by Mia Ford
Lorina is a grandmother I never have with the essence of a mother I lost too early in life.
“Hurry along now.” She gives me a gentle push towards the door.
Taking a deep breath, I ball my fists into a tight ball.
“It’s now or never, Olivia. You didn’t ditch your friends for nothing.” I prep talk.
Braving the unknown, I raise my fist, making contact with the heavy wooden door.
A second pass that feels like forever before a deep baritone answers. “Come in.”
I take a last look towards Lorina. She mouths, “go” left with no choice.
I reach down for the doorknob, watching it turn until the clicking sounds announce that it’s open already and that there’s no going back.
Looking up from my feet, I immediately spot him.
He is sitting behind the desk, leaning against it. He has his elbows on the table, his face on his hand, covering his identity.
My heart jumps on the throat, my breath hitching.
As if sensing me looking, he looks up our eyes meeting.
His eyes widen in recognition and I as well.
I point my finger at him, chorusing a, “You?!”
I blink, not believing my eyes.
He too mirrors my expression. He’s looking at me in disbelief, those grey blue eyes studying my face as if making sure if it’s me.
I look back at the door, thinking if I should bolt out of the door or stay on my spot.
It’s a little too late to be running out of the door now, isn’t it?
All of a sudden, he hits the oak table making me jump in surprise. “It makes sense!” he mutters as if finally solving a complicated problem. Recollection dawning on his face.
Looking back at me, he says, “You mention about an interview earlier.”
I nod, not following where he’s going in this.
“I should’ve insisted on dropping you off if I just knew you'd be the one I’ll be interviewing.” He frowns.
He glances at me, making me freeze.
“I’m sorry for forgetting, but do take a seat, please.”
Still unable to believe what I am hearing, I can still process his words, which is a wonder. Taking a slow step towards the leather opposite him, I am relieved to sit finally. It feels so awkward standing before him.
The question that has been begging to ask tumbles out of my lips. “You’re Mr. Hemmington?”
His brows draw together; lips pinch in a tight line as if what I say put a sour taste in his mouth.
Maybe I have insulted him by questioning his position here…
Ready to apologize, I open my mouth, but so suddenly he cut me off.
“You are aware that being a part of Hemmington group is critical, yes?” he trains his eyes intently on me, gauging my reaction.
I nod my head slowly; unable to comprehend where he is going. I mean I get it that he is just doing his job. But are we starting with the interview now?
“I am aware, Mr. Hemmington.” In my lap are my hands, fiddling my fingers together.
He leans forward, his fist supporting his chin. “Do drop the formality, Olivia. I prefer you call me, Luke.”
My spine went iron straight with the sound of my name on his lips. It sounds foreign to him saying it as if my name is more than ordinary. Unsure with his requests, I wisely choose not to say anything. After all, he’s not the same lay-back guy I collide with earlier. In front of me sits the powerful CEO of the Hemmington firm. Dress formally in a black button down polo with the sleeves rolls up to his elbow.
He sighs, falling back in his chair. “I understand that we started on a wrong foot, Olivia. But I will ask you to forget about earlier and focus on the now. I need to know if you are capable of handling work load as my assistant.”
My breathing starts to slow down, not sure if I hear him right.
It’s hard to cram all of that idea in your head within a small space of time. One moment I’m worrying whether I’ll be shout over by my potential boss in the future and now the person I bump with earlier is now offering me a job as his assistant? Mr. Hemmington himself is asking me! It’s not a command, and yet the pressure lays heavy on my shoulder.
“I can’t expect you to have the answer now, Olivia. But I will need your decision tomorrow.”
He goes further explaining what is needed of me, which I mostly take in silence. Now and then, he will ask me a question, which I answer with all of my knowledge.
He’s all ears, taking my answer with consideration.
After a while, the interview comes to an end. He rises on his seat and opens the door for me even I insist that there’s no need to do so.
“I’ll see you around?” he lingers by the door, preventing from slipping out just yet.
I smile softly, “See you around, Luke.”
Little do I know how much my words almost foretold the truth.
*
I live in a studio type of apartment. It’s not extravagant given my financial status, but something about the character of the place has me calling the owner. I know deep in my heart that this is a place where I can see myself coming home to. My single space bed is right beside the window that overlooks the busy road outside. It’s warm and cozy here, an atmosphere that attracts me here in the first place.
As I watch the empty streetlight up by the post lights, a black BMW rolls into a parking lot right beside my renting apartment. It does a couple of weaving around first before he can settle the car in a straight line. A man got out of the driver’s seat, making my eyes zero in on him.
I squint harder, my heart pounding in my throat.
“No. There’s no way he’s him…” my breath fogs my window.
As if the fate wanting to prove me wrong for the second time today, he looks my way, making me back away in my bed. I hold my breath, fearing that he might have seen me.
But he shows no recognition that he sees me, carrying on inside the bungalow next door.
I fall back further in my bed, confirm that it is him.
My freaking boss, Luke Hemmington is my neighbor!
I don’t know what to feel real. One tends to pull her hair out with the revelations that happen in a small space of time today.
For some reason, I can feel my heart thrashing in my rib cage threatening to give me a heart attack.
Is the fate laughing at me?
Probably…
*
That night, Kenneth calls. He’s a close friend of mine from the past. I cannot help but spills everything that happens today, and he listens attentively, giving me a mm sound now and then to let me know that he’s still there.
“Don’t you think that requires celebration, Liv?” he suggests, finally speaking.
I frown. “I haven’t accepted his offer yet.”
“Yet.” He’s quick to point out.
I chew on my bottom lip in thought. “But he’s my neighbor.”
I can just imagine him shrugging that is just how he is.
“I don’t see what’s wrong in that, Liv. Also, you already said that you'd see him around. That practically means that you accepted his offer.”
I pout. “I hate it when you talk with reasons, Ken.”
He laughs a deep rumble that makes me smile myself. “Is that a bad thing?”
“Yes!” I half sulk.
His warm chuckle has me smiling bigger despite myself.
“I’ll drop by, let’s toast, Livvy. Be there within ten, okay?”
Although there is nothing to celebrate about, I agree to see him.
Kenneth is a brother I never have. He tucks me in his arms comfortingly making me feel warm and protected under his strong arms. He’s been my consulor throughout the roller coaster that is my college life. He understands me unlike no other. Sometimes it feels like he’s been more of a friend than Hannah and Jen have been most of the time. But I can’t put the blame on them.
I have never been there for them as much as I should have been…
I am sn
apped back to reality at a loud knocking on my door, my heart pounding.
Ken’s voice rises above the loud beating of my heart only remembering that he’ll be coming by.
I tiptoe my way to the door, barefoot and already in my pyjamas. My hair is tied up in a messy bun which I have done earlier when I wash my face.
I open the door to a grinning, boyish face of Kenneth. He’s wearing a long sleeve check and some denim jeans, holding up a promised bottle of wine.
“May I come in?”
I step to the side, leaving a wider space for him to enter. It’s not like this is his first time in my apartment. He helps me move in using his pick-up truck to drop off my things here.
“Your place looking cozy, Liv.” He observes looking around my tiny place.
I follow after him, stopping by the kitchen or what I can say close to having a kitchen and get two wine glasses in the cupboard.
I set the glasses on the coffee table, taking a seat on a loveseat opposite him.
“I try my best. And the house already has its character to it right before I move in.”
I make myself comfortable, raising my feet up on the loveseat and tucking it in.
He looks at me, studying me with those soft brown eyes.
“I miss you, Liv. I miss us hanging out together as we use to in college.” His voice is low; I can barely hear it.
Kenneth and I are almost a couple. We try dating but it only lasts for two weeks before we realize that we’re not looking for a relationship at that moment but we develop a friendship along the way. However, there’s time when he acts like he wants us to be something more than I can offer. To me, he’s always been a brother I never have.
He reaches for the wine and pours us both. “I know I said that I would come here to celebrate not ruin your night.” He laughs, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
He hands me over my glass of wine, and together we toast.
“Cheers to your new and well-deserved job, Liv.” He raises his glass making an inkling sound when it meets mine.
Despite an awkward start, we fall back into our old habit when we’re together. We catch up on a lot of things, actually laughing warmly and remembering the funny moments back in college.
“Remember that athlete night where Tracey and her minions make a fool out of themselves?” he hoots, making me smile in memory.
It’s not a pleasant memory. That night I am doing a community service as a part of my scholarship when Tracey, the leader of cheerleading squad and my cousin bolts into the bathroom apparently wasted. Her mascara’s running and her hair in disarray.
When she spots me, she drunkenly makes her towards me mumbling incoherent words. But one sticks the most. “You have a habit of stealing people, don’t you?” the words were said with so much bitterness and loathing in those hazel eyes.
Before I can say anything, Kenneth bolts in. Never mind that it’s a girls’ bathroom, he tries to pull Tracey with him, but she flails away from him. By doing so, she stumbles on her feet and falls on her butt. Her group of friends try to help her but ends up making a fool of themselves as well. They’re all drunk plus the floor is a little slippery since I just map it.
The sight is not lovely but because they are all groaning, but somehow, they look so funny. The next morning Tracey can’t look me in the eyes.
“That is not funny at all, Kenneth.” I shake my head, taking a sip of my wine.
“That’s because you’re a goody good shoes. You never like hurting anybody even when they are mean to you.”
I savour the tangy sweetness of the wine, knowing for a fact that this is not those cheap ones.
“I prefer justice over goody good shoes, Ken.” I am quick to point out.
“That I agree.”
It’s not long before he leaves. We hug and says our good nights, and then he’s rolling out of the driveway. He gives a beep before he completely drives off. I watch as his car fades in the distance before I come inside.
It’s always nice to see him. We may never be a thing, but we have more than being a couple. I prefer our friendship than despising each other for a relationship that never works out.
Chapter Four
Luke
There’s so much to deal with and so little time to find the solution to fix them.
All my life, all I’ve ever known is to take over the company. To be a perfect son who will continue the long line legacy of Hemmington group forgetting that I’m merely a boy who wants to enjoy being a kid. To have a proper childhood instead of business deals for a birthday party.
At seven my father instils on my mind that I have a significant role to play. I'm not supposed to hang out with my friends but sit the long hours of seminars after seminars. My father will take me with him with his business dealings, being so clear to behave myself and to act properly.
I am never able to play outside but wistfully watch the other kids laugh as they play and wish that I can do the same.
My mother died, leaving me under a care of a nanny who ends up my father’s new wife. My mom has cast aside as if she never exists at all, leaving me to grieve on my own trying to hold onto her memory and her warm smiles.
I will never forget every night when I will hear her cry because of my bastard of a father. In the end, a beautiful rose that she is wider under the shadow of my dad. Her bright blue eyes turn into a filmy grey that stares out into nothingness until her body finally gives in.
The heroic image that my mother tries to build in my little head crash into a large man I hate the most. I grow up loathing him, doing everything he doesn’t like. I swear to myself that I will never be anything like him. But no matter how much I try I keep finding myself coming back to the same old road I want to get away from.
I never want to be the next chairman of this company, but I have no choice. I keep finding myself everything I despise.
The throbbing behind my eyes intensify as the soft knocking interrupts my bleak thoughts
A low growl rumbles deep in my throat.
A woman with blond head pops her head in without my consent. “Sir, shall I send in the papers?”
I grumble, “Send them in.”
*
Olivia
I make it a point to be on time the next day. I greet everyone I see with a bright smile on my face. However, the moment I come to work, I know right away that there’s something wrong. It’s the way every employee is up on their toes looking skittish.
Lorina looks worries herself which tells me that this is something serious.
Not noticing me approaching, I say her name softly as not to surprise her. She regards me with worried searching eyes, clasping my hands.
“I suggest you not to go in there yet dear. He’s in a foul mood.”
I am about to ask who when I hear his soaring voice and scurrying footsteps to his office.
His voice bellows like a thunder storm that he is right now. “Why is everyone giving me a wrong information!”
The poor girl cringe, picking up the papers on the floor and is quick to get out of sight. I see her sniffling, her eyes shining with tears. I immediately feel for her, seeing myself on her back when I am a college student. Only the difference is I have a backbone.
As if noticing the defiance in my eyes, Lorina says, “Do not intensify the fire, Olivia. He’s not fit to deal with anyone with his mood right now. His father got sent to the hospital early this morning.”
My rising irritation mellows down, suddenly wanting to reach for him and comfort him.
Coming from an experience, one will rather hold on to anger than to deal with the gnawing pain in your heart. When my parents died, I feel like the whole world stops, there’s nothing to hold on to but the sinking feeling of the unknown.
Still, that doesn’t give him the exception to be acting like a pompous ass. He can instruct his employee accurately than biting their heads off.
“Where in the devil is she!” he bellows.
Lorina looks at m
e with worry in those eyes. “I’ll understand if you don’t want to go in there, dear.”
Despite her reassurance or the thundering of my heart, I hold my ground. “No, I’ll be okay. Today’s my first day of work, that is if he’ll hire me still.”
I don’t want to think further that Kenneth and I make an early celebration when my spot in the company isn’t sure yet. Instead, I reassure Lorina that I’ll manage.
