C3 Mixed Emotions

Kayla’s POV

Lying in the comfort of my bed, I found myself stuck in a state of pure laziness and

moodiness. It was one of those days when my motivation level was lower than a limbo

champion's pole. I had zero enthusiasm for work or interacting with other humans. It

was as if my mood had taken a vacation and left me stranded in the land of apathy.

As I lay there, reminiscing about my past struggles and trials, I couldn't help but think

about my glorious achievement of graduating from an open high institution with a dazzling first-class degree in Cosmetology. It was like I had won the lottery, except the

prize was a promising future in the world of beauty and cosmetics.

Naturally, I embarked on a job-hunting spree, hoping to kickstart my new and

authentic life. Little did I know that the universe had a twisted sense of humor waiting

for me. One rejection after another, it felt like I was auditioning for the role of the

"Rejected Job Seeker" in a cruel comedy show. Apparently, some candidates had

mastered the art of greasing palms to get ahead. On the other hand, I was barely making

ends meet, let alone affording a greasy bribe to land a job.

And if that wasn't enough, interviewers had the audacity to point out my lack of

experience. Hold on a second, I had just bid farewell to college, barely having time to

toss my graduation cap in the air before diving into the job market. How on earth was I

supposed to have experience? I mean, even the greatest explorers started their epic

journeys with a single step, right?

But here I was, trapped in a catch-22 situation. If I couldn't get a job, how in the world

was I supposed to gain the coveted experience they so strongly demanded? It was like

trying to break the sound barrier with a paper airplane.

So, there I lay, contemplating the cosmic joke played on me. Perhaps it was time to

channel my inner magician and turn rejection letters into confetti. Or maybe, just

maybe, I needed to summon my inner warrior and keep pushing forward, because

eventually, someone out there would recognize the diamond in the rough, the fresh

graduate with a passion for makeup and the determination to conquer the beauty

industry.

One day, I found myself face-to-face with the notorious Mr. Smith, the CEO of

Enchanted Beauty brand. Little did I know that his job offer came with a bizarre

condition— I had to let him have his way with me. Now, you might think this sounds

like a scene from a wacky comedy, but believe it or not, I actually caved in. I mean,

come on, I was an orphaned soul, floating through life like a wayward tumbleweed.

With my hard-earned degree barely clinging to my wall, I couldn't bear the thought of

endless struggles until my last breath on this planet Earth. So, I reluctantly decided to

dance with destiny and join forces with Mr. Smith.

After a year of toiling away at his company, exhaustion started creeping into my daily

routine. Mr. Smith, with his picture-perfect wife by his side, seemed to have a never-

ending appetite for my presence. I mean, seriously, couldn't he just let me be? It was like

being caught in a twisted love triangle, except there was no love and definitely no

triangle. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was being used, but to be honest, there

was no "feeling" about it—I was practically the poster child for being used and abused. I

didn’t need a rollercoaster ride because I was experiencing the thrill of being an

unwitting pawn in his game of power, manipulation and satisfaction.

I decided to resign from my job after three years, realizing that I had gained the

necessary knowledge for starting my own brand, together with the exhaustion from the

whole sneaky link thingy. However, this is where a problem arose. The reality was that a

significant amount of money would be required to bring my envisioned brand to life.

The scale of my aspirations meant that substantial financial resources were necessary to

turn them into a reality.

With unwavering determination, I embarked on a mission to find the help I needed. My

first destination was the orphanage home that had been my haven during childhood.

There, I approached the authorities and made a heartfelt plea for their assistance in

unraveling my past. I longed to discover the identity of my parents, as they could

potentially play a vital role in bringing my cherished dreams to fruition despite their

reluctance to search for me.

The search yielded disappointing results, leaving me with limited options. I found

myself left with no alternative but to visit the bank and apply for a loan. To be honest, I

was uncertain about what prompted the cashier to approve the loan, especially

considering my current unemployment status. Perhaps she saw something in me that

instilled confidence and convinced her to take a leap of faith.

Without delay, I embarked on a dedicated pursuit of my dreams, putting in the hard

work and effort required. The universe seemed to conspire in my favor, introducing me

to remarkable people like Olivia and other notable figures who are now an integral part

of my life and brand. Together, we formed a team and accomplished remarkable feats.

The sense of pride I felt was immense, but deep down, I longed for my family's

acknowledgement. The absence of a mother and a father pained me, and the realization

that I stood alone tugged at my heart. Yet, I reassured myself that things would

eventually be okay, hoping that one day I would overcome the overwhelming emotions

that arose whenever I confronted the truth of my solitude.

My brand was in good shape and life was cruising along smoothly until I thought, "Hey,

why not give relationships a try?" Well, let me tell you, that decision turned into a

comedy of heartbreak. Those experiences made me feel like I was auditioning for a role

in a dramatic soap opera, where the script called for my heart to be shattered into a

thousand pieces.

Now, let me introduce you to the star of the show, Edward. Damn, Edward took lying

to a whole new level and managed to juggle my emotions like a circus performer with

chainsaws. Talk about a master manipulator! With each relationship, I seemed to

unlock a new level of inhumanity, like collecting trading cards of men who excelled at

treating me like crap.

After all those encounters, I reached a grand conclusion—I'd rather embrace a lifetime

of singlehood and enjoy mingling with a variety of men than subject myself to the

rollercoaster ride of being treated poorly in the name of a relationship.

Who needs a partner anyway when you can have the freedom to choose happiness and

laughter without the accompanying drama?

As I pondered in solitude, my thoughts were abruptly derailed by the entrance of my

best friend. With a quizzical expression and a furrowed brow, she inquired, "Is it one of

those days?"

It never fails to amaze me how she effortlessly discerns my every mood, as if she

possesses a secret decoder for my emotions. She nonchalantly dropped her bag on the

table and promptly joined me on the bed, enveloping me in a warm, comforting hug.

"Stephanie..." I attempted to utter a response, but before the words could escape my

lips, she swiftly interrupted me, placing a finger on her own lips and issuing a gentle

"Shh."

“I know, babe. I know. I know you just don’t feel good today.”

Embracing me tightly in a comforting hug, she held me close, gently patting my back as

she assured me that everything would be alright.

“So, I have good news and sad news. Which one do you want to hear first?,” she said,

managing to lighten the atmosphere and alleviate the melancholic ambiance that hung

in the air.

"Let's tackle the sad news first," I said, realizing that hearing some good news afterward

would surely help alleviate the weight of sadness. After all, a sprinkle of positivity has a

remarkable way of brightening even the gloomiest of moments.

"Alright, brace yourself for the sadness!" She declared, preparing to deliver the news.

"Drumroll, please!" She playfully added, conjuring an imaginary drumroll sound effect

to lighten the mood before diving into the gloomy tidings.

“I’m leaving the city in a few days.” She playfully revealed, with a mischievous twinkle

in her eyes.

“I’m going on a business trip. Prepare yourself for the unbearable burden of missing me,

your eternal source of happiness!” She teased, accompanied by a mockingly sad

expression on her face.

The mere thought of my best friend's impending absence filled me with a tinge of

sadness, just as she had anticipated. Despite not always being joined at the hip, I

couldn't shake the desire to always have her around.

Summoning a faux display of bravery, I managed to utter, "I'll handle it,"

However, deep down, the strength in my voice was coated in a layer of feigned courage.

Suppressing my longing for her company, I swiftly redirected the conversation, eager to

see a glimmer of positivity. "So, what's the good news?: I eagerly inquired, hoping

for a cheerful twist in the narrative.

She got out of the bed and made way to the kitchen. “Guess,” she playfully teased once

more, leaving a trail of anticipation in her wake.

“Steph, don’t start.” I warned playfully, unable to contain my own mischievous spirit.

“I said, guess,” she replied with a grin.

“Fine. Eat the good news,” I retorted sarcastically, my words laced with a hint of playful

mockery.

Such an annoying yet sweet little btch. I giggled