LOOK AT ME

SIX MONTHS LATER

Luna got dressed and stared at herself in the mirror. She was wearing cream-colored pants with a matching striped jacket. Her hair was tied into a bun, and she had applied simple makeup on her face.

She smiled at her reflection, "Wow, you look good, Luna. You look so beautiful. Who would look at you and turn their face away? Absolutely no one."

"Indeed, no one would do that," her friend, Allison replied from behind.

Luna turned and smiled at her friend, "I am so excited about this interview, and at the same time, I am nervous."

"Relax, you will get this job," Allison said optimistically.

"I know, right? I believe so much in myself. But then, this is not a small place. You already know that working at Haven Logistics as an accountant is a big deal. So many people will be vying for this position."

"Yes, but you have an advantage most of them do not. First of all, you studied accounting in college, and secondly, you have someone who has recommended you. I think you will do really well," Allison reassured her.

"I know, and I look my best. I mean, look at me, look at the clothes I'm wearing. I spent so much money on them. I have the looks, and everything else that screams 'awesome accountant.' So I'm pretty sure I'll get the job."

"Yeah, but you have dark circles under your eyes," Allison pointed out.

"Oh no, are you saying my foundation did not conceal it?" Luna asked worriedly.

Allison smiled, "Yeah, well, why did you spend all night preparing for the interview? You've gone for so many interviews. I'm sure you must have all the questions at your fingertips."

"Yes, I know, but I just wanted to be extra ready."

"And now you look so tired."

"But is it obvious that I did not sleep? Listen, Claire is still in the hospital, and this job means so much to me."

"I know, but don't worry, it's not so obvious that you did not sleep. I was just pulling your legs. You look sharp, and very beautiful as always."

Luna sighed, "Well, they said the starting pay is five thousand dollars plus other bonuses. Just imagine what I can do with that kind of money. I think within two months, I can afford to pay part of the money my daughter needs for her surgery, and before you know it, Claire will be all healthy and back to her old self.

After seeing her in the hospital last night with her feet swollen, I cried a lot, but that only boosted my determination to get this job, no matter what. I am going to make sure she gets better."

"I trust you. And besides, your favorite professor has done all the work for you."

"Yes, he has done some of the work for me," Luna corrected. "I still count that day as one of my luckiest days. Who would have thought that I would bump into him?

I didn't even know that a place like Haven Logistics was hiring. He was the one who told me about them, and he also said they would be made aware that I was his candidate. Being one of his best students, he decided to recommend me, so all I need to do is perform well. That was what he told me, and after preparing so much, I know I will perform well. I will definitely be given the job."

"Alright," Allison replied, "I will be at the hospital with Claire, and we will be rooting for you while waiting for the good news, okay?"

"Thank you, darling," Luna said.

"But what's the hurry?" Allison asked.

"What do you mean, what's the hurry? The interview is in two hours, and the journey from here to Haven Logistics is about ten minutes. So, I guess I'll have one hour and about thirty or forty minutes left; that is enough time to revise and get myself more prepared." Luna explained.

"Regardless, all the best, okay," Allison said. She opened her arms to hug Luna, but she moved backward, "What are you doing? I spent so much on my attire, you cannot afford to stain it."

Allison laughed, "Alright dear, run along."

Luna smiled, pulled her closer, and hugged her. After that, she turned and left the house.

"All the best," Allison said once again before leaving for the hospital. She had spent the night at her boyfriend's, but she knew that Luna's interview was today, which was why she hurried back home to wish her well before she left.

Now she was on her way to the hospital to be with Claire because she didn't want Luna to have any worries while she was going for her interview.

Luna remained inside a cab until she began to feel frustrated. She had been stuck in traffic for more than thirty minutes.

"This isn't happening," she lamented. "It's a wrong day to be stuck in traffic. Driver, can't you turn the car around or do something? I mean, this is supposed to be a journey of ten minutes, but it's over thirty already."

"Be patient," the driver replied, "we will get there okay, you can clearly see that it's not my fault. Where do you want me to turn to? There are cars behind and right in front of me."

Luna sighed, "Alright, okay, I hope we get out of here soon enough."

Thirty minutes later, Luna looked at her watch, "I have just one hour left. No, I can't stay here waiting in this traffic. If I had walked from the house, I would have gotten there a long time ago.

On foot, this journey is about thirty minutes and if I can run, I think I can shorten it to twenty. I cannot remain here waiting for this traffic because I do not know when the road is going to be free. Of all days, it had to be today. Why am I so unfortunate?"

She came out of the cab, and despite how much the driver tried to convince her to wait, she gave him half of the fare and started running to the venue of her interview.

She finally arrived and stared at Haven Logistics, which was on the other side of the road. She heaved a sigh of relief as she panted for breath.

She was extremely tired and sweating profusely. She wiped the sweat off her face while being careful not to ruin her makeup.

Afterward, she took out her shoes which she had put in her bag when she began to run. She kept them on the ground and was about to take off her sandals when a car sped off from nowhere and drove towards her.

As she saw the driver approaching, Luna became confused. She stood for a while, wondering if she should go forward or backward. She believed that the driver must have lost control of the steering and finally decided to go back.

But just as she moved back, the driver drove right in her direction. She jumped backward when he almost hit her and ended up rolling on the wet and muddy ground.

She cried out in pain as she sustained a few injuries on her hands and one of her knees as that part of her trouser became torn.

She got up and stared at the car, which sped off without waiting to see what had happened to her. She looked at the number plate and committed it to memory.

"What a bastard!" she yelled.

She picked up her bag which had fallen on the ground and looked at herself. Seeing that her pants and jacket were now covered in dirt.

Her eyes widened as she cried, "Why is this happening to me, today?"