Chapter 2

On the day of our interview, it was a Monday. Our interview was scheduled for 10 a.m. I was awake at 6 a.m and barely slept throughout the night. Whilst Frederick was exceedingly soundly asleep. I could hear him snore till the bathroom, at this point the neighbours will be awake because of his snores. I just sat on the couch, turned on the Tv and watched some news around the world.

Sigh...

The fridge was deserted apart from those rotten bananas there was just a bottle of water. Throughout the whole night, he was walking back and forth. Neither of us knew about the company nor what will happen on the day of the interview.

I had to stay up till late yesterday night, I had to complete assignments so that I could be available for the next day morning.

It was around 8:45 a.m, I just returned home with bread that I purchased at the local bakery shop. Frederick was finally awake and ready for the interview. We ate the piece of bread and chugged in some water as well. It was 30 minutes walk from our home. And off we go. On our way out, I went out first, Fred had to verify some things before heading out. I was alarmed by the noisy shouts coming from our neighbour's house. I tried approaching their house and heed a bit of their dispute.

I heard two voices. One voice seemed to be a woman's and the other voice seemed to be a man's. I believe it's just a couple's regular dispute. Although I heard on several occasions, the girl screaming and slamming the door. I felt guilty hearing about others' life issues, though it was quite loud and of curiosity, I overheard their conversations.

A few minutes later, I heard Frederick's voice approaching me. Suddenly, the voice disappeared and somebody tapped my shoulders. I flipped out. It was Frederick, he had a rather disgruntled face. He warned me not to approach this couple's house. With no further explanations given, I halted and proceeded to go to our interview. We tiptoed when we left Fred's house, we didn't want others to notice us, otherwise, they'll just gossip around the whole neighbourhood. Frederick's neighbourhood loved gossiping about others. He always tried avoiding them.

On our way out of the neighbourhood, we encountered Mr Jones and Mrs Jones.

" Good morning, young men. Where are you guys heading to?" asked Mr Jones with a grin on his face.

" Morning Mr and Mrs Jones we're just heading to our friend's place, yeah nothing much," said Frederick with discomfort.

We rushed out from there, we were getting late as well. We both wore shirts and trousers for the interview. I didn't fully button my shirt, I didn't want to appear way too formal on the streets. I assured to add some final touches to my outfit before reaching there to make some last final checks.

We didn't know where the office was, we kept on inquiring about the strangers we crossed into.

" Just keep going straight." said most people we bumped into.

At this stage we would run out of the road, we're just going and going without knowing the exact location.

We eventually bumped into a big tall building.

" Let's ask them directions to our interview place," Frederick asked me.

I went in and my gosh it was clean and beautiful inside.

I politely asked the receptionist for directions.

"Sir, this is the office you must be at," she replied with a charming smile.

" Oh is it, well I'm not quite familiar with this area, appreciate your help," I told her.

I was amazed.

She also added that they were awaiting two recruits. I told to my inner self, " I think that's us."

I slowly backed off from the counter with a grin on my face. Frederick was patiently loitering for me to return with some directions in mind to reach our potential workplace. I pushed the door and saw Frederick going back and forth waiting for me whilst watching the time on his watch.

I told him, that was indeed the place we were supposed to attend. I also added that the receptionist told me that they were awaiting two recruits.

" Without any further due, let's head inside and see what will happen," said Frederick confidently.

We told the same receptionist that a certain person told us to come here for an interview. Without any hesitation, she told us to wait in the hallway. We sat there, just looking at my watch every few seconds. Frederick was also waiting impatiently. A man came out of the office room. We immediately stood up and started towards that office. As soon as we entered the office, we were welcomed by a young man. He was rather in his 25s, he was quite charming and was wearing formal outfits.

We exchanged between the three of us for a solid 10 minutes. He told us to return back and that he will call us later in the afternoon. We left there, and on our way home, we just waited for the phone call with the hopes of being approved to work there. At that moment, my wallet was gradually becoming empty. At that moment I only had $40 in my wallet and a $10 note at Frederick's place.

Our stomachs were rumbling, we were both starving. This time I had enough of always buying food for Frederick. As I already paid some money as 'rent'. I just can continue paying for two people when I barely got enough money for myself. Thus, I told an untruth that I only had $5 on me.

We proceeded to a nearby Fast food chain.

He bought himself food with his money. I did the same but with my own money.

Throughout the whole meal, we didn't even utter a single word.

We completed eating our meal and returned home. On that day I hadn't much to do. I couldn't wait to get started with my new job and start earning at last. At last, my phone finally rang, it was an anonymous call. It was a phone call from that same company. I wasn't told much about whether I got the job or not. They just instructed me to meet the recruiting supervisor himself at 4 p.m.

" Oh, sure no worries I'll be there on time."

I informed the receptionist with no reluctance.

" But Sir, please come along for this meeting."

At that moment, I was completely tight-lipped. I was baffled, as I didn't discern the part on why I should come along at the assignation" 

She hung up the phone on me.  I merely had time to acknowledge her request.

Well, it felt unusual of going out without Frederick. Our ambition was to succeed in life together. I didn't know what to tell Frederick. I couldn't just simply go out of the house without him knowing the reason. It was around 3p.m, Frederick was sleeping, I tiptoed out of the house and left for my assignation call. The walk was prolonged, by that time I barely had $ 20 in my wallet. I was succumbing to thirst, I rushed to a nearby convenience store. The beverages were so damn costly. I couldn't afford any of them, I left the store empty-handed. Luckily, there was a supermarket nearby. It was still 10 more minutes of walking distance to the supermarket.

I got my bottle of water and sipped the whole way to the company's office. As I was approaching the office, I took a deep breath and went on. I was a superstitious person, so I constantly made sure to enter an office with my right foot.

The receptionist greeted me, by that time she knew who I was. She directed me to another floor. I took the first right, it was an anonymous room, the office was enormous. Nobody was in there,  I kept on watching the ticking clock. The receptionist eventually left me all by myself. It was a full-on lounge, snacks, beverages abondance with a massive TV at the back. Well, the TV just broadcasted some worldwide news. I wasn't into News or politics either. I was already quite bothered with my ongoing circumstance. 

That sounds quite insensitive not to pay notoriety to what's going on across the four corners of this world. I couldn't help myself, so I commenced snacking in that lounge. I was craving some chocolates for a while now. I instantly became like a 5years old kid, ultimately the receptionist came upstairs to acquaint me with the news that the manager is on his way to the office.

Well, it would take one hour and more for him to arrive there. Thrilled and exhilarated, I maintained on keeping my patience and devouring those snacks in an airconditioned room. Delightful minutes for me. It somehow felt better being on my own for once. The manager suddenly popped up out of nowhere, I quickly kept the snacks away and went in his direction.

I buttoned my shirt to the top, wiped my face with a piece of cloth and drank some water to remove any disturbing odour. we finally began our conversation and exchanged it with one another.

" So, sir concerning the interview I was given by one of your colleagues, can I know what happened?" I pleaded with the manager for a response.

" We have looked through the documents you submitted, without a doubt you've got lots of potential and will be a great asset to the company," he divulged to me with great compassion.

I couldn't believe, that I'm finally being considered useful. Especially for such an enormous company.

" Well, I'm not done yet." He added.

" You'll be working as an assistant manager for this company and not as a worker." He told me.

I was amazed but at the same time, I knew that being an assistant manager, requires lots of time. Although I'd surely get paid better money than working as a part-time worker. I hesitated to acknowledge what he had just told me. At that time, I was still a university student. No matter what, I was studying there. I don't know if didn't know about it, though I told them I can't abandon my studies.

" But sir, will that occupation be a part-time job, cause I'm a university student. I usually have classes in the mornings." I told him with an alarmed face.

" Yes, we are fully aware of it." He replied to me with absolutely no hesitation.

For a second, in my head, I thought that he was taking the piss out of me. He didn't reply to my previous question and his second sentence was just neutral.

I was beginning to lose patience with him.

I was extremely confused, I was completely dedicated to my studies. As I constantly believed that studies will be the only way I could succeed in life. The circumstances weren't any good either. There was nothing to lose in listening to his proposition. It was a well-established business already. For a while, they've been well-reputed for hiring workers.

" Sure, please proceed sir." I requested him.

" As we know that you are keen on your studies we would like to offer you a one month trial" he confided me with a few hesitations.

I couldn't refuse this proposition. We continued with our conversation. I agreed to his offer and just before leaving he handed me out an envelope.

I grabbed it and acknowledged the bounty. He gave me the eyes as I left his office.  Well, I just grinned throughout the whole time. I couldn't wait to open the envelope. I sat down in their visitor's lounge for the upcoming one hour or more. It was so peaceful and relatively empty as well. Luckily, I had brought my laptop along in my old beaten-down backpack with me.

I used their wifi for a bit and continued completing some remaining assignments.

Their wifi connection was somewhat decent, I sipped on some coffee from one of those drinks vending machines.

It was getting dark, I had to leave from there. I felt uncomfortable opening the envelope there. I couldn't open it at home either, Frederick would see it and would ask me a thousand qualms. I was overthinking, I unwrapped it. Well, there was a letter which contained my upcoming schedule for my one month trial. I ensured that the timetable matched my free time. And yes it was! I was delighted with it. I was also given a few hundred dollars in banknotes as "motivational support". I was ecstatic, a few hundred and an upcoming job.

" Ah! That's what I call hard work pays off!" I murmured to myself delightfully.

Well!

I can spend some money tonight!

I called Freddie and told him to get ready we are partying tonight.

" Uhm, okay sure, But wait where did you get your money from?" He started imploring me.

" I'll explain everything to you later." I comforted him by saying so.

I was on the hunt for a cheap pub 'ish' place. I couldn't just spend my entire 'paycheck' in one day. I must manage this amount till I can last. What could I say more? I knew if I worked well in my trials, I feel they can give me a little surplus from here and there.

So my best bet was to split my money into five parts. I'll use the 1/5 of my money for the pub.

A few minutes later

I kept on strolling in some streets, then voilà I found a decent looking pub.

I was starving by then,  I went to a local fast-food chain and bought myself a burger meal with a bottle of soda for a few bucks.

"Looks like I'm enjoying life!" I told myself with contentment.

A few dreadful hours later, It started raining cats and dogs. I hated rain since I was a child. Rain always gave me bad vibes and negative feelings. I scooted home, it was time for our small 'party outing' together.

We both got ready and headed to the pub.

It was quite late so we had a sandwich on our way there. This time he paid for the sandwiches. I was astonished, " He paid for food!"

It was pitch black, the alleyways were murky. The whole area was full of sobers and drug addicts. We were both horrified, we just kept on looking forward.

A few dreading seconds later, we reached the pub. It was quite nice actually!

A few nice fancy cars outside and people rather looked posh in that area. What a contrast from the first area! 

The usual check from a very muscular bodyguard with his black suit. Passed it with ease.

May the party begin!

The drinks mayhem commenced. Frederick seemed to enjoy himself out there. I was delighted to see him enjoying it after a while. The great part was that we cherished all the little we had. Just a few bucks made us so happy.

Throughout the whole party, Freddie kept on dancing. It seemed that he put all of his problems aside.

However, I choose to sit at the bar table and drink a few drinks. I wasn't a huge party enthusiast. By then, it was 1 am, Frederick was rather drunk, well he enjoyed his time there. Whereas I was in a rather reasonable condition, not drunk. I could still drive a full lorry for an upcoming 1k kilometres. I could tolerate a bit of alcohol.

However, a few instants later, a woman approached me. She sat down in a nearby bar chair. She got herself a cocktail. She didn't look that she was here to party or somewhat. Maybe in her mid-30s, with a posh attitude and fancy dress. We exchanged looks for a while, with the normal 'Hi'  hand wave. It seemed that a man accompanied her, he was in his 40s, and he sat down next to me.

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