-James-

My eyes blurred through a sleepy haze. My alarm blared beside me and I thought my ears were going to start bleeding. I threw my arm to the side, lazily and blindly trying to attack my alarm clock to make it stop. The button pressed down under the weight of my fingers and stopped.

I huffed and placed my forearm over my eyes.

My head blazed and throbbed from drinking too much last night. Now my dad's warning rang loud in my ear like he was actually standing next to me. "You start work in the morning," He had said, pointing a taunting finger in my direction, "don't party all night."

Well that worked out.

Not.

It's barely six in the morning and I managed to get at least two hours of sleep. How I'm going to survive the day is still up for debate. With the way I feel now, I'll be lucky to make it out of the apartment without falling over.

I think I'd rather have class today than work with my dad. If I even so much as complain, he'll just call me ungrateful. He's been a complete ass since the divorce three years ago. Even though he's already engaged to a new woman half his age, he still sticks his nose where it doesn't belong.

Of course I was on my mom's side during the divorce. The only reason I took it as hard as I did was because of her. She'd lock herself in her room, she'd cry, and she rarely ate. I wanted to kick my dad's ass for the way he treated her. Ever since I saw the way he treated her, I promised myself I'd never treat a girl wrong again.

Okay, so maybe my record with girls hasn't exactly been the best. But I've never treated them the way my dad treated my mom. If anything, they've probably treated me worse. But I'm not here to point fingers. Except in my dad's direction because he is a Grade A dick and that's a fact.

And now I have to work for him. Not my finest moment. When I tried getting out of it, my mom told me it's a great opportunity. She obviously helps run the advertising company, but she works in a different part of the building. I'd rather work with her than my dad.

I'll manage.

Eh, maybe. If I can get this headache to go away it'll help keep in the urge to want to leave the moment he talks to me. And a lot of caffeine. By a lot of caffeine, I mean three Red Bull's. That's definitely not a good idea. Good thinking, James.

I threw the blankets from my body and stumbled out of bed. My small apartment is cozy and it was all mine. It was nice having something to myself now. Even though my mom is helping me pay for it. As long as I keep my grades up, she'll help me pay for anything I needed. And the keyword is need, not want. Hopefully working with my dad will help me so I can help her.

My eyes still burned with sleep as I made my way to my closet to find a suit. I plucked one out and threw it on the bed before walking to my bathroom for a quick shower. The hope of the cold water helping me vanished when I stepped out. Clearly that was a stupid ass idea.

As I was drying my hair with a towel, I realized how bad I actually needed a haircut. Whatever.

I got dressed and then fixed my silver tie. At least I had control over what color tie I could wear.

Once I was ready, I walked into my kitchen to grab a Red Bull from the fridge. Just when I thought I only needed one, I grabbed another for safe measure. I snatched my keys from the table beside the door and my wallet, stuffing it into my back pocket. My phone was snug in the inside of my suit jacket, on silent. Trying to cover all angles before I leave.

Finally when I got into my car, I could breathe.

This was going to be a long day and I already couldn't wait for it to be over.

Fast forward my boring trip further downtown in Atlanta. Someone directed me to the parking garage after giving me a sticker for my windshield. Gag. It was the company's symbol. Everyone knew who I was here, obviously. They weren't too surprised to see me strolling through the entrance with a tight-lipped frown.

The building was a tower compared to some here and of course, my dad works on the top floor. I stepped up to the front desk where Linda sat. She's an older lady, gray hair, and always had a smile on her face. When she saw me, her smile grew. "I heard it's your first day." She pulled a drawer out in search for my badge.

"Unfortunately," I murmured.

She laughed lightly and handed it to me. "Well, good luck, Honey."

I gave her a smile and nodded once.

My smile fell the moment I was out of view. I scanned my way through the giant, opaque, glass doors and walked through. I smiled, nodded, and greeted people as I walked through until I reached the elevator. Once inside, I was crowded in. No one spoke to me on the long ride up. It would ding after every floor and it stopped several times to let people off.

The final stop was the top floor and I took in a deep breath to prepare myself. I didn't let the breath go until I was off the elevator. Everywhere you looked on the top floor you could see windows. If you wanted to hide in this building, it definitely wouldn't be this floor.

I'd recommend the janitor's closet on the tenth floor.

My dad's office was all the way at the end. The giant glass doors at the end weren't enough, but he had to have his name in giant letters plastered across the doors. Like we get it, Dad, everyone knows you are.

David Roedan.

I didn't bother knocking on his door and entered. "I sent you the pages yesterday. Check again." He slammed the phone down and scribbled something down on the paper in front of him. "One second." He spoke to me without looking up.

I ran a hand over my forehead and leaned against the wall on my shoulder. Time felt like it was ticking too slowly at the moment and my head was still hurting.

"You look horrible."

"Thanks, Dad," I grumbled and walked up to his desk. "It's good to see you too."

He stood from his desk and walked around to stand in front of me. It was like looking in the mirror when I get older. He was barely three inches taller, but I had his features. Dark hair, light eyes, strong bone structure. "If you would've listened to me at dinner last night-"

"I didn't come here for a lecture. What do you want me to do?"

He reached behind him and grabbed a stack of papers. "You'll handle intern applications." Then proceeded to drop them in my hands. "These are a bunch of high school seniors graduating in the spring. They're in the lobby on the twelfth floor."

"Don't you have people for this?"

He just grinned at me. "Isn't that why you're here?"

I just bit my tongue and walked out. There was no point in arguing. I am here to work and I'll take whatever he throws at me. He's going to make this a challenge whether I want him to or not. And it won't be one he'll win.

After another elevator ride, I made it to the twelfth floor. The lobby was overloaded and the secretary didn't look happy about it. She looked at me and waved me over. "Your dad sent you?"

"Yeah," I breathed. "Which room?"

She pointed down the hall behind her and then curved her pointer finger to the left. "The meeting room is empty."

"Thanks. And would it be possible to get a cup of tea?"

She smiled and nodded. "I'll have someone bring it to you in a few minutes."

"Thank you." I sent her a genuine smile and turned around to face the overcrowded lobby. The first name on the pile was a guy. "Garret Astor."

A guy in the back stood and stepped over and around other people. He walked up to me and I offered him my hand and a smile. "I'm James, it's good to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too."

Maybe it won't be so bad.

We walked down the hall and to the left until we found the meeting room. It was empty, as she said. I sat down at the end and gestured towards to the seat next to me for Garret to sit. He was nervous, I could tell when I shook his hand.

My dad didn't bother coaching me on the questions to ask, so I just winged it. Minutes later, someone brought me my tea and a journal to write in. I thanked her quietly and she left.

A few questions later and Garret stopped stumbling over his words. Every few seconds he would swipe a hand over his forehead. I don't like making people nervous. And I was as nice as I could be because I didn't want to be intimidating.

Garret stood at the same time I did and I shook his hand one more time. "Thank you for your time," He said.

"Thank you for coming in."

Once the door closed behind him, I slumped back in the chair and placed his application in a maybe pile.

A mere three hours later and I only had five applications left. I needed a few minutes to myself to collect my thoughts. My dad told me to pick ten out of the forty that applied. Now that's not going to be fun.

I composed myself and walked out into the lobby. "Violet Bowen."

No one stood and that's when I noticed only four people in the lobby. They all looked at each other and I went to the desk to ask the secretary. "Have you heard from a Violet Bowen?"

She shook her head and looked at something on the computer. "She hasn't checked in on the main floor either."

Great.

I put her application on the bottom and called the next name.

* * *

I was done with the interviews by two. Currently, I was going through the three stacks. The yes, the no's, and the maybe's. So far my yes stack is only three people full. The no stack is bigger than I wanted it to be and the maybe stack has less than the no stack. I didn't like saying no, but I want the best people. They're all great, but certain people stuck out the most.

Another hour past and the yes stack grew by five.

Then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," I called, not bothering to look to see who it was.

"Violet's here."

I then looked towards the door. "I'm done with the interviews-"

A girl came in-more like stumbled in-and her hair fell in her face. She pushed it back and looked back at the secretary before looking back to me. "I'm so sorry I'm late-"

"Almost two hours."

She looked horrified and nervously pushed her circular glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I-I know. And I'm terribly sorry. I had to watch my little brother until my mom got home and she was late-"

I held a hand up to stop her. "Take a breath."

She took in a shaky breath and exhaled slowly.

"I'm James." I held my hand out.

Violet shook my hand gently and I could feel her sweaty palm. She was nervous. Mostly all these people were nervous. I almost thought this one guy was going to pass out. "Violet." She squeezed her eyes closed for a moment and opened them again. "But you already knew that."

My lips twitched, trying to fight a smile. "Have a seat."

She timidly pulled out the chair everyone else sat in and took a seat. I pulled her application from the bottom of the no pile because I didn't think she was going to show up.

I scanned it quickly to retain the information. Violet Bowen, just turned eighteen, goes to my old high school, and likes to volunteer when she can. Sounds like your high school over achiever. Just like Juliet was. My sister was like that too. "Why do you think you deserve this internship more than the others?" I asked and opened the journal back up to jot down notes.

She held my gaze and I finally noticed the color of her eyes. Hazel, but more green than brown. Her hair barely brushed the tops of her shoulders in light brown waves. Her cheeks were rosy and only turning redder by the second. Her mouth parted slightly, but she wasn't saying anything.

I tilted my head forward carefully. "Are you okay?"

Violet narrowed her eyes and looked away from me. "Y-yeah, I'm sorry." She put a hand flat over her chest and bowed her head.

"Would you like a glass of water?"

She shook her head and lifted it. She looked at me again. "I'm just nervous," She spoke softly. "Thank you."

"Just answer when you're ready." I felt bad for her. She was on the verge of a panic attack; the least I could do is give her a few minutes. I'm not allowed to leave until five anyway.

A minute later, she sat up straighter, exhaled slowly and looked at me again. "This is really a horrible way to start off an interview."

I clasped my hands together over the table and actually laughed a little. "You'd be surprised what I've dealt with today."

She smiled as a thank you. "I've never done this before. And I stayed up practicing all night and the second I stepped in this room, I forgot my name. I could tell you your name before I could tell you mine right now." She was babbling but it was oddly adorable.

"Well if I forget my name I know who to come to."

She covered her face and breathed a laugh before dropping her hands again. "I'm so sorry, this is just...not my day."

"It's okay," I assured her. "You're doing better than most."

Her shoulders relaxed. "Can you ask me again?"

I complied and repeated the question for her.

This time, she answered when she opened her mouth. It sounded robotic when she first started. "I think I deserve this internship more than the others because I am a hard worker, I learn fast, and I'm great with others. There's nothing I wouldn't do to complete a task that's given to me." She wrinkled her nose like she just tasted something sour and then relaxed her face. "All those things are very true. I think I deserve it because I do work really hard. I want to do something to make my mom and my brothers proud and I want to help my mom too. She already has a lot to handle and this internship would be perfect for me."

At the end she sounded genuine and less robotic. I could tell she really wanted it. "You're the first person to mention anything about making their mother proud."

"My dad couldn't care less." She nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and pushed her glasses up again. "My mom and my brothers are all I have."

"How many brothers do you have?" I found myself asking.

"Three. Two older and one younger. My older brothers are in school and working. It's hard on them too. And I don't want you to feel sorry for me or anything. I'm just telling the truth."

Maybe I did feel sorry for her, but I could also really tell she wanted it.

I asked her a few more questions and she seemed to relax more and more after each one. When I was done, I stood and she did too. I was at least a foot taller than her and she had to take a step back to look up at me. "It was nice meeting you, Violet."

She was the first to offer me her hand and I shook it. "You too, James. And I'm sorry I was late. That definitely won't happen again if I get the internship."

I walked to the door and opened it for her. "That's good to know."

Violet waved awkwardly and backed out into the hallway. She practically ran out of here, but it made me want to laugh.

When I sat back down, I moved Violet's application to the yes stack.

* * *

As I was getting in my car, my phone rang in my suit pocket. I picked it out and answered it after seeing Mom flash across the screen. "Hey, I was just about to call you," I answered.

"How'd today go?"

I sighed and started the car. "Want to meet for dinner? I'll tell you all about it."

"Sure. I'll call your sister too, maybe she'll actually come this time."

"Good luck with that. She won't even take my calls."

Ever since Meredith started college, she hasn't talked to me much. We grew up practically inseparable and then we slowly separated. She lives in the dorms instead of off campus like I did. For some reason I don't think I could handle a roommate. Especially someone I didn't know.

My mom told me where to meet her and then we hung up. All I could think about was home right now, but that's not going to happen. I'd rather see my mom anyway.

Ten minutes later, I was walking into the restaurant. The hostess brought me to the table where my mom was already waiting. "Hey, sweetie."

"Hi, Mom." I bent down to kiss her cheek and took the seat across from her. "Did you get a hold of Meredith?"

She took a sip of her wine before answering, "She has plans tonight."

Shocker. "Whatever."

"Tell me how your day went."

"Dad put me in charge of the interns. I thought I would be shadowing him while I worked there, not babysit kids from high school."

"You were in high school once." She grinned. "It probably won't be that bad. Did you really want to follow David around all day?"

She did have a point. "Okay, so maybe it won't be that bad. The interns I picked won't be so bad. There were some I interviewed that were...too much. If I'm going to be in charge of them, I want to make sure they're people that really want and deserve it."

"And you think you made the right choice?"

It's sad that I had to think about it for a moment. "I'm pretty sure I did. It's not like he'll see much of them anyway. The interns work on the fifth floor."

She shrugged a shoulder and took another drink. "If you need help, you know where to find me. Your dad probably won't be much help."

"Probably not." The waitress brought me a glass of water and then took our food orders.

Monday should be fun.

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This is a companion to Charming in Handcuffs, not really much of a sequel. BUT Jack and Juliet will be in it some, so don't worry! This is James's story and like I said, he deserves a good ending too even if it did take him two years to find it.

Please please please, vote and comment! Let me know what you think and if I should continue with it. I'm actually really excited about it because a majority of this book will be in his point of view.

Song: Wrapped Around Your Finger by 5 Seconds of Summer (This song and one other song basically helped inspire this story so there will be references to it *Insert smirking emoji*)

Also there's a better picture of the cover up there. IT TOOK FOREVER (I'm not even exaggerating) bye. :)