"Eighteen"- A Tragedy Story

CHAPTER-1

27 March 2017

      When I wake up, the other side of the bed is cold. I stretch out my arms out of habit, seeking Rue's warmth but finding only the rough canvas cover of the mattress. She must have had a bad dream and gone out in the open. Of course she did. This has become the regular course of every night since two months, after our family met with an accident in which we lost our mother, the only support we were left with after our dad left us when I was five and Rue was two.

Although I still have fresh memories of our loss, and it's proper to mourn,but life goes on. I think it's wise to mourn her while also thinking about my own well being. So, today is my thirteenth interview in the four weeks, I had no luck with the previous twelve. But, I think this is it! Finally I would be able to pursue it. (This is the last chance I have got to save me n my sister from starving) Today my interview is with  the biggest press company of the  New York City, NYC UNIVERSAL MEDIA, owned by Mr. Mellark, the pride glory and charm of city.

I swing my legs off the bed, and slip into the my sneaker, the canvas molded to my feet. I pull on the finest clothes mother left for me, her blue pencil skirt and finely ironed white shirt, pull my long dark braid into a bun and get a glance of myself in the mirror.

When I came out of my room I saw Rue holding my files, smiling at me, though I could feel the pain in her eyes I returned her a smirk.

On the table,laid the last two slices of bread left with us. On the wall,stick four bills pending this month. A wave of shrill ran through my body, just the mere thought of loosing this opportunity terrified me. But I can't break not now, not ever,not in front of Rue.
We quickly ate the slices of bread one each, and slipped out of the, on my way I left Rue at her school "The Everdeen Highschool",thinking that this might be the last month I would be able to finance her needs. She is just sixteen it's a lot for her to handle already.

I took the bus to route no.12 for The NYC universal office. And as always on the bus stop waits the only person with whom I can be myself Jay Cullen - Son of The Cullens, Mayor of the city. He has always been there for me on the first day of my school, my first date, and almost all of my firsts. When I was younger, he lived in my neighbourhood, later his family had to move to the part of the city, in search of opportunities.

I can feel the muscles of my face relaxing and pace quickening as I get down of the bus.

"Hey,Morgan Mellark, the queen of my heart! I'm present at your service." Says Jay with a grin, taking my hands into his. 

I chuckle and we strode away trying to control the blush on spreading on my cheeks. 

Though there's nothing romantic between us, still he likes to call me the queen of his heart as I'm the only person he could ever rely on, in fact, if we give it a thought, I'm the only one he has ever had.

"Miss Mellark the future of The NYC UNIVERSAL" says Jay straightening himself  "nervous for ur first day?"

So,yeah! I'm the daughter of the glory and charm of this city who was abandoned at the age of five by his very successful father, who has everything.

"Jay,firstly, I have no relations with that man" I say furiously "secondly today and  from past 18 years I have been living as Mrs. Noah Mellark the bakers daughter without any privileges  so will I continue to be and I  have  almost same probability of loosing this job as any other candidate has."

"Yeah yeah, time will show us." Says Jay casually.

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As soon as I entered through the gates of the massive building of NYC UNIVERSAL. My legs begin to shake. It was the first time I came to the offic, all the eyes were on me. Lights sparkling and reflecting on the shiny marble floor made me almost blind. 

I could hear people talk and buste around.

I was nervous.
I couldn't even  feel Jay's presence trying to console me.
I timidly walked up to the reception.

"Morgan Mellark" I said in a bold yet hasty voice " I had an interview today"
The receptionist checked for my name on the list and greeted me "Miss Mellark, Just on time!" She pointed towards a young boy almost my age with blonde short hair falling on his forhead and dark blue eyes pinned on his cell phone,humming  a melodious tune  "Our scout will escort you"

She called out his name boldly" Stefan! Would u please come over here" and then once again with a much higher and sharper pitch " Stefan!" He got startled and dropped his phone on the floor.

He quickly picked up his phone and came running towards me  skidding on the slippery shiny marble floor. He stumbled upon me and quickly regaining his balance stretched out his arms and wrapped around my waist keeping me from falling.

The entire office was silent for a moment everyone froze as our eyes met and I fell into his deep blue eyes. A moment so magical lasted only for a while. As a callous voice broke the silence dismissing everyone back to work.

It was Mr. Mellark.
His eyes penetrating me.

And yet again he yelled from the corner of the room at me in his callous voice " Right in my office, now!"

I was totally screwed and yet it was just my first few minutes there.