The Doubled Deal

It was bright Saturday morning, Helma woke up in her one bedroom apartment excited .She hummed a song softly while made her bed. She walked to the kitchen and microwaved a cupcake, she lit a candle on it and wispered "happy birthday Helma". In her pjamas, Helma did a small happy dance.

Helma cleaned her small apartment and got ready for work. She worked at a coffee shop to support her sweetheart Kelvin pay for a house, so they can start a life together. She picked her phone and texted Kelvin "did somebody forget my birthday? See you later baby. You owe me dinner". She picked her purse and went to the coffee shop down the street.

At work, Helma received gifts from her colleagues. Helma's smile lasted throughout her work hours. She had hopes and expectations from Kelvin. He gifted her a bracelet last year and she couldn't wait to unbox her present this year. After work, Helma stoped at a store to get a new dress.

The green dress rested on her body perfectly. It was everything she imagined in a dress. It highlighted her curves and her brown hair gave the dress more credits. Helma has been saving for months to get a new dress for her 23rd birthday despite her tight salary. She paid 100$ for the dress and went home excited to get ready.

Helma texted Kelvin after getting home and waited for his reply. After waiting for two hours, Helma thought he was too busy planning a surprise for her. She dreamily imagined how Kelvin had put in so much work just for her. She showered, wore her special dress, and wore the only white heel she has. She picked a white purse to match her heel.

With excitement, Helma knocked at Kelvin's door. She inhaled again and knocked, but there was no response. She pressed the door bell several times but there was no response. She finally allowed her self in. She got inside his apartment and saw few bottles of liquor and cigarettes on the table.

Helma's smile faded immediately. "Does this mean Kelvin drank the whole day and forgot about my birthday?" She thought. She cleared the sitting room and took out the bottles of liquor that littered the sitting room. She yelled "Kelvin" and her response was the tickling wall clock. Helma began her search in his apartment.

After searching every room in his apartment, she found her sweetheart in bed with an unknown woman. Helma screamed her lungs in disbelief "Kelvin! What is going on here?". Kelvin turned to Helma and felt no remorse. Putting on his shorts he said "What happened to respecting the privacy of others" in tears, Helma yelled at Kelvin. " Are you serious! Kelvin today is my birthday and this is the best gift you think I deserve? ".

Kelvin walked out on Helma and went to the kitchen to drink water. Helma chased after him and kept yelling. " Kelvin what haven't I done for you, for us. How could you be this evil?". She bursted in tears. Kelvin walked to the sitting room with his face impassive , as he listened to her outburst. The looks on his face shows that he wasn't moved by her actions. " Helma, it is time to call it quit" he said without emotions on his face.

Helma gave a mocking laugh with tears running down her cheeks. She walked toward Kelvin sobbing "what do you mean? What about our house. We were to move in together next weekend and pay up the balance in two months. Kelvin this is an expensive joke. Please stop! I forgive you already" she sobbed loudly.

Kelvin lit up his cigarette and gave her a stern look " Helma, I sold the house. And there is no us moving in together. Who wants a virgin flatmate?". Helma couldn't believe her ears. She bent down and hugged his legs in tears pleading for an explanation. Helma had sweats on her dress and her perfect makeup ruined with tears.

Helma left Kelvin's apartment devastated and in tears. She walked the lonely street alone in the dark. She thought about her life, her student loan that she hasnt been able to pay up and now Kelvin has sold the house they were paying for, putting her into more debts. Helma broke down and sobbed loudly in the street. She stopped a taxi and asked him to take her to the nearest bar.

Sitted in the bar, Helma ordered the strongest cocktails. She had shots upon shots of vodka. "Why would a beautiful lady be drinking too much" a calm voice said beside Helma. She looked towards him, and saw a walking god! Helma drolled. She saw the most handsome man she has ever met. He looked like he walked out of a model magazine.

He chuckled and sat opposite her. Helma inhaled his strong perfume. She looked at his perfect jawline, broad shoulders and smiled sheeply at him. She sipped her cocktail looking into his eyes. The man ordered a vodka and smiled back at Helma. In her drunken state, she asked him "do you think I am not enough?". He smiled back touching her hand, "princess, you are extremely beautiful. You are soft like a fruit pup, delicate and precious. You are enough".

Helma laughed and sipped her drink." You are flirting with me, Mr. You know, I want to fly, I want to be happy, but it is so hard. Nobody loves me" she said amid tears. The man, gave her his handkerchief and consoled her." I know a place we can go. You will feel better". He paid for their drinks and led Helma out holding her hand.

They walk through the streets of Big heart city holding hands. Helma found solace in this stranger. She looked at him boldly after killing all atoms of fear, she kissed him passionately. His breathe on her face sent electric shocks to her spine. His masculine hands curbed her small waist. She felt safe and at the same time vulnerable with this stranger. The moment got intensed, and Helma wanted more.

The stranger kissed her neck and wispered "we should get a room" Helma nodded like a lamb about to be slaughtered. He stopped a taxi and they headed for a hotel at the heart of the city. Helma thought about Kelvin's betrayal and how easy it was for him to sleep around while she kept herself for their wedding. She made up her mind to cheat back.

Her thoughts were distracted by the warm hands of the stranger on her legs. "We are here princess". They walked to the hotel room holding hands. The tension between them went from hundred to a thousand. He pinned her to the wall and kissed her as though his life depended on it. Helma wrapped her fragile hands around his neck and gave him room.

He tailed kisses to her neck, Helma let out a moan. He carefully took off her green dress and Carried her bridal style to bed. Helma knew she might end up making a huge mistake, but she somehow trusted this stranger. He resumed kissing and caressing her curves, till he gave in to his desires.

Helma woke up at dawn to find herself alone. She looked around and saw no trace of the handsome stranger. The pain between her thighs were evidence of their passion filled night. Beside her, she found a painkiller. She took the pills and walked to shower. She looked at herself in the mirror and found hickeys on her neck and belly. She inhaled sharply, and continued washing her body with soap.

She got dressed, opened her purse and found the strangers handkerchief. She held on to it. "This could be the last piece of him I have left" she thought. She packed her hair, messy bun and walked out of the hotel room. The walked out of the VIP rooms and walked into the elevator. She got outside and boarded a taxi.

She got to her apartment, to meet her a mail. She opened the mail, and it was a reminder that her rent will be due in the next 12weeks. Helma broke down in tears. She could barely save enough for herself, pay her student loan, balance up for the mortgage, and now, rent. She knew she wouldn't be able to pay up all these expense from her job at the coffee shop. Taking off her green dress, Helma wore a robe.

Helma, sat on the floor in her sitting room, and draft out serveral application mails to different companies. She had hope that one of the company could employ her, then she can renew her rent before the over dued date .

Weeks passed and Helma could not be more devastated. Her betrayal from Kelvin, her piling debts and her inability to secure a job was a heavyweight on her shoulder. Helma wore a blue top and a black mom jean and headed to the grocery store to get groceries for dinner.

On her way, she received a mail from D. B. C tech groups. Helma screamed with excitement "Yes!! ". She quickly sat on a bench by the walkway and read the mail in details.

" Dear Applicant,

You have been been selected for the job position as a sales representative.

You can login by clicking here or go to D.B.C/jobinter.com on your browser to get full details on your selected interview date.

Be reminded that your reference letter is attached to this mail sent to you.

Best Regards".

Helma's face was beaming with joy and gladness. This was the first opportunity she has gotten after graduation to put her certificate to use. Helma graduated from college a year ago after studying Business administration. She always looked forward to working in a firm, now it has become a reality.

Helma hurriedly went to the Grocery store and returned home. She needed to prepare for her forth coming interview in three day. She opened her walldrobe and the only outfit worthy for the interview needed a good press.

She took out a green plain trouser and a white floral patterned blazzer to match. She held them to her self and imagined herself in them smiling at the mirror. She nodded at her choice of outfits and took them for laundry. Helma has never had so much joy doing her laundry in her life before. She hummed loudly to the singing stero and danced while dry cleaning her outfit.

The rest of the evening was blissful. For a moment, Helma finally got a real and worry free smile on her face. She gave extra attention while pressing her outfits. She arranged them lovingly as though they were her babies. She cleaned and placed her heels aside, cleaned her white purse and wrapped it with a plastic bag.

She spent the next two days, rehearsing in front of her mirror and studying for her interview. She knew her sanity and happiness depended on getting the job hence she was determined to do anything and everything possible to get the job.

Beep, beep, beep!! Helma's alarm buzzed. She hurriedly left her bed and said a short prayer. She ignored the uneasiness in her belly and focused on coming back home an employed lady. She freshened up, spent time heat pressing her hair. She woke up early enough to do so. She rolled her hair from regular straight to spiral curls.

She wore her outfit, heels and her light make-up to match. She looked at herself in the mirror and couldn't be more proud of her parents for creating such a beauty in nothing less than an Hr. She placed her printed reference letter in her purse, did a 360 for the mirror, took her phone and headed for D. B. C TECH GROUPS.

All through her time in the taxi, she kept repeating to herself "Helma, you are intelligent, you will get the job. You are beautiful, bold and blessed". "We are here ma" from the taxi driver brought her back to reality. She paid him with half the money she had left. She inhaled sharply "when I get the job, I will earn more". She stood in front of the company and adored the majestic building in front of her.

"Get out of the way, you are drolling like a pig!!" a rude voice came behind her. Helma turned around and saw a tall blonde model, wearing a mini flare skirt,a crop top, and a boot. "I am sorry ma, I didn't see you" Helma Said with a half smile. She gave room for Clara to make her way to the company.

Helma met the receptionist and greeted her politely. "I am here for the interview slated for 10:20am, here is my reference letter. The receptionist Jane collected the letter from her,smiled at her and complimented " you look amazing ma. Your smile is contagious" Helma blushed, Clara hissed and sat down.

Helma sat down opposite Clara, waiting for the CEO to be done with a meeting with his board members. Clara kept chewing her gum loudly, and would occasionally scold any staff smiling and complimenting Helma. Helma, could not understand why she was bittered and who she was to dress inappropriately to a firm.

Jane called out to Helma "You can go in now. 4th floor, last office by your right". Immediately, Clara stood up and rushed to the elevator. Helma and Jane locked eyes and sighed. Helma stood in front of the elevator waiting. "Hi" a masculine voice said . Helma smiled back at him. All she wanted was to get over with her Interview and fix her troubling stomach. "I am James, but you can call me jay" he said smiling more. Helma offered her hands to the handsome blonde, "Helma".

Immediately the elevator was open, they both entered and observed two minutes silence. "I work as a tech engineer here, seems you are new?" James said fixing his tie. " I am ......I mean I came for an interview" Helma said indifferently. Before James could say another word, Helma said her goodbye and stepped out of the elevator. She took her right turn, and headed to the last office. Helma stoped to catch her breathe and remind herself that she is well able.

She got to the last office and knocked. She knocked twice but no response. She was about giving up when Clara opened the door. She could see the fire in Clara's eyes. "I came for the......." She shuttered. Clara hissed and yelled "I pray you don't employ her Donald". She looked at Helma in disgust and walked out. Helma could not understand what she has done wrong to the young later. Her thoughts were distracted by the familiar voice she heard "The interview started 14 seconds ago miss".

Helma entered the office careful enough to not make any noise with he heels. She admired the office that looked like a king size bedroom. It had a nice interior design that had green paintings that matched up with the furniture. She bit her lips in thoughts. Why would anyone put a full sitting room furniture in their office?. "Miss, your interview started 1:4 seconds ago" The voice echoed again. Helma became conscious and saw a familiar figure sipping coffee looking outside the window. "I am sorry sir" she said adjusting her blazzer. Immediately he turned, Her jaw dropped!.

Helma's face turned pale. She froze. Her stomach giggled. She could not believe her eyes. Was today working against her? She thought. Random thoughts were buzzing in her mind. "Sit down miss" He said sipping coffee walking to take his seat. "You are here for the job interview, I would appreciate if you close your mouth, you are almost drolling" Her said looking at her for the first time.

Helma nodded nervously. She couldn't be herself anymore. He acted as though he haven't met her before. Helma trued to compose herself. "Introduce yourself miss" He said writing on a paper. Helma eyes were on her nails " my name is Helma Robertson, I am a graduate of business administration and I applied for the position of a sales rep in your company sir" she said playing with her nails nervously.

"Do you have any working experience miss?" He said without looking out of his paper. Helma's confidence failed her. This was her first job and it seemed she would go back home broke and unemployed. "This is my first job sir, but I promise to pick up real quick. I am a fast learner sir" she said in a desperation. He looked at Helma without words, his eyes scanned through her outfit. Her cleavage looked perfect just like it was a month ago . Her innocence yet sexy eyes blinking in fear and anxiety.

He cleared his throat and called her "Miss Helma, we are hiring sales reps with at least 3years of experience. I am sorry, you will not get the job". Helma's head spined in circles. She remembered her debts, her bank balance and rent. This was her last hope. She looked perfect just for this opportunity. She wouldn't accept his rejection.