Transparent

Prolouge

Hollywood. A dazzling place where dreams come true and all your problems magically go away. If a person ever said that to you, they lied and/or are to naive to understand life's concept.

The quick tap of fingers typing on keyboards as some coworkers talked about the latest gossip that came in. It was a particularly calm day in the office since most reporters were out on the run. Probably stalking some unknowing or knowing celebrity on the street. Or maybe in the sheets....

The smell of coffee and scones filled the terribly messy office air from my coffee cart. I stared longingly at the newest edition of the "Know-it-all" as I subconsciously made the coffee. The routine was already packed down for me. And since I didn't have night shift it was easier for me.

"Coffee girl! Get over here already!," a reporter shouted from across the office.

"Coming!" I responded back finishing a person's order off before running over to the next.

Being a reporter was one of my goals in life. Second to getting retired and becoming a happy old lady that knits. But that was in the far off future and sadly life doesn't exactly work that way. In this day and age dream jobs only come to the fortunate and intelligent. And both I am not causing me to scramble for the leftovers of the successful.

"The regular right Thomas?" I asked giving him a fresh cup of coffee. Soy non-fat caramel macchiato, two pumps.

"Took you long enough....uhh... Joey?" He guessed acting like he knew. Which was really sad since I've already been working here for an entire year and he was the one who called on me the most.

"Jolene. Jolene Cho. It was a commendable effort though Thomas," I said with a sigh holding in my frustration with smile.

"I was just kidding. I remembered." He said doing a double pistol point at me. Though I already knew he was lying on the spot.

Thomas isn't exactly the brightest of the bunch. He is often left to do small columns that no one really looks at. But, he probably got by his looks, which the lady readers and coworkers loved. That and his uncle is the chief editor for this department. Freaking nepotism.

And I know what you're thinking. What kind of mistake did a girl make to end up as a nobody? The thing is.... I was a nobody to begin with. I, Jolene Cho have never done anything interesting ever. I was born with four siblings as a middle child, I have no outstanding qualities, and have no horrible quirks. Hell, even the state I was born in is called Dela-where?

And out of all the places I decided to live in it had to be Los Angeles, California. Where people are even more likely to not notice me with all of the rising stars around. And now here I am. A twenty three year old woman wasting my days as a coffee girl for a famous tabloid company "The Know-it-all".

"Ms. Cho?" A smooth voice called me out of my daze. There proudly stood the head of the tabloid company, Mr.Davis. I fumbled a bit seeing that I was blocking his path.

Mr.Davis was a charming person though he was old enough to be my father. He had broad shoulders and a permanent smile that seemed to stay on his face. His brown hair was parted to the side and the tips showed some gray. He always wore a dapper business suit that seemed to contradict his easy-going look. Even the crinkles near the edges of his eyes seemed to smile at you.

I stuttered as I began to briskly move my cart out of the walk way. "I'm sorry sir. I-I'll make sure to pay more attention next time." I apologetically bowed a bit subconsciously face palming myself on the inside. Real smooth Jolene....

Mr.Davis studied me before waving a hand in the air. "It's fine. Accidents happen," he said walking away. Striking one more nonchalant glance at me he whispered to his secretary as they walked away. I let out a big huff of relief that it was over but, felt that something was coming. And it wasn't good.

"How was your day Jojo?" Raina asked as I slumped down on the couch. She turned away from the TV pausing Netflix to look at me.

"It sucked, this world sucks, and life can swallow for all I care." I groaned leaning on her as I reached for the chips.

Raina was my apartment roommate. She had long, soft dirty blonde hair and green eyes. As much as she looks like she wouldn't hurt a fly she could pack quite a punch when angry. She was a counsellor for a uni nearby so she would often get hit on by some of the troublemakers there. Which doesn't surprise me since she had a pretty face. We've known each other for four years and counting and I could always rely on her to cheer me up.

But not today. All I wanted to do was vent and relax. Maybe eat till I'm over with my existential crisis. Raina on the other hand had other ideas.

"Hush my child," she said moving the bag out of my reach, "and tell Raina all about it." She bopped my nose to which I stared at her unamused.

"Dun wanna. Oh, and I might get fired... Again." I said covering my face with a pillow.

"Again!? What do you mean? What happened?" She asked getting up. I flopped on the couch still reaching for the bag up in the air.

"It's no big deal.... I just got in the way of the boss in the company and he whispered something about me to his secratary...." I whispered the last part. Sadly Raina has great hearing so she continued to press.

"That's it? No way is he going to fire you for that. And this is the best job you've had for a while. Much closer to becoming a reporter. Hey, he might even land you a promotion." She sighed in relief finally giving me the chips. She gave an optimistic note to the fact.

"Promoting me? For getting in his way? Yeah right. In any case I'm still just a coffee girl. I haven't wrote a single article since I came here and the chances of my hopeful future are looking pretty damn small." I said stuffing my face with chips.

Raina sat next to me patting my back. "It's all right. Things will get better."

I went back to leaning my back on her and putting my feet up on the couch arm.

She then scrolled through the movies and picked out an old scary one. "Want to laugh at the stupid main characters to feel better?"

I nodded. "Why not?"

During the next morning I understood why not.

I yawned taking a look at my watch. "Oh god... I'm late!!!" I shouted running to the bathroom to get ready. I hurriedly did all my daily necessities and grabbed my purse.

"I'm heading out Raina! Lock the door behind me!" I shouted at Raina as she gave me a thumbs up from the couch.

This time I definitely felt like I was fired. I took my car and drove for what felt like hours though it was only fourty five minutes till I got to the office. As I rushed through I felt a tap on my shoulder. There I saw a familiar face. It was Mr.Davis's secretary.

"Yes?" I asked politely though knowing my wavy hair was every where in my face.

"Mr. Davis would like to see you." She said looking down at her notepad as she judgingly stared at my wild hair.

"Oh! Mr.Davis. Of course!" I said laughing though the me inside wanted to roll on the floor and cry.

I went into the elevator pressing the button constantly wanting to get this over with. Every step felt like someone around the corner was going to laugh at me. Though I knew that that was a terribly small margin of likeliness.

After the sound of elevator music and a couple of cramped stops on the way there I finally made it. My hands shook as I entered the office waiting for my doom.