"It's okay, we are ready to pay you three times more than you are now getting."
"What?"
"Our director is shocked by your linguistic abilities and is sure that you deserve a greater career and freedom, and will be very useful to us. I scheduled you for an interview tomorrow at 4: 00. Suits you?"
"Millie, wait a second..."
"How about 5: 00? Maybe 5-30?"
"Millie."
"Come to the metro Bli Five by 5-00, write down the address..."
"Millie! Look, I... Wait, what? Metro? In the Garth there is none. Where are you calling from?"
"Uh... Mining Great, Ma'am."
"Millie, I'm in another city."
"Never mind."
"Excuse me?"
"We'll reschedule the interview for the end of the week. Enough to fly up here? How about Friday?"
"Millie, that's not serious."
On the other end of the line, a cute voice sharply became serious.
"I know you think it's very fast, Miss Ryans. But this is a great chance, you go out of competition, only on the achievements of your resume. The director, when she saw your file, put aside - or rather, threw in the trash - the CVs of nine candidates. You wrote the truth on your resume, didn't you?"
"Of course, I did!" Anna was even hurt by such a question.
"So you're on the verge of a big change, and me- on the promotion, which I advise you not to spoil. Metro Bli Five, 14 Rome street, building 6. Friday, 5-30. Waiting for you! Deal?"
Anna was speechless, but against her will, the answer itself came out loud and clear:
"See you then, Millie."
For a moment she sat on the bed, blankly looking around the apartment. She landed only a few hours ago and immediately flopped down to sleep.
She quickly googled School 678 that resulted in one of the most prestigious schools in the capital. Millie was right - it really was a chance for Anna. All of a sudden, she had a headache.
She scrolled down over the incoming messages, opened one, read it, and pressed the "Call" button.
"Yeah?" a man's voice answered at once.
"Mark, it's me. I'm flying to Mining Great."
"Anna? Hey. You what? When?"
"I have an interview on Friday."
"Are you moving to the capital?? When did you decide that??"
"Just now. If the interview goes well. Can I stay with you for a while? I don't know my fate yet."
"Certainly. Wow, such a drastic change. You okay? How was the flight?"
"All is great."
"Mmm... OK. So, wow, I'll see you. This is unexpected."
"You wanted to see me, right?"
"No, no, of course, I did. It's just so fast. I thought I needed to talk you into it for a few more years or so."
They both laughed a little.
"So everything's okay?" asked Anna, herself little realizing the turn of events.
"Of course, there's no problem. I'll meet you at the airport on Friday."
"Thank you." Anna looked at her watch. "Nine o'clock. In the capital, the difference is three hours?"
"Yeah." Mark confirmed. "Anna. That's great news."
"Yeah... I guess!"
"Listen, I gotta go now. I'll call you later, okay?"
"OK."
Anna hung up the phone and fell back on the bed. Her mind was swarming with thoughts. Millie, work, Mark, capital, Randall.
Randall!
Oh, indeed it would be a dizzying change...
Chapter 32
The capital was a million times more beautiful and luxurious than Anna had imagined. Dazzling commercials lights, posters with models, products, goods, and services urged you to consume and earn more to consume more- only then you would be successful and on your face would be a white smile that super toothpaste N. will provide. You would have an expensive suit from the brand M., a cool car from the brand O., and a bunch of fans provided by a promo company P.
But all this mass, all this fanatical materialism, and temporary illusions did not cause any negative emotions in Anna's heart.
We all think of the beautiful, living in this material web with its laws, and if not you, then them. She understood that and, having in mind only perfect intentions - to help the family, provide future children a comfortable life - she played according to the rules of this cruel game.
Therefore, the transition to a new level, symbolically denoted by moving from Garth to Mining Great so fascinated her that she enthusiastically absorbed everything around, studied people, their submissive existence, expressed in amorphous movements, visible to the naked eye, or their daring strategies to bite off the "pie of success". She saw it in every detail, every passer-by, every conversation.
"So, how do you like it?" Mark wondered.
He had been staring at her for several minutes. She altered considerably, but in some ways, she was still the same. Just in what ways? Did she still have any feelings for him? He thought frantically about all this, trying to find the answer in the features of her face.
"I'm thrilled. This city is a game field for real professionals. I'm getting this job." Anna responded readily.
"What a spirit!" Mark admired. "You're obviously not the same Anna that dreamed of a bunch of kids and work crafts at home!"
"You clearly noticed. This is a new Anna. The former died of a broken heart when instead of a bunch of children and needlework. She received the news that the love of her life dumped her, making it clear that money is cool and career is a way to go. And this new Anna found out what is so cool about it, and now she fully agrees with him and her heart no longer hurts - it is not there."
"Ouch. That was painful." the lad grimaced. "But it was possible to describe all somewhat... softer."
"As soft as it can be. Are we there yet?"
"We're here."
Mark's apartment was on the ninth floor of an old building. Anna hoped for more colorful views, but in fact, everything was gray and simple. The apartment had a minimum of furniture and a maximum of cigarette roaches. The only place that clearly showed signs of any human activity was a computer desk. The rest was dominated by minimalism, created from desperation rather than design considerations.
"Beer?" Mark appeared in the doorway with two bottles in his hands.
"No thanks, I am a total abstainer." the girl shook her head negatively.
"As before. Mmm, then… a pretzel?"
Anna laughed.
"Yes, perhaps, a pretzel will do just fine now."
It broke the ice. The rest of the evening they bantered about all the possible things of any interest to both of them- medicine, philosophy, religion, pedagogy. Anna thought briefly that this conversation was so reminiscent of their everyday talks when they were a couple. Mark was sitting across from her again, giving out long scientific monologues. She laughed again and parried. Nothing seemed to change. It felt they were... together.
"Do you have a boyfriend?" Mark asked suddenly.
"What? Huh? Yes, I do. Or not. I don't know, to be honest. It's kind of vague, I don't really understand it yet myself."
"Mmm. What's his name?"
"Randall."
"Randall." he repeated. "You love him?"
"Mark, what a question."
"You love him?"
"I don't want to answer that."
"Ok then, do you love me? Don't you love me anymore?"
"Mark, I think you've had enough beer for today. This is not the best conversation turn we have."
"I love you, though."
He stood up and approached Anna so that their eyes were facing each other. She could smell the alcohol from his half-open mouth. He stared at her intently.
"Mark, I don't think the situation is developing in the right way."
"Anna, who do you love?"
"Mark, stop asking that."
"You're confused. Right? I betrayed you. You're hurting. You met him. And you want to love him. But you do not. Right?"
"Stop talking abou
t all this!"
"You're fierce because I'm right."
He kissed her.
"How do you feel?" he kept kissing her.
"Stop! Mark, please, stop."
"And now? I won't. Study yourself, Anna. Study your emotions. Who do you love?" he was coming down.
"Please, stop!"
"And now, Anna? What do you feel now?"
He kissed her everywhere. She tried to resist, then gave up, then found strength again and resisted until he entered her.
"And now...? Anna...?" he whispered softly. "How do you feel? Do you still love me?"
He made calm, measured, but passionate movements, showering her with kisses.
But the truth was... she felt nothing.
Not-a-single-thing.
She closed her eyes and began to cry silently.
Chapter 33
"Coffee?" Mark entered the room with a tray and two cups.
Anna had just opened her eyes and looked around lazily.
"Yes, would do the trick." she smiled modestly. "Been up long?"
"Yes, but you slept for, like, ages." he smiled back. "You have an interview soon."
"What? It can't be! How long did I sleep?"
"It's noon."
"Phew. Don't scare me. Plenty of time."
"Not that plenty. It's the capital. Everything is crazily far apart, to get to your school will take us about three hours."
"Three hours!" blurted out the girl. "I'll need to get a place closer to work, that's for sure!"
"What? Moving out as soon as you got here? I thought you liked everything." he winked at her.
Anna coughed.
"I sure did. But you don't live close by. And I only asked you for temporary help, just to get my bearings and shoot something decent, if the interview goes smoothly."
"It'll go perfect, Anna. They need a professional like you. We all know that. But even so, you can always live with me. I'll be only happy. I don't see the point in you spending money on rent if you have me."
"Thanks, Mark. But I.." Anna got lost, not knowing what words to pick to sound more polite.
Her phone rang. Anna looked at the screen and her brain seemed to stop working for a moment. Randall. How to answer him? What to say?
"Answer it, Anna. I guess that's your boyfriend Randall..." Mark sighed, leaving the room.
Anna just stared at the flashing screen. The call was insistent and didn't seem to be the first one. She didn't understand what was happening to her. That Randall was her boyfriend never sounded the way she wanted it to, and she was afraid to even say out loud the idea that they were a couple. Not because she didn't wish that but because Randall never even hinted at it. She had never seen him denoting to her that there was a real relationship between them, not a holiday romance or just sex.
She wanted to hear with all her heart that she belonged to him, that he loved her, that they date, that nothing would ever destroy them. But he never determined such an outcome. Inside she was torn by some dirty, incomprehensible feelings as if she had betrayed him, cheated on him, and even when her mind tried to explain to her that she was single and Randall himself decided not to clarify the status of their relationship. But such arguments helped little.
"Hello?" she finally squeezed out.
"Anna! Finally, beautiful!" she heard a soft voice. "Where are you? I wrote and called. Wasted so much ink. Fingers hurt from typing. It's been days since you left me. Is that what you decided to do to me? Used me for a purpose and dumped me?"
They both laughed. His voice seemed so sweet, caring, charming. She fought back the tears.
"How are you, Randall?"
"Great! What about you?"
"I came to the capital, I plan to get a job and move here."
"Wow! That's news! Anna, this is amazing! Congratulations, well done!"
"Thank you. So far, these are only plans. I thought I'd rent a place and invite you...You'd come, right?"
"Of course! I promised I would. I miss you so much, Anna."
"Me too, you have no idea how much." she couldn't hold back her tears. "Randall, please come to me. I can't be alone without you."
"Hey, hey! What up with crying beautiful! I'm here, I'm not missing, am I? I will definitely come as soon as I can."
"When can you?"
"Do you want to see me in a month?"
"I do."
"Then it's settled."
"I love..."
The front door slammed shut.
Mark hurried out of the apartment.
Chapter 34
It was the fastest interview of her life. A wonderful and kind school director, almost without asking questions, just checked the diploma, awards, and documents and immediately announced the terms of cooperation and remuneration. Anna thought she had misheard - the number of zeros in the salary she not only never earned, but did not even see. With a boss attitude and making a half-satisfied grimace, she rolled her eyes, as if wondering whether such a low wage would suit her, Anna agreed. The director beamed, and they shook hands, parting until next week, which would already be saturated.
As soon as she left the building, Anna dialed Mark's number and literally shouted into the phone.
"I got it! Got a job!! I am staying in Mining!!!"
On the other end, she heard a satisfied chuckle.
"I'm so happy for you, really." said Mark. "It's a big step forward. Someday you'll be the headmaster of this very school."
"No brainer!" Anna laughed. "But I'm really so happy! Now I need to find a place to live since everything is going so well!"
"I already said you can live with me," Mark repeated and, clearing the throat added, "if you like."
"Mark, thank you so much, but I don't want to be a burden. I'm eternally grateful for everything, but I want to live on my own."
"With him, you mean."
"What?"
"You will live with him."
"Mark, I meant..."
"Listen, I have a call on the second line, we'll talk later. Congratulations again."
He hung up. The smile faded from the girl's face, all the happiness was washed off in a second.
She knew that everything was going wrong, strange, but she didn't know what to do or how to stop it.
The occurred sex both diligently tried to ignore as if the event didn't take place at all. To ignore the obvious tension in communication and some unbearability of being in each other's company made their relationship difficult, complex, unclear. Who are they? What was that? What for?
Anna understood nothing. Instead, she opened a chat message and wrote:
"We will always be together. You and me."
The message was marked " Read."
But Randall answered nothing.
Chapter 35
The answer from him came only a week later and the events after that changed all of Anna's life upside down.
It was Tuesday - the day she would never forget once she tried. She had just finished her classes and the endless cycle of working days, as often happened, alienated her from close contact with the people around. This was the price of a career - when the focus shifts to money, the other spheres of life always suffer.
However, Anna tried from time to time to write to her mother and close friends a standard message asking about their life turmoil and, in turn, included a brief "report" about her own.
Randall, it would seem, gone for good and if she weren't so busy, offense would drown her. However, the days without their communication flew by rather quickly, leaving her no chance to complain.
His casual "Hello, beautiful" came at noon. Anna read the message and smiled. Finally.
She dialed his number without hesitation. After a couple of beeps, his sweet voice already welcomed a girl so casually that it seemed they parted only yesterday.
"Where are you lost?" Anna half-joked.
"Oh, here and there!" Randall said, obviously chewing something. Anna immediately imagined him smiling and talking to her with h
is mouth full. "How are you doing?"
"It's all okay, just a lot of work. I've been given a lot of classes and a lot of tutoring plus to that. And you?"
"Great! I'm in Garth-city!"
"You what?" Anna thought she had misheard.
"I'm in Garth!" Randall repeated and laughed. "Are you surprised? I came to teach. Puck didn't tell you?"
"He did not... Oh, my God. What?? He didn't say anything. How comes? Why didn't you tell anything? How long have you been in Garth?"
"Why, only for a week!"
"A week?! You promised to come to me!"
"Hey! Easy, girl! And I will keep my promise! I won't be here long, I'll make some money, and come to you. I said we'd meet together again, so we will. Calm down, beautiful!"
"Randall, I'm just unpleasantly surprised. You could have told me you were going to Garth. Why all the secrecy!"
"No secrecy. You're busy now, you've just started a new job in a new place. I didn't mean to upset you. You would start complaining that I'm going to the Garth and not directly to you. I need to earn green, and many people were waiting for me. I promised to come again."
"Many girls, you mean?"
Randall chuckled.
"Both boys and girls. What is the jealousy about?"
"Did you have sex with someone?"
"Em... Anna, why such a question!"
"Did you have sex with someone?"
"Anna!"
"Answer me, please!"
There was silence on the other end of the line.
"Oh my God, you did!" Anna finished the phrase in horror. "You did sleep with someone!"
"Uhm... Anna, you're acting weird. Yeah, I had sex, but you..."
"Oh My God!!!!"
Anna felt herself losing balance. The impact was so strong that in her head all clouded, and instead of the voice of Randal, continuing to say something, she heard only some hum. She had never fainted in her life, and now she seemed to look at herself from the side - weakened, falling to the floor, hot tears streaming down her cheeks without bringing her to senses.
Not Giving Up on Forever Page 6