Nora’s POV
It’s been two weeks, and I haven’t heard from Dad. I’ve tried calling him, but all I get is his voicemail. Kate has been helping me look for an apartment and will finally found one a few days ago, but the money I have left won’t cover all the expenses.
Each passing day makes me more restless. I even tried reaching out to my stepmom, but her number doesn’t go through either. In desperation, I asked Jessica to go to the house and talk to Dad, but she was turned away by Emma, who claimed that I no longer live there, so she wasn’t welcomed anymore.
For the past three days, I’ve been paying my hotel expenses out of pocket. If this keeps up, I’ll be broke by the end of the week. Dad’s good intention of putting me up in a nice hotel is draining me, and soon, they’ll probably kick me out.
I picked up my phone and tried calling Dad again, but it went straight to voicemail. Frustrated, I decided to call Jessica.
“Are you sure my dad’s okay? This isn’t like him,” I said as soon as she answered.
“I don’t know, Nora, but I saw him on the news a few days ago, and he seemed fine,” she replied calmly.
“What am I going to do? I’ve nearly burned through all my savings. I need him to pick up and send the money like we planned.”
“I understand how you feel, and I’ll keep trying to reach him,” Jessica reassured me.
“Thanks, Jess, I really appreciate it.”
“You’re welcome. In the meantime, you should consider checking out of that hotel so you’ll still have some money left.”
“You’re right. I should find a cheaper place or maybe ask Kate if I can stay with her for now. She’s got a small apartment, and she’s nice. I don’t want to be a burden, but I don’t have any other choice.”
“I get it. It’s tough to ask for help from someone you just met, but it’s the best option right now.”
“That’s exactly what I’ll do.”
“Alright, take care, Nora. I should get to bed now.”
“Goodnight, Jess,” I said before hanging up.
I was supposed to meet Kate in two hours at the park. I’d bring up the topic with her then and see what she says.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was intentional. Maybe Dad still hasn’t forgiven me, or perhaps something else happened that I don’t know about. What if more pictures and videos surfaced, and he’s ignoring me because of it?
Why can’t things just go according to plan? I wanted to start a new life, but how am I supposed to do that in this situation?
If I’m right, and this is all deliberate, I need to act fast. One thing I know for sure is that Dad would never abandon me. Maybe he just needs some time to get over everything. In the meantime, I need to sort myself out.
I got ready to meet Kate at the park. She was running a bit late, so I scrolled through my phone, looking for job opportunities. Every listing I found required fluency in French, and I still wasn’t there yet.
“Hey, Nora!” Kate’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. I ran into this guy on my way here, and wow, he’s so hot. I got his number, and we’re meeting up later,” she said excitedly.
“At least someone’s having fun,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“What’s up with you? You don’t look too thrilled,” she said, her tone concerned as she sat next to me on the bench.
“Is it that obvious?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah, it is.”
I sighed out of frustration. “I still can’t get through to my dad, and my hotel bill is piling up every day.”
“Well, that’s definitely something to worry about.”
“Exactly. I’ve been trying to find a job too, but everything requires fluent French.”
“I get it. Why don’t you stay with me for a while until you sort things out? I have an extra room in my apartment.”
“Are you serious? You’d do that for me?” I asked, my excitement barely contained.
“Of course! You’re my friend, and besides, it’s boring living alone.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her neck. “You’re the best. I promise not to be any trouble.”
“Okay, okay, don’t choke me! I still have to see that hot guy later,” she joked, and we both burst out laughing.
Later that day, Kate helped me pack up my things from the hotel and move them to her apartment.
Her place was small but well-furnished. I always suspected she came from money, considering the designer clothes, bags, and shoes she always wore. The living room was cozy, with a blue couch surrounded by touches of pink. She led me down a corridor with two doors, one on the left and one on the right.
“This will be your room,” she said, opening the door on the left. It was a small room with a wardrobe and a side drawer, just enough for me to settle in.
“Thank you so much, Kate,” I said. “I really don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Aisssh, don’t make me teary. That’s what friends are for.”
I smiled at her as I walked closer to the bed to drop my bag. “You settle in while I make us something to eat. I’ll warn you, though, I’m a terrible cook.”
“I’m sure anything you make will taste good,” I replied.
“And now she’s flattering me,” she said, rolling her eyes before leaving the room.
I quickly arranged my few belongings in the wardrobe and then took a quick shower. Before long, I was done and joined her in the kitchen.
She was almost finished cooking, so I helped by setting the table. Soon, the food was ready, and we sat down to eat.
“See, I told you it would turn out great,” I said, and she laughed.
“I’m just lucky today. Don’t get your hopes up. I’ll be going out after dinner, so just make yourself at home, okay?”
“And now you’re leaving me for a guy. My heart is shattered,” I said, jokingly.
“Of course not, sugar. I wouldn’t pick a guy over you,” she teased, and we both burst into laughter before going back to our meal in silence.
As she said, she got dressed and left after dinner. Meanwhile, I took the time to search for places where I could work that wouldn’t require fluency in French.
I stumbled upon a few options and decided to give them a try tomorrow before heading to bed.
*****
Morning came, and I got ready to head out. I didn’t bring many clothes with me, but I did have a decent office outfit.
I wore a black skirt and a white top with heels. I pulled my hair back into a ponytail, and when I was satisfied with how I looked, I headed out.
I heard Kate come in around midnight, but I was too tired to wake up. I knocked on her door and shouted that I was heading out, and she sleepily replied, “Alright.”
The place I found was a bit far from where Kate and I lived, so I took a bus to get there.
The company was a towering glass structure, sleek and modern, standing out among the older buildings that lined the street. It was the kind of place that screams power and efficiency, with a large, rotating door at the entrance and the company’s name-Eiffel Consulting Group-displayed in bold, silver letters above it.
Inside, the lobby was expansive and meticulously designed, with polished marble floors, high ceilings, and eye catching decor. A large, abstract sculpture dominated the center of the room, at the right stood the reception desk, a sharp-looking woman in a tailored suit stood there. The whole space felt intimidatingly professional.
I took a deep breath as I approached the desk, trying to steady my nerves.
“Bonjour, I’m here for a job interview,” I said, my French accented but understandable.
The receptionist nodded and handed me a visitor’s badge. “Please take the elevator to the 15th floor. Mr. Dupont will see you shortly.”
I thanked her and made my way to the elevators. The ride up was swift and silent, giving me a moment to gather my thoughts. When the doors opened, I stepped into a hallway lined with framed certificates and awards, each one a testament to the company’s success.
I was led into a small conference room where I waited for what felt like an eternity before the door finally opened, and a man in his late forties walked in. He was tall, with salt-and-pepper hair and an air of authority about him. His suit was well tailored, and he carried himself with the confidence of someone who had seen and done it all in the business world.
“Good morning, Miss Nora,” he said, extending a hand. “I’m Jean Dupont, the hiring manager. Thank you for coming in today.”
“Thank you for having me,” I replied, shaking his hand. I tried to project confidence, even though my stomach was doing flips.
Mr. Dupont gestured for me to sit, then took a seat across from me. He opened a folder in front of him, glancing at my resume.
“So, you have an economics degree,” he began, his tone neutral. “It’s a strong background, but I’m afraid we’re specifically looking for someone with a degree in business administration for this role.”
I felt my heart sink but tried to keep my face composed. “I understand. I believe my studies in economics, combined with my work experience, have given me a solid understanding of market dynamics, financial analysis, and economic forecasting, which could be valuable to your team.”
Mr. Dupont nodded, but his expression remained noncommittal. “Those are certainly important skills, but this position requires a more direct focus on business management-strategic planning, operations, and client relations. We need someone who’s had formal training in these areas.”
I forced a smile, even as disappointment tormented me. “I see. I appreciate your time and the opportunity.”
Mr. Dupont gave me a polite nod. “We’ll keep your resume on file, and should a position more aligned with your qualifications become available, we’ll certainly be in touch.”
The interview concluded with a few more pleasantries, and I was soon back in the elevator, descending from what could have been a promising opportunity. As I walked out of the building, the weight of my situation pressed down on me even more. The Paris I had dreamed of starting anew in was proving to be less welcoming than I had hoped.
I made a mental note to keep searching and to not let this discourage me. There had to be something out there-something that matched my qualifications.
I crossed the Eiffel Consulting Group off my list and decided to move on to the next option.