PROLOGUE

"You're fired!"

My jaw dropped at the break of those words, eyes gaping on at the hot liquid streaming down the shirt of the man who in minutes ago, had been my employer.

I had spilled coffee on him.

Hot coffee!

What luck befell a lady as me on a fine Monday morning?

But I tell you people, it was the end of a path I had taken for the past eight years, and the beginning of my search for a job.

Sometimes, one would think life would hit you with warning, get you prepared for what was to come. Have you anticipate whatever was out there.

But no, not this time.

It struck me hard. Leaving me with nothing, but the fact that all my years of working here, had been an utter waste.

Years of me toiling to have a better stand.

My things had been tossed out my office in less than a minute.

Come on, now.

I knew Corrine never liked me, but was this how fast she was at getting rid of me?

She had slipped the letter into my sweaty palms, eyes registering the shock on my face.

That letter which bore the writings of the department's director telling me never to step foot in the company.

There must be something more to this, cause clearly, it can't be coffee. I mean, I've worked here for eight years, and never had problem. Why would a spill of a cup of coffee, suddenly resort to me being relieved of my duties?

It was absurd!

Still that never stopped them from escorting me out, leading me to the elevator, and right past the exit.

They were done with me!

Simply put, they had had it enough, and that sure was the end of my role in an office that I had found joy these past few years.

"I'm a wreck" I took a sip of the glass held in my hands, eyes beholding the wavering figure of Tara.

"How many cups have I had now?"

I was forced to ask, right after seeing another outline of my friend appearing before my eyes.

My stomach said to stop, yet my body craved for more. At this point, I could only tell she kept up with me, had to Stand my wailing form in the mini apartment we both shared.

For the past hours, she had been trying to put me to a stop, yelling to keep my voice down even though I had done enough in cracking the peace of the night.

"I won't let you wallow in pains, all because you were fired from a job that never respected you" The Calm voice of my friend followed.

"It's their loss, Jane" She followed.

"Is it really?" I coughed.

"I have a year's rent outstanding, not to forget the bills the house bear"

"And what do I tell mother when she asks for money to settle her bills"

"We'll have all this sorted out, Janet"

"Well how?" My voice soon broke out, the tears stinging my cheeks.

The alcohol had done enough to suppress those tears, but only now did I realize nothing could stop the pains from showing.

I didn't resist. I let it all pour out.

"Come on, Janet. I know you better than this" She called softly.

"You will fight through. You always do" How soft those words were, yet they bore much weight in my ears.

She was my only comfort at this point. My only push. And in her arms, sobbing my heart out, I had soon fallen to a night I hoped would drown my pains.

NOTE: A prologue is an introductory section of a piece of literature, especially of plays, that precedes the inciting action of the story. The prologue is often designed to explain background or reveal context to the audience, so they better understand the story that follows.