UNCHARTED PATHS
It's a dream.
She blinked hard, trying to shake the haunting image of that mysterious hand on her shoulder. Her heart was pounding like a drum in a cave. But when she opened her eyes again, it was morning already. The faint voices of passersby and the gentle chirping of birds seeped in through the cracks of her windows. The curtains were still drawn shut, but the soft golden light that filtered through their edges told her it was time to face reality again.
She sat up slowly, her bones feeling heavier than usual. The weight of disappointment had etched itself deep into her body. Without giving herself much time to think, she began her usual morning routine: brushing, bathing, dressing up in something loose, and preparing a simple breakfast,toast and eggs. She didn't have an appetite, but eating was a necessary routine she didn't dare abandon.
Her eyes fell on her desk in the corner of the room. The PC stared back at her like an old friend that had nothing new to say. Still, she approached it, slid it open, and resumed her job hunt. She had turned into a full-time seeker overnight, bouncing between job platforms, typing up cover letters, tweaking her résumé, and hitting send over and over again. Sometimes she forgot to eat lunch. Other times, she would doze off at the desk, her cheek pressed against the keyboard, a faint imprint of keys on her skin.
Days passed. No callbacks. No emails. Not even an automated rejection.
She sighed and scrolled through another job board when she stumbled upon a vacancy for a waitress at a high-end resort. Her heart dropped a little. She had earned a respectable salary as a department manager not too long ago. The thought of serving tables brought a twinge of embarrassment but she had no choice. Bills were gathering like a storm. She submitted her application anyway.
A few hours later, she received an email confirming her interview.
She stared at it for minutes. Relief and shame tugged at her like a bitter rope. She reminded herself that it was temporary. Just a stepping stone.
The day of the interview came. She dressed sharply in ash corporate trousers, a crisp white shirt, a black bow tie, and her trusty black heels. Her curly hair was packed neatly, and light makeup gave her tired face a fresh look. She looked like she belonged in a boardroom, not a dining hall.
She boarded a taxi early, ensuring she wouldn't be late. When she arrived, her jaw slackened at the sight of the towering building. Glass panels reflected the bright sun, and the smooth chocolate-brown floor tiles added a sleek richness to the entire compound. Uniformed security personnel stood guard, nodding politely. Inside, waiters and waitresses moved swiftly with trays of coffee and cookies, each with a pleasant smile.
It wasn't what she wanted. But it was better than nothing.
She asked one of the security guards for directions and was pointed to the interview room. As she stepped inside, she saw a few others waiting. Everyone looked nervous, stiff, calculating their chances. She took a seat and straightened her outfit, trying to blend in.
Minutes ticked by.
"Alexandra Thompson," a woman called, her voice crisp and professional.
Alexandra stood quickly. "I'm here."
The woman nodded and led her inside the interview room.
Four people sat behind a long desk. A single chair faced them. Alexandra stood until asked to sit.
One of the women smiled at her.
"We have just three questions for you."
Alexandra nodded confidently.
"Tell us about yourself."
She took a breath.
"I'm an enthusiastic and hardworking individual with a passion for providing excellent customer service. I enjoy working in fast-paced environments, and I have experience balancing multiple tasks efficiently while maintaining a positive attitude. I thrive on interacting with people and ensuring their dining experience is enjoyable."
Another woman followed up.
"Why do you want to work here?"
"I admire your restaurant's focus on quality and customer satisfaction," she said. "I'm impressed by the friendly atmosphere and reputation for great food. I would love to contribute to that by bringing my energy and customer service skills to the team."
Before she finished her sentence, a tall, grey-eyed man cut in sharply.
"Why should we hire you?"
She met his gaze without blinking.
"I have the enthusiasm and customer service skills to excel in this role. I'm passionate about creating great dining experiences and am confident I can contribute to the success of your restaurant."
The man stared for a moment before nodding.
"Okay. Before we wrap up, do you have any questions for us?"
"No, I don't," she said politely.
"I've heard all I need to about the resort. Thank you."
"It was a pleasure speaking with you today," one of the women said. "We'll be in touch soon. Have a great day."
"Thank you," Alexandra replied, standing.
"I look forward to hearing from you soon."
As she stepped out into the bright afternoon, a strange emptiness hugged her shoulders. She felt she'd done well, but the emotional fatigue weighed heavier than before. Her only thought was to drink away the numbness.
She bought three cans of beer from a nearby store, headed home, dropped her bag by the door, and drank like someone who hadn't tasted water in days. She didn't even change out of her interview clothes. Eventually, she passed out on her couch, limbs awkwardly sprawled, her silver watch still ticking away.
Her phone rang.
She jolted upright, dazed and disoriented, like she'd been pulled out of a dark tunnel. Her phone kept vibrating on the table. With bleary eyes, she picked it up.
Mia.
Her so-called best friend who hadn't called in months.
She answered with a groggy voice. "Hello, Mia."
"Hey Lexa. It's been a while."
"It has."
"I know you might've called and didn't reach me..."
"I didn't," Alexandra interrupted.
There was a short pause.
"Okay… I just came into town. Let's hang out."
Alexandra sat up straighter. For the first time in weeks, she felt a spark of life. "Where are we meeting?"
"Eclipse Lounge. 18:00."
"Alright. See you later."
As soon as the call ended, she looked around at the mess. The empty cans. The untidy couch. The smell of her own sadness. She stood up, gathered herself, and cleaned the room in record time. After that, she rushed to her bedroom.
She chose her black satin wrap dress. It hugged her in all the right places. Silver heels. A silver purse. Silver earrings and necklace. Her reflection in the mirror looked like someone who hadn't cried herself to sleep for days. She smiled faintly. Maybe this hangout was what she needed.
By 17:55, she was already on her way in a taxi. The city lights blinked on one by one as the sun began to retreat.
At the lounge, she spotted Mia first,legs crossed, eyes scanning the crowd. When their eyes met, Mia's jaw dropped.
Alexandra smiled and walked confidently toward her. But halfway across the room, her heel slipped on a slick patch on the tiled floor.
One leg flailed upward. Her arms reached out for anything to grab. Her eyes clenched shut, bracing for impact.
But it never came.
Instead, she felt a strong grip wrap tightly around her waist, holding her upright.
She gasped hard and opened her eyes wide.