Learning How to Drown

Running into an Opportunity

"Agh I don't know what to do" I complained to my friend Angela and Lucia. I had known them all my life and always went to them for advice and ideas. In fact Angela had let me stay with her and her family after my parents through me out of the house. Lucia was able to get me into a dorm as soon as I started college.

"Maybe your over exaggerating" Angela said trying as always to console me. "Maybe they'll realize how good a worker you are and keep you onboard." I sighed loudly, somehow I highly doubted it was true. Since I had barely any money saved I had quickly gotten a job at a retail store close to the college but recently rumors had been going around about the company making staffing cuts.

Lucia twirled her hair as she thought it over for a second. "Maybe you should jump into the porn industry. You'd probably make good money." I couldn't help but smile, I certainly wasn't interested in doing anything like that but leave it to Lucia to come up with the naughtiest ideas.

"She is not going become a porn star! She is going to college so she can avoid those kinds of professions" Angela argued. Honestly I didn't even have to say much, those two could go at it for hours just arguing and bickering about almost anything.

"Fine, fine" Lucia shrugged "maybe a stripper than. Look I'm just saying, your cute." I laughed at that "thanks Lucia, but I think I'll just get my resume ready to try for another job. Maybe one that doesn't pay shit wages."

"Good luck with that, I hear most students are struggling to pay the bills and some have even had to get 2 jobs!" Angela exclaimed and Lucia frowned looking like she just had some back sushi. 

Now there's something they could both agree on. Lucia and Angela both came from very wealthy families. Neither of them had a job since both of them had parent's who were paying for literally everything. Honestly I couldn't even imagine them working normal jobs.

"Well I would prefer to avoid having two jobs but we'll see what happens. I'll see you ladies later" I said as I got up and gave them both a hug. As I walked away I could hear the two of them bickering over something else. I loved them both, but honestly I didn't understand their friendship with one another.

I made my way to the little retail store and clocked in. As soon as the morning person saw me they bolted out. A never learned the guy's name but I knew he had a routine to meet up with his friends at the gym after work so he was always quick to leave. The store was empty so I just walked around aimlessly looking for things to do. I mean I could understand why they were making staffing cuts, but I still didn't like it.

After about an hour of nothing to do I heard the front door open and looked to see a man walk in. I hadn't seen him before. He was easily at least 6 feet tall with short curly golden brown hair. He walked in wearing black slacks and a buttoned down light blue dress shirt, with a black onyx watch on his left wrist. His light emerald eyes scanned the area quickly and he walked down aisle.

I wonder who that was, it certainly wasn't a student. Perhaps a professor? This story was really only used by students so it was strange to see someone like him walk in. Oh well, I walked on over to the register to wait for the man to finish shopping.

After a few he walked over and placed some chocolates and a drinks at the counter. "Taking care of your sweet tooth" I asked casually as I began to scan the items. The man chuckled before speaking "oh I always need some kind of chocolate around. How about you?"

He spoke in a gentle manner though his voice was rather deep. "Oh I love cookies and brownies but not so much just straight chocolate" I said as I finished scanning his items.

The man paused before paying, taking a second to look around. "Is it always this dead in here" he asked while putting his card in. "Yea, rumor has it they're going to be making staffing cuts. I'm hoping I don't get the boot. But we'll see."

I gave the man his receipt and he paused seeming to contemplate something for a moment. "Well if you find yourself in need of some work, I have been looking to hire someone for the house."

I looked at the man and raised my eyebrow. Was he seriously about to offer what I thought he was about to offer? "For the house?" I asked not wanting to show too much interest in such a strange offer.

The man chuckled and raised his hand. "Nothing crazy. I've been wanting to hire someone to cook and clean in the evenings. I was going to simply get a regular maid service but I don't trust them. I want someone who works directly for me."

"Oh" I said being taken aback. I was almost certain he meant something else. I shook my head, clearly Lucia's ideas had been rubbing off on me. I was starting to think like her! Oh the horror...

"So just cleaning and cooking in the evenings" I asked casually. "Correct" the man responded "I work during the day so just the evening is good for me. Wouldn't need a uniform or anything weird like that, and it would just be Monday through Friday. So a casual job really."

That actually sounded pretty good. I would still have the weekends to hang out with friends and work on school stuff, plus I had classes in the mornings so evenings is when I work anyways. "For just cooking and cleaning though I can't imagine the pay would be super good" I thought out loud.

The man smiled and his eyes seemed to gleam with excitement if only for a second. "Well I would be paying $500 a week, though that's $500 after taxes. I always hate the idea of pitching a wage only to deduct money from it."

I paused at that. I currently got paid $15 an hour which should be $600 a week. But I never actually got paid that since my hours were always getting cut and then they took out taxes. So the pay would actually be similar if not more stable, and the work didn't sound hard.

"Well but I know your not likely to wanna jump ship from your current job" the man said as he pulled out a card from his pocket and placed it on the counter. "If things go sideways though feel free to give me call."

I picked up the card, on it was just a phone number, no name or anything. Strange, I looked up but the man was gone. Huh, I hadn't even heard him leave. Oh well, I pocketed the card and texted Angela & Lucia on the group chat we have.

"See? She already found herself a little sugar daddy" Lucia joked. "Agh your so demented! It is just a maid service job. You know real life isn't like your porn movies right?" Angela snapped back.

"Either way I think you should go for it" Lucia responded. Strangely enough Angela agreed "it is a good plan B, especially since he already offered you the job. Seems you can skip out on the interview process."

"Yea, I'll let you know if anything happens. Right now though I'm happy with this job." I responded back and then heard the door open again. I turned to see the general manager walk in. She was pouting something fierce and walked right by me without saying a word. "Rough day" I asked sarcastically and rolled my eyes.

She spun on her heels and scowled as she snapped "this is your last day! When your done, clock out and leave!" Then she rushed off into her office leaving me standing there with my mouth open.

"And I thought my parent's were rude when they kicked me out" I said out loud as I walked behind the counter and grabbed my stuff. Well seeing as how I just got fired anyways, no real reason to stick around little miss bitch attitude. So I clocked out and left.

I made it back to the dorm and crashed on the bed where I let out a loud groan of displeasure. "Oh hey, um I see you had a not so great day" I heard my roommate say. I turned my head to see May, or well her name was actually Maeve but I don't think I've ever heard anyone call her that.

"I got fired, and I have an assignment due tomorrow I haven't started, and don't feel like doing" I said as she sat on her bed to look at me. She was wearing her typical dark clothing. "Well I can't help with your laziness but if your looking for a job I can keep an eye out for places that are hiring.

May was always so sweet. The first time I saw her in her gothic attire I assumed she was going to be a kill joy, but no she was easily one of the nicest and sweetest person on earth. "It's ok" I got up with a smile. "I think I may have run into a new opportunity already."

May giggled "I'm not surprised. Your a survivor" she stood up and headed off the shower. Meanwhile I turned in my bed and put the man's number in my phone. He didn't know his name so I simply typed in "Boss"