A Work Invitation

Struggling to twist the door knob, she spilled the content of the cardboard. "Crack". Something broke. "Don't tell me it's my phone! Everything but the phone!"

She searched for the object. She pushed the disheveled documents, finding a broken picture frame. The picture slipped off the frame, and was a little scratched by the glass. She picked it up, memories flooded in. The photo consisted of two little girls, one brunette and the other with dark hair, a man with green eyes, and a young woman. The happiest time of her life, where her family was complete.

She always kept this picture for the memories, this was one of her only treasures. She always had a debate whether to keep or hide it. It always gave her a glint of hope that one day, the past could also become the present. That everything would be fine, they would be reunited, that they wouldn't be so cold to each other. But.. Her hopes could never be answered. The past stays in the past, the present stays in the present. One can't go back to the past, only wait for the future.

"They changed...How I wish I could travel between time.."

Trying to distract herself, she quickly cleaned up her mess and headed for the elevator. She pressed the ground floor's button and waited in the capsule. "Ding", it produced, the door opened. As she struggled to get out of the cabin without the door closing on her, she heard a voice : "Jingyi! Come take your paycheck!"

It was the secretary, Layla, who she had a friendly relation with, it was mostly because Layla was the one who stuck close to her. Jingyi was an awkward and non-expressive person, it was a miracle she made 'friends'.

She walked up to the front desk, and leaned her box on the table. Before she could talk, Layla cried out: "It's such a regretful experience. Why do I have to leave this stable job!?"

"I agre-"

"I'll miss you so much Jingyi!" Layla cut her.

"Me t-"

"Especially the homemade food! Oh, the rice, the chicken, the fried veggies..."

Jingyi let Layla rumble her emotions out. She knew Layla was an emotional and talkative person, the complete opposite of her. She had to be patient with Layla, and endure the urge to stop her. It was too impolite to treat a kind-hearted human like that.

"I still remember your cute face when you just entered! Your short hair became long, you have grown so much! I'll miss you so, so, so much!" Layla took a tissue to dry her tears. She bent her body over the counter and hugged the little human who she considered as her child.

After calming down, she straightened her suit. "I'll let you go now. Remember to call and text me. We can even facetime each other every morning or meet up! I'll always be there for you." She handed an envelope that contained the final paycheck.

"I'll sure do! Thank you Miss Layla! Farewell!" She bowed and slowly walked out the building. Jingyi thought it would be easy to let this place go, but it doesn't seem to be the case. Here, she met amazing and kind people who supported her. Though only a few, and only small actions, it still made her grateful.

She walked further and sat down on a bench, resting from her muscle workout. Waiting for the bus, she pondered about her future. She lost her source of income, what to do? She could work on her night shift at the convenience store while looking for another job? But what kind of position? "Don't worry Johanna! Good things will happen after the bad!"

Seeing the bus arriving, she swiftly stood up; when the door opened, she stepped in and beeped her card. 'Two passes left.' She should buy more later. Finding an empty spot, she sat down and awaited her stop.

===

Locking her house, she headed out once again, to a recruiting agency this time. There, she was assisted by a man called Dale. She told him her criterias and needs. Since no current job matched her searches, Dale would contact her again when he found one. Going out of his office, she met her boss, ex-boss, in the hallway. She tried to go unnoticed, unfortunately the hallway was narrow, making it hard to ignore.

"Oh! Miss Kim! It's a coincidence!" He happily said.

She turned, understanding that there was no way out. She wore her business smile as if she was actually happy to see him. "Hello, mister Lavoie."

"Are you here to get another job?" She nodded.

"Er.." He hesitantly proposed. "How about working with me again?"

"Are you talking about the one in Canada? If so, I have to decline."

Hearing the blunt denial, he didn't give up. "Isn't your father from Québec too? I don't mean to be too personal, but I think visiting your father's home country is an opportunity. I promise to give you a stable job...Em.. Even better than your last one. What do you say..."

She thought carefully, it might be good to change scenery. She was fluent enough to understand French, a higher pay.. A stable life...Away from troubles…

"I'll look into it. Please send me the documents and details in my email address." It wasn't that she agreed, it meant she was interested.

"Yes yes! Thank you, I'll do it right away! You see, I was kind of desperate.. No one wanted to go back with me, so I'm grateful that you accepted!"

Jingyi smiled, to hide her anger : 'Old man, I haven't accepted yet. Don't rejoice too early', she thought. Suddenly, the door opened, Dale came out. "Miss Kim! I have found a spot for you in a new tech company, 'A Spark of Light', as a clerk!"

Jingyi, who wanted to check it out, was left speechless.

"Humph! No need for that, I already got a job for her, you came too late! Now shoo shoo." M.Lavoie cut her.

"Mm. Mister, I heard a little of your offer, since you made the deal inside this building, how about you pay the fees of using our service? That means, we'll take 5% of the annual salary. I made a generous discount already!" Dale joked.

"Nonsense! We didn't use your service at all!" Both of them replied.

After a small discussion, they bid goodbye and parted ways. Little did she know, Jingyi missed an beneficial and excellent employment : one that she would regret not joining in the future.