Chapter 2
Susan’s pov
I held my breath to stop myself from sneezing and returned my attention to what she had just said. Well, it's great to know that my chances of being hired somewhere are high. I have to get a job urgently if I want to survive here.
"I'm hoping I can." I put the perfume back.
"I work with deliveries. I started working the second day I moved here. I bet you'll make it." I nodded as confidently as I could and we headed into town.
It didn't take long for me to see the first sign welcoming passers-by. Everything was well organized and beautiful. Convenience stores, wide streets, and bars on almost every corner. But because of the time of day, there weren't many people walking around yet.
We kept cutting through the streets and I could already see the sun coming up between the buildings.
"Where can I drop you off?" The blonde asked.
"Ah, well, the center would be perfect for me."
She continued driving for a few more minutes and soon stopped the truck in a loading and unloading space. Near a convenience store in the city center.
"There, it's delivered." She smiled and looked at me.
"Thanks a lot, lady." I didn't know her name." You saved me.
"No problem. Good luck with the interview." She waved at me and I got out of the truck and closed the door.
"I'll need it." I cracked an exaggerated smile.
I had to get a job. I'd even wash dishes if I had to. A market or a restaurant wouldn't go amiss.
I waved back to the woman and saw her leaving with the truck. I looked around and sighed. I was in front of a building that looked very old. Maybe a warehouse that wasn't being used, but it stood out in the neighborhood among the other impeccable buildings.
At a time like this, my old pack has probably missed me, but they haven't realized that I've run away. They're probably thinking that I went out for a run like I always did. They'll only be really surprised when they realize I haven't come back for lunch. I've never been away for so long.
I started walking a few streets and blocks while observing the city. It looked like a nice place to live. The sun had already risen, but I didn't know what time it was. Seven in the morning maybe? Most of the shops were still open.
As I walked attentively around me and the smells, the sweet aroma of coffee caught my attention. I turned my face in the direction of the smell and realized it was coming from across the street. From a coffee shop on the corner. The coffee there smelled a little different from the others. It was buttery and seemed to come with melted chocolate too.
"BunnyBlaki's".
My stomach rumbled, but I smiled at the cute name. It was the only place that seemed to be open. It had large side windows of clear tinted glass and the place looked more like a pub-style restaurant.
A man was cleaning the glass from the inside. I crossed the street and walked slowly past the entrance to the eatery. There was a little wooden sign hanging next to the door that said they were hiring. I almost felt like laughing. For once in my life, luck seemed to have given me its blessing. I wasn't going to lose this job for anything.
I opened the dark glass door and stepped inside. The atmosphere was very pleasant and smelled very good. The smell of cinnamon was also visible, although faint. The walls were tiled with gray bricks and the floor was dark and polished, as were the little round tables.
The man cleaning the windows came up to me. He was of medium build, with brown hair and black eyes. He was wearing beige pants and a white shirt with a black apron tied around his waist.
"Good morning miss, we won't be opening for another half an hour, but you can sit down and wait if you like." He was a little taller than me and his voice was calm.
"Good morning. I was passing by and saw the sign." I pointed to it.
"Oh yes... Are you interested?"
"I'm very interested." I made it clear.
"Right, follow me." The man then motioned for me to follow him.
We made our way to a dark marble counter a little to the back, near the cash desk.
"I'll get the manager."
"All right."
I saw the employee leave and walk through a door.
After a few long seconds, another guy appeared. Not a guy, a paunchy old man who looked about 60. He was wearing clothes similar to those of a waiter and had his gray hair combed back. When he approached the counter and stopped on the other side, I smelled a faint scent of cigarettes and mints in the air.
"Hello, are you the one interested in the job?" His voice was quite hoarse. He seemed to be a very strict gentleman by the way he looked at me, but when I took a closer look at his face, he ended up showing a gentle smile.
"Yes, it's me."
"Good, what's your name and how old are you?" He grabbed a piece of paper from under the counter and a pen.
"Susan Ross. I'm 26." I could have made it longer, but...
The old man repeated as he wrote it down.
"Where do you live?"
Oh shit.
"Uh... I've just moved, so I don't have a fixed place yet." The old man looked me in the eye for a moment and nodded.
After a few more questions, where I had to lie a bit, he put the silver pen away in his pocket.
"We open every day at half past seven and everything starts working at eight o'clock. We pay by the hour here. Can you start today?"
"Yes, of course! I can start now."
"Welcome, Susan. My name is Charlie." He held out his hand and I shook it amicably. "The man who welcomed you is called Edward, but you can call him Eddy. We have a head cook called Anna but I don't think you'll meet her today. It's her day off. John is taking her place today. He'll be here soon. But for now, you can go in and change." He looked around for someone. "Eddy! Show her around, please."
I nodded and saw Eddy appear in the doorway with a tray of cheese bread that had just come out of the oven. I almost salivated with hunger. He put it in the shop window and looked at me again.
"Of course. Susan, come with me."