2
PRESENT
EVA
It's only been a couple of months since this disaster decided to shake up my life. I'm fed up. Sick of all these stupid obstacles. I don't even know if I did anything to deserve all this, I just wonder why, just why? I wish everything was easier, I wish I could just be happy, but life has hit me so hard that I've fallen down enough times already.
I'm clueless, lost and out of myself. I can't sleep, stress became my best friend.
I learned how to be a mother over time and took responsibility for my son. It was hard, I'm not complaining, I know it could have been worse. Everything has become an eternal setback since my son, Louis, was diagnosed with leukemia. I can't do this anymore. I'm in debt, I have a thousand problems to solve, I can't find a job at the moment and I'm stressed to shit. I still remember my reaction when the hematologist told me the exorbitant amount of money for a bone marrow transplant that would end Louis' suffering.
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars. An amount of money that, of course, I cannot afford because my quality of life does not allow it. I want to cry, I feel so inadequate.
I hold the hand of my son who lies asleep in the hospital bed as I wail a thousand times more for being unable to agree to the operation.
"I promise you I'll get that money "I murmur." I want to try and I will, Louis, I will do it for you.
We have to get out of this, we're going to get out. I try to convince myself. It's my life engine and the only thing that motivates me to stay on my feet. If anything happens to him, I'll fall on my knees again. But I have to try, for him.
I walk out of the hospital room, where the doctor is waiting for me outside.
"Miss Miller "he greets me with a formal gesture.
"Doctor.
"The treatments are doing their thing. However, I'm afraid we must proceed with the operation, when do you think you'll bring in the money for the transplant?
"I'm working on it.
He glances at his schedule and I fear the worst of my fears come true.
"Miss Miller, I don't mean to scare you away or rush you. I am aware that the amount of money needed is very demanding, but I must comply with hospital regulations. We can continue with chemotherapies, but they are not going to yield the same results as a bone marrow transplant. It is important that your son can recover. Chemotherapies have a time limit and sooner or later we will have to perform an intervention....
"I know, and I promise you that I will try to get the money as soon as possible "I say". In the case of proceeding with the transplant, I would like to know if we have a donor.
He nods.
"There is a donor. Her name is Ingrid, she is twenty-nine years old and she is willing to donate. She's the perfect candidate.
"Will I be able to talk to Ingrid at some point?
"Once the operation is paid for, we'll have a little get-together so you can chat with her and get to know her.
I nod.
"I wouldn't want to set any kind of limit. Anyway, I'm forced to give you a three-week window to bring the money. That's the only thing I can do.
Shit.
"All right.
"Have a good night, miss. "He gives me a nod by way of greeting.
"Likewise.
I go back into the room again and take a seat on the couch, settling in to sleep. I watch Louis before closing my eyes. I want to try to get this right, I only have three weeks, how the fuck am I going to get a hundred and fifty thousand dollars in that period of time?
I'm going to try my best to get it. I can't give up, especially when it comes to him.
Carol's arms wrap around me as I bring my hands to my head.
"It's going to be okay," she murmurs.
"Everything is a mess.
"We'll get something, believe me.
I sent my curriculum to three different companies and so far, no sign of anything changing. I'm only three weeks in, I'm in a setback that feels more and more impossible.
"I only have three weeks "I remind him.
"It's okay, it's okay. Look at me. "I do what you tell me." Let's try to get that money, even if it's impossible, okay?
"How?
"I have my savings...
"I don't "deny." I'm not going to take that away from you, I have to get it on my own.
"I can save again in a few years. This is important, this is about Louis.
"It doesn't matter. I'll figure out a way to get ahead.
He is silent for a couple of seconds and I admit it makes me nervous. You never know exactly what might be going on in Carol's head right now. We met many years ago, when we both used to work in a club as waitresses. At first, I wasn't interested in building any friendships. I had learned not to trust anyone and at that time, I didn't even know what I was going to do with my pregnancy, I just wanted to make money and that restaurant provided me with some money to pay for my studies and that small apartment I lived in in the suburbs of the city.
We ended up liking each other more than I thought we would, she turned out to be very friendly. Carol had a great weight in my life, she is that kind of friend who supports you in any situation and is loyal to you no matter what. She marked a before and after in my lonely life, she was there with me in my most risky decisions.
"How about Hills Corporation? I heard they're looking for a secretary, they have an opening?
"Hills Corporation?
I look at her, like I just said something really stupid.
"Yes. Hills Corporation. Apparently, the CEO is looking for a secretary or something?
"Do you think I have a chance in a place like that?
"You don't lose anything by trying. Besides, you have a lot of recommendations and experience at it. I know you're not as passionate about being a secretary as you are about architecture, at least Hills Corporation is a firm that has those kinds of architectural projects.
I think I always had a dream of stepping foot in a company like Hills Corporation. It is known to be one of the largest and most successful in New York. Nicholas Hills, the CEO, is the one who is in charge of running everything. He is well known for his business savvy and his apparent coolness when it comes to negotiating. Yes, Hills Corporation would be an architect's dream. But I'll have to take the secretarial position, it's easy and I have a better chance of being accepted.
"That's fine. "Sigh." You're right. It doesn't hurt to try.
I must admit that the idea of working for someone like Nicholas Hills intimidates me a little. The things that are said about the man are a little... strange. I've only heard a little of what I'm told by Carol, who seems to be obsessed with anything related to the Hills family. Nicholas Hills is twenty-five years old and is recognized for accomplishing what few achieve in their twenties. He is the CEO of the company founded by his father. He is a highly regarded architect and a nimble businessman.
"Then, we'll send your curriculum and make an application to see how you do.
I nod my head.
"That's right.