Discovering Mack

4| Four

Instead of letting these thoughts consume me, I try think of my new job. Because at this point, building a life up for me is what is most important. Especially if I could be on my own soon.

Beside me my phone buzzes. I nearly let it go, because the only people who really text me at this time are Mel and Noah. If it's Noah, he wants something and is too lazy to get it himself. If I pretend I'm asleep he won't get angry.

But, curiosity killed the cat right? I tap the screen so my phone lights up the dark room. My heart beats a little faster when I see Scarlett's name across my Home Screen.

Scarlett- Looking forward to our first day together. Get some rest and see you in the morning, 8am.

The text message is the first thing that makes me smile all day. Closing my eyes, I try to dream of new beginnings and ignore the hurt I feel from Noah.

***

I'm up early, not willing to risk being late for my first day. Noah fell into bed beside me in the early hours of the morning, I briefly woke up but didn't acknowledge him. He acted like I wasn't there too. There was a time I would always wake up to him getting into bed because he would always give me a kiss goodnight. That stopped months ago.

The bedroom is already warming up, forecast to be mid 30's today, so I pull out a dress. It's navy and tight around my bust, then flares out. Pairing it with some nude wedges, I fix my hair and make up and leave the house for the tram stop.

I am nervous, but feeling confident too. A strange mix of contradiction. I'm confident in my abilities, I know I look good, but a new workplace is always nerve wrecking. Will I be liked? Will they all be nice? Am I even going to be any good at the job.

As the tram travels down Brunswick Street, another text from Scarlett pops up on my phone. She asked me to pick us up some coffee from the same cafe we met at, telling me to ask for her usual, get whatever I want and have it put on her account.

Walking inside the cafe I see the same barista that was here last time. A flash of recognition crossed his face as I approach the counter and he flashes me a broad smile.

"Hey, um, I was told to ask for Scarlett's usual and could I also get a strong latte, on her account apparently," I ask him.

His eyes trail me up and down, assessing me before nodding with a slight smirk. I shift my weight slightly under his gaze, nervously playing with the strap on my handbag.

"I'm Max, and it's nice to see you again Mackenzie," he smiles broadly now, and I must have looked shocked that he knew who I was, because he continued. "Scarlett gave me the heads up to expect you. I'll have your coffees ready shortly doll."

I barely wait two minutes before the order was ready. Max handed me a carry tray with the two coffee's in it.

"I'll be seeing you around I'm sure," Max said, winking at me.

"Uh, sure. Thanks Max, nice to meet you," my face flushed as I smiled politely.

I walked the rest of the way to the office. It was a short two blocks behind the cafe, off the main street. I had come here a couple of times over the last two weeks to return contracts and have Scarlett show me around and get my pass to enter the building.

The building was old, just like most of the others around, all built in the post world war 2 era just like most of this side of Melbourne's buildings, after the Europeans migrated here and overpopulated the inner city suburbs.

Inside however, it was fully renovated on each floor. Through the main entry was a fairly basic foyer, someone had placed a large indoor plant by the glass window, there was a door to the basement carpark and a lift to access the other floors. On the first floor was a lawyers office, the second was a conveyancing firm and the third floor was my new workplace. The top floor had a rooftop garden.