Alisha's POV
I stormed into the bedroom, filled with anger, and pounded the bed a few times.
Archie, that despicable scumbag, had the audacity to ask me to help raise his illegitimate child with Erma. I saw through his true colors before and completely gave up on him. In just a week's time, I would be leaving this place, never having to lay eyes on that jerk again.
With these thoughts swirling in my mind, I dialed Nova's number to let her know that I was safe. To my surprise, her voice sounded excited on the other end. "Aisha, how was your night? How was Louie in bed? Did he satisfy you?"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her assumptions. "Come on! Louie and I didn't have sex. We are just friends. I returned his clothes and invited him for a cup of coffee. Oh, I rushed out yesterday and forgot to pay..." Suddenly, an important realization hit me. It was all Archie's fault. His incessant pressure had caused me to leave in a hurry, forgetting to settle the bill. I had intended to treat Louie to coffee as a gesture of gratitude, but now I owed him a favor.
"Nova, I'm such a fool! How could I make such a rookie mistake?" I exclaimed in frustration.
Her laughter echoed through the phone. "Haha, that's even better. You have another chance to treat Louie to a meal. Well, at least two times. I'm sure he would be happy about it, hahaha."
"Well, regardless, I need to apologize to him first. It was impolite of me to leave abruptly yesterday, and I haven't paid!" I acknowledged, feeling a pang of guilt.
"You're right," Nova agreed.
"Oh, by the way, Nova... I... I won't be going back temporarily for this week..." I confessed with a hint of guilt.
"No problem, I support you! Go and win over Louie! I've always felt that you and Louie have a special connection, and I think he's a reliable man. Staying at his place is also a good choice!" Nova chimed in, her voice filled with enthusiasm.
"Nova, I've already told you..." But realizing that Nova was too caught up in her own excitement to listen to my explanation, I decided to quietly hang up the phone. I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement. Nova always had a way of jumping to conclusions and coming up with wild ideas.
With my mind set on making amends with Louie and resolving the coffee incident, I reached for my phone to call Louie. But before I could even dial his number, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. It was Louie.
"Theresa, how are you? Did you manage to resolve yesterday's issue?" Louie's voice carried genuine concern.
A tinge of embarrassment washed over me as I heard him call my name. Louie had been such a supportive presence in my life, always there to lend a helping hand, and yet I hadn't even revealed my true identity to him. "Thank you for your concern. The issue has been resolved. I'm sorry, I just remembered that I forgot to pay the bill..."
Louie's response was reassuring. "No need to worry about it. As long as your problem is resolved, we can always plan another time to meet."
His understanding and kindness warmed my heart. Reflecting on the many times Louie had come to my aid, a sudden inspiration struck me. I felt an overwhelming desire to express my gratitude in a meaningful way. Perhaps, writing a song for Louie would be the perfect gift—an offering from "Theresa", which might be more valuable than a meal for him.
"In fact, I have an upcoming interview. If you're willing, we can meet after my interview. I have a gift for you," I proposed, a sense of anticipation in my voice.
Louie's excitement was palpable. "Wow, I'm honored! Although I don't want you to see my help as a burden, since it's all voluntary, I'm still very excited about the gift you've prepared for me. I'm looking forward to our meeting."
A smile spread across my face as I realized that Louie was genuinely touched by the gesture. With this newfound motivation, I decided to seize the opportunity during my time at the Golden Crest to write that special song for Louie. It would be a tribute to our friendship and the support he had shown me.
Additionally, I saw this as a chance to focus on preparing for my upcoming interview. By immersing myself in the creative process and nurturing my talents, I could momentarily set aside the troubles caused by Archie. With determination in my heart, I vowed to succeed in the interview and secure a new job that would pave the way for my independence and happiness after I left this place in just a few days' time.
With the urgency of my upcoming new life, I wasted no time in contacting the studio and proposing a meeting time after a week. The reply came swiftly, and my heart raced as I read the message: "Sorry, our music director will be leaving for a trip the day after tomorrow. If it's convenient for you, could you come for the interview tomorrow?"
A mix of frustration and apprehension surged through me. I had just made a promise to that despicable Archie, agreeing to stay at the Golden Crest for a whole week. But this opportunity was too important to pass up. I couldn't let it slip through my fingers.
I fired back a response, desperately seeking a solution. "When will your director be back?"
The reply came, and my hopes soared. "Probably in about six months. I'm not sure of the exact details."
Six months? That was an eternity. I couldn't wait that long. I had to prove myself, show Erma and the rest of the world what I was capable of achieving. With a resolute spirit, I composed my next message. "Alright, please schedule the interview for tomorrow at 9:00 AM."
Satisfied with my decision, I turned my attention to Louie. I reached out to him, arranging to have lunch together on the very day of my interview. Louie's support and friendship had been invaluable, and I wanted to share this special day with him.
Having accomplished these crucial tasks, I found myself sitting on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I stared at the reply on my phone. The studio interview, a chance to showcase my talent and pursue my dreams, was scheduled for tomorrow.
However, there was a significant obstacle in my path—my commitment to stay at the Golden Crest for a week, as foolishly promised to Archie. How would I navigate the obstacle that was Archie? How could I convince that annoying and controlling man to grant me the freedom I needed for tomorrow's important events?
As ideas swirled in my mind, my door opened, and then Archie stepped inside.