Chapter- 3

Chapter- 3

“So what you have decided, Ms. Ashley?” Megan asked.

“I am interested to join,” Ashley said wholeheartedly.

“That’s good to hear,” “I will mail your job status and the rest. Please join the office immediately tomorrow,” she told and Ashely agreed.

The first thing that Ashley did when she came to the office in the morning was confirming what her colleague said to her and she found that’s indeed true, she didn’t wait further and called Meghan to say that she’s interested in joining Rex Enterprise. After what happened yesterday, she can’t let another chance that could ruin her peace.

She’s going to stop coming here from tomorrow and maybe giving a resignation after this week would be better, she thought and huffed looking at the boring office.

“Thank god! You saved me,” muttering those words she spends the rest of the day. She left earlier today to drop by at the internet café. The email confirmed that she has been selected as an assistant personal executive at Rex enterprises.

The happiness she had at that moment is unexplainable, she took a printout of that appointment before wondering how she’s going to get an apartment in the city immediately and started to look for it online. After noting a few places on her budget she came out.

The evening is so vibrant, cloudy, and chill. On her way to the house, she decided to have dinner at the restaurant. She ordered a nice pasta and watching the television, she had that in peace after a long time.

On the TV, they are reporting about the gruesome death of a local mob. Seeing that Ashley stopped eating and went closer to the screen to take a clear look at that man. Her eyes widened when she confirmed that he’s the man who collided her in front of that pub. So he’s dead? They killed him!

Ashley has never been so frightened, and the events that were happening in the past three days weren't helping much. All she could do is to sit there and stare out in fearful silence.

That night, she couldn’t fall asleep easily. One side she’s too excited about her new job and on the other side this murder, she is the sole witness of that homicide. Ashley even got nightmares about those men, guns, murder, blood, and so on.  In the TV report, they said there’s no specific suspect has been identified. But she knew who murdered him. This is one of the worst feelings she ever had in her life.

The next day, she got ready early before the sun could even shine in order to catch the first bus on time to reach the office which is located in the heart of NYC. The fresh air of the city made her smile and she felt like she’s finally escaping.

Like always, the grand office doors welcomed her and after having a lot of security checkups she was let in by the cute security guard. She met Meghan in person and realized she was the one who organized that whole interview on the other day, but she didn’t interview anyone.

Meghan asked her to wait in the conference room and went to get the documents which have to be signed. There are a total of fifteen floors in the whole building and more than a thousand plus employees work here. This is a huge place, Ashley thought looking around at the conference room.

“Hi Ashley, let me introduce me first. I am Meghan Green and I am the personal assistant of Mr. Hector,” she introduced. She must be forty plus, Brunette, tall and sexy woman.

“Nice to meet you,” Ashley smiled.

She gave a nod. “You are going to be my assistant and that’s your job. Lately, I couldn’t handle most of his schedule by myself. You have to listen to everything I say and work sharply on time. It won’t be hard because I won’t be hard on anyone unless we have tight schedules. Our boss is really very strict and he fires people immediately if they aren’t up to his level. But you don’t have to worry, there’s nothing like that going to happen. It’s an easy job with a good salary,” she blurted.

“And you already know that you have to sign a three years’ contract because I wanted someone who has a complete dedication for this job and I hope the contract is not a problem for you,” she asked.

“Yes, absolutely,” Ashley nodded her head.

“So you’re willing to work here?”

“Yes,” she told.

“Okay then take your time, read all these things, and sign the papers,” Meghan said walking out of the room giving her space. Ashley got bored after reading the first two pages. These law terms aren’t got into her head. She looked around at the people through that glass wall. If they can work here then I can do it too, she had that courage and filled all the blank spaces left for her signature. In the excitement she didn't read anything, all she wanted is this job.

She closed the pen and placed it above the document. Meghan came in carrying another paper to fill.

“Just fill out these general details for me and that one is for your ID. Before going downstairs just drop this paper at the reception and they will get your new ID,” Meghan said with a smile. Ashley thought she’s so helpful and enthusiastic.

“If you have anything else, then please ask me,” Meghan added.

“Thank you, that’s so sweet of you,” Ashley again smiled.

After filling out the forms, Ashley came out with the papers. She handed those to Meghan and said, “Actually, I am looking for a place. At this last moment, I couldn’t find anything for my budget so I need some time to settle down,” Ashley said.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I know a perfect place for you,” she said and Ashley was so surprised by how everything is happening perfectly.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I heard Anne is looking for a roommate. I will introduce her to you,” Meghan said, “Follow me,”

She took her to the closed boxes of cabins where people are so into their computers.

“Hey Anne, look at your new roommate,” Meghan kind of making the situation weird and Ashley can’t help but smile.

“Oh, what?” Anne gave that same weird look. Oh god, why is everyone so beautiful in this office? Ashley thought looking at that beautiful blond woman.

“Hi, I am Ashley,” she reached out her hand.

“I am Anne,” they had a little hand shook.

“So what do you say? Will you take Ashley as your roommate?” Meghan asked.

“Sure, where are you from?”

After answering her questions, the next thing that Ashley asked was, “How much is the rent?”

“I actually own the place, I don’t ask much, the rent is 1500 dollars per month. Your room will be big. I will buy all the kitchen stuffs and we can share the money. And then… that’s it,” Anne said.

Ashley felt so happy to hear that because the places she saw were expensive and the rents are above 2000 dollars. This is a great offer and under the budget.

“So what do you think?” she asked.

“It’s a wonderful offer. I want to see your place,”

“Sure, shall we go to my place at lunch?”

“I would love to,” Ashley agreed and they exchanged phone numbers so that they can meet outside the building.

“Very well then. Everything is sorted out I guess,” Meghan told.

“Now, Ashley go and give this form at the reception and enjoy your time looking around the office. You can start by tomorrow.” Meghan added.

“Thanks, Meghan. I will see you tomorrow,” Ashley told and walked along with her to the elevator.

“I have work because Mr. Hector leaving the country today or else I would take you around,”

“That’s okay, you have done a big help to me,” Ashley entered the elevator and pressed the ground floor. She handed the papers to the reception desk and went to the cafeteria as she didn’t eat anything from the morning. The delicious food is free here and Ashley was so happy to know that. She got herself a drink after breakfast and walked out of the building. She got into a bus that leads to times square as she never been there before. It’s indeed a beautiful place, she toured around the streets and bought a small lamp for her new house.

She returned to the office area on time and met Anne outside. They both went in her car and it’s just a few blocks away from the office.

“So, did you looked around the office,”

“No, not very much, I went outside,”

“So which department you work?”

“I work in advertisement and marketing area. It’s a hard job,” Anne heaved a sigh.

“But you’re lucky to work with Meghan, she’s a nice person and sometimes weird,” she smiled and Ashley nodded.

“The only problem that you got is our boss. He’s sometimes a jerk, he will fire people for crazy reasons and he will get angry like a maniac. I advise you to be perfect,”

“Sure, I will do my best,” Ashley smiled and felt afraid.

“Great,”

They reached the apartment building and their house is located on the sixth floor in that 12-floor apartment complex. Anne opened the door and Ashley was amazed by the interior. It’s so pretty and aesthetic. No wonder this girl is indeed a lively person.

“This place is so beautiful,”

“Thanks. I will always keep my house clean and clear; I want you to do the same,”

“Sure, I will,”

“Come I will show you the room,” Anne took her inside. The walls were painted in sandal and white; she has designed the house in the Boho theme. Ashley got elevated when Anne opened the empty room for her. It’s a beautiful room and a big window is there. It’s triple the size of her apartment which she’s currently living now even with that small cot. There is an attached bathroom was there. This is more than enough for Ashely.

“Do you like it?”

“Yeah, it’s great.”

“So when are going to move in?”

“Shall I move in today?”

“Sure. I will give you one of the keys,” Anne said with a smile. Ashley finally seeing people who are nice and friendly. This gave her a comfortable feeling.

“Here, this is your key, roomie.” “You can buy whatever you want for your room, but I will decide on the living space and the rest. I won’t allow people to stay here and no pets because the building has that rules.”

“Okay, I don’t have much stuff. This is the first thing I bought for my room,” Ashley said pointing the small lamp. She placed in on the table and came out of the room.

“What happened to your previous roommate?” Ashley asked.

“She got married,”

“Oh,”

“Okay, I will drop you at the bus stop. You have to pack and come back here right,” Anne said and walked out of the house and Ashley followed thinking she’s sweet. She noted down the address so that she wouldn’t get confused while returning here.

“I will wait for you at night. Come safe,” Anne said after dropping her at the bus stop and went away. The time is 2 pm when Ashley got inside the Bus, and she reached her home at the evening.

She left her old bed at the apartment itself and took only the new things with her. It only contains two bags which she easily carried to the Bus stop. Before leaving she said goodbyes to Janet and her two kids. She also asked the landlord to transfer the deposit amount to her account and he did that immediately.

Ashley has already quitted her Job at the convenience store and the payment for this month was transferred making her balance in the five-digit number for the first time.

After getting on the Bus, she heaved a big sigh and a serene smile spread across her lips. This night is the best night of her life. She’s finally going to live without any fear and she’s free out of sufferings!