Chapter 236

Chapter 236
Hannah

I shook Margot's hand once more, trying to contain the excitement bubbling inside me. "Thank you so much for this opportunity."
"Don't thank me yet. Wait until you've survived your first week." She winked. "My assistant will walk you out."
I practically floated down the hallway, clutching the employee packet Margot had handed me. Real income. Benefits. A foot in the door of the marketing world. Things were finally looking up.
When I reached the elevator, I hesitated. I should thank Michael properly for the opportunity.
I pressed the button for the top floor.
The executive assistant from before looked up as I approached. "Can I help you?"
"Is Michael available?"
"I'm sorry, but Mr. Parker is in back-to-back meetings until six. Would you like to leave a message?"
Disappointment settled in my chest. "No, that's okay. I'll catch him another time."
"I can tell him you stopped by?"
"That would be great, thanks."
I rode the elevator back down, stepping out into the sunny Los Angeles afternoon.
The warmth hit my face immediately, a welcome contrast to the air-conditioned chill of Parker Industries. I stood there for a moment, letting the reality sink in. I had a job. An actual, legitimate job in my field.
The bus ride home felt shorter than usual, my mind racing through everything that had happened. Twenty hours a week at thirty-five an hour. That was seven hundred dollars weekly, almost three thousand a month. Combined with my work at Melissa's studio, I'd actually be financially stable.
Mom was in the living room when I got home, folding laundry with the TV playing some cooking show in the background.
"You're home early," she said, looking up. "How were classes?"
"Actually, I have news." I dropped my bag on the couch, unable to contain my excitement. "I got a job."
Her face lit up. "Hannah! That's wonderful! Where?"
"Parker Industries. Their marketing department." I sat beside her, helping fold a towel. "It's part-time, three days a week, but the pay is really good."
"Parker Industries?" Mom's eyes widened. "As in Michael Parker's company?"
"He helped me get an interview," I admitted. "But I got the job on my own merit. The marketing director loved my portfolio."
Mom pulled me into a hug, nearly knocking over the laundry basket. "I'm so proud of you, sweetheart. This is exactly what you've been working toward."
"I know," I laughed, hugging her back. "I can't believe it's actually happening."
She pulled away, holding me at arm's length. "When do you start?"
"Monday. I need to go in for paperwork and orientation."
"This calls for a celebration," Mom declared. "I'll make your favorite dinner tonight."
"Actually, Emma already claimed me for drinks," I said apologetically. "But we can celebrate tomorrow?"
"Of course." She waved me off. "Go have fun with your friend. You deserve it."
I spent the rest of the afternoon organizing my portfolio and preparing for Monday, trying on different outfits that screamed "professional marketing employee" without being too formal. By six o'clock, I'd settled on what I hoped was the perfect first-day look and was getting ready to meet Emma.
I opted for jeans and a fitted black top, nothing too fancy since we were just going to a pub. A quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss, and I was ready.
Emma texted that she was outside, so I grabbed my jacket and keys.
"Don't stay out too late," Mom called as I headed for the door.
"I won't. Love you!"
I pushed open the door and stepped onto the sidewalk where Emma's car idled at the curb, music already thumping through her speakers.
"Get in, loser," she called out with a grin. "We're going drinking."
I slid into the passenger seat, laughing. "That's not how the quote goes."
"My version's better." She pulled away from the curb, navigating through evening traffic. "Besides, after landing that Parker Industries job, you deserve to celebrate properly. Not that sad champagne toast we did at your place."
"That toast was perfectly adequate."
"Please. Your mom was there. We couldn't even get properly drunk." Emma made a turn toward downtown. "Tonight, no mothers, no responsibilities, just two best friends getting tipsy and talking shit."
I smiled, relaxing into the familiar comfort of Emma's presence. "Where are we going?"
"This new place is called The Copper Room. Supposedly, they make incredible craft cocktails, and the atmosphere is chill." She glanced at me. "Plus, it's far enough from campus that we won't run into anyone we know."
"Perfect."
The Copper Room was tucked into a converted warehouse space, its exterior marked only by a small brass sign. Inside, exposed brick walls and Edison bulbs created an intimate atmosphere. Leather booths lined the walls, and a long copper-topped bar dominated one side of the room.
"This is nice," I said as we found an empty booth near the back.
The leather squeaked as we slid in, and I settled against the worn cushion, appreciating the intimate atmosphere. A server appeared almost immediately, young with a sleeve of tattoos and a practiced smile.
"What can I get you ladies?"
Emma didn't even glance at the menu. "Two Copper Mules. Extra ginger."
"Make mine with vodka instead of gin," I added.
The server nodded and disappeared toward the bar.
"So," Emma leaned forward, resting her elbows on the copper table. "Parker Industries. Tell me everything. What's the job actually like?"
I pulled off my jacket and draped it over the booth. "It's good. Really good, actually. Margot, my supervisor, is incredible. She's been in the industry for years."
"And the work itself?"
"Varied. That's what I love about it." I traced a pattern on the table with my finger.
Our drinks arrived, presented in gleaming copper mugs with fresh lime wedges. I took a sip, the spicy ginger cutting through the smooth vodka.
"So I'll be writing copy for social campaigns, email newsletters, and some blog content." I traced my finger through the condensation on my mug. "Margot wants me to shadow different departments, too. Photography, brand partnerships, influencer relations."