A Job With Him

A Near-Death Experience

"AHHH AMBERRRRR!!" Mildred screamed and ran towards me, engulfing me in a hug. She squeezed me so tightly that I couldn't breathe. "M-Mildred! T-too ti-tight!" My best friend let go of me and jumped up and down. "I can't believe that you and Joshua have reunited after 10 YEARS! It's like des-tin-yyyy!" She squealed and started fangirling, going on about what ship name we should have and how our lives as singers would be. Well, I told her about how I found my dream but kind of forgot to tell her everything that happened on the day I did. I just didn't want to be reminded of that day anymore. Apparently, Josh tried looking for me everywhere but since I lived alone and didn't really work anywhere, he didn't succeed. How did I know this? Well...

"By the way, Amber, did something happen between you and Joshua? I don't know how but he found my number and called me just to ask where you were. He said that you weren't replying to him and he was worried after a fight you two had. I thought you wouldn't feel comfortable so I didn't tell him anything. Why didn't you tell me about what's going on between you two?" Mildred questioned me then sipped her iced coffee. I bit the straw and kept sipping my iced chocolate milkshake for a few seconds. Mildred had enough of waiting and exclaimed, "Oi! Answer me! How could you hide such an important thing from your bestie? Did he hurt you in some way?" I let go of the straw and sighed. She was right, I should've told her everything that happened. Maybe she could help me sort out my thoughts on my relationship with Josh.

As I explained the entire story, Mildred listened attentively and never once stopped me. Though, I could see the vexation from her expression after I was done telling everything. She took a sip of her drink and looked back at me. What she said next made me burst into tears.

"Amber, are you alright?"

I couldn't control it anymore and cried my heart out to her. If anyone knew what would make me feel better after recounting such a problem, it was Mildred. She knew that I still was not over what happened and could sense how worried I was about my relationship with Josh being over completely. Mildred stood up from her seat and sat beside me. She pulled me into a comforting hug and stroked my back soothingly.

"It's okay. Just let it all out. You were hurt and that's normal. Sometimes, we need to suffer in a relationship to understand how much we feel about each other. Perhaps this fight could make the love between you two stronger. Plus, Joshua never gave up on you. He has been trying so much to just try to talk to you. Although the way he reacted wasn't the best and what he said to you was the most idiotic thing a boyfriend could say, maybe you should give him a chance to fix his mistake." I looked up at Mildred and smiled as my last few tears rolled down. What she said made a lot of sense. Perhaps this problem was just another obstacle. Since Josh had never given up on me, giving him a chance to fix what he's done will make both him and myself happy. I hugged my best friend back, squeezing her like a sponge and profusely thanked her.

"C-can't bre-eathe!!" I released her a little and we both giggled. What would I do without her?

After talking for a few more hours, Mildred needed to buy back food and go home for her younger brother. I stayed a little longer with my drink then decided to text Josh.

Amber:
Hey Josh. Wanna meet up?

Josh:
Amber? Are you alright?
Josh:
Listen I'm really sorry for what happened.
Josh:
Yes! Let's meet up. I missed you:(

My heart palpitated rapidly when I saw his text. I missed him too.

Amber:
Okay, meet me at the playground near my place. I'll send you the address.

Josh:
Alright! I'll be there in 15 mins, wait for me!

The corners of my mouth perked up and I packed my things to head out to our meeting area. Only after exiting the cafe did I realise how late it had become. I walked towards my house while listening to music.

While passing by an empty corridor under a nearby block, I felt a strange presence following me. I looked behind but there was no one. Concluding that I was paranoid, I calmed myself down and tried to walk normally again. However, I heard footsteps behind me and quickened my pace. There was someone tailing me for sure!

I was nearing the playground, just one more block away. Suddenly, I felt two gloved hands cover my mouth and pull me back. I struggled and resisted against the attacker, but he was too strong. I then used the heel of my shoe and pressed his right foot, making him let me go from his grip. I scurried away and tried to escape but got trapped. This time, I was blocked by a large white wall and the man was inching towards me. He wore fully black clothes and a mask. He was completely concealed except for his eyes. Wait, why did he look so familiar?

Before I could try to get a closer look at the man, he lunged at me and shoved me to the ground. I screamed for help as loud as I could while trying to fight back. However, he was too strong. He held me down and took out something from his jacket pocket. Shoot, it was a syringe! I screamed louder and he tried to shut me up by covering my mouth. He used his other hand and I felt the needle pierce into my neck.

Out of the blue, a leg kicked him and he flew away from me towards a nearby pillar. The syringe he held fell out of my neck as my blood started dripping from the area he injected. I tried to get up but felt so dizzy and weak. I stayed on the ground while someone walked towards me. The only thing I remembered before blacking out, was a voice yelling out my name.