^^^Jewel Interactive^^^

~Aiden~

“And why would you do that?” he asked, looking directly at me.

I flicked my eyes back and forth, confused at why he was mad I rejected a common person. She wasn't the first one.

“Oh my God, Aiden!”

“Okay turn it down a notch Ron!” I yelled. “What's your problem?”

“My problem is how stupid you were to say she wasn't qualified when clearly she is! Look at her file!” he said and slammed the file on my desk.

I scratched the corner of my eyebrow.

“She's the best we've interviewed in months. She has a lot of recommendations and looks at the number of degrees she has, dude! People like her are the ones we need to boost our stocks and promote the company's name!”

I gave him a look.

“The company's pretty successful and our stocks keep rising...”

“And falling!” he snapped.

“We fixed that!” I snapped back. “I spoke with Bradley.”

“And by spoke you mean threatened.”

I groaned.

“It's the same thing Ronbie! Follow!”

He sighed.

“Talent like hers needs to be praised Aiden. Nobody can handle a camera like she can and you know that. Our marketing department lacks that kind of talent.”

“Okay, enough now Ronbie,” I said. “I don't want to hear anything more about that woman! She irritates me now. I just want. to. go. home. please.”

He sighed again and drummed his fingers on my desk.

“I've always known you were stupid Aiden, but you've really proven it today,” he said calmly and walked out.

I frowned as he slammed the door.

“That little... you're fired, Martin!” I shouted after him, knowing he wouldn't hear.

I picked up a pencil and began to twirl it around my fingers as my eyes settled on the opened file. I fixed my gaze on the headshot. Then stood up and grabbed my suit and keys, not forgetting the file.

“Breanna Nolan.”

~Brie~

“Thank you,” I said and walked out of Froyo Loco with five froyos; two for me, one for Roman, Dash, and Meg.

I got in the car and closed the door.

“Here you go Meg,” I said and handed it to Megan.

“Thanks” she replied taking them out.

I started the car.

“Ermm okay I know you're eating for two right now but who's the extra one for?” she inquired.

“Dash.”

He barked in agreement.

“You bought froyo for your dog?” she laughed.

“Mm hm,” I confirmed and backed out of the parking lot. “Roman would have fed the dog his if I didn't.”

Megan laughed.

“You're the first person I know who's this committed to buying ice cream for their doggie.”

“Well, this doggie is very important to us. Isn't that right boy?”

He barked. I smiled and drove past Roman's school. Dash wagged his tail in excitement, and I lowered the glass to allow him to stick his head out and enjoy the breeze.

“We're almost at your place” I announced.

“Better start getting my...” she trailed off. “Oh no.”

“What?” I asked, slowing down.

“I'm sorry could you please pull over right here?” she queried.

“Sure” I found a parking space and pulled over.

I watched her empty all the contents in her bag into her lap.

“Oh no, no, no” she wailed. “I left my house key in the office.”

“Well, where's your spare one?”

“That is my spare. My niece Louisa dropped the other into the toilet and I haven't been able to replace it.”

“It's okay, calm down. I'll just drive us back. You get your keys and we'll be on our way back in no time.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes and I'm sure by the time we pass by here again, school will be over and I'll pick up Roman” I smiled.

“Thank you. You're such a great friend.”

“I try” I joked and we giggled.

I backed up from the side of the road and drove back to the last place I dreamed of going back to; Jewel Interactive.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I pulled up in front of the building and Megan rushed out, nearly tripping. I stepped out too and leaned against the car door. The building did look less hideous at night... almost breathtaking.

Before long, Megan ran back out.

“You got it?” I probed.

She wiggled the keys at me.

“You won't believe where I found them! In my boss' office.”

“What was your house key doing in his office?” I asked arching an eyebrow.

She giggled.

“Nothing, nothing.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Nothing is going on between me and my boss. I swear. There's a strict no-dating policy.”

“Megan?” someone called.

“Mr. Martin” she responded even before turning around to see who it was.

She mouthed a 'Do I look okay?' to me and I gave her a thumbs up before she pivoted.

The man walked up to the car.

“What are you doing back here?” he asked.

“Well I forgot my house keys so I came back for them.”

“That's great.”

It is?

I chuckled and he looked over at me.

“Who's your friend?”

“Oh, pardon my manners. Bee, this is my boss, Ronbie Martin. Mr. Martin, meet my childhood friend, Breanna Nolan.”

We shook hands.

“It's nice to meet you, Mr. Martin”.

“The pleasure is all mine... wait” he suddenly paused. “Breanna Nolan? As in...”

Oh good Lord not again!

“The same Breanna Nolan who used to work for the New York Times?”

I sighed in relief.

“Yes. You knew my boss?”

“Not exactly. I've read your file though and I must say it's truly impressive.”

I smiled.

At least he knows how to appreciate talent.

“Thank you, Mr. Martin. I would love to stay and chat but it's getting dark and we can't afford to be late.”

He nodded.

“Of course, of course.”

“It was nice meeting you, Mr. Martin. Thank you for your kind words” I said and gestured to Megan to get into the car.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

“Roman stop that!” I scolded. “Get off the furniture, it's not a trampoline!”

Dash barked.

“No, no, no, Dash. Don't put that in your mouth!” I said and took the remote from him.

My phone rang and I let out an exasperated sigh.

“Where is it?”

It kept on ringing but there was no sign of it.

“Mom? Have you seen my—”

Dad handed it to me.

“It was in the refrigerator” he lowered his glasses and glanced at Roman.

“Manny, we are going to talk when I get back.”

He laughed as I answered the phone.

“Oh thank God! I thought you wouldn't answer. What took you so long?!” she shrieked.

I backed up from the phone.

“Nia, I love you, but please never yell like that again” I pleaded. “Roman put my phone in the refrigerator.”

I settled on the couch only to get poked in the behind by an action figure.

“Sorry, I'm just glad you answered.”

“Okay. What's up?” I asked.

“Oh Bee” she began, already sounding upset.

“Nia, what's wrong?”

“It's just that—”

She paused and made little sounds.

“Nia, you know you can tell me anything. I'm here for you. What's going on?”

“I'm pregnant!”

I gasped.

“Oh my goodness, that's awesome” My hand traveled to my belly. “Congratul—”

“Don't congratulate me!” she scolded

I frowned.

“What do you mean by I shouldn't congratulate you?”

“We're not ready for another baby” she sighed. “I'm not ready.”

“Hey now, don't be like that” I uttered softly. “Well, what did my brother say? I'm sure he's elated.”

“I haven't told him yet.”

“Why not?”

“I can't... Breanna, I don't know how to.”

“But you're telling me? I'm not the one who got you pregnant.”

“Who's pregnant?” mom walked in with dad.

“Don't tell them!” Nia whispered. “Please, Breanna.”

“Honey?” mom asked.

“Me obviously” I answered, lowering the phone from my ear. “I was just telling a friend.”

They nodded and walked away. I held the phone back to my ear.

“Hey, I'm back.”

“Good. Now what do I do?”

“Just tell him.”

“But I don't know how he's going take it. Breanna we have four kids already. This wasn't planned.”

“It'll be fine. Trust me.”

She sighed.

“How about I do it tomorrow? It's our anniversary.”

“Great! Take him out for dinner. Make him feel special... then just tell him.”

“Okay. But what if I panic?”

“Just call me so I can spank you over the phone.”

She giggled.

“Thank you, Bee.”

“I'm always here for you sweetie.”

“I love you. Take care.”

I smiled softly as she hung up. The shuttering of glass disrupted the suspicious sudden peace. I shut my eyes and controlled my outburst.

“Roman!”

Thanks for reading! ✨