SHOCK AND DISBELIEF WASHED OVER HER.THE WEIGHT OF THIS situation sank in as the reality of losing her job hit her. The reasons behind it were beyond her control, and she felt the unfairness of it all.
The unexpected turn of events left her questioning the path ahead and the decisions that led her to this moment, bile rose in her throat, her heart pacing her hands started trembling, her hazel eyes started burning, sniffing she shook her head disappointment and injustice was making her lose her control.
She was a practical and logical soul. She always does things based on logic. She may sometimes act on impulse in frustration but she was clearly not understanding this sudden injustice.
“But, this is unfair” she said, hating the way her voice was shaking.
She don’t like crying in front of anyone she’d never cried in front of anyone she don’t want to show everyone her weaknesses and that’s how she lived in this cruel world all alone even having her aunt with her she was alone, she was all alone nothing to hold onto no dream no hope no one to hold onto she was alone and just like those times she wished she had someone to who had helped her listened to her talked to her supported her encouraged her.
“We’re so sorry for this, wish you a best future.” she let out a watery sardonic breath, her eyes burning tears gathering in her eyes but she didn’t cry.
“Sorry? So you’re just sorry?” She retorted, her manager was about to say something but she cut him off before he even said something,
“What are you sorry for, huh? That you just ruined someone’s life? Or you are sorry for being selfish and greedy, huh?” her voice raised a bit at the end, anger taking over her consciousness.
The urge to break the manager’s nose was so acute she had to fold her arms on her chest to stop herself. The man just looked down in embarrassment.
“Tell me why are you sorry about it? Will your apology be able to pay my rent or would it be able to pay the debts i’m trying to pay for a year now?” She confronted in her normal voice, but the anger and frustration was still flaming in her voice.
This was the first time she confronted or told her problems but today she was already exhausted because of the chase, that strange statue bumping into her and now this it was enough for her to want to go home because it was tiring her mentally and physically too.
She just wanted her medicine and her bed to sleep in and forgot about all the worries for the time being. The manager still didn’t speak, making her more frustrated but without saying another word as she knew it would be useless to say anything. What happened could not be changed and questioning him or being angry won’t do anything so she just left in anger, walking on Vienna’s still hustle streets she didn’t feel an ounce of happiness and anything else she was seeing on the streets.
She entered a park sitting on bench she rest her head back her mind blank she had lost a lot of jobs in past three years, the very first job she left was because the manager tried to grope her so she punched him and broke his nose, second because her loan sharks went to her workplace as they had gun with them so because she was the one they were looking for and her manager said they pointed a gun at one of the staff member and he didn’t want any in convenience and just like this she had lost many jobs and after so many struggles and now she was jobless after some moments she got up and made her way to her apartment. She started to walk and soon her apartment door started coming visible she saw two bald men standing in front of her door one short a tattoo on his neck she couldn’t make out the detail as she was far away from them and the other was tall with same tattoo and bald head she took sometime to think if she recognize them and suddenly her mind clicked. Shit!. She mumbled in her breath when those men looked at her they were the loan sharks she quickly ran and got inside the first car she saw, soon the those two men came towards the car she immediately lower her head so they don’t see her after they left she released a heavy sigh and then she realized someone’s presence on her back she turned her head to see a man in his mid-forties he was watching her with stunned and confused expression embarrassment etched her features “uh, i’m sorry sir! Um… i was in a hurry so, i–” she talked in a low tone gesturing outside hoping he would understand and the way his confused face turned to a smiling one she knew he understand “It’s okay!” the man said with a warm smile “Is there anything you want my help with, i can help you if you want?” a concern frown touched his eyebrow, and something in her eyes burned she had always seen cruelty and people who just use the other for their advantage and the man sitting in front of her just offered her help without even knowing who she is for someone it might be normal but for her it was something unusual, unexpected. She wasn’t used to this type of kindness, when her parents died there was no one who took her responsibility then after knowing her father had inherited with some money she took her guardianship her aunt have grambling and drug issues so the her parents had left her aunt used it for her addictions and for gambling that’s why her dream to study and become a fashion designer was crushed and she dropped out of school her aunt not for once had apologized but even if she had there was no use ‘cause there was nothing a apology could do. Her aunt’s husband left her because of some other woman so she became a drug addict and as she was poor she used Eveline’s money inherited by her parents to fulfill her own needs. So someone offering her help was something she never experienced. She hesitated for a moment, not sure if she should trust this stranger. The world had been harsh to her, and trust was a rare commodity. However, the genuine concern in the man's eyes struck a chord within her. She didn’t know how to respond to him but, “I appreciate the offer but, i don’t think there’s much anyone can do right now.” she replied, her voice tinged with weariness “Life has a way of knocking you down when you least expect it”. The man nodded in understanding, his expression sympathetic. "I may not know your story, but I believe everyone deserves a helping hand when they're down. If you ever change your mind, my offer still stands." Eveline managed a faint smile, touched by his sincerity. "Thank you. It's been a tough day, and I just want to be alone for now." He nodded again, respecting her wishes. As she made her way towards her apartment, she couldn’t shake off the feeling that maybe, just maybe, not everyone in this world was out to exploit her misfortunes. Entering her apartment, she leaned against the closed door, contemplating the events that had unfolded. The weight of her struggles bore down on her shoulders, but a spark of resilience glimmered in her eyes. Eveline knew she had to find a way to rise again, even if the world seemed determined to keep her down. The day had taken unexpected turns, leaving her standing at the crossroads of despair and determination. Little did she know that these challenges were shaping her into a stronger version of herself, preparing her for a journey that was yet to unfold. She released a deep breath, trying not to let the overwhelming emotions take over because she had to figure out how to be financially stable again. She went to her bedroom to freshen up and sat on the bed, taking her laptop. It was a purchase made with her first salary, a small victory that her aunt never allowed her to celebrate. "You waste money," she would say, but Eveline was smart enough to hide her earnings. She took fashion designing classes online, graduating from an affordable college. However, her dream of building her brand had to take a backseat due to crises and other priorities. As she opened her laptop, the screen flickering to life, as she saw some of her own unfinished and finished design sketches which she had draw through the years but never got the chance to showcase her talent she quickly closed the window and opened a new one before her emotions and shattered dreams occupy her mind she wanted to focus on her task she quickly search for jobs in her town with good paycheck with which she could pay her debts she applied for job in over twenty restaurants, but she kept on applying so she could get another job as soon as possible.
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SUNLIGHT INTO THE ROOM, THROUGH THE SMALL, ONLY WINDOW, half-covered by curtains. She lay peacefully, beside her open laptop. Suddenly , a wild knock echoed, interrupting her slumber. She groaned, shifting her position, dark and thick brown waves covered her face from the light. Another knock, prompted another shift. The third knock was so forceful that it startled her, causing her to tumble off her bed. She hissed through the pain shooting in her butt, she was giving herself a morning pity party as she sat on the floor rubbing her butt. When a voice shouted her name “Eveline Lockwood!” her eyes wide as she recognized the voice. She quickly stood up, the pain forgotten, pacing towards the door. She removed her long, wild hair from her face and straightened them with her hands tugging them behind her ears. Taking a deep breath putting her sweetest smile, as she opened the door. A woman in her forties stood in her hair painted red —which changed color every day or every week— she wore a sky blue sundress that reached to her knees, with white sandals, her face heavy with makeup which feels like her eyes be falling down any moment because how much mascara she wore but, her face was flawless from any kind of tiredness from that heavy make, as she stared the twenty five year old Eveline Lockwood in her blue jeans shorts and white crop top, she could make out the light sneer on Gigi’s lips, she know that Gigi don’t like people with who are not presentable. When she first came to her for an apartment Gigi told her that it doesn't matter when she comes to her apartment for rent or anything Eveline should be dressed and look presentable or if she doesn’t she can say goodbye to her apartment. She cleared her throat “What brings you here, aunt Gigi? Is everything alright?” she smiled awkwardly. Gigi looked up at her with her usual sneer and a frowning look, she extended her hand and gestured on her palm with her dark brown eyes “Your rent!” The smile on Eveline’s face disappeared, leaving embarrassment, anxiety crawling up her skin. “I’m sorry aunt i can’t give you the rent right now.'' She lowered her head biting on her lower lip emotions and shame clawing at her all she wanted at the moment was to bury herself right at the spot and never come back. She was feeling the humiliation deep in her bones, Gigi’s face turned into disbelief. She put her both hands on her hips “Ms. Lockwood you’ve been saying the same thing for over two months now, either give me your pending rent or leave this apartment.” her eyes shoot up to Gigi’s face who was staring at her with neutral expression, she felt like the floor just slipped under her feet she had nowhere to go, and she had already lost her job, “No aunt Gigi, i promise i will pay you the rent but please don’t do this, i’ve nowhere to go” she plead as a tear streak down her cheek but the woman’s face remain the same no sympathy, no mercy, no concern she was looking like a stone statue with no heart at that moment, she felt like the whole world is against her, the urge to cry and scream was so acute she could already imagine herself sobbing in front of the woman with a stone heart she was the first ever person who knew her story and she had told her about the loan shark situation because of which she delayed the rent of two months but looks like her patience for money just came to an end. Gigi sighed “Fine! A last chance, I'm giving you a last chance. I need the rent till evening, ok?” A smile formed on Eveline’s face even though this wasn't enough time to collect the rent but at least she got some time to think where she would go. She nodded continuously saying thank you to her as the woman left. She quickly ran to her room and held her laptop in her hands opening her email. She went through her inbox searching for any reply from the restaurants but there was nothing. She knew there won’t be an answer this soon as she had just applied for the jobs last night. She closed her laptop, throwing it on the bed she sat there running her hands in her hair thinking for the solution. She doesn't want to take debt from anyone as she is already paying a lot and she doesn't want to add up, maybe she could call a friend and request her to keep her for some time until she finds a house to stay. She gave this idea a thought for a few seconds, when she picked up the phone and search for the numbers, after finding numbers of some of her close friends —not best friends— and dialed them when she told them her situation and asked them that can they let her stay for a week or two they all refused. Instead of denying it with a simple ‘no’ they chose to make statements which hurted her more than a simple denial. Some said “Sorry I would love to let you stay, and I want to but, my aunt is staying here with her family so there’s no space. I’m truly sorry, Eve!” This came for Meredith who was the last person she called, and she knew about Meredith’s family; she didn’t even have an aunt but, after hearing too many lies from her other old colleagues and friends, she didn’t call her out on her lie because she knew it's not going to change anything. She was angry, frustrated and tired. Not only by the fact that they made false statements but also they were those she always helped. It didn't matter what they asked her to do, she did it without any complaint and questions and now they are lying to her. Accepting her defeat and her poor fate, she packed her things with too much agony and pain, tears threatened to come out of her eyes but she wiped them off. She quickly grabs her stuff and after putting the keys on the coffee table in the living room she quickly leaves the apartment.
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