"I'm sorry I forgot to introduce myself earlier," the man said, his voice a jarring note in the quiet street. I blinked, surprised. Why was I still talking to him? He was a complete stranger.
"Oh, it's fine," I managed, feeling a surge of awkwardness. "But I need to go. Let's chat another time." I turned and hurried towards my sedan, needing to escape the strange encounter.
The engine roared to life as I pulled away, leaving him standing on the sidewalk. I knew it was rude, but I simply couldn't afford to meet anyone right now.
My house loomed ahead, a familiar haven. I pulled into the garage, the familiar scent of gasoline and oil filling my senses. As I stepped inside, the living room was empty. Joana wasn't on the couch. Tyler must have taken her to their room.
I padded into the kitchen, thirsty after a long day. Tyler was already there, his gaze fixed on me as he reached for a glass.
"You look like you saw a ghost," he commented, his voice laced with amusement. I instinctively snatched my phone, checking my reflection on the screen.
"I don't!" I retorted, my cheeks burning.
"Did you enjoy your dinner alone?" he asked, a playful smirk on his lips. I nodded, feeling a pang of guilt.
"Next time, don't tell Mom anything that'll make her worry," I warned him, my tone was firm.
He chuckled, taking a long swig of water. "She was looking for you. I just told her the truth."
"Fine," I sighed, changing the subject. "How's Joana? Did you two fight?"
The water in his glass seemed to choke him. "How did you know? Did she tell you?" he sputtered, his eyes wide with surprise.
I burst out laughing, shaking my head. "You're so easy to read," I teased, enjoying his flustered reaction.
"I already told you, she was my best friend first," I said, my voice was firm. "Of course I know her a lot better than you." I placed the glass on the sink, my frustration simmering.
"It was just a misunderstanding," he mumbled, his shoulders slumping. I nodded, but my gaze remained fixed on him.
"Because you're too immature, Tyler," I said, my voice laced with exasperation. I turned and walked away, needing some space.
My room felt like a sanctuary. I tossed my purse onto the side table and shed my accessories, feeling the tension ease from my shoulders. The bathroom beckoned, promising a much-needed respite. The warm water cascaded over me, enveloping me in a comforting embrace. I almost drifted off to sleep, the warmth lulling me into a state of blissful relaxation.
Emerging from the shower, I grabbed my hair dryer from the side table. As I dried my hair, a wave of realization washed over me. It was time to start looking for a job.
"Maybe Maui can help me find a job here," I mused, a glimmer of hope flickering in my eyes. I set the hairdryer aside, a sense of weariness settling over me.
I climbed into bed, my gaze fixed on the ceiling. The darkness seemed to absorb my worries, and I eventually drifted off to sleep.
The morning light filtering through my window was a stark reminder that my day had begun. I heard Joana's voice, sharp and angry, echoing from the hallway. My brother's muffled replies followed, a familiar soundtrack to my mornings. What a wonderful way to start the day!
I washed my face, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue. As I stepped out of my room, I found them in the living room, their argument in full swing. Their eyes met mine, and the bickering ceased abruptly.
"Let's hit the grocery store," I announced, my stomach rumbling in agreement. They nodded, their faces mirroring my own sense of urgency. I quickly changed into a more comfortable outfit, pulling my hair back into a messy bun.
Tyler, ever the dutiful chauffeur, steered us towards the grocery store. He expertly maneuvered the sedan into a parking spot, the familiar hum of the engine fading as we stepped out into the bustling parking lot.
We walked towards the grocery store, the cool air a welcome contrast to the warmth of the car. The familiar scent of fresh produce and baked goods wafted through the air, a tantalizing promise of a well-stocked pantry.
"We need some meat," Joana declared, her gaze scanning the refrigerated shelves. I nodded in agreement, already picturing a delicious lunch. We piled our basket with various cuts of meat, while Tyler wandered off, his nose sniffing out the perfect bottle of wine.
"What happened yesterday?" I whispered to Joana, taking advantage of Tyler's temporary absence.
"I heard him talking to Laxus," she replied, her voice laced with a mix of anger and hurt. My blood ran cold.
"Damn! I'll kill him!" I hissed, my teeth grinding in frustration.
"That's why I'm so mad at him," Joana said, her hand resting reassuringly on my shoulder.
"He should just marry Laxus," I added, unable to contain my anger. Joana shot me a withering glare.
"Nah, he's mine!" she declared, her voice dripping with mock defiance. I burst out laughing, shaking my head at their childish antics.
"You two are so immature," I said, chuckling. "You're perfect for each other.”
The aroma of freshly baked bread lured us to the pastries section. We snagged a few loaves, their warm scent filling our senses. I was browsing the chip aisle, my fingers tracing the colorful bags, when Tyler appeared, pushing the cart with a determined stride.
"I know what you did yesterday," I said, my voice steady, a hint of amusement in my tone. He stopped short, his surprise evident in his wide eyes. Without a word, he turned and walked away, leaving me shaking my head and a smile playing on my lips. Damn you, Tyler!
We reached the checkout counter, and I swiped my card, the familiar beep signaling the end of our shopping spree. As we loaded the groceries into the back of the sedan, a car pulled up beside us. The familiar silhouette of the vehicle sent a jolt of recognition through me.
The man from yesterday emerged from the car, his presence a sudden, unwelcome intrusion. My heart pounded in my chest as I instinctively ducked behind the groceries, desperate to avoid his gaze.
"Why are you hiding? Do you know that man?" Joana's voice, laced with concern, broke the silence. I turned to her, my face a mask of confusion.
"Who's hiding?" I countered, my voice a touch too high-pitched, as I slid into the sedan.
The muffled sound of Tyler's voice, followed by Joana's laughter, reached my ears. They were discussing my earlier antics, dissecting my every move. It was a stark reminder that I needed to be more careful, more discreet. Dang!
They slid into the front seats, leaving me to settle into the back. Tyler glanced back at me, his eyes meeting mine for a fleeting moment before darting away. Don't even think about asking me anything.
The familiar route home unfolded before us, the hum of the engine a steady rhythm. As soon as we pulled into the driveway, we were unloading the groceries, a flurry of activity filling the air. Joana volunteered to whip up a quick lunch. I retreated to the living room, settling onto the couch, my laptop open before me. It was time to get serious about my job search, and I focused my attention on crafting a resume.
"What are you up to?" Tyler inquired, plopping onto the couch beside me. His gaze drifted towards my laptop, but I quickly shifted, shielding the screen from his view.
"Hey, I'm talking to you," he said, his tone a mix of amusement and annoyance. I shot him a withering glare.
"Talk nicely to me!" I snapped, my voice laced with irritation. He simply stared back at me, his expression unreadable.
"I'm working on my resume," I said, my voice softening slightly as I returned to my task.
Finally, the resume was complete. Joana emerged from the kitchen, bearing a tray laden with steaming dishes. We gathered in the dining area, the aroma of her cooking filling the air. As we dug into our lunch, I volunteered to wash the dishes.
Back in my room, I slipped into a warm bath, allowing the water to soothe my weary muscles. As I dried my hair, my phone buzzed with a familiar ringtone. It was Maui.
"I got your message, Tyra. I can help you!" Maui's voice, brimming with enthusiasm, crackled through the phone speaker.
"Great! I'll send you the location. We need to talk," I replied, a wave of relief washing over me. I ended the call, a sense of purpose settling in.
I'd already scouted out a cozy, upscale restaurant, the perfect setting for our meeting. As I finished drying my hair, a knock on the door startled me.
"Come in!" I called out, my voice echoing through the room. The door swung open, revealing Joana, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Going somewhere?" she asked, settling onto my bed.
"Meeting Maui," I replied, reaching for my makeup bag. A touch of lipstick and a swipe of mascara would complete my look.
“So, you’re looking for a job now?” She asked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. I nodded, a small smile playing on my lips. “Of course, I need money to buy what I want,” I replied, mirroring her playful tone. “Who doesn’t?” she chuckled, her eyes twinkling with understanding.
After a quick touch-up in the mirror, I stepped out into the afternoon sun, the sedan purring to life beneath my touch. Once I found a job, a brand new car was definitely on the list. The restaurant loomed ahead, its facade a beacon of promise. I parked, the engine falling silent, and stepped out into the bustling city. The waiter, a young man with a friendly grin, ushered me to my table.
I didn't have to wait long for Maui. When she arrived, a blush creeping up her cheeks, she offered a sincere apology for being late.
"Don't worry about it," I reassured her, my smile genuine. "You're doing me a favor, so it's the least I can do." She returned my smile, her eyes twinkling with amusement.
"So, you're looking for a job?" she inquired, settling into her chair.
"Yeah," I said, a hint of desperation creeping into my voice. "Maybe you could help me?"
She laughed, a light, tinkling sound. "Actually, I might be able to do better than that. I recently left my old job, and my boss was looking for someone to fill my position. You might be a good fit."
My heart skipped a beat. "Really? What kind of job is it?" I asked, my voice laced with hope. She reached into her purse, looking for something. Her hand emerged from her purse, holding a card that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. A single name, stark against the ivory surface, held my attention.
"Daryl James Jimenez," I read aloud, my gaze fixed on the calling card. 
"He's a great guy," Maui confirmed, her smile widening.
"He's looking for a personal secretary. I think you'd be perfect for it. I'll recommend you to him," she added. My heart leaped. 
"You would do that?" I asked, my voice trembling with excitement. "Of course," she said, her smile brighter than ever. "We're pretty close," she assured me, nodding. "I'll put in a good word.”
After a quick dinner, I drove Maui home. As I headed back to our house, my phone buzzed. It was Joana.  
"I'm on my way home now," I said, answering the call. 
"We're not at the house," Joana replied, her voice tinged with amusement. "We took a cab." I rolled my eyes, a mixture of annoyance and disbelief washing over me. 
"Where are you then?" I asked, my voice sharp.  
"We're going for drinks," Tyler answered, his voice a little too cheerful. 
"Enjoy," I said, my tone clipped, before ending the call.
The thought of a night out was appealing, but I knew I had to be practical. Once home, I wasted no time preparing for tomorrow. Maui's insights into her former boss were invaluable. After a quick wardrobe change, I collapsed into bed, hoping for a few hours of restful sleep.
The morning arrived too quickly. I forced myself out of bed at seven, the weight of the interview hanging heavy on my shoulders. A quick shower and a change into my most professional attire were all I had time for. I needed to impress.
The living room was eerily quiet. Tyler and Joana were probably still asleep. I slipped into the sedan, a knot of anticipation tightening in my stomach.
The towering building loomed ahead, its glass facade reflecting the morning sun. I parked the car, my breath catching in my throat. Maui was already waiting, her smile warm and welcoming. "Good morning! Ready?" she asked, her voice a soothing balm. I nodded, my fingers tightening around the brown envelope containing my application.
As we stepped into the elevator, the air felt thick with anticipation. Maui pressed the button, and I took a deep breath, forcing myself to relax. I could do this.
The elevator doors chimed open, and we emerged into a vast, echoing hallway. I followed Maui, my mind racing with a million thoughts. We reached a large, imposing room, its size intimidating.
Maui knocked, and the doors swung open, releasing a wave of cool air that sent a shiver down my spine. My hair whipped across my face, and I instinctively reached up to smooth it down, trying to regain my composure.
"She's Tyra Ralene Sandoval, sir Daryl," Maui's voice drifted through my mind, but I was too busy trying to tame my unruly hair.
"So, your name is Tyra," a deep voice boomed, and I looked up, my breath catching in my throat. It was the strange guy from our neighborhood.
"Y-you are Daryl?" I stammered, my voice betraying my surprise.  
"Yes, and you're hired!" he announced, his smile radiating warmth.  
I stood there, frozen, my mind struggling to grasp the reality of the situation. Hired? This was too fast, too surreal.