Two weeks later

~Brie~

I sat in front of my home office as I went through my emails and answered the important ones. Roman was outside playing football with my dad.

I heard a bark outside my door and stood up. Opening the door, my dog trotted in.

“C'mere Dash,” I said to him and he curled down beside my chair.

I smiled and kept answering my emails until Zach rushed in, panting heavily. I paused and took a look at him.

“Hey,” I greeted.

“Okay, who's your favorite person in the entire world?”

“Easy. My son.”

He frowned.

“Your next favorite person?”

“My dad.”

“Okay, now you're just wounding me.”

I laughed.

“Okay you're my third favorite person in the world. Now can you tell me what's going on already?”

“Are you ready to hear some good news?”

“We could all use some,” I sighed.

“Well get ready to tell Roman that I'm your number one favorite person in the world entire world because I just got you an interview at Jewel Interactive” he announced.

“Wait, wait. Jewel Interactive? As in the biggest digital marketing company in the whole of...” I gasped, unable to finish.

He nodded and I exhaled excitedly.

“How'd you pull that one off?”

“You're my best friend Breanna. I'd do anything for you.”

I grinned and jumped up to hug him.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

He chuckled.

“The interview is at eight tomorrow morning.”

I beamed at him.

“I don't know what I'd do without you” I smiled.

“Easy, you'll never be without me.”

~Next morning~

“Hey don't worry, I'll drive Roman. Just go nail that interview. They wouldn't know what hit 'em!” Dad said making me laugh.

I hugged him and kissed my son goodbye before leaving for the interview.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I stared at the magnificent building and forgot to blink till my eyes began to burn.

“You can do this Brie!” I said to myself and walked through the revolving glass door into the reception.

“Hello and welcome to Jewel Interactive. How may I be of assistance to you today Ma'am?” the big lady behind the reception desk asked.

“Um, hi I um... I have an interview for the photography position.”

“Say cheese!”

Before I could comprehend what was going on, a picture of me had been taken.

“Thank you,” she said taking out the picture from the printer behind her and slipping it into a plastic ID card holder I could wear around my neck.

That was quick.

“Enjoy your visit,” she said handing me the card.

I looked at it.

Breanna Nolan. Guest.

I smiled.

“Hey Carol, can you help me with my profile for the dating app?” a lady asked.

“Can't you see I'm busy?” the big lady, Carol, scolded.

The other lady looked up at me and her mouth dropped open.

Oh not again!

“Oh my goodness Carol!” she shrieked and jumped up at me. “Oh, would you please give me your autograph? My little sister and I are huge fans of your work.”

This is new.

I laughed.

“Ivy, what are you doing?!” Carol scolded.

“Caroline don't you know who this is?”

She folded her arms across her chest.

“It's Breanna. Beckett Lewis' ex!” Ivy whisper-yelled.

Carol's mouth dropped.

“It really is her,” she said.

Not you too!

“Look, I don't need your fan craze right now. My feet are swollen and I just want to make it to my interview so if you could kindly point me the way, I would be very grateful” I ranted.

They stared frozen at me and pointed to the elevator on the right.

“Eight floor,” they said simultaneously.

I smiled.

“Thank you,” I said and walked away.

“Oh my gosh she smiled at us” Carol breathed heavily. “I'm so tweeting this!”

“Best day ever!” Ivy added.

I made it to the elevator just in time before it closed. It was transparent at the back and the view from up here was breathtaking.

I could see my car from here!

The people in the elevator all got off on the third and fourth floors and I was alone.

I sighed and pulled out my phone to check my makeup when I heard two things collide and another thing hit the floor. It was a thin girl in glasses who had bumped into a lady and dropped her files.

The lady frowned at her and kicked her files, making the papers fly out before walking away.

Some people could be so rude!

I stepped out of the elevator and gave her a hand with the papers and other files.

“And I spent all night organizing them! My boss is going to kill me” she said with a hint of Indian accent.

“Hey, I'm sure he'll understand” I sympathized as I handed her the files and returned to the elevator.

“Thank you,” she said.

I smiled at her.

“Oh my goodness! It's you!” she suddenly gasped.

I couldn't do this again.

“Look, I get it if you're a Beckett Lewis fan. Just please don't upset me with your questions okay?” I said.

“I—”

“You know what?” I asked. “Why don't I give you his number right now. Get a pen, I know it by heart.”

“Okay, first of all, I don't want who you're talking about, and neither do I want his number.”

That was definitely a change.

“And second of all, what are you even talking about? You haven't changed much since I last saw you at your wedding.”

I blinked and took a good look at her, studying her facial features.

“It's me.”

“Megan Lancaster!” we chorused.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Well I work here. I'm the General Director's assistant.”

“That's great!” I smiled.

“You?”

“I'm interviewing for the photographer spot. You know, for the marketing department.”

“Well I'm sure you'll ace it” she beamed. “You look really great.”

The elevator chimed and the door slid open.

“Come find me when your interview is over. We've got lots to catch up on” She chuckled and walked away.

I smiled and pushed the eighth floor button as the door closed. The elevator hummed when suddenly the power went out and it stopped.

No, no, no, no, no!

I push the buttons but nothing.

“You've got to be kidding me!”

“Attention all, we are facing a little technical problem. We advise all individuals in the elevators right now to stay calm and not panic. We're getting our best technicians and you'll be out in a few minutes. Thank you.”

I slid down and sat on the elevator floor, my face in my hands. I felt myself run out of air when I felt the elevator begin to move again. It opened and I got up, practically running out. I took in deep breaths and decided to take the stairs.

I slowly got to the 8th floor and the AC was on full blast. I walked to the desk.

“Excuse me. Hi, I'm here for the interview” I said.

The lady looked up at me and shook her head.

“Take a seat, he's in a meeting.”

“Look, I was stuck in the elevator for more than an hour. Can't you—”

“Ma'am, don't make me get the security to throw you out!” the lady threatened. “Take a seat!”

I looked at her name tag pinned to the side of her chest.

'LACY' it read.

I reluctantly walked to the number of chairs and sat on one. I plugged in my earbuds and I didn't realize I'd fallen asleep till someone shook me.

“You can go ahead now,” the lady said with disgust on her face.

I glanced at the clock on the wall as I wiped the drool off my cheek.

2:30 pm.

I made my way down the hall, my heels clicking loudly on the polished floors. I passed by many expensive-looking portraits and shiny statues and awards.

Freshly waxed.

I avoided touching anything as I had enough problems and turned down the left corridor. I saw a desk and approached it. There was no one behind.

I bit my lower lip and looked around when a slender raven-haired woman in a tight shirt and a black skirt came through a grand oak door.

“Oh, you must be the one here for the interview" she smiled settling behind her desk. “I'm Cynthia. Breanna Nolan right?”

I nodded.

“Well go right in. You'll be done shortly” she said gesturing me towards the door she'd just come out from.

I took in deep breaths and nervously walked towards it, pausing briefly, then knocked. I step into the large fragranced office.

“Bradley... I'm going to say this for the last time so listen to the fuck up!” he sneered into the phone with his perfect British accent. “It's your fault you didn't bring the document to my office when I asked you to! You're responsible for my stocks going up and down for no reason so I need those damn documents here ASAP! If this company enquires more problems, I. will. ruin. you!”

Woah.

Someone cleared their throat, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“I'm sorry about that,” he said. “How may I help you?”

“I'm here for the um... interview”

“You're late.”

His tone suddenly became cold and uninviting.

This was the person I was going to work for?

“I apologize.”

“Look, I've got a lot of things to do so can we make this short and quick?”

“Okay,” said and reached into my bag and handed him my file.

He took it and leaned back in his chair, sighing. I studied him.

A chiseled man in a black suit, his form powerful and authoritative. The only word to describe him was... beautiful?

Yep!

The man was panty-dropping gorgeous with his sharp bright blue eyes and manly stubble. His wavy dirty blonde hair sat perfectly on top of his head and for a moment I wondered how his lips tasted...

What are you doing?! You recently got divorced and you're hitting on your soon-to-be boss?! Snap out of it!

I mentally slapped myself. He cleared his throat and sat up.

“Tell me about yourself, Ms. Nolan,” he said looking at me.

“Everything you need to know about me is in the file you're holding.”

“Excuse me?” he asked.

Oh, I was thinking out loud again.

“Um... well I graduated from—”

“Not that kind of information.”

I flicked my eyes back and forth, confused.

“Then?”

“What do you like doing? Like your hobbies.”

Oh.

“Well, I really like—”

“That's enough now Ms. Nolan” he cut in.

“But I've hardly said anything” I protested.

“I said that's enough.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“I'm sorry but it seems you are not qualified enough for this position. It's a big deal for this company and I can't risk that” he said.

I stared at him in disbelief.

“Look, I was up very early today just to make it to this interview. I missed my son's first day at his new school. I haven't spent much time with him since we moved here. I get stuck in a stupid elevator for almost two hours and get disrespected by your stupid 8th-floor front desk receptionist Lacy, all for some big mean incredibly breathtaking man who threatens to ruin his employees to tell me I'm not qualified for the job I've been doing since I got out of college?!” I fumed.

God!

“You clearly wouldn't recognize talent even if it hit you in the face. And you know what, you can keep your job. I am not going to stand around and let some stuck-up man-baby in a suit define my worth!”

He stared hard at me.

“I'm sorry. You clearly have a lot going on” he said with an amused look. “If it makes you feel better, I'd like to keep your file... maybe frame it and hang it up in my seventy million dollar man baby nursery.”

“Unbelievable!” I murmured and grabbed my bag.

I stormed out of the office and took the stairs this time. I unlocked my car and climbed in, slamming the door. I sighed and rested my head on the stirring wheel.

“What were you thinking Zachary?!” I groaned and started the car.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I pulled up in front of the house and got out of the car. I locked the car and turned on the alarm before walking up the front stairs and threw the door. The lights were off when I stepped inside.

“Where's every—”

The lights suddenly came on.

“Surprise!” they screamed and jumped out from behind the couches.

I screamed and they laughed. Dash barked and came over to me with a blue sash in his mouth. I took it and it read 'Newly employed!'.

Oh no!

“Put it on mommy!” Roman said and I slipped it across my chest.

He was holding up a tiara and rose.

Why do I feel like I just became Prom Queen again?

I faked my smile.

“Oh honey, I'm so happy for you,” Mom said happily, hugging me but not too tight. “We're so happy for you, aren't we Bruce?” she asked Dad.

He nodded. The guilt built up in me.

“Mom, I have to tell you guys something,” I said.

“That all this wouldn't be possible without your best friend? You welcome!” Zach smiled proudly.

“No, it's just...” I paused and turned to Roman. “Why don't you go get my camera from my room, huh?”

He nodded and ran upstairs. I turned to the rest.

“What is it, honey?” Mom asked. “Is it the baby?”

“You know you can tell us anything right?” Dad added.

I looked between them.

“Hey, Bee spit it out. You're scaring everyone!” Zach scolded.

“I didn't get the job!” I blurted out. “Apparently I'm not good enough and I might have definitely insulted the CEO,” I said and dropped on the couch.

“Oh honey,” Mom said getting beside me.

She put her arms around me and I laid my head on her shoulder.

“It's okay” she cooed.

I smiled.

“Well I better start cleaning up,” Dad said. “Mind giving me a hand Zach?”

“Of course not. I'll be right there” he said before my dad disappeared into the kitchen.

“I'll go tell Roman that the camera won't be necessary,” Mom said.

“You didn't think I'd leave the camera in my room right?” I asked reaching into my bag to show it to my mom.

“Now I've got to really stop him before he turns the entire room upside down!”

I laughed and watched her go up the stairs. I put the rose away and took off the sash.

“Hey you,” Zach said.

“Hey,” I responded with a little smile.

“Look I'm so sorry about the interview.”

“Hey it's okay. It's not like it's your fault.”

He smiled.

“I mean how would you have known the guy who interviewed me would be such an ass but yet still incredibly handsome,” I said, making him laugh.

His eyes grew a bit sad.

“You don't have to feel guilty about anything, Zachary. I'll just keep looking. I'll get a job. And if I don't, my parents are kinda wealthy since my grandfather was like a billionaire and left everything to my Dad. Plus my best friend is a freaking brilliant moneymaking lawyer so I'm very much secured.”

He laughed and hugged me kissing my temple.

“I'm just glad I put him in his place.”

“Well if he sues you for verbal assault, I'm your lawyer.”

I chuckled.

“Thanks, Zach,” I said.

“No, thank you. You pulled me out of an incredibly long and boring meeting.”

I laughed.

“Zachary, you coming? Or do I have to come get you with Mr. Broom?” Dad called from the kitchen.

“Daddy” I laughed.

“I better go. I do not want to meet Mrs. Dustpan. It's been years” Zach whispered and I laughed as the memory of Dad chasing us around the house when we were little came flooding back.

“Brie? Your brother's on the phone” Mom said coming down the stairs.

I took the phone from Mom.

“Hello big brother” I greeted, walking outside to the backyard.

It would be okay... eventually.

Thanks for reading! ✨