Redwood

I think everybody has to consider what they want to achieve and accomplish, even when picking their career. I guess our various interests in life, will result in our best output.

My mind raced as I stared into the abyss looking at the moated of buildings clustered together. I stood on a ferry, that was racing towards it, crossing the Mery Lake to Paramount. This was the fast way to get there, plus affordable.

I had gotten a call for an interview, three days after submitting my resume to the link Jada provided. I wondered for the most time after that if this was what I wanted—this massive change in my life. Plus the city was expensive. Even if I got the job and the salary wasn't right, I still would have to decline.

Either way, I decided to go. Jada would kill me if she found out that I got a call and didn't show up. Plus, if I did not give this a chance, I really won't have given this a chance. I exhaled holding my head. Now I was wondering which one was the worst because I did not even tell her about the interview either.

I did not want the excitement. I could already hear her blissful voice commanding me on what to wear, how to speak, how to act and god knows what. This was already stressful.

I quirked my mouth wondering, about the job, if I have gotten it. Jada and I would be in the city, Peter would be so jealous. I didn't even know the position, as long I wasn't washing dishes or throwing out the garage.

I lean on the railing and see the buildings draw nearer. The most amazing job I could ever ask for would be anything in finance since this is the profession that intrigues me, after all that's what I studied. Moreover, I know every characteristics and ability that is expected to be an accountant.

'What a great day for a boat ride,' I pondered internally. It was so comfortable and warm. The sky was light blue for certain petite transparent mists and a slight warm western breeze. I smiled to myself. Even if I did not get this job at least I would enjoy this trip, I said to myself.

In the wake of leaving the ferry, I figure out how to get a taxi and told the driver my destination. I was forever a person who loves outings and trips, and this felt like one. I gazed out the cars' window as people clamored down the roads, traffic-halting, and starting once again. I noticed the branded stores, the building structures with fascinating and delightful designs, and a couple of merchants selling different products on the road.

All of this was new to me. The suburbs had their bustling, yet this was nothing contrasted with the ordinary strolls from home to the bus stop to work. I don't know, I found it especially intriguing watching people that stroll by, some looking occupied, while some walked leisurely. Yet it was clear that everybody was heading off to someplace. I just sat seeing all the nitty-gritty insights concerning the city's existence passing me.

"Hey, miss. That's fifteen dollars and fifty cents," the driver ushered me, not realizing we had stopped.

"Oh," I said, as I squirmed through my bag looking for my purse to take out the change he asked for.

I stared at the building that was in front of me as I got out of the car. I gazed at the pinnacle that defensively floated over the city, disregarding everything. I guess from the top, you could see the ocean on one side to the desert on the next. I estimated it was at least more than half a kilometer tall. Its glass windows sparkle as the daylight makes precious rainbow stones that dance upon its mirrored walls. This grand piece of design, that it is, was a skyscraper, the essence of the city.

"85 E 52th St., right?," I heard the driver again. I turned to my face to see him. I guess the marvel expression on my face made him wonder if he had carried me to the right place.

"Yea," I responded, quietly trying to contain my amazement.

"Yup, you're in the right spot," he reassured me. "This the Great Redwood."

'Redwood?' I said in disbelief, as the driver drove off. Redwood is known as an iconic structure in Paramount, the building of all towers. It was well known for its extravagant mix of architectural styles, inside spirals, and shimmering sculptures that seemed to be a crown summit sitting on the shoreline connecting the sky and the earth. I turned my gaze to focus on the stairs leading to its entrance.

'What on earth Jada do to get me an interview here?!' I screamed internally. I stared at the building and felt my whole nerve go up into the heavens, just as far as this building in front of me. I reach into my bag again, digging for my phone. I hysterically call Jada.

"Hey, Soraya," she wildly sang into my ears.

"What did you do?" I stated firmly to her, sure enough, the shock and anger were in my voice.

"Um... what do you mean?" She said realizing my mood.

"I am standing in front of the Redwood, the Redwood," I emphasize the last words. "So tell me what did you do to get me an interview here at Redwood? Please god, don't tell me you bride someone." I sputtered not giving her a chance to talk.

"So," she paused, seeing if she could speck. "You got called for the interview, the same one I give you the link for, and you didn't even tell me?"

"That's not important right now?! Do you even know who owns Redwood?"

"Why not?! I'm the one who got you the hook-up," ignoring my questions.

I groan in agony. "Did you bride me, for a hook-up to get a job? Because I am not interested! I'm leaving!" I squealed into the phone while trying not to make a scene.

"Okay, little mama," she tried to calm me down. "I simply have a friend that works there," she said quickly reassuring me. She then paused, "I did her a big favor, and she only accepts deposits and payments in.... favors."

"What?!" This sounds messy.

"Look, look, look...," she continued. "This is not a hook-up. God! You don't have to sell your body, nor did I. Even if I did, that would be none of your concern." I groaned into the phone.

"It's just a little favor, nothing too big, really. I didn't hold a gun to someone's head nor entrap them," Jada said. I sighed, as she spoke I stared at the miraculous building in front of me.

"The Haye's," I manage to utter to her.

"Who?" she responded.

"That's 'who', that owns the building." She didn't say anything, clearly not remembering.

"The big corporate website company that was emerging back then, when we were in college, the same one that had the mega construction, 'erect construction' you would call it," I jogged her memory, but she still was quiet. I guess trying to remember. "The same one I wrote a thesis on?" Still nothing.

"The future business exploit thesis, for Mr. Johnson a.k.a. 'Mr. Ripped'," I said.

"Oh, yea!" Hearing her sudden outburst and shaking my head in disbelief. I remember Mr. Johnson as a young and lean teacher, whom she obsessed over when she found his profile online. We found out he spent most of his time at the gym, otherwise from the classroom, because in each picture he showed his well-defined muscle, and from that, she had a crush on him.

"You score high on that one. But wait..." she paused. "That's the same place with the tallest building in the city, where the biggest social media website platform is at." I hummed in acknowledgment.

"Oh snap!" She jolted. "She didn't tell me that's where she worked!" I rolled my eyes.

"So you asked for a favor 'as payment' in return, for whatever you did, and you didn't know what the favor entails, great!" Not pleased by her actions.

"But this is great! You always went on and on about Redwood in college, and say how big it would be. Now it is and now you have an interview there too!" She squealed in excitement.

"That's not the point!" I snapped at her.

"What!" her tone was serious. Her expression caught me off guard.

"So you got a job as a human cannonball. It was a high-caliber position! But your boss had a short fuse and you took the highway and fire yourself. And now, you want to blow out your best friend's fuse for trying to light back your campfire!" She was upset and I didn't utter a word, nor breathe.

"Oh, and guess what?" Jada continued. "It's the 'prrreefect' campfire," Jada said angrily expressing her displeasure with my response to all of this.

I bite my lips while listening to her on phone. She was right. I have always dreamed about working at the Redwood, on the legendary building of Redwood. I comb my fingers through my hair. This was a major opportunity and here I was heated and I should be excited. She made it clear there was nothing attached to this favor and all I had to do was the interview. I had no job, what was I losing? And now, here my friend was helping me and I was criticizing her for it.

"Jada...," I began softly, "I know that..." but before I could continue, she interrupted me.

"Nope, Soraya. At least I can 'afford' some manners," and with that, she hangs up on me.

******

(Mr. Hayes's POV)

******

He stared at the papers in front of him. None of it made sense. He sighed as he nuzzle the roof of his nose with his fingertips, remembering the reason why he was going to the office.

Scarlett had called him, last week. All he remembers was her saying she was ready to harvest. A favor for a favor they made years ago as a payoff for something she did for him, and she was ready to collect. She went on to say he had an interview next week at one and emphasized that he need to provide a job to whoever came, no matter what.

Her cold menacing voice was too calm and he knew if he didn't show up, it would mean trouble. At the same, she was slick to also remind him that he had a company to run and his one-year vacation was over.

He sighed again. He had been back home for the last couple of days, trying to catch up on last year's activities. He was scanning some reports that he requested and none of them made sense. His head squirmed.

These reports looked like in the next year Redwood would plummet. The finances were showing an unfortunate loss of at least two hundred per month, and cash reserves were been used to continue operations, but if this was to continue he was sure he had to forgo it.

'One year, and she managed to fuck things up,' he hissed to himself. He ran his hand through his hair. If Scarlett hadn't called him, he won't be coming back to anything. He threw the papers in the car fuming. Sobering up after one year, and seeing these records was bound to give him a major headache.

He stared at the city noticing a few changes here and there. He had left a year ago, and he didn't enjoy the fact he was back. He thought himself he would pay Scarlett this one favor he owe her, be done with it, and return to his place, wherever he called the sanctuary. But when she snapped messages to him about a report she manage to get her dirty hands on a day after she called, and when he made further checks too as well to see. He realized that he had to return and resolve the matter, urgently.

'I guess the bitch can't even manage, my company,' he thought, as it infuriated him. This was his legacy. His father had left him this company, this was rooted into the Haye's bloodline. He wasn't having it. There was some way he had to take it back from her, and by all measures.

"What time is it?" he asked his driver.

"It's just noon, Mr. Hayes," he answered.

'I need to deal with this interview first for Scarlett, then I'll deal with this,' he thought to himself. Started outside until he saw the beaming Redwood building, as they approached.

"Max," he called to his driver. "Drive me straight into the underground driveway," he said.

"Yes, Mr. Hayes," Max said and nodded his head in acknowledgment.

No one knew he was coming to the office except Scarlett, and for some reason, he felt like he needed to keep it that way.