"I love my job, it's fun, and it lets me communicate with people from different countries!" Bea exclaimed.

"I am so glad to hear that. Finding a job you like isn't easy," Theodora, her mother, said when Bea first told her about the new job.

Being a university student was Bea's most important job. However, she was exhilarated that she managed to get a part-time job. Not only that, but it was also her dream job.

What made it so perfect for Bea was that she could work from the comfort of her home and set her own working hours, which she could change daily. What could be more perfect than that?

The work itself wasn't demanding though even Bea couldn't tell anyone what her official title was or give them an accurate description of her job. She was a cross between a call center specialist and an advertiser, and she loved everything about it.

The people she met because of her job were strikingly different from her. It was fun for her to note the cultural differences and small behavioral nuances that others usually missed.

It was true that after work, she felt exhausted, that she could barely function, but she thought it was normal. In her mind, it wasn't a high price to pay for doing what you loved.

After all, that happened to people who tried to keep up with their studies and earn a living, wasn't it?

A year had passed before Bea realized that something was wrong, that her job was like no other.

It took her a long time to discover that nothing, not even the university, ever made her feel as empty as working did. More time passed before her brain could finally accept that the tiredness that overwhelmed her every time was not a normal one.

There was something sinister about her job. Something scratched at the edge of her mind but could rarely come to the forefront. It was as if there was a barrier between her instincts and her rational mind.

One day, when she finished working, she barely stumbled into the kitchen, mumbling nonsense.

"Bea, are you okay? You haven't been acting like yourself for quite some time now." Theodora asked.

"I'm fine. Just a bit tired from work. I stayed up late researching ads from different companies and comparing them with those of our company, including products they offer. Then, I had to get in touch with a few of our customers through video chat, and it took much longer than I expected," Bea said in one breath.

"I really think you need to slow down. You are overexerting yourself. I worry about you," Theodora said.

"I'll be okay. I just need a cup of coffee and to eat something, and I'll be as good as new," Bea said.

"Okay, but if it's too much for you, your father and I can help you. We can pay for your tuition," Theodora said.

"No, everything is okay," Bea said, not wanting to be a burden.

They were struggling to make ends meet as it was. Bea didn't want the added pressure of her tuition to weigh on them.

Though Bea had told her mother that everything was fine, she had a feeling that it was the furthest thing from the truth. She noticed that the work she once loved no longer held the same interest for her. Yet, quitting was not an option. It would be like cutting off a part of her own body.

Bea was shocked to realize that working at "Lykke" had become a part of her soul, and though it was slowly draining her energy, she didn't want to quit. It was clear that she should do so, but her mind and heart were at war.

That in itself was odd. Why wouldn't anyone want to quit a job they no longer liked? A job that was slowly chipping away at their health and happiness.

Finally, after almost fainting because of overworking, Bea gathered enough strength to do something about it. After gathering all her strength, she pushed aside the powerful need to stay with the company and sent them her resignation letter. 

The moment she sent it in, her boss insisted on having a video chat with her. He wanted her to explain herself. The worst thing about it was that Bea felt unable to say no.

"Hello," Bea said hesitantly, her eyes suddenly becoming heavy.

"Bea, what was that about? Why would you resign? You know that we only want what's best for you. You know that's "Lykke"," Robert said with a hypnotic voice that Bea felt in every inch of her body.

"You want what's best for me. "Lykke" is best for me," Bea said in a monotone voice of a well-oiled robot.

"You will continue working here," Robert said, as his eyes shone red, his pupils spinning around impossibly fast.

Then he raised his hands, and unbeknownst to Bea, a white light started pouring out of her and through the screen into Robert's hands. His eyes closed in exaltation as he sucked the energy from her.

Every cell of his body was recharged as her vigor permeated his very being the way only human aura could.

"Feeding on unsuspecting humans was a brilliant idea," Robert thought.

Over the years, the Martians had tried different sources of nourishment. However, humans have proven to be the most efficient ones.

The taste of the auras, of their life energy, was intoxicating to a Martian. It was like a drug, impossible to quit.

However, not too many people were applying for Robert's job offer. They all wanted better working conditions. Thus, he needed to preserve the source of nourishment he did have. He had to keep Bea alive.

Remembering those facts, Robert stopped his feeding frenzy with utmost effort. Then he entered deep into her mind to make the hypnosis even stronger. So strong that she would never again be able to break it.

"You love this job, it's fun, and it lets you communicate with people from different countries," Robert said persuasively.

"I love my job, it's fun, and it lets me communicate with people from different countries!" Bea said.