REBOUND

Chapter 1

"Remember, whenever this whole thing gets too overwhelming, you can come stay with me." Amie's reassuring voice rang across the phone as Karen rolled over the bed staring at the ceiling. She was always available whenever something went wrong for her and that includes all the companies that had rejected her application.

"I know but I might be a burden to you, you already have a lot on your plate. I can't possibly stress you more than how much you are battling with at this point" Karen sat up, clutching her phone tightly

"That does not cut it Karen, It's just exams and once they're done, I'll be back to Portland." She chuckled, the pitch of her voice a bit louder than normal. Karen would not take any help even when it hit her hard, but the latter did not fail to keep convincing her.

"Alright, but just make sure that you're not rushed during the process okay? Take your time." Her voice resounded.

"Okay, fine. What of the company you just submitted your application to?" The question caught karen off guard as she paused for several seconds before letting out a sigh

"The interview's tomorrow and I just hope this one works out this time around," She said with her two hands clasped together above her head as her eyes shut tight as if she wished it into existence.

"It has to work this time around, and I remember telling you to try changing your surname but you never listen" She expressed in deep concern.

"That would cost me a lot, Amie and you know that" Her hands rummaged through her hair, eyes darting across the files on the table.

"Then I'll handle the expenses, and that's not a problem for me"

"I can't let you do that, now please go and study" She insisted defiantly. If she did not dismiss her soon, both of them would definitely suffer for it.

"I see you are trying to avoid this whole talk but don't you worry, I'll get you once I come back," She threatened her voice loud enough to burst Karen's eardrums.. Soon realization hit her like a storm.

The quietness in the house dawned on her, she was completely alone.

The night wore on too quickly, but sleep refused to come. She tossed and turned, her mind restless with worry.

She lay back in bed, her eyes refused to close their lids till the first light of early morning passed through the blinds by the window, casting a soft, golden glow over her room.

Despite her exhaustion, sleep had eluded her, her mind racing with thoughts of the impending interview. She kept turning in bed as she flung her legs severally, pushing the sheets off and on her body.

As the hours ticked by, She finally pushed away the covers and threw her legs to the side of the bed as they dangled before touching the floor

She rubbed off the grit in her eyes; her eyes darting across her room before landing on the alarm clock by her side desk.

5AM

The silence was depressing, lessened only by the distant sounds of cars and the creaks of the old building. She did not move an inch but even in this silence, her heart kept racing.

With a sigh, she quickly pushed herself to stand, steadying her feet that wore out from turning too much. She shuffled to the bathroom, before turning on the light switch. The brightness made her squint her eyes

Her face looked damp and the dark circles around her eyes revealed her lack of sleep from the previous night.

She rubbed her eyes to look at her image clearly, as it made her wince in horror. She looked terrible and her heart was not even helping.

It kept pacing, and making her think the worst of things

What could be the outcome today?

Would she still be rejected like the other times?

She rinsed her face clean before carrying out her normal morning activities in preparation for the interview.

Without sparing herself any breakfast, she sweeped down on her skirt with her palms before stepping out of the house. Her bag hung from her left shoulder.

She was ready to take on any activity.

Right after hailing a taxi, she slid into the backseat, before handing the driver the address of the sleek glass tower where her interview was scheduled.

"Big meeting?" he inquired, staring at her through the rearview mirror as he drove into traffic.

"Something like that", Karen replied, her eyes traveling out of the window

"You look out of it." He chuckled. "Job Interview?"

Karen hesitated, but eventually nodded in approval

The driver nodded like he really understood how much pressure it was for her.

The bustling sound of the city resounded in her ears as the taxi approached the destination.

She paid the fare and proceeded to the building, her heels clicking on the pavements.

"This is the last time you step foot into this house, you jinx"

She stood in front of the towering building pausing for a moment as memories replayed making her palm frosty. Karen Spencer was always a jinx, wherever she went trouble followed. This was exactly how her father, stepmom and everyone she considered family saw her

After today she would stop trying to get a job at these places where she did not fit in according to reviews from a lot of them who had rejected her.

This was the 16th Job interview and everyone had refused to employ her even with her qualifications. They turned her back as soon as they read her CV. No one dared to employ her.

"Is she not Mr. Spencer's illegitimate daughter who had an affair with her colleague from her fashion brand?" A red head in the lower department across the room began to speak almost aloud to her hearing

"Shhhh, I hear she's a jinx and anyone who gets involved with her would meet a gruesome end, so don't speak so carelessly"

"I don't care, she deserves to be castrated, and who let her come here? Her ex-husband must have suffered a lot, I hear she divorced him forcefully and took everything he had."

As she stepped into the marble-floored lobby, murmurs trailed behind her.

"Isn't she the woman who cheated on her husband?"

"I heard she ruined his career"

"I thought she left the country in shame"

Karen ignored them, keeping her gaze forward. If she reacted, they'd win.

She continued to move as if she had not heard their discussions and proceeded to the room where applicants sat waiting for their turn. Her heart kept beating so fast in its place because she knew this was the last chance she had at securing a job.

Any other try would be in a foreign place.

"Karen Spencer..."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she made it to her feet in an instant towards the interview room. Upon entering, The room had sheer grandeur of space but there was an awful drop in the temperature.

A panel of four interviewers sat around the long table. Her eyes darted confidently across the room, taking notes of their faces until it landed on a pair of eyes.

They were the frosty kind of midnight blue and her breath hitched. She once found confidence diminished as her palms became all sweaty.

His gaze was cold, ruthless and unforgiving

Lucas Miller!

She whispered beneath her breath

Chapter 2

Of all places that he could be, he was here. He was interviewing her for a job. Could fate be any more wicked?

Her weight began to shift as she tried to maintain her posture before she was allowed to have a sit to begin the interview.

She swallowed hard and sat where they motioned to.

Karen's heart pounded in her ribcage. She knew he would turn out successful, but she hadn't expected that he would be here- at the very company she put on the list as her last hope.

The man to Lucas's left, a senior executive, cleared his throat.

"Ms. Spencer, I must say your background in fashion management is commendable. However, we've had some issues concerning your past records."

Karen tried her best to sit in a place as her legs quivered at Lucas's intense deadly stare.

"I understand, I can explain and address whatever issues you and everyone else may have"

A lady with sharp eyes leaned forward,

"Your previous company blacklisted you for some bizarre management ideas that did not follow their set principles. There were incriminating evidence against your drafts. Can you explain?

Karen exhaled, blanking out every other disturbing thought and blacking out Lucas from her head.

"There were misunderstandings that led to my resignation and the write off of my work as against policies. However, my work speaks for itself. I increased the company's brand engagement by 60% within two years and oversaw multiple successful campaigns. My skills and experience are still the same over the years"

The panel exchanged looks.

Lucas finally spoke, his voice cold, indifferent.

"Misunderstandings?" he leaned back, his fingers lightly drummed idly against the table.

"That's one way to say it."

Karen's fingers clutched tightly around her folder. His voice still had the power to unnerve her. However, she would not let him see it.

One of the executives passed resonating glances at Lucas

"He is right, you barely have been employed for the past two years because of this record and one more. If I may say, you surely have a unique record of sleeping around and mixing business with pleasure" he hissed maliciously as the other executives murmured

Karen's courage began to falter as her heartbeat drummed against her ears. This was really the end for her.

The third executive by the left interrupted, his eyes frequently landing on Karen's drowning figure.

"These were rumors we heard, and if I'm to say, her record speaks for her. The other competitive company we've had our issues with were her previous employees. They kept moving, leaving us in desperation for a long. We've finally found the brain behind that evidence we all experienced"

Lucas stared coldly at the latter, his gaze cutting him short

"Don't you have any questions sir"

The sharp eyed lady inquired, her eyes scanning his face.

"I have nothing to ask. Leave" his voice boomed crashing Karen's hopes down the drain. Her heart sank as she stood to leave.

Her palms sweaty than before, remembering she would have no other choice again.

She left the house without anyone's notice but now she would be going back in official clothes and a file without a job. Her father would be present and her heartless stepmom and sister would also be present.

Everything had already gone down the drain.

As she left the premises, malicious eyes followed her. She walked down from the sidewalk, her eyes dropped.

Why did fate have to destroy her last ray of hope?

She knew nothing would work after setting eyes on him. He certainly had control over the company because all the executives asked their questions in awe of him.

The sun brimmed through her skin, initiating trickles of sweat by her side as she wearily found her way back home.

As she stepped back into the street, she let out a sigh.

Where else?

The thought of returning to her father's house, without a job and defeated once more, made her stomach twist in anger and regret.

Once she arrived at the familiar residence, she slowed her steps, her heart racing. She knew what was about to happen once she stepped into the house.

As she pushed against the door, the room smelt of the intense perfume her Stepmom always wore.

It was rudely intoxicating and harsh.

Her stepmother, Ivy was sitting on the sofa right beside her stepfather, while her stepsister, Clara laid over the larger sofa. Her perfectly manicured fingers were clinging to her phone, tapping away as she giggled.

Karen's father was fixed on his journal, barely sparing her a glance. "Did you get a Job?"

"No, not yet." she said, her voice solid but still hinting at her uncertainty with how her father felt.

But as usual he sighed, he was disappointed just like before all of her former interviews.

"How many times will I tell you?" Ivy said, shaking her head.

"She will not end up with anything, no matter how many places she applies to. She's just too much and that's why they don't want her". Her eyes sized Karen, her face twisting in irritation

Karen clenched her fists. She was not going to get into another conversation with this woman again.

Ivy only knew to test her patience and make her look bad in front of her father.

"Dad, I tried my best, but no one wants me to work for them"

Laura scoffed, tossing her phone onto the end of the sofa

"Why would anyone want you, with your horrible record"

"What my record says is completely none of your business" Karen retorted, her eyes still focused on her father who remained visibly quiet.

"Oh yes it is, are you talking to this family's perfect child like that?" Ivy questioned as she sat up straight in anger.

Karen's eyes twitched as her eyes sized up the spoiled brat who pouted, feigning innocence and care.

"Mom, why don't you just marry her off to one of those rich old hags in her former company, maybe they'd give her a job for the price" Laura jested as she made blowing noises with the gum in her mouth

"Have you forgotten sweetheart, she was just too much, so she was fired" Ivy said in fake sympathy, her eyes squinting in obvious sympathy.

Laura giggled at the condescending words thrown to Karen.

Her eyes were thrown to Karen's figure, she did not like anything about her, especially how beautiful she was.

She was clearly fuming. Karen stood in the other corner, her eyes fixated on her Dad who seldom made any remarks.

Ivy and Laura were not her headache and if for anything, she despised them but never gave them the chance to get her attention.

"I'd always thought you would initially give up and run off somewhere" Ivy insisted with her hands crossed below her bulging chests as she stared hard at Karen

Karen's breath hitched, her stepmother's smirk deepening.

"That's enough," her father said, though his tone lacked any real reprimand.

He turned to Karen, his gaze heavy. "You have disgraced this family enough, Karen. I thought your mother's death would teach you a lesson but I guess you are still as dumb as she was."

Karen's eyes filled with hot tears, they were hanging ready to trace down her cheeks

"Be smart and figure something out." He said, throwing his eyes away from her back to his journal.

"I'm trying," Karen whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Her father stood, tossing his journal away before grabbing his coat.

"Try harder." And with that, he left.

Ivy clicked her tongue.

"I don't know why you bother coming back here."

"I have no idea too" she murmured to herself turning towards the staircase as the tears fell down her face, leaving her eyes in a blurry state.

,

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?