Chapter 3 Surprise Surprise

Chapter 3

Karen had to do something and she needed to do it fast. Her eyes moved along the walls of her room as an idea stopped her trailing eyes.

If she couldn't get a job the usual way, she would get it from somewhere else.

Grabbing her casual clothes, she moved down the stairs in a hurry. Her stepmom and stepsister didn't even bother to look her way as they were engrossed in their own lives.

She moved to two different cafes and restaurants, searching for a part time or full time Job. The results had been the same from the past two years.

No one wanted her.

The chilly wind blew across her face brushing her hair to every corner as she trudged downhill Portland. Her eyes searched round cafe's, and boutiques-for a "Help Wanted" sign.

Nothing.

She wrapped her coat tightly against herself. The cold bit down on her skin but the sting of rejection also pierced her too.

She steadied herself with a sigh as she spotted an upscale restaurant. Gathering enough courage, she stepped inside, the scent of Salted fish and cooked pasta filling her nostrils.

The hostess barely looked at her.

"We're not hiring," she said flatly, her tone dismissive.

"I can do anything," Karen stated further, forcing a smile. "Dishwashing, cleaning, waiting tables-"

"We're. Not. Hiring." The woman did not budge and once again the feeling of dismissal and rejection set in once again.

She stepped back into the street feeling lost and completely helpless, she let out a deep sigh. Where else?

The thought of returning back to her father's house, with nothing to offer, made her stomach churn.

He had given her one last chance to prove herself, she wouldn't want to disappoint him one more time.

She had to find something to hold on to. Anything.

At the house, Ivy made use of every chance to turn her father against her. Meanwhile, Laura only knew to make the situation worse

She hadn't stepped few walks forward when her eyes fell on something that sparked her hope back to life.

The neon lights shone from the inside of the luxurious yet hideous building. It looked like a place only those with private businesses could go to.

Karen hesitated outside of Ringers, The place was rumoured to host powerful men and their indulgences.

Karen had never imagined she would step into a place like this but desperation had a way of making people weak to moral decisions.

She rubbed off her hands on her coat, ignoring the pit feeling in her stomach, and walked inside.

The music was low, the scent of expensive whiskey and perfume thick in the air.

A woman in a net black dress approached her. "Are you lost, sweetie?"

"Yes, I need help"

The curvy woman scrutinized her face which lighted up with a sheer determination as she led the way to a dimly lit office.

"Alright, follow me"

A woman with scarring on her face sat behind the desk, puffing out smoke from her mouth with the cigarette in her hands.

"You want to work here..." Madam Cee asked, dragging out smoke from the cigarette as Karen nodded her head, proceeding with strong footsteps into the office

"Yes"

"Can you handle men..."

Karen hesitated "I can clean, serve drinks and take orders"

"You're desperate and I like that" the lady smirked

Karen's nails dug into her palms. Her eyes staring back strongly at the woman.

The woman chuckled.

"Good. We like desperate girls." She tapped her cigarette against the ashtray.

"You work nights, do not ask any questions or go against your orders. You serve only who we tell you to serve. Understood?"

Karen swallowed hard, her eyes focused on the woman's face as she nodded.

"Yes"

Madame Cee smirked, her eyes dangerously looming over her.

"Welcome to Ringers."

Karen smiled lightly without any real emotion, as the other lady led her out of the office.

"Can I start tomorrow?" she asked the lady in the network dress as they trudged down the stairs that led to the office.

The lady scanned Karen's tired face, she was clearly exhausted.

She had a heart to not let her work the night today.

"Come back tomorrow, your shift starts by 8:00pm and it'll end once you've served a certain amount of clients"

"Thank you so much" Karen gratefully said, her hands tightly clutched against her coat as she moved out of the building.

The cold wind bit into her skin as she hugged herself closely.

Her eyes traced the well lit streets in front as a taxi pulled by her side.

"You order a ride"

"No" she shook her head as he inspected her slowly.

"Want one?"

"Yes, please"

She pulled the doors open sliding in before telling her destination.

At this point, she would not back down again. No one was going to make her feel incapable again and at least her dad would be proud she had a job.

Her fingers moved subtly against the windows her mind drifting to the interview.

Why did she have to bump into him again?

Lucas was her past but now he had bumped into her present.

Going back to the incident, he never for once looked at her. He was passive, cold and indifferent.

The pit feeling in her stomach returned.

It just had to be at the most trying time of her life. Her hands palmed her face, muttering curses beneath her breath.

Her palms turned sweaty and her heart pacing when it reminisced the cold look he had on his face. The aloofness he portrayed and the suffocating air around him.

The taxi moved up to Division Street before pulling to a stop at one of the parking lots. She paid the fare trudging towards the house, her heart heavy and adrenaline gushing past her veins.

She prayed that the witches would not be around to see her step in. Lucky for her, the prayers were answered.

When she got in, her stepmom and stepsister had already left for God knows where. She moved towards the staircase, treading softly to her room.

She nudged the door open, closing it just as carefully as she opened it. Her controlled breath finally dropped in a heavy sigh as she dropped with her back to the bed.

It was a long day and she was exhausted and almost immediately, her phone vibrated in her coat pocket.

She reached out for it with her hands in her coat pocket.

It was an email from the company she had an interview with in the morning. As her eyes came in contact, she sprung up fast, sitting on the bed while tapping frantically on the phone.

"Congratulations, Ms. Spencer. You've been selected for the position of Fashion Manager. Please report tomorrow"

She stared hard at the screen in disbelief.

Was there a mistake?

She thought.

She couldn't possibly be given the job after all that transpired. She had given up totally already.

Was this a dream?

She rubbed her eyes severally, staring closely at the email's address.

No, it was real. It wasn't a dream

But then she had already gotten a job at a Pub. What would she do now that she had both jobs? She sighed her head pushing backwards as she stared into blank space.

"this is why they say patience is key..."

She murmured to herself

But still, this was unbelievable. Lucas Miller was obviously there at the interview, he could've cancelled it if he wanted to. But why didn't he?

Was there something else going on?

She thought hard, unable to comprehend what the reason was for her new job until another message chimed in.

"You're also required to attend the company's Cocktail party on Friday. Dress acceptably."

No sender name.

But she suspected it was him. Lucas Miller.

But why would he text her?

Was it him or someone else in the company?