Unimaginable: A Novella

Espresso

"One brewed coffee with two cream and one sugar please. Oh, and an espresso for my friend over here."

So there I am, ordering a coffee for two in one of my fave cafe in the city. It's always good to have Starbucks to be honest. Though it's been a while since I went downtown. The last time I was here was during my training days for my last job when I was employed. I don't miss the hustle of Toronto though. I'd rather have my slow days now.

Yeah right, keep lying to yourself Hay. You wish you were working downtown still.

"Two shots for my espresso, please."

"Wow, two shots? You must be pulling an all-nighter later."

"Ah, yeah. I'm doing a presentation for the first day at the seminar tomorrow. Gotta be prepared at least."

"I remember you being so meticulous with your presentations and performances. Well, you're not the top student in Manifold High School for nothing of course."

"El, you're not so bad yourself. You got second place for being so involved with extracurriculars."

"Those were the golden years indeed, Zac. Nowadays I'm not that achiever anymore."

"How come?" He looks at me with a puzzled look on his face while taking his sip of espresso, as if he can't believe that I'm such a loser now.

Oh Zac if you only knew.

"Well, if you must know. I- am unemployed." I don't know why I breathed a huge sigh after this statement but then I told him while stuttering, "I-I'm looking for a job."

"I get it, you're unemployed at the moment. But that's nothing to be ashamed about, El. You're saying as if it's such a big loss. In this economy right now, it's understandable."

"I guess so. So, what's the seminar all about?" I try to change the topic from about myself to him, just so I don't accidentally tell him my reality right now.

"It's about the advertising industry trends. Nothing too shabby. So, you're looking for a job huh."

Oh gosh this dude is persistent. But then again, I remember why I liked him before. He's always been interested in what I've been doing.

"I can help you out. I have some free time at times and can give you advice about job hunting, as I regularly look at resumes from our hiring team and help out the Human Resources department anyway when I am at the company. The least I could do for catching up as an old friend, and for this free espresso too"

That smile on his face after he finishes that bold statement of his while looking into my eyes, is why I loved him, even after all these years.

We chatted while drinking our respective coffee orders, talking about our different lives. He talked about his life in Sydney being an executive in his company and I talked about what happened after we graduated college, migrating from the Philippines and being Toronto after all these years. 

*Phone rings*

"Babe? Yeah I'm at a cafe. I'll call you later, I'm in an important meeting."

Babe? Oh my gosh. Should I ask him who that was? Or probably I should just brush it off. I don't have any reason to ask anyway. Is it Aliesha? I should just brush it off, oh my gosh! 

"Who was that?"

"That was Sophia - my wife."

Wife?! OH MY GOSH INDEED. Get a hold of yourself Haylee, remember you are just old friends. OLD FRIENDS.

"Ohhh."

"Yeah. Well Elee, I gotta go since the team is headed for dinner later. Thanks for the treat. Think about my proposition, okay? It's the least I could do."

He heads off towards the exit.

And I'm left with nothing but a huge pang in my chest as I watch him leave the cafe.

Wife? He's married, figures. I shouldn't be doing this anyway, just to avoid any temptation whatsoever. But I need a job after being on the losing end for so long. Also, this is an opportunity to find a meaningful career finally since Zac is already an executive and has experience with the job market scene. He probably could help me.

Should I go for his proposition?