REBOUND

Chapter 1

"Remember, whenever this whole thing gets too overwhelming, you can come stay with me." Amie's reassuring voice rang across the phone as Karen rolled over the bed staring at the ceiling. She was always available whenever something went wrong for her and that includes all the companies that had rejected her application.

"I know but I might be a burden to you, you already have a lot on your plate. I can't possibly stress you more than how much you are battling with at this point" Karen sat up, clutching her phone tightly

"That does not cut it Karen, It's just exams and once they're done, I'll be back to Portland." She chuckled, the pitch of her voice a bit louder than normal. Karen would not take any help even when it hit her hard, but the latter did not fail to keep convincing her.

"Alright, but just make sure that you're not rushed during the process okay? Take your time." Her voice resounded.

"Okay, fine. What of the company you just submitted your application to?" The question caught karen off guard as she paused for several seconds before letting out a sigh

"The interview's tomorrow and I just hope this one works out this time around," She said with her two hands clasped together above her head as her eyes shut tight as if she wished it into existence.

"It has to work this time around, and I remember telling you to try changing your surname but you never listen" She expressed in deep concern.

"That would cost me a lot, Amie and you know that" Her hands rummaged through her hair, eyes darting across the files on the table.

"Then I'll handle the expenses, and that's not a problem for me"

"I can't let you do that, now please go and study" She insisted defiantly. If she did not dismiss her soon, both of them would definitely suffer for it.

"I see you are trying to avoid this whole talk but don't you worry, I'll get you once I come back," She threatened her voice loud enough to burst Karen's eardrums.. Soon realization hit her like a storm.

The quietness in the house dawned on her, she was completely alone.

The night wore on too quickly, but sleep refused to come. She tossed and turned, her mind restless with worry.

She lay back in bed, her eyes refused to close their lids till the first light of early morning passed through the blinds by the window, casting a soft, golden glow over her room.

Despite her exhaustion, sleep had eluded her, her mind racing with thoughts of the impending interview. She kept turning in bed as she flung her legs severally, pushing the sheets off and on her body.

As the hours ticked by, She finally pushed away the covers and threw her legs to the side of the bed as they dangled before touching the floor

She rubbed off the grit in her eyes; her eyes darting across her room before landing on the alarm clock by her side desk.

5AM

The silence was depressing, lessened only by the distant sounds of cars and the creaks of the old building. She did not move an inch but even in this silence, her heart kept racing.

With a sigh, she quickly pushed herself to stand, steadying her feet that wore out from turning too much. She shuffled to the bathroom, before turning on the light switch. The brightness made her squint her eyes

Her face looked damp and the dark circles around her eyes revealed her lack of sleep from the previous night.

She rubbed her eyes to look at her image clearly, as it made her wince in horror. She looked terrible and her heart was not even helping.

It kept pacing, and making her think the worst of things

What could be the outcome today?

Would she still be rejected like the other times?

She rinsed her face clean before carrying out her normal morning activities in preparation for the interview.

Without sparing herself any breakfast, she sweeped down on her skirt with her palms before stepping out of the house. Her bag hung from her left shoulder.

She was ready to take on any activity.

Right after hailing a taxi, she slid into the backseat, before handing the driver the address of the sleek glass tower where her interview was scheduled.

"Big meeting?" he inquired, staring at her through the rearview mirror as he drove into traffic.

"Something like that", Karen replied, her eyes traveling out of the window

"You look out of it." He chuckled. "Job Interview?"

Karen hesitated, but eventually nodded in approval

The driver nodded like he really understood how much pressure it was for her.

The bustling sound of the city resounded in her ears as the taxi approached the destination.

She paid the fare and proceeded to the building, her heels clicking on the pavements.

"This is the last time you step foot into this house, you jinx"

She stood in front of the towering building pausing for a moment as memories replayed making her palm frosty. Karen Spencer was always a jinx, wherever she went trouble followed. This was exactly how her father, stepmom and everyone she considered family saw her

After today she would stop trying to get a job at these places where she did not fit in according to reviews from a lot of them who had rejected her.

This was the 16th Job interview and everyone had refused to employ her even with her qualifications. They turned her back as soon as they read her CV. No one dared to employ her.

"Is she not Mr. Spencer's illegitimate daughter who had an affair with her colleague from her fashion brand?" A red head in the lower department across the room began to speak almost aloud to her hearing

"Shhhh, I hear she's a jinx and anyone who gets involved with her would meet a gruesome end, so don't speak so carelessly"

"I don't care, she deserves to be castrated, and who let her come here? Her ex-husband must have suffered a lot, I hear she divorced him forcefully and took everything he had."

As she stepped into the marble-floored lobby, murmurs trailed behind her.

"Isn't she the woman who cheated on her husband?"

"I heard she ruined his career"

"I thought she left the country in shame"

Karen ignored them, keeping her gaze forward. If she reacted, they'd win.

She continued to move as if she had not heard their discussions and proceeded to the room where applicants sat waiting for their turn. Her heart kept beating so fast in its place because she knew this was the last chance she had at securing a job.

Any other try would be in a foreign place.

"Karen Spencer..."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she made it to her feet in an instant towards the interview room. Upon entering, The room had sheer grandeur of space but there was an awful drop in the temperature.

A panel of four interviewers sat around the long table. Her eyes darted confidently across the room, taking notes of their faces until it landed on a pair of eyes.

They were the frosty kind of midnight blue and her breath hitched. She once found confidence diminished as her palms became all sweaty.

His gaze was cold, ruthless and unforgiving

Lucas Miller!

She whispered beneath her breath