Chapter 1
The phone rings once, twice, a woman picks up the phone. “Hello this is Stacey speaking, who am I speaking to at this moment?” Her monotone voice came through. I have never heard someone so uninterested in their job.
I sit up in my chair, “Hi Stacey, my name is Isabelle. I’m calling about the chemist job, this number was on the ad.”
“Oh, alright hold on.”
A saxophone began to play on the line.I put the phone on speaker, determined to wait however long I had to. I called this number the second I saw the ad in the newspaper.
A paper sat in front of me on my desk, staring at me as if it had eyes of its own.
Bold red letters read: Eviction Notice.
It slipped beneath my door this morning. When I opened my door, my landlord was still standing there, scratching his belly. The stench of cigarettes and pungent body odor filled my nose and I blinked. “Ned!”
“You have to pay the bills, Izzy.” He slurred. I hated when he called me that nickname, “I already extended last month’s payment.” He shrugged.
I followed him into the hall, “Come on, don’t do this to me.”
He stopped and rolled his eyes, “If you can’t pay the rent you gotta get the hell out.” Fuck.
The memory fades but the dread lingers, if I don’t come up with the money for my rent by the end of this month, I’m not sure what I’d do. Probably go crawling back to my parents house.
I already see my mother’s face disappointment and ‘I told you so’ on her face.
“Hello?” A man’s voice cuts through the jazz tune playing before.
“Hello, I’m here.” I clear my throat, my voice squeaking.
“Hi Isabelle, hope you’re doing well.” He speaks quickly, “When can you start?”
That was fast…I ignored the gnawing feeling in my stomach. “How about Thursday?”
“Cool.” He takes a pause, “You’ve worked with hazardous materials before?”
I blink, “Yes of course.” I thought being a chemist implied that.
“Of course, stupid question to ask a chemist,” He chuckles, “You don’t have any obligations that would… interfere?”
Obligations? Unfortunately not. “Nope.”
“Alright, we can discuss the rest in person. I will text this number the address of the office. We just need to get some paperwork started…more information when you arrive. How’s that sound?”
I nod as if he can see me, “Yes absolutely. Shall I pass by the office today?”
We agreed to meet in two hours, giving me plenty of time to prepare for what I assumed would be an interview.
I dress in a business casual outfit, hoping to show them I’m worth hiring. I styled my hair, trying and failing to avoid the ‘chemist look’. Usually a mix of stress and greasy hair.
A knock sounds at my apartment door.
I walk past my kitchen to my front door and check the peephole. The rusty gold cover slid over to reveal my mother standing there. She held a dish in her hands, probably leftovers. My stomach betrays me with a loud growl. Her black hair was pulled back and she wore her scrub uniform.
Once again, she lifted her fist to knock, frowning deeply. I pull open the door and let her in. “When were you going to tell us you were fired?” She shoves the dish into my fridge and it takes every ounce of my self control to not dig in right away.
“Mom, I was going to tell you when I went home this weekend.” I sighed, sitting down to receive my usual lecture. In her eyes, I’ve never measured up. No awards, recognitions, or flashy career. Unlike my younger brother who’s an investment banker, is married to another investment banker, and lives in a mansion. Meanwhile I might not even keep this apartment.
“I could help you darling if you just let me.”
“I’m okay, I already found another job at a lab.” I explain, “I’m supposed to meet them today actually.”
“Your brother was the one to tell me.” She continues. “I hate hearing about these situations from him instead of you.” He’s such a fat mouth. I bite back a response, I will deal with him later.
“Mom, relax. I have a job lined up and it’s going to work out.”
She sighs and sits beside me. “You worry me, Isabelle.” I see her tired face, the slump in her shoulders and I can’t help but give her a hug.
“You did not have to come down here, it’s too out of your way.”
The clock read 2:11 pm.
“I really have to go now. Come on, I’ll walk you out.”
***
At the front desk stands Stacey, now intimidatingly perfect. Her red hair was in a bouncy ponytail, her pale skin glowed, and sharp blue eyes. She narrowed them on me as I walked inside the office. “Hello, can I help?”
“We spoke over the phone, my name is Isabelle.” I extended my hand but was met with air. She ignored it. She nodded her head and instructed me to sit, walking away. I slowly lowered my hand, swallowing the embarrassment. The office is sleek, floor to ceiling windows with a sweeping city view. The couches were brown leather and felt plush beneath me. Everything here screamed money. I sit straighter feeling insecure about my choice of outfit.
A man comes into the waiting room, Stacey standing behind him. “Isabelle?”
“Yes.” I stand.
He smiles and introduces himself as Carlos. He looks a few years older than I am at 26. He had dark hair and freckled skin, with a thin frame. “We spoke earlier, come with me.” He leads me through quiet hallways, past office doors and soft elevator music played overhead.
I noticed I was underdressed once I took note of Carlos’ suit.
We entered the very last room, the door revealing a tiny space with a desk in the center. It’s out of place.
The walls were bare and there were no windows. The walls were yellowed, not the clean white paint from outside. I take a seat anyway as Carlos hands me a thick stack of papers.
“These are some usual paperwork we give all our employees.” The papers are heavy in my lap, the font so tiny, almost impossible to read quickly. I could not believe this was my work contract.
“The boss is very accommodating, Miss Isabelle. Believe me, you will enjoy your work here. I went ahead,” He flips to a couple highlighted sections, “and highlighted where to sign.”
I hesitate, scanning the pages looking for something important. The payment for each month, my eyes widened and I glanced at Carlos who watched me patiently.
I blinked at the number: $40,000 per month. Also, a signing bonus of $150,000. My breath catches.
“Everything alright?”
I nod and slowly raise the pen to the highlighted area.
I sign before I can change my mind.
