The Unexpected Best Friends

Chapter 2 – Early morning

She came alone so there’s no one to assist her. Dave brought her into an empty room in the second floor and left her there. He made sure to lock it so no one can enter. Poor girl. He spent the next couple of hours talking to his customers. He’d been trying to get their insights and opinions on his plans. Some of them are fine with it, others think it’s out of place. The rooms are very much welcome, though. That gave him mixed feelings. Those rooms are for short-term use and won’t be used like an actual hotel room, just a tumble in the bed.

They prefer it rather than going out together to the nearest motel or to someone’s place. That would take time.

Jamie slept for hours and by the time she woke up, it’s early in the morning already. The club has closed down and it’s very quiet.

She held her head in one hand and groaned. She has low tolerance against alcohol. Good thing it’s the weekend. It would really be bad if she needs to show up at work. Oh wait, she doesn’t have a job yet. The thought made her want to cry. Yeah, she knew this might happen when she insisted on taking fine arts instead of some other college program.

She crawled out of the bed and surveyed her surroundings. Is there no bathroom here? She really needs to pee. She opened the door and squinted at the corridor. Where is she? Groaning, she stepped outside and walked in one direction. She saw stairs going down so she did. Realizing it’s the club, she navigated towards the restrooms and relieved herself. Her little sling bag oddly remained on her shoulders. She brought out her phone and checked the time. It’s four in the morning.

Getting out, she walked for a minute before finding the boss. He was sitting on a couch and frowning at his laptop.

“Hey…” She called out from the door.

Dave looked up and instantly recognized her.

“Yes?”

“How do I get out?” She asked, wondering if they don’t lock the entrance. The doors seem closed to her. She would admit she hasn’t checked yet.

Dave looked at the time. Unless she has a car and she drove here, it would be difficult for her to go home.

“Why don’t you wait a couple more hours? It’s still early anyway. Come and sit.”

Jamie only took five seconds to think. She surveyed the little room. It’s not exactly an office. More like a receiving area for guests.

“Right. Thanks for not throwing me out last night.” She took a seat opposite him and noticed the water dispenser on a corner. There are cups, too.

“I would have done that if you were a rude customer. Or if you were causing too much trouble.” He went back to working on his laptop. He needs to get his numbers straight.

“Can I have a coffee?” She did see the containers as well.

“Help yourself.” He answered without looking.  

Grinning, Jamie went to get herself a cup of steaming coffee. She never liked the instant packets. She prefers them black.

“Would you like one as well?” She asked, thinking it’s the least she can do for him.

“Sure.” Since she offered, he’s not going to turn that down. Staring at his expense items, he kept asking himself how he can lower any of them. He started by cutting their budgets by a few hundred dollars each month. He can survive a little with that. It’s not much, though.

“Here’s your coffee.” She made his black as well. He needs it, is what she figured.

“Thanks.” He took the cup from her and drank it hot.

She watched him from her seat, slowly sipping from her cup. She doesn’t like hot drinks so she waits for them to get warm.

Twenty minutes later, Dave is done with his initial adjustments. We’ll see how that goes.

He turned to Jamie. “So, how’s last night? Do you even remember the things you told me? Man, how I wish I could unheard most of them.”

She squinted at his teasing grin and her heart leaped from her chest. Uh, did she do anything outrageous? What things did she say? She tried to remember their conversation, but she couldn’t remember much. They only talked for a few minutes, didn’t they?

“It was too much information, especially from a stranger. What I can tell you, though… you should just focus on getting a job. The right man will come to you at the right time.”

She huffed at his advice. “How old are you?” From her estimate, he couldn’t be much older. But that can’t be right. He’s already a business owner at such a young age?

“Twenty-six. This club is originally funded by my parents.” He could see the question in her eyes so he answered.

“That’s nice.” She lamented. Her own parents couldn’t wait to let her go after graduation. They’ve stopped supporting her. They grudgingly did through college, though. Her older siblings are enough to make them proud and satisfied. She was the accidental child.

From her expression, he could guess that her situation is the opposite. Yeah, he’s grateful for his parents’ help. He recognizes that.

“I’ll see if I can find you a position somewhere else.” As a club owner, he does have a number of connections.

His statement made her smile. “Thanks.” She looked outside and thought her life could only get better from here. This is what being an adult is like. It’s a lot of responsibilities.

“What kind of things can you do?” He sounded like a proper interviewer. On second thought, she figured he must’ve interviewed his own employees. She decided to treat this seriously, even as a practice. She knew she’d been very nervous every single time she went to interviews. That might have been a factor on why she failed. She needed to be more confident and convince them that she can do a good job.

“If it’s in an office, I can do any of the clerical stuff. Encoding, making copies, filing documents… I’m familiar with various document formats. I can be told do any of them. Anyway, there’s Google. I can easily search things up as well. I may not look like it but I’m a fast learner. I’m a self-learner, too. I can educate myself as long as materials or sources of information are available. I like reading and learning new things. The only experience I have is from being a student assistant. My professors can give me any task and I can do them. My employer can ask me to do anything work-related and I’ll do them properly.”

Dave tilted his head a little. “You seem talkative. You must be an outgoing person.”

Shrugging, she replied, “Sometimes. The other half of me wants peace and quiet, but I understand I need to interact with others to be successful. They say arts students immerse themselves too much in their art works, but my reality is different so I can only act different. I can make adjustments. Whatever I need to do, to make things work for me.”

“That I understand. How old are you again? I’m thinking twenty-two or twenty-three.”

“Twenty-three.”

“You look competent, though. And communicating with you wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Thanks. But I do feel very nervous during interviews. I don’t know why.”

“You aren’t nervous now, are you?”

“No. But you’re not exactly interviewing me for a position.”

“Then, you should just treat them as how you’re treating me now. You have nothing to lose, so just show them what you’re showing me now.”

“If you’re in need of an office clerk, would you hire me, then?”

“I would.” He didn’t even hesitate. Her personality is good enough for him. If he were to hire her, he might try her for a month and see how she performs if she really lacks the experience.

“Thanks. That makes me feel better.”

“How about the break-up? You really said too much last night.”

At the reminder, Jamie grimaced. She’d never been drunk before so she’s not sure how she behaves when she’s in that state.

“Yeah? What did I say?”

“You don’t remember?” He finally set aside his laptop after checking the balances. That would do for now. He leaned on his seat and made himself more comfortable.

“I don’t.”

Dave chuckled, wanting to tease her a little. Or should he simply tell her everything she said?

So, he did and her expression was one of disgust the more he recalls them for her benefit.

“Noooo… please, just stop.” It was mortifying. The heck did she say those things to him? She covered her face with her hands. The bit about catching her ex having s*x with another, and her own s****l experiences with the said ex… damn.

Those were too personal and yes, he’s right. Too much information, Jamie. Even I would want to unhear those s**t, she agreed with him.

“Please. Just forget about it.”

“That would be your dark history with me.” He chuckled again.

It took her a while to accept that she’d shared such things to a complete stranger. She was almost laughing on her own as well. She’s an embarrassment.

“Don’t worry about it. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Thanks.” She grudgingly stated with an eye roll.

After taking a deep breath, she asked him, “How about your business? How’s it going?”

“Good for now. I’m cutting down the costs, where I can.”

Huh, in a way, she can understand why he can’t offer her a position.

“If your business takes off again, I’d like to apply as a waitress.”

“Deal. But the pay won’t be as high as office clerks.”

“That’s alright. As long as I can pay rent, utilities and eat, it won’t be a problem. I’m not really fond of too much formalities. I like some chaos. My art is somewhat chaotic.”

“I’d like to see your art. Are you planning to have an exhibition?”

“That’s the dream.” She gave him a small smile and her expression was wanting.

“How soon can you set one up?”

“Not until I make a name for myself.”

“Do you have existing pieces? What kind of art do you do? I might need some to decorate the walls.”

“Oh, yes. That kind. I currently have a few small ones.” She gestured the size with her fingers. It’s 12x18 inches.

“I don’t think they would fit in here, though. They’re kind of bright and abstract.”

“That would be for me to decide, no?” Shoot, he just remembered that he’s currently cutting on costs. Can he spare some for decorations?

“Alright. But I’m not confident you would like them. Though I’ve earned the degree, I’m still considered an amateur.”

“Well, if you ever get famous, I could sell them for more, right?”

That made her chuckle. It was nice talking to him. He’s good for her self-esteem.