In Between (Tale of 3 Hearts)

Chapter 3

She jerked up, breathing heavily with beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Just then, her alarm went off. She reached out and shut it off, palming her face in her hands before she sighed heavily. She stroked her neck and stretched herself to meditate with her daily mantra.

"I am excited and energised to start my day."

"I am ready to face anything today might bring."

"I feel gratitude and positivity flowing through me."

"I am purposeful, motivated and enthusiastic."

With new found energy causing through her, Allison walked  to the bathroom for a bath, stripping and turning the hot water on just as the steam rose up. She stepped under the stream as it soothed her skin, massaging her back and scalp.

Once she was done, she shut it off, wrapped a towel and walked back to her room.

"Today is going to be better than yesterday. I can feel it," she sang out as she sat on a chair in front of her mirror. Just as she was about to dry her hair with a hand blower, her eyes caught a glimpse of the clock. She focused her eyes on it long enough to affirm it was the actual time.

"Oh my God." She gasped as she stormed out of her room to the parlor.

"Abuela! Did you reset my alarm?"

Abuela  looked up from her book with her reading glasses which sat almost at the edge of her nose. She had silver hair and her brown eyes were calm and composed. It made people especially kids draw near her; she didn't even have to try. She had wrinkles on her forehead and was graced with little eye bags every aged human had.

"Good morning to you too dear child."

"Morning Ma," she replied, fidgeting.

Abuela put her reading glasses together with her book down. "Well, I thought it was best you have a restful sleep so I set it an hour to before," She disclosed. She stood up from the chair and walked up to Allison.

"Are you ok dear child?" Concern filled her face. "Tell me."

Allison rushed to explain her ordeal as quickly as possible. "Ma I got a job but now, I am late for my first day," she said sadly.

"Oh dear." Abuela hurriedly proposed a suggestion.

"Why don't we go upstairs and work it out.Come in, we still have time." Knowing not to argue, Allison agreed.

They hurried upstairs immediately. Allison sat in front of the mirror again, putting on some light makeups while her grandma dried her hair, styling it into a neat ponytail. She put on her cobalt blue blouse and a black skirt on, which were laid out on the bed already, then she instantly pushed her black heels on.

Checking her reflection in the mirror, she smiled satisfied with herself, admiring the blouse which complimented her caramel skin.

"You look just like her," Abuela said Allison. She kissed  her forehead and left, after giving Allison a light squeeze on her hand.

"We are going to be alright," Allison declared with certainty.

Suddenly, she rushed to pickup her phone to check time.It was 7:38 am, barely few minutes to 8am.

"Phew, I can do this. With determination Allison left.

**********

"What do you mean by I don't have coffee? I always have coffee!" She rolled her finger while pacing in her huge office.

"Every morning!" Miss May added, aggressively. "Antonia tell me, where is my new assistant?"

In panic, Antonia just stood close by the door, in case Miss May decided to get wild and throw objects at her.

"I requested for a better one after firing Jennifer. Clearly this one doesn't even know how to assist, talk of being punctual on her frst day!" She snapped again, tapping her 6inch heels on the tiles.

"I am-am ver-very sorry Miss May." Clearing her throat, she added "I'll see to it that you get the best assistant you desire." Her voice sounded terrified.

"What are you waiting for then?" Grabbing a stapler from her desk, she quickly aimed and threw it at Antonia.

Luckily, Antonia duck in time as it flew pass her.

"Get out! Go find me a new assistant." She closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to calm her temper.

"Inhale, exhale, inhale. And coffee." She ordered.

Antonia ran out. Just as She  got to her desk, she saw someone waiting for her in front of the the counter.

"Yes. Good morning. I am Antonio Ellison. Welcome to Fashion Fay. How may I help you?" She politely asked, composed .

The receptionist in front of Allison had red hair and black calm eyes. It was a surprise that she didn't tie her scarlet hair. The white V neck she wore in combo with a lilac skirt corresponded with her smooth light skin and the smile she evolved looked professional to it's peak.

"Umm hi. I am Allison -Allison Swan. I am actua...

"What?"

"I said I am-

"No, I heard you the first time. It's just," Taking a sneak peep towards her boss's office, she walked out of the counter and dragged Allison to the ladies private room.

"Miss May is really furious with you right now. If you should waltz in that office to introduce yourself, you are clearly coming out battered."

Allison gasped in shock, realizing her boss's reaction was worse than expected. Her shoulder abruptly sagged. Antonia went ahead to explain that she was about hiring another assistant for Miss May.

Allison tried as much as she could to fight the urge to let the tears roll down her cheeks while Antonia pat her back constantly in an endless way to relieve her worries.

Just then an idea popped in Antonia's head.

"Ahhha!" She clasped her hands together. "How about we don't tell her about you, thereby presenting you as the new assistant, huh?" She suggested, folding her arms slyly.

"Wait," Furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "You want to help me out?"

"Sure!"

"Oh my God." She reached out and hugged Antonia as a drop of tear finally rolled down.

"I don't know what to say. I am very grateful. Literally. Thank you."

"Okay okay, you are welcome." She hugged her back, smoothing her hand on her back. "Don't get all merry yet. We still have to convince Miss May you are not her suppose-to-be ex-assistant." She pointed out with a giggle. Allison felt a lump on her throat as she nodded.

"Here's how it's going to happen. You follow behind me steadily, don't say a word unless she refers to you. Ok?"

Allison nodded.

"And one more thing, duck when I do."

Confusion claimed Allison's face but she waited in anticipation for an answer.

"Look, Miss May gets too aggressive for a lady who's in her mid forties," She quietly stated out with her hand on her hip "But she can be a nice sweetheart some times, I can vouch on that." Antonia assured her. This helped second to none as Allison felt overwhelmed with nervousness.

"Come on girl, being a worker in Fashion Fay isn't a bed of roses. Miss May makes sure to add a few thorns to work us up. And it's no surprise we stand first to none."

Allison saw reason with her within seconds and her willpower resurfaced. "You are absolutely right. Let's do it," she declared, holding her fists in mid air.

"Yeah, that's my girl power right there." Antonia gushed in happiness. "Lets have lunch together." She raised an eyebrow with a simper plastered on her lips "That's if we do survive." She added amusingly.

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