Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 2

The early morning light seeped through my bedroom curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. The shrill sound of my doorbell sliced through the stillness of my Saturday morning. I buried myself deeper under my blankets, hoping whoever it was would get the hint and leave. The incessant ringing of the doorbell didn't stop, It rang again and again, and a sense of irritation began to bubble up inside me. Who could be ringing my doorbell this early on a Saturday?

I reluctantly threw off my covers and trudged to the door, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I swung it open to find Evelyn standing there, grinning widely, a large coffee cup in hand. "Good morning, sleepyhead!" she exclaimed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world to wake someone up on a weekend.

"What are you doing here?" I groaned, my voice still thick with sleep. "It's barely eight o'clock!"

"Why are you still sleeping? You have an interview to get ready for!" she said, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Get dressed! I've brought you coffee. You know you can't think without it."

I blinked at her, momentarily disoriented. "What interview?"

Evelyn rolled her eyes, stepping past me into the house. "The translator gig! I told you about it last week!"

"Last week? I said I would think about it, not that I would apply!" I protested, still trying to wrap my head around the situation.

"Same difference! I sent your resume last night after our chat, and the client liked it! They've already interviewed four people and are looking for someone right away," she explained, glancing around my living room, assessing my wardrobe choices. "Now hurry up! I'm waiting downstairs."

I sighed, feeling both annoyed and slightly flattered. Evelyn always knew how to nudge me out of my comfort zone. "You shouldn't have sent my resume without asking me first," I grumbled, shuffling back toward my bedroom.

"You agreed to think about it, which is practically saying yes! Now go get ready!" she called after me, her tone light but insistent.

I hastily pulled on a blouse and slacks, trying to shake off my grogginess. After brushing my teeth and running a comb through my hair, I joined Evelyn in the living room. She had set my coffee on the kitchen counter, and I snatched it up gratefully. The rich aroma enveloped me, awakening my senses further.

"Thanks for the coffee," I said, taking a long sip. It was exactly what I needed.

"Of course! You're going to need it. And, by the way, I hope you're okay with wearing something I pick out. We need you to look professional," she said, rifling through my closet with a practiced eye.

"I'll be fine, I promise," I assured her, trying to push aside the rising panic. I hadn't prepared for an interview today, and I hated last-minute surprises.

Evelyn pulled out a navy blazer and a crisp white blouse, holding them up for me to see. "What do you think? Classic and professional?"

"Sure, that works," I replied, trying to keep my tone nonchalant.

"Great! Now, let's get you dressed," she insisted, her voice playful as she tossed the blazer at me.

While I slipped into the outfit, Evelyn continued, "I know this was last minute, and I'm sorry for that. But I really think you'd be perfect for this role. You're fluent in so many languages—English, Korean, Spanish, Greek, German... You have a real talent!"

"Yeah, but being a translator is different from teaching," I said, my nerves still simmering beneath the surface.

"Maybe, but this could be a great opportunity for you to use those skills! And who knows, it might lead to more teaching opportunities abroad. You could combine your love for teaching with translation." She paused, raising an eyebrow. "You know, like a bilingual educator!"