Outsourced: Part 1

OUTSOURCED Part 1: Orientation

I've always loved books, but reading is only enjoyed in the form of Instagram captions and Buzzfeed articles in the modern day. There is an underground society of people who still see the value of a hardcover copy. My names Mya Ross. I was raised by an old fashioned mother who read to me before bed and had a bookshelf in the living room. I'm 21. I feel much older.

When I was a kid, my father was strung out and walked out on us. Nonetheless, he was fair weathered, he came around when things were good. He came around whenever we healed from the last wound he left. I try to stay consistent with my life. Unlike my father was.

I go to Belvedere Books every week. Sometimes I even go twice. I was dating an older guy for years, Carter. We started when I was 17 and he was 27. He did corporate finance. I'm a words type of girl and he was a numbers type of guy. He was well off and loved to spoil. The money he gave me weekly went towards lavish items in addition to gifts he sent me. However, the remainder would always go toward a physical copy of a books or a blue ray of a film of my choosing.

This time, I was coming to the bookstore just to look and read. Carter and I had to end it being that I was not willing to go to Dubai with him and start my life over. He always talked about leaving and starting fresh. Him leaving was me starting fresh. I found "A Room of One's Own" by Virginia Woolf. I sat at my favorite table, under the air conditioning vent, but by a window so I felt the warmth of the sun. I buried my face into the book pondering how I was going to support myself and afford to finish the semester.

"You look like someone who needs a friend," a deep voice from the corner of the store said.

"More like in need of a job." I thought to myself. However, I was in the mood for some small talk with the cute bookstore guy. "I could use one of those." I replied like a dutiful little girl.

"Hey, listen, I see you here every week and I'm sure you could organize these books in your sleep... I wanted to let you know that we're hiring. Are you interested?"

"Of course I'm interested!" I stated with excitement.

He said: "Okay, interview starts now," while reaching into his pocket for a pen and pad. "How's your availability?" He said with a smirk.

I replied: "Pretty open, I have class Tuesday's and Thursday's from nine to five. Any other time I'm available"

He nodded his head in satisfaction, then asked: "are you okay with being here by yourself and getting here? I may come by to check on you but I need trustworthy employee that can handle the store by themselves."

"Yeah, I'll be fine. I live a couple blocks away so I don't need to worry about traffic." I answered in a reassuring tone.

"Perfect. You're hired." He said. "I'm Preston, as you know" he added as he reached out to shake my hand in agreement.

"I'm Mya, as you know." I replied.

I always spoke to Preston when I came in the shop but I rarely spoke with Ray and Gabriel, the other two owners. Preston was the youngest and he was the most good looking in my opinion. Tall, medium dark complexion, and jet black, shiny, gelled hair. I noticed he wore two exotic gold rings and found it incredibly tasteful and sexy.

He took down my contact information and showing me around. Then, he gave me a key and told me that I started on Sunday. Seemed like sort of a rushed interaction, but I assumed they were just short staffed. I awkwardly returned back to my original seat to finish my book. I could feel Preston's alluring eyes on me while I had my eyes in my book. I looked at my watch, packed up and headed for the door.

My training was short and quick. I was already alone in the store after my first day. It was refreshing to not be forced into a week long tedious orientation like most other jobs. Besides, I was very familiar with the store. When I closed the shop and arrived back to my apartment around 9:30PM, I received a text.