Chapter 3

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No Plagiarism!yR0lx4wuyf2OMK0nokNwposted on PＥNAＮＡ With a diploma in her hand, Gah Yi graduated. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0roOBFeBv3 維尼

Same as other young people, she had a dream, one that she had been holding onto for a long time. She had always been giving thought to her plans, such as what job to apply for and how to carry out her project... 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLuvKVbj35 維尼

Yet, she hadn’t received any news from any company. As all of her cover letters seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, she became desperate. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT50bdzA8h 維尼

Day after day, she wondered, ‘Where’s my chance?’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡomWkByAdY8 維尼

Finally, there was some good news. Despite only having one interview offer, Gah Yi was still excited. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ55O8V6gDZh 維尼

On the day of the interview, she dressed up neatly. Carrying the heavy briefcase in her hand under the blazing sun, she arrived at an old industrial building. As she stepped into the doorway dripping with sweat, she was immediately drawn to the company behind the glass door—the interior design company she had yearned for so long! Memories of studying for her diploma in interior design started to rush into her mind. She would often dream of working at a big interior design company in the study room, earning the satisfaction she deserved everyday after a big day at work.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YGcbp3pp5 維尼

A few days after the interview, she received a reply.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡvT5X7j4WhR 維尼

Eight thousand and five hundred? She was absolutely perplexed. Didn’t we agree that it’ll be ten thousand dollars? [Note: Currency is in HKD. 1 USD is around 7.8 HKD.]8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡfjr8lpUWOx 維尼

‘You’re a graduate student with no experience…’ The man on the other end of the phone explained. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡBe79wul6iL 維尼

‘Alright then.’ Gah Yi sighed with disappointment, slightly lowering her standard mentally. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6DCeQkj3sl 維尼

‘You’ll start working tomorrow.’ The man said in a stern voice, almost as if he was commanding her. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡcPlUGhHzgh 維尼

After hanging up, Gah Yi told the news to her mother. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UEetxV74G 維尼

‘Eight thousand and five hundred…’ Her mother gave it a thought. ‘That’s about right.’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKtZjC2a0w 維尼

Gah Yi fell silent. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡvy4KmLNuV7 維尼

Mum gave her a quick glance, ‘With zero experience and as a “fresh grad”, eight thousand and five hundred is already not bad!’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdwp5Tt589 維尼

After hearing Mum’s words, Gah Yi further lowered her standards. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBVoT1cEWy 維尼

As it turned out, she was only worth eight thousand and five hundred hundred dollars!8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡgX75ZkPTL4 維尼

One year later, Gah Yi’s performance improved a lot and got promoted as a junior designer. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡagk3UyKhIF 維尼

From then on, she decided not to dress up all gaudy anymore, but only shades of black, grey and white, in spite of being at a young age. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡBv7KwRHe09 維尼

Some said she became mature and improved herself. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ365KEsYvKb 維尼

‘I don’t think so.’ Gah Yi wanted to speak up for herself, yet her mouth always failed to open. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡrm6FYRHc37 維尼

Everybody seemed to have only seen her ‘positive’ side.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡBn4XLvZut6 維尼

Was this the Gah Yi everybody wanted to see? A woman who was no laughing matter and only wore dull-coloured clothes? They seemed to have forgotten her age. She was only twenty years old, which is the perfect time to bask in the glory of her youth. The real Gah Yi was a girl who loved to smile and have fun. Yet, by showing her true self, she would be labelled as a ‘naive’, ‘spoiled’ young woman who ‘made no efforts in striving to be better’. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡEheMnY4xwD 維尼

Better give in to reality then. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpXvGWuY70 維尼

Gah Yi put on her suit once more, hiding her youthful physique away. By putting on heavy makeup, she managed to force her smile weighing down on her face, almost if it disappeared. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JJprpjwoT 維尼

This was the Gah Yi everybody wanted to see, right?8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ528NkERJMS 維尼

‘I’m home.’ Gah Yi took off her heels, and sat on the sofa. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡz6mStRNpT5 維尼

‘Have you been paid already?’ Mum asked immediately. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡjR1OLzVxkc 維尼

‘Yes.’ Gah Yi took out her paycheck and pay advice from her handbag. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJlEtnkKfy 維尼

Mum caught a quick glimpse of them and shrieked in dismay, 'Haven’t you already been promoted?’8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡgujDDq6OIa 維尼

Gah Yi didn’t answer her.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPrkz1z8iT 維尼

Glaring at her, Mum’s heart was ablaze with rage. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Wu6CRAomC 維尼

It was Gah Yi who promised she would earn more in the first place. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCJo09j0Y3 維尼

It was she who wanted to believe in her dream so much that she turned down another offer with a generous pay in the first place.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvoJxwbFyd 維尼

She should not have followed her heart and chosen interior design in the first place. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ47pFdeI7xc 維尼

In the first place...8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡdabsNzFo9B 維尼

All night long, Mum didn’t utter a single word. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8k9jHBw51 維尼

Gah Yi was miserable, but chose not to speak much. Yes, she regretted this very much—why was she so obsessed with her dream initially? As it turned out, dreams really weren’t for making a living! 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1LxcLMtbbx 維尼

But now what?8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZG1DJDfuz 維尼

This was Gah Yi’s first time at a bar. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdJRGtoz6a 維尼

Everyone, regardless of gender, had dark circles under their eyes. Gah Yi was no exception too—she couldn’t sleep last night.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38LPbkRDsa 維尼

She had never been ridiculed in front of so many people. And now she had to apologise as well. Yet, she did the most unthinkable thing possible—she actually apologised. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡukbH04a94J 維尼

It wasn’t even her fault! 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡd40KwZOqEA 維尼

But apologising could save the deal... 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3fnyYegKW 維尼

Instead, she ended up distorting her true self...8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4APKi8Mhzm 維尼

Was it worth it at all?8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfPZ7kw6k8 維尼

‘Are you Gah Yi?’ She felt a pat on her shoulder.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C0rIgu6sx 維尼

‘Sis?’ Gah Yi unconsciously extended her arm out and greeted her routinely. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCCGLpRlLy 維尼

‘How have things been?’ Her senior in school had become more mature as well. ‘Are you still working at the interior design company?’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0ssyA712A 維尼

‘Yeah.’ Gah Yi tried to hide away the truth, but her eyes gave it away. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7kX9eJAslC 維尼

‘I’ve started my own interior design company…’ Sis said half-wittingly. ‘And I need a designer…’8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAxQnN0RHI 維尼

‘Designer…’ Gah Yi suddenly felt a rush of adrenaline.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaEcovbdDQ 維尼

‘It’s pretty independent, but the salary…’ Sis discreetly approached her. ‘Would you like to come and help?’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEhiuDV8jq 維尼

Gah Yi had been drafting her resignation letter all night, which she held tightly in her hand.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ49ur1xxPZC 維尼

If she had the courage to hand over her letter, followed by a few ambiguous reasons, then her plan of chasing after her dreams would be under her control. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7OV3qnNaS 維尼

‘You can’t make a living out of your dreams!’ These words suddenly rang in her ears.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BQD2wMJje 維尼

They had been said by many, including her mother, her friends, her colleagues, her boss… even herself. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡSO9ZvWZlR1 維尼

When they came out from her mouth, she felt utterly desperate. Yet for others, they said the phrase with a relaxed tone. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdSlg1Hq6d 維尼

Dreams, did they really not matter? Were they really that far away? 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNeUdUSAvB 維尼

Didn’t everyone have a dream when they were young?8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡGCn1lkRyie 維尼

Or did they already know that dreams don’t exist in reality, and had already given up?8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1B4j9VpKSS 維尼

Whatever. Just hand in the letter! 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡc82blmtPSq 維尼

‘You’re…’ Gah Yi’s boss remained calm and composed. ‘Really out of money, right?’8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgKu05A3lz 維尼

Gah Yi was dumbfounded.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5zDH4S4lZ 維尼

‘Does raising your salary help?’ Two digits shot up from his hand, signalling his offer of a raise—an additional two thousand dollars. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡID3HRswYw8 維尼

She didn’t reject immediately and doubted.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMEKIZJ9B4 維尼

‘If there’s no problem, you can go back to work then!’ He smiled. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBZEdXZOZb 維尼

Had she… already given up? 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡKHgu5hKDLM 維尼

She could feel her heart flutter after hearing her boss’ words, and she instantly knew she had no right to chase after her dreams anymore… 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnejnCSOio 維尼

Shades of grey clouded the sky.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxktmySEPg 維尼

Gah Yi looked up, feeling dazed. 'What am I even doing?' Her hands were trembling, crumpling her letter. Before, she had never believed that there would be a day when she would bow down to money. Yet today, she finally got a taste of what it felt like.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsg2xAafgj 維尼

Hanging her head low, Gah Yi walked up to her door, forcing a smile as she pressed the doorbell. Mum answered the door.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXNZcfT8C4 維尼

Last night, they had a heated argument about whether she should leave or stay at the company. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1YwmzrfYM 維尼

With their cheeks flushed red with anger, they crossed blades with another in an intense neck and neck debate, unable to determine the victor even when it ended. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡXbbEFtKXZy 維尼

Her mother’s words kept ringing in her ears. ‘Life is hard!’ 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡZfCvSduDki 維尼

In the heat of passion, Gah Yi spat out, ‘Money is not everything!’ After twenty four hours though, she wished she could take back her words.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡwB7ZOkQgyZ 維尼

‘Are you really going to quit?’ Mum’s cold, sharp tone pierced through Gah Yi’s heart.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3P7oWsN925 維尼

‘No.’ She was about to burst into tears. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡmILYAqiETF 維尼

‘Really?’ Mum’s mixed feelings were written all over her face, letting out a wisp of melancholy. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEpDl8N9GF 維尼

Yes, she was happy Gah Yi didn’t quit, but she also knew what her daughter’s temperament was—stubborn and persistent. There were only two things that could really change her mind. Either she had figured something out, or she had been completely ‘defeated’. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡefenEBBN19 維尼

Mum chose to believe the latter. ‘Is there something you want to say?’8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzkgqKV8aM 維尼

‘No.’ Gah Yi shook her head. 8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡM8GLX3emLK 維尼

Back in her room, she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9GXDyU1bzO 維尼

Tearless wails were the only thing coming out of her system.8964 copyright protection284ＰＥＮＡＮＡeUfKAS2xMn 維尼

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