Prudence

Chapter 2

I stood near my mother's farm, watching her delicately pluck carrots from the earth when a colossal Buxus smartphone materialized before me. Its deafening ring resonated through the air, threatening to rupture my eardrums. Slowly opening my eyes, I realized I had been enveloped in a dream. Yet, the persistent echo of the ringing lingered, pulling me back to reality. My own phone was ringing.

Glancing at the screen, I saw the call was from Debri's office. I checked the time. 9:51 AM. I had overslept, although classes didn't commence until next week. Who could be calling me at this hour? Curiosity piqued, I answered the phone.

"Hello, this is Pru." I answered, mustering a semblance of freshness and wakefulness.

"Hi, Pru. It's Becka. I wanted to congratulate you on securing the part-time position. You'll be working as my assistant. I handpicked you for this role."

"That's fantastic news! Thank you, Becka! I had a feeling you'd choose me," I chuckled, elated that she had selected me. Deep down, I knew she was the one who made the final decision for the part-timers.

Becka chuckled in response. "I'd like you to come in today so I can introduce you to your tasks and have you sign an agreement."

"How about lunchtime?"

"I'm afraid I'll be occupied during lunch, but I'll be free from 10:00 AM. Does that work for you?"

"Absolutely!" I exclaimed, brimming with excitement.

"Good, I'll see you then."

After ending the call, I immediately dialed my mother to share the news. She too shared in my joy. She advised me to dress appropriately for work, but I assured her I would handle it. I reminded her to take care of herself, to which she replied that it was my own well-being that concerned her. We exchanged laughter, and I bid her farewell, asking her to send my regards to dad and my sisters.

Then, a sudden realization washed over me-it was Sunday. Why was Becka calling me on a Sunday? It felt peculiar for some reason. Did she work on Sundays too? Would I be expected to work on Sundays? The floodgates of uncertainty burst open, flooding my mind with questions about my new part-time job.

It was 9:57 AM. I was running late. Hastily, I brushed my teeth, changed my clothes, and sprayed on a hint of perfume. Double-checking that I had my keys, I locked up my studio, ensuring its security. Hurriedly, I made my way to the car and drove to the Debri office.

Arriving at the office at 10:07 AM, I searched eagerly for Becka, but she was nowhere to be found. The office appeared vacant and desolate. "Becka, it's Pru. I apologize for my tardiness." Silence enveloped the area, prompting me to call again, "Becka?"

"Pru?" I strained to hear her faint voice.

"Yes, I'm here!" I shouted anxiously, fearing that my words wouldn't reach her.

"Come into the pantry," her voice barely reached my ears.

I navigated through the office, searching high and low, wasting precious minutes in my quest. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I stumbled upon the pantry. My heart pounded, and I gasped for breath, exhausted from the sprint I had made from the parking lot. I had expended so much energy just to arrive on time. Finding the pantry proved to be a challenging task. The entry was tucked away near Becka's desk, concealed behind an ornate tree decoration.

Becka sat at the pantry's dining table, her gaze fixated on me. She noticed my panting and approached me with concern. Today, her vibrant red hair was meticulously braided. Instead of her usual blazer and A-line skirt, she donned a tropical printed dress, reminiscent of attire worn near sandy beaches. Her complexion differed from mine, a hint of sun-kissed warmth coloring her skin. It was evident she spent ample time outdoors, embracing the elements.