NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 10: Failure
Vanessa walked to the bus station and got on a bus heading in her direction. She alighted at the closest bus station to her run-down apartment. She did not find it weird walking on her back to her apartment at this time, it was normally around this hour she finished her shift at her formal job.
She got to her apartment and unlocked the door, her dramatic roommate was not around. ' What has that drama queen been up to recently.' she thought. After closing the door behind her, she flung her bag on her bed and then fell with her back. Today was really random and emotionally stressful, it was such a shame she did not make the top 5.
The ringing of her phone interrupted her, yet she felt too drained to answer. Despite her reluctance, the persistent caller compelled her to finally retrieve her phone from her bag. "Who could be calling at this hour?" she muttered, only to find it was from an unknown number.
"Hello, may I ask who's calling?" Vanessa inquired, surprised by the late-night call. "Vanessa, it's been a while. How have you been?" the voice on the other end greeted warmly, noting the absence of her recent communication.
Although the person did not introduce himself, Vanessa recognized the voice immediately, it was her little cousin Zayn. Since she lost her parents when she was 10 years old, she has been living with her father's sister, Karissa. Who was super nice and provided enough warmth for her to move on from her parents' death.
After she got into college, it was difficult to spend time with them since they lived outside the city in a small town. Zayn was like a brother to her since he was only seven when she moved in with her aunt, so they practically grew up together.
" I've been managing, honestly. College has been tougher than I expected," Vanessa lamented to Zayn, feeling guilty about her lack of recent communication with them.
Zayn chuckled softly, his amusement evident in his tone. "So that's why you've forgotten about us, big sister Vanessa," he teased affectionately. Zayn had always affectionately referred to Vanessa as his sister, despite being cousins who had grown up together.
" I am sorry, but I am just super busy. I know I am guilty alright, but honestly, Engineering should come with a warning label. Software engineering is not funny at all." Vanessa pouted her cute pink lips. Just thinking about her course and all the codes she has to learn leaves a bad taste in her mouth.
" "Don't tell me you're ready to throw in the towel on your programmer dreams," he teased. Vanessa rolled her eyes. "So, what's with the urgent calls as if the world were ending? Don't tell me a big guy like you missed his big sis.
There was no reply from the other side of the line. It seemed like Zayn was thinking about what to say. " I wanted to check on you, also there is something important I need to tell you …" he paused contending what to say next.
" I know things have been super tight financially, I don't mean to alarm you, but Mum has been overworking recently, and the restaurant has not been paying much. Her health has been deteriorating recently. She seems very sick, but still refuses to go to the hospital because of the tight funds." Vanessa could hear Zayn take in a long breath.
Zayn, being astute and mature for his age, often displayed keen observation skills. Vanessa was convinced that Aunt Karissa's health was deteriorating, despite her attempts to conceal it from Zayn's perceptive gaze.
"I've urged her numerous times to undergo tests, but she insists it's just stress, though it doesn't seem that way at all," Vanessa confided. "Today, after work, she appeared unusually pale, and I'm genuinely worried. I was hoping you could talk to her tomorrow."
The news of her aunt's health was bad news Vanessa dreaded to hear because of how tight funds are in the family of recent, not to forget their issues with the shop. This was the worst time to be jobless, but she should find some time to pay a visit home. She hardly travelled before because of her waitress job.
" Do not worry, I will try to talk to her tomorrow, you should also not think too much about it and try to focus on your studies." Why is so much happening all at once, Vanessa wondered.
" I would not forget about my studies. I know what is good for me. I have been working hard to be able to get a college scholarship." Zayn assured Vanessa. He was glad he decided to call her, surely she would speak some sense to his mother.
" That is great. Okay, we will talk later. I had a long day, I was even thinking of coming home soon for a visit. Bye, take care of yourself and Aunty Karissa." The door opened and Cynthia walked in looking very excited. Vanessa lifted her brow at her pleasant mood.
" Alright then sis, have a good night. Bye." Zayn replied before hanging up.
" Someone seems to be in a good mood," Vanessa commented on Cynthia's behaviour, who was sitting by her study desk chatting with someone. "Are you talking to me? You are already done with your phone call." Cynthia asked, still on her phone going through messages.
Vanessa rolled her eyes again at Cynthia's stupid question, who else is she referring to? They are the only ones here. " Who else do you think it is, a genius." Vanessa taunted.
Cynthia was not pleased with Vanessa's sharp tongue this roommate of hers, Vanessa knew how to ruin the mood but fortunately for her, she was already immune to Vanessa's snarky remarks. " I had a great and also got free takeout for both of us, hope you did not cook."
"Nope, I just got back from outside. Free food always brings a smile to my face," Vanessa teased. Cynthia proceeded to share about the enjoyable lectures she had attended that day, the party with her friends afterwards, and how she caught sight of Jayden Ashford on campus, claiming he was the lucky charm that brightened her day.
They both enjoyed their dinner talking about their day, Vanessa told her everything about her job interview today and talking to Cynthia helped her mood.
.
.
On the other side of town in a lavish Villa, Jayden has been in a bad mood since he got home after having lunch with his mother. He has been trying to call his girlfriend Petra, but her line has not been going through, and it ruined his mood.
The fact that his mother insisted he bring a plus-one to the gala was irritating. He understood it was merely an excuse for her matchmaking antics. Jayden's girlfriend, Petra, was a wealthy and renowned artist they had met in college, and they had been dating for some time. Despite Petra's parents' disapproval of her pursuing an entertainment career, Jayden stood by her side, providing unwavering support to help her fulfil her dream of becoming the successful artist she is today. Essentially, he was her backbone and greatest supporter.
Petra was very passionate about her career and ever since she went public after college with Jayden's help she had devoted all her time to it and did not have much time for Jayden. Since she was a rising star then, to protect her career they decided to keep their relationship private but up until now Petra still insists on keeping it private only their close friends knew they were dating.
To calm his mind, Jayden decided to play some online games since he was not in the mood to work. He was not playing very well because his mind was not focused on the game. He was thinking about how to convince Petra because she would be against going to a public event together even though the gala was going to be a mask party. Seeing that his mind was not in the game, and it was late, he ordered the servants to prepare dinner while he was leisurely going through some documents casually sipping whiskey to calm his nerves in his private study.
After eating, he tried calling Petra again and finally, she answered.
" Hi plum, how was your day?" The familiar soft voice which Jayden considered as the sweetest sound ever answered over the phone, just hearing Her voice was already changing his mood.
" My day was normal, nothing special just the usual meetings, how was your day? Your line was not going through for hours." He asked Petra. He was already having a bad feeling as to why her line was not going through.
" Sorry about that, I was on a flight. I just arrived at my destination. I have a new movie to shoot starting tomorrow." She informed Jayden that it was nothing special why you would leave the country for a set which would last for months without telling your boyfriend.