting God.

I was a Christian, not as dedicated as Rachel but I was. Another thing I was, is realistic. I knew that God was not going to pick up my manuscripts and start handing them out to editors or publishers. He's also not going to force them to approve of it.

I clicked on the email. "Congratulations," the first line read.

"Oh my God," I screamed, jumping out of the chair. "Oh my God. Oh my God. Yesssssss."

Scrambling back to my chair, I read the rest of the mail. I was to come by the company in two days for a brief meeting so I could decide if I still wanted the job.

I threw my head back in laughter. Even if they required my blood for donations monthly, I still wouldn't reject the job.

The pay these people were offering was so freaking ridiculous, it's probably the only thing that made me apply in the first place.

I picked up my phone quickly. Rachel's voice came through the speakers after two rings, "hey Le-"

"Rachel I got the freaking job," I all but screamed into the microphone. "Okay, one, you'll destroy my eardrums at that rate. Two, what job are you talking about? Are you working on a new book?" I heard excitement in her voice towards the end.

"Work with me here Rach, work with me," I rolled my eyes at her. "I know I didn't tell you but I started applying to jobs again and a company responded and requested for an online interview which I did. Then this email came in yesterday, I just opened it and I got the freaking job."

"It's not a writing job?" she asked with disappointment obvious in her voice.

"Rachel!"

"I got the job as the Secretary to the Junior CEO of Ross Globals here in Pemberton." I was jumping on my toes all around the house.

Max's voice came through the speaker, "hi mommy!"

"Hey baby, just let me finish talking to Aunt Rachel and we can have a chat okay?" I said in a loud voice.

"Wait! Ross Globals? As in Billion dollars worth company, Ross Globals?" Rachel asked, excitement rising in her voice.

"What's the pay?" She asked in an all too knowing voice.

"More than enough for everything Rach," I breathed out in relief.

I filled her in on the rest of the details, and as soon as we were done talking, I spoke to Max for a bit before hanging up.

My heart was leaping in my chest as I stared at my computer with a smile on my face.

That night, I slept like a baby. It felt like a greater part of my burden had been lifted off my shoulders. The air felt lighter and smiling was easier.

Even at work the next day, not even my egotistic boss could put me in a bad mood. I was grinning from ear to ear all through the day. "If I didn't know you, I'd say you just got engaged," Leslie said to me at the coffee machine.

I giggled. "Care to share what's got you in such a great mood?" she asked as we walked back to the main office. "Let's just say, things are working out for me and Max. I really couldn't be happier."

By 2pm, I was done with my assignment for the day, so I decided to go shopping for a new outfit. I usually wore anything casual or a simple corporate attire to DigiPress, but I felt like I needed to put more effort if I'm working for Ross Globals.

I settled for a black fitting knee-length dress with a high V-neck. The idea was to go for something elegant and decent so it really was the perfect outfit. I picked out a nude-colored pair of heels before heading to the counter.

"That would be 1359 dollars ma'am," the cashier's voice broke out. I barely managed to hide my shock. Over a thousand dollars for one dress and a shoe!!

I opened my mouth to tell her I would like to go for something less expensive but then gave it a second thought. Shrugging, I stretched my shiny blue card in her direction. She eagerly swiped the card before handing it back to me with a smile. "Thank you for shopping at The Ladies Louvre, we hope to see you next time."

Hearing that made me smile. You certainly will.