Chapter 4 Congratulations For The Job

Lacey's POV:

When I'm on the last page to sign, I stare at it for a few moments with the pen in my right hand. My blood is with a racing speed through my veins. I sign it with dad before my mind's eyes. I push the contract on the desk and place the pen next to it. "Finished." We have another lock of stares, a vibrant one, and he smiles and takes it. Yeah.... Good for you to have money. I'm with the loser tag on my forehead though I'm older than you. I know I have a hateful stare and grimace at him as he has just chuckled.

"Congratulations for the job, Miss Holtrey. Tomorrow is your official first day. Wait outside for the driver to take you to your place and then to mine. He'll assist you all the way and we'll talk later. Your piece of the contract I'll bring it to you tonight after it will be legalized. Take the credit card and use it. Have it with you all the time. I might ask you to purchase things out of the blue." I don't need it. Fine. All this has tired me, and I want out of here for as long as I'm still a free bird. Until tomorrow....

"Thank you, Mr. Markle. I won't use the credit card, but I'll keep it for your needs. Have a good day." I stand up, nod at him and walk out to wait for the driver without looking back. Yeah, he's half amused, half lustful in stare. Trust me, I know how to differentiate. I'm frozen on emotions.

In about fifteen minutes, a hunky guy, looking like a Manager something by the way he's dressed, comes to me while I'm reading some emails on my phone in the waiting room. He introduces himself as Kurt Bingley and tells me to follow him as he's going to drive me where I need to and then to take me to boss's place as discussed. And without further ado, I stand up and follow him, in my usual business walk and stance. It's normality for me. Well, used to be....

We go to my apartment which is at an hour from the company. I grab a suitcase and throw it on the bed. My brain is on explosions to do this. My apartment is like a penthouse. The only valuable I have left. Family house sold. My Mercedes sports car sold. Everything sold. For my dad's treatments to have him with me until now.

This apartment was purchased without a loan. I had the money for it. I paid half a million for it seven years ago. I can easily sell it for 300k, but I've got a mortgage on it for last year's treatments without my dad's knowledge. He said he curses me if I sell this apartment, too. He blames himself for eating my life and he doesn't want me to lose more than I already did. He was against me halting my business and everything to take care of him like I did. But I regret nothing. I don't have to meet with only his picture.... I'm able to meet him in person. That has no price. Life and your loved ones are priceless, and no sacrifice seems unworthy. I love my dad....

I'm with tears snaking down my cheeks and I randomly fetch clothes, shoes, and whatever I put my hand on, and throw them in the suitcase. My heart is crushing my ribcage. I feel worthless and unable to make money in other ways. I've lost contact with many important people as I acted like a hermit with society to be with my dad. I can't make calls and ask for renewal of services or something. It's been four years for crying out loud.

The only friend I have left, Brenda Grilock, sent me to today's interview. She found it and encouraged me to go as her boyfriend is a director there. He's a big name one. Older than her.... She's my age and he's fifty-one. She told him I'm her cousin, which I'm not, and that I need a well-paid job like yesterday. He found out about this job and gave her the details for me to apply my resume. I told her that he mustn't intervene for me. I'm always a person who relies on herself to achieve things.

I never like to play dirty and I never do. Even as a CEO, if someone would recommend me an employee, I gave fair chances and never considered the person related to her or him. I value fair play. If you deserve it, you deserve it. I don't care who your daddy or mommy is. I care what's in front of me. If I see you are a fit, then you are hired. Yeah, well, all this at past tense. I'm not a CEO anymore.... I'm a fucking assistant now....

Brenda is my best friend since teens, so we basically know everything about each other. She's a babe in her all, but awfully nagging that I don't have a personal life and that the biological clock is ticking. I don't give a damn on my biological clock. Let it suffocate for what I care.

I zip my suitcase and cast a last look in my apartment. I'm going to have Brenda sell you to pay the mortgage and overdue bills. Yeah.... I so loved this apartment.... I wipe my tears with the back of my hand and man up, inhaling and exhaling, clearing my throat and swallowing the next wave of tears. Luckily, I don't wear makeup. I would look like a horror painting at face with my tears.... Ha-ha!

Let's go and move in the hunter's cave of a prison. I won't be able to see dad daily and that hurts me.... I'll call him later to discuss with him. I can't have a face to face talk with him now. He'll get upset for what I'm doing again.... But he'll be glad I'm back to working again, and in his opinion resuming my life....