9 | A Good Day!

[ZEMIRA]

“Congratulations, Ms Feather. We are so delighted to have you on board,” the man in the crisp black suit said with a gentle smile on his face.

Did I really just land this job? Did this really happen?

Not able to help myself—overwhelmed with happiness and relief—a chuckle leapt out of my mouth. “Thank you so much. It’s such a pleasure to be able to work again.”

Of course, during the interview, they were curious about the reasons my previous employer sacked me. As usual, I decided honesty was the best policy. I told them everything that had happened. From the start to the very end. Brian, one of the interviewers, and also the part-owner of the restaurant, called my ex-boss absolutely unprofessional. He even shared his own experience about that one time they both met during a food carnival in Los Angeles. Let’s just say it left a bitter taste in Brian’s mouth. Even after the interview was done, he couldn’t stop talking about how much he would like to punch him in the face.

I guess it was unprofessional on his end to speak about someone behind their back, but honestly speaking? I couldn’t care. It was the first time I finally had an opportunity to openly talk about the unfairness of everything that happened. And I couldn’t explain how good that felt. So good.

“Well, I guess we’ll see you tomorrow then,” Brian said with a smile and reached his arm out.

After we shook hands and bid goodbyes for the day, I immediately called mom and shared the good news.

“I’m so proud of you, Mira. I told you it was just a phase,” mom gushed, and I couldn’t agree more. She was always right. “See, now everything is falling into its place. You know, when I woke up this morning, I felt so great. So positive. I knew at that moment something good is about to happen,” she laughed. “Alright, enough talk. You need to treat yourself. I’m transferring you some money—don’t you dare refuse or I’ll be a super mad—and buy something for yourself? Something good. Something black…maybe? Black looks so good on you, Mira.”

I tried to reason with her. I really did. We should wait until I get my salary and then treat ourselves, I told her. But it was as if she stopped hearing me after a while. She could be stubborn and really determined if she chose to be. And I knew like always that if I didn’t do as she was asking me to, she would make me suffer from her silent treatments, which honestly could only get worse after every passing hour.

As expected, the second I disconnected the call, my phone buzzed. She already transferred some money as she had said.

After thanking Oliver—he was at work, so I simply left him a text—I called Brandon.

“Zee, that’s awesome news!” he said excitedly. “We need to celebrate. God, I can’t wait to see you—uh—I mean, can’t wait for the treat. Tell me, where are you now? I’ll come and pick you up.”

I told him that I’d be at the city mall. He promised to meet me there.

Considering it was my first-time shopping at a new place, I felt a brief hesitation crawling up my neck. To be honest, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to get myself anything. But if I went home with no shopping bag in my hand, she would be gravely disappointed. And after everything we’d been through in the last few months, I swore not to upset her anymore. In fact, I’d planned to get her something, too. Perhaps I could find a good deal. You know, buy one get one kind?

Thankfully, I did stumble upon a clothing store with good discounts. There was a young girl with her head immersed in the mobile. I approached her.

“Hi. I’m looking for something casual?”

Lifting her gaze from the screen, she looked at me with a frown. Glanced behind me for some reason, before scanning me up to down. I was about to ask if there was any problem or should I check any other shop when the corner of her mouth lifted.

“Of course, this way!”

She led me down the aisle with clothes on hangers on either side.

I might not have been paying much attention to where she was leading me when someone suddenly appeared from my left (later I’d realize it was a changing room) and bumped right into my side.

“Ouch!”

“Oh shit!” The guy panicked.

“Careful!” I was saying when something clanked on the floor. I realized my back had hit against a mannequin. When I stumbled backwards to create some distance between the man and myself, I kind of managed to drive it off its place.

“What happened? What did you break?” Someone came shouting through a door on my right. An old lady, possibly in her seventies. And just like that, everyone’s eyes turned on me with a heavy accusation.

So much for having a good day.

“It was an accident…” I tried to say, gaze stuck to the broken neck of the mannequin. But the old lady didn’t let me finish.

“Of course, it was an accident. What else could it be? It’s not like you came here all the way to destroy my ship, did you?” For a minute, I couldn’t figure out if she was being sarcastic or honestly was letting me off the hook.

But the scowl dangling across her face made things easy to understand.

“No. It was really an accident,” the guy who bumped into me in the first place spoke. “I was in a rush to get back to work and I kind of walked right into her,” turning to face me, he winced. “I’m so sorry. You’re not hurt, are you?”

“I’m fine,” I told him before averting my gaze back to the poor mannequin.

I was hoping the woman wouldn’t ask me to pay for that. Hopefully, these things weren’t expensive.

“I’ll pay for the damage,” the guy said instantly and I couldn’t help but snap my eyes back at him.

He was already looking at me.

“You don’t have to…” I offered, although mentally I was hoping I wouldn’t have to.

“No no, please let me. I’m the one at fault here. I should bear the damage.”

“Fine. Fine.” The old woman grumbled. “Mona, come here and clean up the mess. I’ll go and check how much this young man needs to compensate,” saying, she bumbled back to her cabin and slammed the door shut with a loud smack.

As if on cue, Mona (the girl with the phone) appeared and helped Mr. mannequin back to its feet. She didn’t fail to fix me with an annoyed look before picking up the broken head and sauntering back to another room down the aisle.

Thankfully, all the other buyers present in the shop turned to mind their own business as well. Except for the guy who still stood next to me. As if waiting for me to say something.

“Uh…I guess I’ll just—”

“No. Wait,” before I could turn around and leave the hell out of this place, he called, and I found myself coming to a halt.

“I don’t think I properly apologized.”

“You did.”

“Yeah…but not in the way that would make me feel less guilty. I genuinely feel bad about it. I’m usually not that clumsy.”

“Honestly, it’s fine,” I told him with a smile. “Besides, you’re already bearing the damages. It is enough atonement for one day.”

“I hope so,” he rubbed the back of his neck. “Are you sure you’re not hurt?”

“Absolutely positive.”

That seemed to give him a bit of relief. “I’m josh. In case you were wondering whom to cuss for ruining your lovely day,” a grin curled up at the corner of his lips.

I laughed. “I’m not about to cuss you, Josh,” he made a relieved sound. “Zemira. In case you were wondering…well, for whatever reason.”

He gave me a small nod before glancing at his wristwatch. “Looks like I’m officially late.”

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. For the first, I noticed the guy with a little more attention. He was actually good-looking. Short, dark hair. Thick brows and long eyelashes. He wore a black shirt that stretched across his chest, tracing a good physique.

“I’m sorry that you’re late…”

“Why are you sorry? It has nothing to do with you,” he said charmingly, dismissing with a wave of his hand. “I was already running late when my assistant dropped the coffee on my shirt. I didn’t have a spare with me. So, I came to pick up something quick and decent for the meeting.”

He had an assistant. He must be someone of high profile.

Not that it mattered.

I sighed. “Alright. It was nice to meet you, Josh. But I gotta go now. Have a friend waiting.”

“Oh,” he made a soft sound as if disappointed over what I said. “Of course. Well, it was nice to meet you, too.”

With a smile, I turned around on my heels and headed for the exit.

However, I was barely outside the shop when I heard him call my name again.

“Zemira. Wait!”

I did. Turned around. Only to find me running over to where I was and panting a little.

“What happened—”

He took out a card from his wallet and handed it over to me. “This is my card,” he said. “In case you’ve no one waiting. Just give me a call, maybe? I would love to take you for a coffee…or lunch, whatever is alright with you.”

“Josh, this is—”

“Please,” he requested. Holding up my hand, he placed the card on my palm. “I insist.”

I took it. But before I could say anything at all, he was gone.

I looked down at the card. Josh Marvel.

For some reason, I couldn’t help the smile that curled across my face.

After the incident at the shop, I feared that my good day was turning bad again.

But…maybe it was not.

Maybe…let’s not think too much into it, shall we?