05."I MISS SOMEONE..."

ISABELLE NASH

[....]A few days later...

Sitting at the coffee table in the fraternity cafeteria, I run my hand through my hair, looking at the endless list in the newspapers, searching for an apartment that fits my budget until I can finally get a decent job and leave my side gig as a bartender behind.

There are so many places, so many options, but everything becomes expensive in Chicago, whether in the central neighborhoods or the more remote ones; the prices scare me, making me slightly doubt whether I'll be able to survive away from the fraternity with the little I earn. Although I've managed to save some extra money during college.

"Oh God, help me!" I bring my hands to my face, pressing my palms over my eyelids.

"Feeling anxious, friend?" Amara's voice catches me by surprise, making me give a slight grimace.

"It's more like desperation. I'm about to have to leave the fraternity, and I can't find an apartment I can afford."

She pouts her lips, looking at me with her brown eyes, shining with a joy I wish I could share at the moment. Amara is my best friend, a confidante for all times, but she never misses a chance to be in the know about all the possible news happening at college.

"Maybe your problems are over. You left your phone in the room and it was ringing nonstop. So, I decided to answer it, and you just got an invite for a job interview at the biggest jewelry store in Chicago, girl." Amara lets out some shrieks of happiness, making me look around the cafeteria, giving subtle embarrassed smiles.

I grab my phone, checking the number that called, then the email inbox, where it's written in formal letters:

Subject: Invitation for Job Interview at Diamond Haven

Dear Isabelle Nash,

I hope this message finds you well.

On behalf of the team at Diamond Haven, I would like to thank you for your interest in the Jewelry Designer position at our company. Your application caught our attention, and we were impressed with your experience and qualifications.

We are pleased to inform you that we would like to invite you for a job interview to discuss more about your application and your skills. The interview will be held on the following dates and times:

Date: March 12, 2024

Time: 9:00 A.M.

Location: Diamond Haven

123 Main Street

Chicago, IL 60601

During the interview, we would like to discuss more about your professional experience, your relevant skills for the position, and how you can contribute to the success of our team at Diamond Haven.

If you have any questions or need more information before the interview, please feel free to contact us.

We are looking forward to meeting you in person and discussing your career prospects at Diamond Haven.

Sincerely,

Clara Thompson

Manager R.S.

Diamond Haven

I carefully place the phone on the table, stunned by what I just read. I really got called for an interview at Diamond Haven.

But suddenly my eyes narrow, turning back to Amara, all excited, looking at me expectantly. I lean back in the chair, pointing at the phone.

"I didn't apply to Diamond because I knew it was hard to get in there." I interlace my fingers, looking sharply at Amara. She raises her hands, surrendering, as if she's not to blame for anything.

"Don't look at me like that. I didn’t do anything, maybe Simon?" She suggests, her voice becoming sweet again.

I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and sink into the chair. Simon, he wouldn’t do something like that, would he? Maybe it was someone from the ball, after the hostess herself talked to me and defended me from Evelyn's attacks.

Ever since the day I left there, finding out I hadn’t slept with Simon, I haven’t had the courage to talk to him. Not that I’m ashamed of that moment, which was so pleasurable in a way I’ve never experienced before. But because I can’t look him in the eyes, knowing what he feels for me, when I’ve wished for it for so long and then pushed it aside. Simon and I come from different worlds; his parents would never accept it. Now Evelyn, she’s the ideal one for him.

“You haven’t talked to him yet, have you?” Amara asks me, making me open my eyes and shake my head, a bit disappointed in myself.

“And I don’t want to, you know how much I wanted his feelings to be mutual. But now, it seems so vague; I can’t make him fight with his parents because he wants to be with me when I’m not even sure if I want the same.” I let out a breath through my lips, exhausted by everything I’ve been keeping to myself since that ball.

“You can’t avoid him forever, Belle. He also studies here; soon you’ll run into each other,” she says, standing up. Coming over to me, she kisses my cheek. “I need to go, I have an important class now, love you.”

I watch Amara walk away, feeling alone again amidst the newspapers. I glance at the phone screen, still in disbelief about this invitation. I remember today would have been my grandmother's birthday; I need to go to her grave and place beautiful roses, as I do every year. I gather the newspapers, tucking them between the pages of my planner.

I pack everything in my bag, sling it over my shoulder, and grab my phone to check the weather forecast. We’re in the season of snow and rain, but spring is drawing near. My favorite season of the year, I need to choose a flower that’s inside a small capsule, so it will last longer if it rains.

I zip up my heavy coat and leave the cafeteria, heading straight to where I can catch a taxi.

"Please, to Mount Carmel Cemetery." The taxi driver just nods and pulls away toward the address.

I gaze out the window at Chicago, such a bustling city, neighborhoods with so many stories. I miss the times when my grandmother was here, teaching me about this city, with all its beauty.

My eyes fall back to my phone, searching for photos of her and me. My grandmother was so lively, so full of health, and modern beyond her years. Her passion was designing jewelry. It was entirely because of her that I decided to pursue this career. And here I am, trying to put into practice everything I learned from her and my studies.

How I miss my grandma. I let out a sad sigh, looking out again, watching cars passing by and people walking in the street with their coats to protect from the cold.

As I near the cemetery, there’s a florist’s shop; I ask the taxi to stop there. I get out of the car seeing that the weather is changing.

"I need to hurry, before it rains." I rush to pay the taxi through the window, thanking the driver. I head straight into the shop, looking at the beautiful flowers in front, and choose one that catches my eye, with a rosy hue inside a small capsule, inscribed: "Forever in my heart."

I smile, satisfied, but my attention is drawn to a figure at the back of the shop, dressed in a black overcoat, with impeccable hair, though I only admire the athletic and strong build of his back. I hear a female voice asking me something I didn't quite catch.

"What form of payment, Miss?" She repeats, and I blink a few times, pulling my focus away from the man, who somehow captured my attention.

"Sorry, debit." I hand her the card, glancing back to where he was, but I don't see him. He's nowhere in my field of vision.

I shake my head, dispelling the curiosity that took hold of me from the moment I was drawn to the figure of a man I don't even know. I take my card, put it in my bag, thank the saleswoman, and hold the rose. I open the door of the shop, feeling the cold winter breeze hit me, and it's starting to rain, fine droplets falling from the sky, dripping onto my coat. I decide to walk quickly into the cemetery.

They say that here there are several famous graves, many part of Chicago's history; I've never had the time to check if it's true, but maybe someday.

The rain is becoming heavier, so I open my umbrella, walking toward my grandma's grave. Unfortunately, I lost her early; she was always my only hope since my mom left me after my dad's accidental death. I was just 5 years old when it all happened, but luckily, I had my grandma who raised me, loved me, and was always there for me, until 2 years ago when we discovered she had terminal cancer.

I take a deep breath, pushing away the sadness that threatens to overwhelm my emotions.

"I miss you so much, Grandma. Today marks 2 years since you passed away. It still hurts a lot, but I came to tell you that I somehow got called for an interview at the biggest jewelry store in Chicago. You would be proud." I smile, wiping away the tear that trickles down.

As I place the rose on my grandmother's grave, a shiver runs down my spine. Turning around, I see a man quietly observing from a distance, his figure shrouded in the dense mist of the rain.

"Are you lost here in the rain alone?" his voice echoes, sounding strangely familiar, but distorted by the sound of the rain and the fog enveloping the area.

Startled by his sudden presence, I try to see his face through the mist, but it's difficult with the distance and the strengthening rain.

"I'm just visiting someone special. And you?" I respond cautiously.

He smiles enigmatically, his eyes still fixed on me, but his face remains indistinct, leaving me even more chilled.

"I miss someone..." he murmurs before slowly disappearing into the misty rain, leaving me with the feeling that I already knew him from somewhere, even though I had never clearly seen his face.