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“Yeah, that’s fine.” Frankly, I just wanted to crawl back into bed. I was feeling exhausted by my sadness.
I know there is so much to be grateful for, Alex is showing signs of improvement, but I think the weight of our reality is starting to take its toll. I just need to keep my focus and prepare for my interview in two days. I need to keep myself positive and pushing forward. For mine and Alex’s sake, she doesn’t need a friend wallowing and mourning her when she is getting better.
The next two days go by in a blur between hospital visits and making sure that I get my schedule back to normal. I have managed to pull myself into a pretty good rendering of a professional. Sitting in the lobby of the advertising firm, I remind myself to take deep breaths. I have been looking forward to this day before this week from hell. I was super stoked to have this piece of the puzzle fit in its place. I pull my phone out of my purse and check the messages, re-reading my last message from Cole.
Good luck baby, remember that if you don’t want this, don’t take it. I happen to know of a pretty amazing company that would hire you to run their public relations department… just sayin’.
For the millionth time, I open the text box to respond but close it without replying. I’m so torn. It would be amazing to work with Cole, after all, it is our company. Although, I don’t really feel any kind of ownership over it. Cole worked his ass off to get where he is, and he has an empire to show for it. I want the same, without handout or favoritism.
I’m deep in thought when I hear, “Miss Parker?” I look up and quickly place my phone back into my purse.
“Yes,” I answer as cheerily as I can and follow the sharply dressed suit into the office.
“Please have a seat,” motioning to a chair in front of her desk. She reminds me of a school teacher from an 80’s movie. Dark suit, hair in a tight bun, with an attitude just as closed off.Fantastic, I think to myself, this should go well. Clearing her throat, she begins flipping through some paperwork looking for something in particular, it seems.
“Ah yes, I guess my first question would be addressing why there seems to be a large gap in your work history. Would you like to explain the history?”
I guess we are diving right in. This lady isn’t the kind to beat around the bush.Hmmm, maybe I do like her.
“Well, I had an accident and needed to recover.” The details and truth are way beyond this interview.
“I see. I trust you are healed and will not be looking for any additional time off?”
Fuck, she’s the devil. I almost laugh out loud at her curtness, but manage to keep it together. I respond, “I am ready to get back to work, no additional time needed.”
“Great, let me give you some details regarding what we are looking for…” As she begins to speak, I start to realize that I am not being interviewed but hired. Holy hell, I know I’m new at this, but I figured any company would want to at least get a feel for me before hiring me. I’m stunned by the quickness, but then a nagging feeling starts to creep in and I wonder if Cole has made a call on my behalf. If he has, I will kill him. He knows how important it is for me to regain my life myself.
When the schoolmarm finishes, I smile sweetly saying, “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but am I being hired for the position?”
“Well, you were initially called in for an interview, but we received a very high recommendation from the higher-ups, so yes, you are being hired. Frankly, I am surprised that you didn’t join the marketing department seeing as how much they backed you. Have you worked with Sam previously?”
“Sam? Forgive me, but I don’t know who that is.”
“Sam Johnson is the head of the marketing department, it was because of that memo that you owe your new position. If it were me, I would send a thank you note. There were a lot of candidates for this position.”
“Yes, yes, I will definitely do that.” I barely remember anything else she says, because I am boiling. Cole is going to get it when I get home. I’m sure my lovely husband is acquainted with Sam Johnson. Son of a bitch!
After getting all my paperwork together and agreeing my start date would be Monday morning, I walk out of my new building with a bittersweet feeling. On one hand, I’m excited to get going, but on the other, I feel robbed. I’m not sure if I could feel successful knowing that I didn’t really do anything myself. Fuck, Cole. Ugh, why did he have to interfere? I pull out my phone to dial Cole.
“Hi, baby, how’d it go? Did they hire you on the spot, because they would be fools not to!”
Seriously! Is he fucking mocking me?
“Are you kidding right now? Cole, I know what you did. Don’t be a dick.”
“Whoa, what the hell are you talking about? The only thing I’m being is supportive, and you are beginning to make that difficult.”
“I’m making it difficult? Me? I’ll kill you, or maybe you can sleep over at Sam Johnson’s house, since you two are besties,” I snark.
“What the fuck are you talking about, Mia. Is this code supposed to make sense and who the fuck is Sam Johnson?”
“Wait… what? Why are you acting like you don’t know what I’m talking about?” I ask calmer and frankly more confused.
“Are you on drugs, Mia. I DON’T know what the hell you are talking about,” he yells. Oh shit, now I’ve poked the bear for, what is apparently, no damn good reason.
“Okay! Calm down and don’t yell. I’m coming home, we can talk when I get there.”
“I’m at the office, come here,” he spits before ending the call.
