*Tina's P.O.V*
I sat on my bed staring at the wall in front. I didn't get any sleep since the previous day. I attempted crying myself to do so but it only sufficed for two hours. I had a terrible headache and I felt like calling in sick and avoiding going to work but I knew that wouldn't do any good. Besides, time for rent was coming up and the old hag of a landlady had been breathing down my neck on the matter. My eyes flashed with anger as I stood up from the bed. The incident of yesterday still replayed in my head.
Mike. That bastard was using me the whole time. I can't believe I never saw the signs even when they stared right in my face. I was blinded by the stupid feeling called love. Jenna was right. My naivety is such a terrible flaw. It prevented me from seeing the dog Mike truly was. I pitied the woman he cheated on me with for there was a high chance that he wouldn't stay with her for long.
Minutes later, I showered and was out of the apartment getting ready for work. I locked my door and made to leave when I heard that irritating voice.
"Miss Campbell."
I groaned in a low fashion and spun around. My Landlady, Mrs Kirby stood with a hands on her hips wearing a grey robe, the colour of the garment mirroring her personality. Before I moved in, I had never met her husband. Rumours were he was deceased or he left her. Whichever it was, I wouldn't doubt either. Because I know she would be the sole cause.
"What is it,Mrs Kirby?" I asked.
"I just want to remind you that the month is coming to an end." The old crone tapped her feet on the ground impatiently. "So I hope you better up your money management skills because I won't accept late payment this time."
"You'll get your money." I waved her off, walking away.
"Are you certain?" She asked and I turned around.
"You won't want to call my bluff this time." She added and I could see a malicious smile on her face. "I have someone who has been bugging me for days about vacancy and if you slip up, he would be welcomed without hesitation. Your by then vacant apartment would be his of course."
I felt my eyes twitch and my blood boil. An unfamiliar rage bubbled within me. Normally, I could have taken this woman's taunts but with everything that went on, I was on the brink of explosion.
I stomped towards her to her surprise and got into her face.
"Listen here." I growled. "I'm clearly not in the mood for your nonsense and bullshit. I had a very rough day yesterday. This is something anyone should clearly notice on the mere look of my appearance right now. But then again, you're not even a person. I don't even know what to classify you as because you don't even have human feelings."
Mrs Kirby gaped at me in surprise. I used that as a momentum.
"As for your so called 'future tenant' " I continued, using my fingers to quote the last two words. "Tell him to either find another place because you won't get the satisfaction of seeing me out by this month. So you can take your stupid threats and shove them down your wrinkled ass."
I turned away from her and stomped off, not giving a damn how she felt. I stepped out of the building and hailed a taxi.
I was surprised when I stepped into the bank premises. The air around the place was gloomy and everyone was clearing out their desks. I became worried. Jenna was arranging her table when I got to her.
"You're late. Again" She said without taking her eyes away from the table. "Not that it matters anyway."
"What does that mean?" I asked. "What's going on,Jenna?"
She sighed and finally looked at me. I could see some form of sadness in her eyes. The quirky and funny Jenna I used to know was absent.
"You may want to follow up with the boss." She said and resumed clearing her desk.
Obviously, she wasn't going to tell me more so I left her. I made my way to Mrs Jones office and knocked.
"Come in." I heard her muffled voice from within.
I stepped into her office. To my greater surprise, it was almost empty. The shelves were devoid of the usual files. Her desk was clear. She stood by the window,looking outside.
"Miss Campbell." She said without turning around.
"What's going on, ma'am?" I walked towards her.
She finally turned around to face me. There were bags under her eyes. It looked like she didn't get any sleep last night. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.
"The Bank is shutting down." She said.
"What!" My eyes widened. "That's not possible. Why? How?"
She heaved and leaned by her desk.
"We couldn't keep up with the taxation policy." She explained. "I tried to negotiate one more month but the taxation officers have made up their mind."
I just stood there in disbelief. Every word she said sounded like a foreign language to me. This bank had been my major source of income since I had moved into the city. My wages from it was what took care of my expenses and rent. This was bad.
"Here." She pulled out an envelope and handed it over to me. I accepted and examined it. Some dollar bills were inside.
"This is your final payment, Miss Campbell." Her voice wavered as she spoke. "I've paid the rest of the staff too."
I just stood there staring at her.
"Tina." She used my first name for the first time, a sign that formality was no more trivial as we were no longer workers of the same firm. "Don't let this weigh you down. You are one of the best workers I've worked with. You will find another job sooner than you think."
"But this bank is the best place I could work.There's no other job in San Diego that can offer even half of what this bank can." I protested. "Where am I going to..."
"You will find another job." She reaffirmed, her voice steel with determination. "I believe in you, dear. You are very diligent and efficient. Trust me,Dear."
"And what about you?" I stared solemnly at the woman who was like a mother to me. "Where will you go from here?"
"Who knows?" She shrugged. "Life has a way of throwing obstacles at you but one has to find a way to overcome them. And I know I will."
She smiled and squeezed my shoulder affectionately.
"Every cloud has a silver lining behind it." She continued. "It's time you seek yours."
My eyes watered as I walked towards the door and opened it.
"It was nice working with you, Ma'am." I said as I stepped out.
"Likewise." Her smile was the last thing I saw before I shut the door.
The Bank premises was deserted by the time I got there. Everyone was gone. Even Jenna. She didn't even give me a final goodbye. I guess she was just as hurt as I was about the situation and didn't want to look me in the eye. I sighed and made my way out.
I felt empty as I walked along the busy road. It was all over for me. And to think I floated to my Landlady earlier that morning about the rent. I was definitely going to pay for this month's own. But what then? What happens to next month? I was out of a job and even if I landed another one, would it take care of my expenses like this old one did?
It seemed like the universe plotted against me. Everything just seemed to go wrong. First, I was betrayed by my ex. And now, I lost my job. Was there someone I offended in the past life that I should be aware of?
So occupied with my thoughts that I didn't realise that I had stepped into the middle of the road. The screams of people around me were the last thing I heard as the car approaching me was the last thing I saw before I blacked out.