Caught a Responsible Man after the Break Up

VI - Dream

Ember went through a series of interviews that week.  The final interview was set for Friday with the hiring manager and HR supervisor.

She wore a red wine 3/4 sleeve midi dress and sat in front of a gentle-looking woman in her forties who was the Finance Department Manager and another woman around her age who was the HR supervisor.

"Your one-year experience from years ago may not be usable now, but the basics are there and it's the same for all finance operations.  Besides, you're an excellent student.  I'm sure our training should be enough.  Right? Ms. Starr?"

"Yes, Ma'am Beam.  Our training is quite extensive and we won't let go of training in just three months.  Assistance and weekly mentoring will be done for up to five months."  She answered the manager respectfully before facing Ember.

"Ms. Ember, you've got impressive school records.  Even your one-year experience left a lasting impression on your former manager.  I have one question though and hope you will not mind."

"Of course, what is it?"

"There must be something very important for you to do in the past three years of unemployment.  I am not asking you to divulge the reason, but I would like to know your learnings, achievements, or accomplishments.  Or do you have regrets or realizations?"

"I chased a dream for three years. I learned that there are things that are never meant to be, and that's okay. Forcing a fruit to ripen will only lead to a sour fruit. However, the most important thing is to accept that things will not always go your way.  Wake up when the universe is always shaking your shoulders to open your eyes.  You should have no regrets.  Trying and failing is better than not trying at all.  Not trying will only lead to 'what-ifs'.  When you look forward to new beginnings, your view of the world will be much wider and better."

The interview ended and it looks promising.  She will have to wait for the final result and a possible offer by next week.

Ember sat in the nearby coffee shop and waited for Clover.  They will have an early dinner tonight and take a stroll along the beach, an hour's drive away.

Meanwhile, Violet Starr is reviewing the resumes and interview results in front of her.

"Three years? Could it be that she's really that 'Ember'?"

She took a picture attached to the resume.  After saving, she received a call from her boyfriend, Fern Morgan.

V: Hey, Hon.  I'll be out in ten minutes.
F: Yeah, I just parked nearby.  How about I wait for you at Cafe Cuddles?
V: Okay. But wait, are you walking now?
F: No, still sitting in the car.
V: Don't get out yet, I have a quick question.
F: Okay, ask.
V: Do you remember, the name of Brennan's girlfriend?
F: The pushy one? Ember something. She's not a girlfriend, you know. She's just somebody who wants to insert herself into Brennan's life whether he likes it or not.
V: Hey, don't be harsh. She left her normal life to be with him. If Brennan had no feelings towards her, he wouldn't have kept her for three years.
F: It's not like that. Brennan's waiting for someone. That Ember's just a filler for the meantime.
V: Anyway, we'll talk more later. I'll clean up now. Love you, see you soon.
F: Love you too, Love. Bye.

Meanwhile, Ember was sitting at the innermost corner table inside the coffee shop and enjoying a Foamy Hazelnut Espresso while waiting for Clover.

Clover, who just got out of the building walked straight to the coffee shop.

The tall and handsome man, a mixed race of Asian and Dutch with an attractive physique immediately captured the eyes of both men and women when he opened the door and the chimes sounded. One sweep and he immediately saw Ember and his whole demeanor lightened up, like a pup seeing his owner.

Fern who just got to the cashier ordered milk tea for his girlfriend and coffee for himself with two slices of cakes of different flavors. When he turned around to look for a vacant table, he saw Clover when he entered.

Ember was eating the whipped cream using the straw and she smiled brightly when she saw Clover approaching her.

Clover saw a little mess on Ember's lips and kissed her while licking the whipped cream before playfully kissing her lips three more times before sitting in front of her. He reached for the menu and started browsing what to order.

"I want blueberry cheesecake." Ember held his hand and whispered her order.

Clover stood up again and fell in line where two people were already lined up to order.

This scene was seen by Violet but her boyfriend immediately caught her attention with his left hand in the air.

Violet kissed her boyfriend on the cheek before sitting in front of him. While eating, they discussed various things in whispers.

"Anyway, why did you suddenly ask about Ember?"

Violet showed her cell phone, "Is this her? She had her final interview with me today. She is very pretty, well presented, and has a good academic background."

"Holy sh—- yeah, yeah that's her!" He held onto her phone and stared at it for a few seconds.

"Oh wow... maybe she has woken up? Or Brennan kicked her out? Right, maybe Brennan got tired and finally found a reason to persuade her to let go? Hmm..." He fell into a deep contemplation.

At this time, Clover stood up and took a seat beside Ember and put his arm around her then kissed her temple.

Violet unconsciously followed with her eyes and she almost choked on her strawberry cake when she saw Ember leaning intimately toward the handsome man she had seen earlier.

"Ummm... I think you're wrong." She pointed with her chin towards the couple in the corner, to which Fern followed with his eyes.

Fern was shocked and began questioning things in his head.

"No... maybe that wasn't her because she was timid, very shy in fact.  She cannot even look at us that time we met her in a servant's uniform, like a mouse looking for a hole to hide in."

Violet frowned and glared at her boyfriend.  She remembered Ember's words from the interview, 'I chased a dream for three years... accept that things will not always go your way...'

Then this means, that three years were spent serving Brennan and eventually she gave up.

"Don't speak about her like that.  A woman's love shouldn't be mocked.  Especially someone who gave up three years to be with a man.  Don't forget, you mentioned that Brennan was supposedly waiting for someone.  It only means he is a jerk who uses a substitute.  If you condone his actions, could it be that you also think that way? Are we only in a harmonious relationship because we love each other? What if I chased you too?  Will you do the same?"

"Babe, come on. Don't be like this.  Let's not fight.  I love you. We're different."

"Yeah... I'm sorry.  But I don't wanna hear you saying something like that again about somebody whose probably only fault is loving someone."

"I'm sorry, Love."  He held her hand and squeezed it.  Thankful that the little fight is over.

"However... It is a mystery, indeed."

At this time, Ember and Clover were already walking towards the exit, holding hands.

But Fern could not stop his curiosity, stood up, and followed.

Violet rolled her eyes and followed as well.