THE STARKS ALLEY

1

The music in the elevator was so soothing, you could easily forget all your problems and remember what life was when your only responsibility was to wake up.

I walked down the hallway not knowing what to expect. In one room, I saw people setting up a complex contraption probably for the next blockbusting movie. I could see a crew practicing a dance routine in another room. There was also an acapella group. It was like a floor of overflowing talents.

I finally reached the door on the furthest end of the hallway. I took a deep breath as I held the door knob.

I can feel the tension on the other side.

I opened the grand door. I found a room full of people. Kent and Kelsie were among them. It looked like they were having a serious meeting.

"Young girl, can't you knock? Are you lost?" One rude woman shouted at me.

Shit. This cannot be happening.

"She's the one we've been expecting. She's late," Kent said in a gloomy voice.

"I'm really sorry I'm late. I just wanted to surprise you with this cake as a way of saying thank you for employing me."

"I see," Kent said sounding only half convinced, "And why was your phone off Kelsie called you so many times and left you so many messages."

"I... Umm... There was..."

"No need. Let this be the last time," the woman from earlier said.

"Now how about that cake?" Kent asked eagerly. I placed the cake on the table right next to him. He opened the box and read the writings on the cake aloud.

"Cheers to new beginnings Neighbour?" Clearly, he was confused.

"Er, yeah! We're all neighbours one way or the other huh?" They all looked at me unconvincingly.

"Yeah neighbour!! Old people won't get this," Kelsie said excitedly, "Kristie and I will go get a knife so we can all eat this cake which was so thoughtful of her to bring." She walked out of the room and I quickly followed her.

"What is wrong with you?" She asked the minute she closed the door.

"The accommodation the company provides is crap, no lights, more dust than The Sahara, Mr. Haymahn..."

"Wait, like, Hey man?" Kelsie chuckled, "Anyway, your first impression was so off but we can still save what's left of it." She then spotted a woman carrying cutlery in the hall way and she picked a knife from her tray, "Thank you!!" She told her.

I saw her turning towards the door and she winked at me.

Here we go again.

"We're back! Sorry we took so long. Kristie here was just going through the script being worked on in the other room. She's great with script writing, you know."

"Yeah it's pretty much my thing. I went though a few pages."

"Did you find anything captivating?" Kent asked taking the knife from Kelsie and cutting the cake.

Shit. I have no idea!

"We both liked the part where the girl discovers that her biological father is actually her best friend's neighbour. It's an impressive storyline," Kelsie chipped in.

"The fact that he's been so close yet so far away is amazing and who knew he's the one who stole her dog!" I said going with it.

"I don't quite remember that part," Kent added, taking a bite out of his piece of cake.

"Uh... It's something I thought should be added to the script. The trailer would be more appealing and people will definitely go crazy for this movie. We can even turn it into a series!"

"I like your brain, Kristie. The better the ideas, the more the views."

"What can I say, it's a piece of cake!" I said holding my piece of cake in the air. The whole room burst out laughing.

"That's absurd," the rude woman from earlier spoke up. She had been giving me those evil eyes since I came into the room, "I simply don't like it!"

I'm having a bad case of deja vu right now

"We can talk about it later, Miss P," Kent said.

Miss P, huh. P for pain in the ass? Probably

Kent introduced me to everyone in the room in their small groups. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the cake and that gave me a sense of satisfaction.

"Now Kristie. You will need a mentor to guide you. That would be Miss P."

What!!

"Is that okay?" He asked me.

"Yeah I can't wait to learn more from her."

This is a nightmare

I had to remind myself that Lindsey was on the line. I had to get her back soon. I also needed the money to upgrade my dump of an apartment. I'll do this for the money.

"Monkeys or Coconuts?" Kent asked me.

"Uh... both?" I answered nervously.

"Excellent!!" He exclaimed walking away.

Kent was a weird billionaire.