Terms and Conditions Apply

The weather is chilly, and for the first time in forever I didn't seem to care about the music blaring softly from the speakers outside. A song from my favorite Billie Eilish, tempting, my subconscious confessed. Still, I wasn't stirred. Infact, I wanted abrupt silence.

Nothing about my life felt lyrical right now. Don't get me wrong. Nobody died. Okay. Not recently though. My father did, but that was years ago, and that still remains the one story I am never excited to talk about.

The crispy rustling of papers interrupted my train of thought. I directed my gaze to the Hiring Manager of Redwood Advertising, and immediately, I regretted making that move. She’d been staring at my CV for far too long, so long that I began to wonder if the printer had mysteriously translated my documents into Arabic.

“Nice profile here, but…" she uttered, signalling I should hold on, as she went ahead to take a call.

I rolled my eyes in exasperation. ‘Dear Lord, not again. Not another rejection.'

I’ve been flagged down by six companies in just eighteen days, and if this woman was about to tell another pathetic story of ‘we can’t hire, but we’d reach back to you', they might as well be prepared to call a 911.

“Apologies for the interruption, my dear,” she quipped sharply. “It’s too sad to share, but we have someone already recommended for your role, and we have to—"

The remnants of her words drifted into thin air as I struggled to mask the deep disappointment tightening in my chest. My instincts had whispered all along that my chances of getting hired were slim, but somehow hope refused to leave, nudging me to believe it just might work out.

My rent was only six weeks away from being overdue. I needed to settle my yoga subscription before the quarterly payment deadline, as well as replace a few household essentials. I wouldn't sort all of these if I had no funds, and I didn't want to bother anyone. Not my family, not Tahlia.

In a jiffy, I was on my feet, faking a smile I hope could prove that I understood all the Hiring Manager had said as I walked towards her to retrieve my CV.

Wiping the invisible sweat from behind my pants, I headed over to the exit, a deep sigh escaping my lips as I took a quick stare at my wristwatch.

“3:19p.m. Another failed attempt at getting a job."

‘Should I keep going, or was it time to rethink my plan?'

I silently hoped Tahlia was still at the restaurant close by, waiting for me as we agreed. The agency shared a building with The Minimalist Plate downstairs, an eatery that smelled expensive and made you question your life choices. My pity to anyone who fell for the name.

“Oops!” a male voice exclaimed as we both collided outside the elevator.

He was quick to pick up my folder, adjusting his glasses nervously as he extended his hand. “Hi, I’m so sorry about that. Andrea, right? Really nice to meet you.”

I blinked twice in surprise, wondering how he knew my name. It hit me the moment I noticed his eyes resting on my shirt.

“Oh… it’s fine. Pleasure meeting you,” I replied, clearing my throat lightly.

I had earlier thrown on a grey polo out of pure rush. It had an embroidered company logo, with my name neatly stitched in clean block letters. Unlike the other messy and unstable jobs I had managed, this consulting firm was my little island of sanity for months. It helped me quickly forget the one time I had trusted love and lost spectacularly. I began to enjoy sitting in meetings, learning how businesses operate, and interacting with confident professionals, not to mention the paid holidays. If only Mr. Darcy hadn’t sold off this life-saver!

Now I’m stuck insisting on a proper 9-to-5, because apparently life doesn’t pay the bills.

"Here’s the thing," he said, a playful twinkle in his eye. "We launched our app a few months back, but it really belongs in the hands of people like you; young, fun, and perfect for what we are doing."

"Don’t get me wrong...There’s still plenty of love to go around for the oldies too." he added, flashing a flyer from the many he held.

Before I could even think twice, it was placed in my hands, and the second I read the tagline, I wasn't intrigued anymore.

“Love Incorporated™️ — Where Intentions Become Connections!”

“What the heck! Love? Who cares? I just needed a damn job!”

I fought so hard not to scream in utter disbelief, wondering how this had anything to do with me.

He joined his hands behind him, looking like he was about to give a full presentation.

Not this time.

“Just scan the QR code and it will take you straight to the app store. We even made sure our social handles are right below, bold and impossible to miss." He said ecstatically.

“Wow… really exciting stuff!" I lied, nodding and pursing my lips. “I’ll definitely check this out"

I walked away, moving fast enough to dodge any more marketing pitches. A quick glance around was all it took to spot Tahlia. From the frosted glass door, she seemed completely wrapped up in a conversation with a man whose face I didn't get to grasp.

The man was already leaving by the time I reached her. His eyes slow to let her go. They lingered on her, hungry and reluctant. And she responded by biting her lower lip, a regular gesture that said more than words ever could.

This best friend of mine, who claimed she was a hopeless romantic was fast becoming a public hazard. Tahlia had a talent for being irritating without even trying, but beneath all that charm was a genuinely good heart. The one person I could always count on.

Our eyes met, and she broke into a cute smile, her eyes crinkling as her dimples appeared.

“Who’s he?”

“How did it go?”

We asked at the same time, but Tahlia snapped her fingers. “Uh-uh. Interview. Now."

“Tahlia, don’t tell me he’s joined your growing list of guys?” I maintained, my eyes wild in suspicion, hoping desperately that he wasn’t another name she would casually forget by tomorrow.

She swept her burgundy hair over her shoulder, her eyes betraying her even in silence. Before I could push, the rain started to drizzle tapping against the roof. Its sound blending with the sudden rise of music inside the restaurant.

That was loud enough to bury my question.

Tahlia’s smile spread, her eyes narrowing with anticipation as she placed her palms flat on the table, leaning forward. "You got the job?!"

“Ugh… I didn’t.”

Her expression changed from excitement to concern. "Not again. I really thought this time would be different. What’s happening, Drea?"

"I have no idea." I shrugged sadly, turning toward the loud notification chime that had just sounded on my phone..

A gasp slipped from my lips. I stared at the screen, stunned.

Was this a miracle? God!.

"Wait… No! How?" I uttered in utter disbelief, deeply flustered from the title of the email written boldly on my screen.

"Jeez… You’re killing me with suspense, Drea. Out with it!" Tahlia bounced in her seat, clearly dying for the news.

I swallowed, biting my lip nervously at her, "I just got a job… though I still have to go in for a personality test in person. Apparently, they handpicked me because of my background in events and client relations."

"But I’m confused. I’m still figuring out how this was possible. I literally just met a guy advertising this company. I mean, I didn’t even apply!" I added, disrupting Tahlia’s little dance of excitement.

What I didn’t expect was Tahlia’s eyes widening in realization. "Hold on. You mean Love Incorporated?"