Chapter 2 Estranged by everyone

Chapter 2

Of all places that he could be, he was here. He was interviewing her for a job. Could fate be any more wicked?

Her weight began to shift as she tried to maintain her posture before she was allowed to have a sit to begin the interview.

She swallowed hard and sat where they motioned to.

Karen's heart pounded in her ribcage. She knew he would turn out successful, but she hadn't expected that he would be here- at the very company she put on the list as her last hope.

The man to Lucas's left, a senior executive, cleared his throat.

"Ms. Spencer, I must say your background in fashion management is commendable. However, we've had some issues concerning your past records."

Karen tried her best to sit in a place as her legs quivered at Lucas's intense deadly stare.

"I understand, I can explain and address whatever issues you and everyone else may have"

A lady with sharp eyes leaned forward,

"Your previous company blacklisted you for some bizarre management ideas that did not follow their set principles. There were incriminating evidence against your drafts. Can you explain?

Karen exhaled, blanking out every other disturbing thought and blacking out Lucas from her head.

"There were misunderstandings that led to my resignation and the write off of my work as against policies. However, my work speaks for itself. I increased the company's brand engagement by 60% within two years and oversaw multiple successful campaigns. My skills and experience are still the same over the years"

The panel exchanged looks.

Lucas finally spoke, his voice cold, indifferent.

"Misunderstandings?" he leaned back, his fingers lightly drummed idly against the table.

"That's one way to say it."

Karen's fingers clutched tightly around her folder. His voice still had the power to unnerve her. However, she would not let him see it.

One of the executives passed resonating glances at Lucas

"He is right, you barely have been employed for the past two years because of this record and one more. If I may say, you surely have a unique record of sleeping around and mixing business with pleasure" he hissed maliciously as the other executives murmured

Karen's courage began to falter as her heartbeat drummed against her ears. This was really the end for her.

The third executive by the left interrupted, his eyes frequently landing on Karen's drowning figure.

"These were rumors we heard, and if I'm to say, her record speaks for her. The other competitive company we've had our issues with were her previous employees. They kept moving, leaving us in desperation for a long. We've finally found the brain behind that evidence we all experienced"

Lucas stared coldly at the latter, his gaze cutting him short

"Don't you have any questions sir"

The sharp eyed lady inquired, her eyes scanning his face.

"I have nothing to ask. Leave" his voice boomed crashing Karen's hopes down the drain. Her heart sank as she stood to leave.

Her palms sweaty than before, remembering she would have no other choice again.

She left the house without anyone's notice but now she would be going back in official clothes and a file without a job. Her father would be present and her heartless stepmom and sister would also be present.

Everything had already gone down the drain.

As she left the premises, malicious eyes followed her. She walked down from the sidewalk, her eyes dropped.

Why did fate have to destroy her last ray of hope?

She knew nothing would work after setting eyes on him. He certainly had control over the company because all the executives asked their questions in awe of him.

The sun brimmed through her skin, initiating trickles of sweat by her side as she wearily found her way back home.

As she stepped back into the street, she let out a sigh.

Where else?

The thought of returning to her father's house, without a job and defeated once more, made her stomach twist in anger and regret.

Once she arrived at the familiar residence, she slowed her steps, her heart racing. She knew what was about to happen once she stepped into the house.

As she pushed against the door, the room smelt of the intense perfume her Stepmom always wore.

It was rudely intoxicating and harsh.

Her stepmother, Ivy was sitting on the sofa right beside her stepfather, while her stepsister, Clara laid over the larger sofa. Her perfectly manicured fingers were clinging to her phone, tapping away as she giggled.

Karen's father was fixed on his journal, barely sparing her a glance. "Did you get a Job?"

"No, not yet." she said, her voice solid but still hinting at her uncertainty with how her father felt.

But as usual he sighed, he was disappointed just like before all of her former interviews.

"How many times will I tell you?" Ivy said, shaking her head.

"She will not end up with anything, no matter how many places she applies to. She's just too much and that's why they don't want her". Her eyes sized Karen, her face twisting in irritation

Karen clenched her fists. She was not going to get into another conversation with this woman again.

Ivy only knew to test her patience and make her look bad in front of her father.

"Dad, I tried my best, but no one wants me to work for them"

Laura scoffed, tossing her phone onto the end of the sofa

"Why would anyone want you, with your horrible record"

"What my record says is completely none of your business" Karen retorted, her eyes still focused on her father who remained visibly quiet.

"Oh yes it is, are you talking to this family's perfect child like that?" Ivy questioned as she sat up straight in anger.

Karen's eyes twitched as her eyes sized up the spoiled brat who pouted, feigning innocence and care.

"Mom, why don't you just marry her off to one of those rich old hags in her former company, maybe they'd give her a job for the price" Laura jested as she made blowing noises with the gum in her mouth

"Have you forgotten sweetheart, she was just too much, so she was fired" Ivy said in fake sympathy, her eyes squinting in obvious sympathy.

Laura giggled at the condescending words thrown to Karen.

Her eyes were thrown to Karen's figure, she did not like anything about her, especially how beautiful she was.

She was clearly fuming. Karen stood in the other corner, her eyes fixated on her Dad who seldom made any remarks.

Ivy and Laura were not her headache and if for anything, she despised them but never gave them the chance to get her attention.

"I'd always thought you would initially give up and run off somewhere" Ivy insisted with her hands crossed below her bulging chests as she stared hard at Karen

Karen's breath hitched, her stepmother's smirk deepening.

"That's enough," her father said, though his tone lacked any real reprimand.

He turned to Karen, his gaze heavy. "You have disgraced this family enough, Karen. I thought your mother's death would teach you a lesson but I guess you are still as dumb as she was."

Karen's eyes filled with hot tears, they were hanging ready to trace down her cheeks

"Be smart and figure something out." He said, throwing his eyes away from her back to his journal.

"I'm trying," Karen whispered, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Her father stood, tossing his journal away before grabbing his coat.

"Try harder." And with that, he left.

Ivy clicked her tongue.

"I don't know why you bother coming back here."

"I have no idea too" she murmured to herself turning towards the staircase as the tears fell down her face, leaving her eyes in a blurry state.

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