Too Broke For Afterlife

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"Hello lover."

Hearing Judy's voice, my head shoots up. 

But once I look at her, my heart stops. 

"What the..."

I get up from my chair and quickly walk over to her. 

"Your hair..." I take one of the warm brown strands between my fingers and stare at it. 

"Why did you do that?" 

"Do you not like it...?"

Judy softly pushes my hand away and looks at me unsure. 

"What? No, I do! You look beautiful!" I quickly plant a kiss on her cheek and smile. 

"I'm just surprised because when I woke up next to you this morning...you were blonde."

She seems relieved and grabs my hands. 

"I know I should have asked you first but-" 

"What? No, you can do whatever you want. You don't need my permission."

Judy pulls me into a kiss and I wrap my arms around her slim waist. 

"So what is the reason behind your visit? Except for distracting me from working with your beauty."

My girlfriend blushes and I wonder if she'll ever get used to my compliments. 

"Well, it's your first day back at work so I wanted to wish you good luck and give you this."

She opens her handbag and pulls out a small paper box. I immediately recognize the pink label of my favorite bakery. 

"Please let that be a cupcake." 

She grins. "Raspberry filling."

I take the box and put it onto my desk. Then I grab Judy's hand and walk over to my chair. 

"You're my savior right now."

"Oh no, what happened?" 

I sit down and pull her onto my lap, her face looking at mine. 

"They want me to see a psychologist before I can work again to make sure I haven't gone insane yet. But at the same time they trust me enough to put me in charge of buying a start up. How does that make sense?" 

"I thought you liked challenges?" 

"I do but..." I sigh. "This is going to decide whether I'm ready to lead this company or not. If I fail it will prove to everyone that I don't deserve to be here in the first place."

"Well, who cares what they think? Fuck them."

She puts her hands on my shoulders and starts kissing me. I immediately respond, our mouths are synchronized perfectly and I quickly feel myself getting hungry for more.

This woman makes me weak.

My hands glide under her shirt.

"The door isn't locked."

"Mhm."

I stroke the soft skin of her stomach and Judy grins.

"You like playing with fire, don't you?"

"I do like it hot."

I teasingly pull on her bra but she pushes my hands away.

"No way, mama. I already had to sacrifice myself last night. When is my turn?"

I pout. "But-"

"Shh." 

Judy stares into my imploring eyes while unbuttoning my shirt.

If only this was my apartment and not a public space.

Speaking of public...

Suddenly, the door opens.

"I forgot to- Oh!" 

Judy shoots around, her eyes widen and her face goes red. 

I just sigh. "You're supposed to knock."

Nadim is standing in the door, scratching his neck while staring at Judy and I, his eyes resting on my cleavage for just a moment too long. 

"I'm sorry, I... I'll come back later." And with that he is gone again. 

Judy's face is bright red. "Fuck..."

"It's fine, really. He doesn't care. Anyway, do you want to grab lunch with me? I'm starving."

I kiss her hot cheek and then gently push her off of me. 

"This is bad. What if he tells someone?"

"He won't. Nadim is cool." 

I get up and pull Judy into a hug. After a bit, she slowly seems to relax again.

So I let go again and grab my purse.

"We also need to discuss our plan for tonight."

"The job interview?" 

"It won't be super formal but you'll need to impress if you want to work at that club."

Judy takes my hand and smiles.

"So maybe after lunch you could buy me a nice dress that will help me get the job?" 

Wow. She surely knows how to play this game.

I roll my eyes. "You greedy little girl." 

I hear a quiet buzzing and grab my MePhone which is lying on the desk.

'Unknown Number'

Hmm, I should know better than to answer that call. But what if this is someone from NeYonCity? Not sure why they would call me on my personal phones but with a start up you never know.

I click 'Accept' and hold it against my ear.

"Hello?"

Okay, maybe not the most professional start.

I wait for an answer but it's silent on the other end.

"Hello? Who is this?"

But no response.

Judy looks at me confused and I roll my eyes.

"I'm going to disconnect now." And I end the call.

"What was that?" 

I shrug my shoulders. "I don't know but I have to get back to work now. Let's meet later, okay?"

<<<

Okay, maybe I'm crazy. I mean I'm sure that I'm not 100% sane but am I starting to see stuff now as well?

Hiding behind the sunglass rack I am trying to spot the person who I saw earlier. A very familiar man who looked an awful lot like that Walter guy from the conference. 

But now he is gone. 

It doesn't help my paranoia that I keep receiving calls from unknown numbers but I've stopped answering them.

It always is the same. I pick up, say hello but get no answer.

"Can I help you, Ma'am?"

I quickly straighten my back and look at the shop assistant standing next to me. 

I grab a random pair of sunglasses and put them on.

"No, I'm just looking for some new glasses. How well do these protect from UV light?"

"Uhm...they are all the same. You'll be fine."

I smile and nod and then look into the small mirror.

Oh god, this shape looks horrendous on me! Way too thick and heavy.

"Isa?"

I take off the glasses and quickly put them back. Then I scurry over to the changing room that my girlfriend is poking her head out of.

I try to not look too nervous.

"Okay, show me!"

Judy walks out wearing a red bodycon dress and my heart takes a leap.

"What do you think?"

"It's perfect."

And just like that I have forgotten about the familiar stranger.

<<<

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"Judy, is this your dream? To be a club singer?"

Okay, deep breaths. 

"That is why I'm here. I want this. I have always wanted this."

But Beatrice, the owner of the club Camella and Isa's friend, just huffs. 

"Don't lie to me. No singer has the dream of working at a club for the rest of their life. They want to produce their own music, become famous, tour the world. Do you think I would not hire you because you are...too ambitious?" 

She smiles. But it's not sweet. And I feel defeated. 

"Look, Judy. Camella is a prestigious club. Almost all of our guests are familiar faces but sometimes we've got people scouting for young talents. Why do you think I always have a need for new singers? Not because they don't like working here but because this club is more often than not a stepping stone to a bigger career."

She points at me. 

"Working here can give you many opportunities. Of course you are responsible for what you do with them. I can push you and trust me, I will but in the end it's you who has to do the work."

Her expression is stern, she is looking for something in my eyes, searching for a reaction. 

And in that moment, I realize that she isn't being tough just to mess with me. 

Beatrice wants me to fight for myself which I'm currently not doing at all. 

Yesterday I had asked Isabella if she would be disappointed if I did not get the job. She told me no, only if I didn't give it my all and that I would be too. 

And fuck, she was right. 

"True, working at a bar is not my dream. And you've probably heard from so many people that singing is their passion and that they want to become a star and honestly, I don't know what to tell you other than that I am here and ready to do whatever it takes to become a successful artist."

Beatrice folds her hands under her chin, I have caught her interest.

"No, I don't have the experience, I don't have all the skills. I was a bar singer for a hot second until I got the opportunity to move to New York and go for something bigger. I know I'm shy and insecure but I also know that I have a lot to share and a lot to say and if you give me this chance, I will do everything in my power to grow above and beyond. Maybe my all will be enough, maybe it won't but at least I know that I didn't hold back and even if I fail I will keep pushing because I will never give up on my dream."

I take a deep breath and lean back in my chair. I'm not sure where all of this just came from but I really hope it was enough.

Beatrice is smiling.

"I believe that you have great talent and you are obviously beautiful and very charming. There is a lot you have to learn but I'm willing to teach you."

"Wait, really?"

"One more thing."

She leans back.

"I'm friends with the chief editor of a small urban magazine called 'Pink Lemonade'. They talk about underground music and new emerging artists and for this month's issue they have asked me for a 6 page spread on the Camella, including an insight portrait of one of my artists. And tell you what. If you nail your first few gigs and show me that you are the star you claim you are, I will give the feature to you."

My mouth drops open.

"W-what does that mean?"

"Well, an interview plus pictures, probably two pages long. This is just a small magazine and it won't get you on Broadway but everyone has to start somewhere and this is one of the opportunities I've mentioned earlier. Earn it."

I smile at her, my heart is racing.

"I will.. Trust and believe."