I need a job.

*TWO MONTHS LATER*

"Get up, you're getting discharged today." A nurse quickly informed me. She had taken over from Annie's shift. For the past two months, Annie had been watching me round the clock. She handled all my appointments and personally ensured i took all my medication. At my last appointment, my doctor had suggested to change my medication, to see if it would speed up the process of my memory recovery.

So far, i haven't been able to remember anything. But at least with this new meds, i have less side effects-- just some nausea here and there. It's also been a while since I heard from Janet. I'm worried about her, but Annie tells me it's a good thing. I guess Janet really wasn't my friend. But I still miss her. If only I could talk to her again. I'm sure we could clear things out.

"Are you ready?" Annie bursted the door of my room wide open. I nearly had a heart attack!

"Oh my goodness. Annie you scared me." I reacted, holding unto my chest while panting heavily.

"Sorry, i just had to surprise you. I'm so happy you're finally getting discharged. Here got this for you." Annie revealed what she was holding behind her. It was a cake!

i was speechless. "No way!" I hopped of the bed. "A cake oh my! Can I have some?" I grinned and batted my eyes. I may not have been the cutest person ever but I could still give off a pretty decent puppy face.

"Uh... Are you okay? Are you having another seizure?" Annie joked. Today was her day off so she wasn't on uniform. This was the first time i had seen Annie dressed in casual attire. She look surprisingly younger.

"Annie." I whined. I was glad though. There had been something which i was dying to let Annie know about. Since Janet went mute, i had been more open about my thoughts. I was finally connecting with Annie, she was now like an elder sister to me -- not just a nurse working in the phych ward.

"Okay Okay. You can have some cake. Only if you take your meds." Of course Annie would use cake as a bait for me to take my meds.

"Fine."

After i had finished taking the meds, Annie and i sat down and enjoyed the chocolate cake she got me. We had laughed and talked about a lot of things, when it finally hit me.

"Oh yeah Annie, i want to talk to you about something very important."

"Ok I'm listening." Annie immediately started staring at me, excitement glistening in her eyes. Ever since Janet went mute, Annie had been more than happy to hear my thoughts and all the things that bothered me. Everyday, on her breaks, she scheduled 'Talk Time' for us and was always on time for it. She was always delighted when I told her about my dreams, emotions, fears and thought. She had fully replaced Janet... Well almost.

"Ok, i really need your opinion on this ..." I gulped, rehearsing the words over in my head. "I need a job."

The room fell silent.

"Ahh!" She squeaked. "That is such good news. Oh I'm so proud of you. What job do you have in mind?"

"Well since I can't remember my age or if I have any educational qualifications at all, i need a job that can be done by anybody." I bit my lip in anticipation. What would her answer be?

"True." Annie dropped the teacup in her hand unto the coffee table as she thought. "We also need a job that won't be too stressful for you mentally or physically. Plus it has to have good pay and be flexible enough that you can still stay on track with your meds and get adequate rest. Hmm. This is tough innit?"

"I suppose."

"But if I may ask, why do you want a job? Well apart from the obvious."

"Well," I thought deeply. "Its been a year and a half since I was found by my foster mother. Though i had no memories of who i was she still took me in. Even when I started to showing signs of mental instability, she still kept me. So far, she has been the one paying for all my expenses. I need to give back to her. If I get a job i could take better care of her. Though i can't visit her, I'd be able to send her gifts, you know."

"That reminds me I've always wanted to ask, why can't you visit your foster mother?"

"Um." I itched my arm nervously. I didn't want to answer. "She adopted me even though she had kids of her own. Her kids found out about me then took her away from the retirement home. My mom pleaded with them so in exchange for my allowance, rent and medical bills. I can't see her. They hate me. But then, why wouldn't they."

Annie's countenance fell, i could tell she regretted asking that question." So Um. Yea, it's about time you got discharged. I'll go first and settled things at the reception, you get ready ok?" She left shortly after.

******

******

I had been going around, applying at vacancies but it appeared most establishments had a policy against hiring people who had a history of mental health challenges. Ahh! I had no idea thing would be this difficult.

*BUZZ* BUZZ*

I looked to my phone as i received a message from Annie.

~How is job hunting going? I'm sorry i couldn't accompany you. I have a long shift today. Anyway, i found a place that's really looking for help, plus your educational qualifications don't matter. Also your mental health isn't an issues. Its a place called the Shaky cakie. It's a restaurant along pile avenue. They need a cook plus the pay is good. Please get back to me. Good luck. ~

Annie really is a life saver. I heaved a sigh of relief before taking a cab to Pile Avenue. Janet could have never found me a job like this. I guess it's truly wise to forget about her. I thought to myself. I rubbed my hands together as the cold mixed up with the anxiety within me. I had to get this job, i just had to.

******

******

The family of Dr. and Mrs James Hernández and Mr and Mrs Elvis Richmond

Cordially invited you:

To the wedding ceremony of their children

Master Ethan Alexander Hernández

And

Miss Maria Annabelle Richmond.

Scheduled to hold on the 17th of July, 20**

At the prestigious Bristol hotel garden.

Note: Strictly invite only.

My breathing grew erratic as I glanced through the invitation card in my hand. I was getting married, for real. It didn't matter if I believed it or not, it was actually happening.

"Are you pleased with it, Sir?" Andrew asked. My confirmation was required inorder for the wedding preparations to proceed. As much as I resented this, "It's fine." I still gave my consent.

I was getting married to a woman who I had no affection for whatsoever. Maria was loud, rude, boring and fake. Her life revolved around her father-- she hated her stepmother. She was a 'princess' and by no means ready for marriage. Though the facts were stacked up, we were still going to get married. I needed this marriage to secure a place in my family. To retain all I had built.

I had everything I could ever want, but no matter how successful I was; happiness always eluded me. I learnt from my mistakes. It didn't matter anymore. My years of searching for happiness? Love? Or any fairytale rubbish were long over. I was more than ready to sacrifice all those and more on the altar of affluence.