For the big day ahead

Waking up with a pounding headache, I slowly opened my eyes. The room spun slightly, a testament to last night's overindulgence. My pillow was damp from what must have been a night of troubled sleep, and Toby, my resilient plant, was the silent witness to it all. Glancing at the clock, it read 10:37 a.m. Panic initially set in as I thought about rushing to work, but then the harsh reality of yesterday's events washed over me. No job to rush to anymore.

In a fit of anger, I grabbed the empty whiskey bottle and tossed it across the room. It clattered against the wall but didn't break. Exhaling sharply, I activated my biomonitor. A holographic display materialized before my eyes, presenting data about my body – the alcohol level in my blood was still higher than normal, among other things. I needed water, and probably some painkillers.

I checked the messages on my comlink. The first was from the administration of Megablock 4, a cold reminder about my rent obligation and a note about procedures for moving out, complete with links to job offices within the block. "Great," I muttered under my breath, frustration building.

The next message was from Castor. He said it was okay that I didn't make it last night and was waiting for me at the shop whenever I was ready. A small smile tugged at my lips; at least someone understood.

Then came a ridiculous chain email – the kind warning of bad luck if not forwarded. I couldn't help but smirk. "Too late for that," I said to myself, dismissing it.

But then, a message from TriColor Corp caught my eye. I shot up from bed, not caring about my naked state. They were interested in my design and prototype and wanted to meet me today, the 11th of May, at their City Center office. A surge of excitement washed over me. This was it, the opportunity I had been waiting for!

I couldn't help but jump up and down in excitement, momentarily forgetting my state of undress. My reflection in the mirror caught my eye, and I quickly felt a flush of embarrassment at the sight of my bare form. Hastily, I grabbed some lingerie and a bra, quickly covering up.

In the bathroom, I went through my routine – washing my face, applying makeup to hide the signs of my hangover. I needed to look my best, professional yet stylish. Dashing to my closet, I pulled out the outfit I had bought for a friend's wedding – it was feminine and chic, perfect for an office setting but still very much me.

Racing out of my tiny flat on the 44th floor, I felt the remnants of last night's whiskey swirling in my bloodstream. Time was ticking – I had only 1:30 hours to get to the TriColor Corp meeting. As I hurried down the corridor, I greeted a few familiar faces with quick nods and breathless 'hellos'.

Then I saw Tom, the annoying guy from the megablock who never missed a chance to ask me out. Today, though, his usual spiel was cut short as his eyes widened at my outfit. I noticed him practically drooling and thought, 'Men are so simple.' Without pausing, I rushed past him, my focus on the task ahead.

Navigating through the floors, I passed food stalls and reached Uncle Chen's. He looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Well, well, Marlene! I see you're all dressed up. But maybe cover up a bit, huh? I'm an old man; don't want to risk a stroke!"

I glanced down, realizing in my rush that my outfit was more revealing than intended. My cheeks warmed with embarrassment as I quickly adjusted my clothing. "Sorry, Uncle Chen," I said with a sheepish smile. "I didn't realize."

"I need something for a hangover," I added quickly, hoping to change the subject.

Chen chuckled. "Is this a pre-party or after-party remedy?"

I stuck out my tongue mockingly. "Actually, it's a 'I-just-got-a-message-from-TriColor-Corp-about-my-prototype-and-they-want-to-meet-today' remedy!"

Chen's eyes lit up, and he beamed with genuine joy. Stepping out from his stall, he enveloped me in a hearty hug. "I knew it, Marlene! I always said you were meant for great things. Tonight, we'll celebrate properly. But for now, let's get you something light and quick to settle that stomach."

The warmth in his words filled my heart. "Thanks, Chen. And I lost my job at FreshMart," I added, recounting the events of the previous day.

"Don't you worry about that," Chen reassured me, his voice firm. "Sometimes life closes one door so a better one can open. You're on your way to bigger things, Marlene. I've always believed that."

Gratitude washed over me. In the midst of the chaos that was my life, Uncle Chen's stall had always been a haven. Today, more than ever, I appreciated his unwavering support.

I grabbed the food from Uncle Chen, he insisted it was on the house today. "For the big day ahead," he said with a wink. I thanked him, promising to come by tonight. He mentioned inviting Castor and even Tom over to celebrate, which made me smile despite the day's stress. With a quick goodbye, I rushed towards the elevators, my mind racing with what lay ahead.