BEHIND OFFICE DOORS

e funds required for the treatment of her ailing mother; Laura was t

r sentence shivering. "Please, can you start the treatment? I prom

esponded, "I'm sorry, Laura, but we can't begi

." His tone left no room for negotiation and

before switching her attention towards the doc

a chord tingling in her mind. I think I know what to do, she wh

ed while gathering hersel

composed but firm toned voice. The

et her gaze,

instantly, his attention fully cap

t she strengthened herself, knowin

she recalled the memories of her father. "It belonged to my dad before he passe

e hardened. "I'm offering to use it as collateral," she sai

e, knowing this was the only way she could bu

ths, you can take the house", she pleaded wit

that could leave them homeless if she doesn'

how unlikely it seemed. He looked at her mother for a moment, then

ths, but you stick to the

other would begin treatment immedia

her mother's hand and whisper

tly added, "I'll be on my way now. I n

tted Daniel leaning by the door, who

eart shattered, and s

e," she whispered urgently and pulled him into a tight embrace as she l

ight away," she said, determined in her vo

the hospital, her mind racin

*

nd the streets were eerily quiet, devoid of life. She

she made her way to her room as

e couldn't help it and memories came ra

umbled, her chest feeling like a bag of ston

g a reply and wished to liste

r with a time-prolonging motion characteristic

robbed with

and stared up at the ceiling as her thou

ll moon reflected across the room. She closed her eyes

over and offered her a br

*

m ri

p as she fumbled to turn off the ala

is was once part of her daily r

lids for a second amidst her silent

towards the bathroom, preparing

bed herself swiftly, knowing the long

n the mirror, she applied her skin lotion. Her face l

ind, and grabbed a neatly pressed pair of corpora

ickly as the p

nerously as its rich chocolate and musky scent linge

ir, then snatched her phone

spotted a taxi that had

called out, "New York J

ging at his lips as he noticed her appearance. He t

*

he driver said as he pu

d she quickly gave him some mon

ver, today, she walked with a slight degree of hope and pos

am," she smiled at

an I assist you, young lady?"

vailable jobs and any vacant positions, please,"

st, may I have your full name to ensure you'

int smile on her face as she nervously wait

, "but your former boss sent us an email with your details. He mentioned that you've b

cks. The image of her she knew was no

eceptionist asked, noticing th

g as her hands began to shake. "Is this the work of my bos

t assist you in any way at this stag

ce in disappointment, her heart filled with rain, and

*

forward, she also felt a heavy vibration of d

he saw a ca

he traumatic ordeal at the Job Bank

one of the placards said: "We are in

e notice, and at that instant, she felt som

d to a tall man with broad shoulders, short h

he wondered why he was standing

and moved backwards, not saying a word a

n remarked as he leaned closer with

she yelled, "Stop it! Who ar

ied, undeterred, and stepped closer wi

ss!" she snapped back, d

ura turned to leave, but as she moved

as he forcefully pu