Love Me And Nothing More

"Oh, my Gosh! I am so laaate!"

Julia was desperate. She spent the night studying and lost track of time. Now, she is late for her job interview. Not just any job, it is the chance of a lifetime! The best company in area, Crane's Designs, is looking for a new interior design.

They are accepting newly graduated people. The only requirement is the best grades during College and new designs, all originals there is a test of course.

She was confident!

"Jack, I have to go, remember take your medication at nine, okay? I won't be back here on time so, be responsible got it? "

Pray for me because this job will save us!

Jack said nothing, only hugged her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He loved his sister and knew she was doing her best. She finally left and looked at her watch, she had thirty minutes to be there! She calls for a cab and asks the driver to go as fast as he can.

It's a life matter!

"Here, thanks!" , she says, opening the door to leave the car.

"Good luck, miss!!"

The driver said. He knew that for someone to be this desperate, it must be a job interview. She was so focused on making it on time that she didn't see the man in front of her.

A loud THUD! was heard when her butt hit the floor and damn that hurt like hell to.

She was about to cuss the man out, but when she looked up, she saw the most beautiful pair of green eyes she had ever seen. He was perfect. Strong jaw line, straight nose, just a bit plump lips, very masculine, broad shoulders. She couldn't help herself but to stare.

"Are you done, would you like a picture it lasts longer!" The man said with an ice-cold tone.

He couldn't believe that a thing like that could ever happen to him.

A woman throwing herself at him, during the day, how shameless!

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to stare or even bump into you I am just in a hurry." She said as she stood up, straighten her clothes she also blushing from embarrassment.

"She will probably ask for my number or say it must be fate," he thought to himself. They always do. This woman was kind of beautiful, but nothing impressive or enough to tempt him, she has chestnut hair, gray eyes, porcelain fair skin and is too pale for his taste.

"Excuse me, may I please get by, and again I am sorry for bumping into you."

She said as she was entering the build, while he was lost in his thoughts.

She left him without asking for anything but forgiveness. That was new! Interesting.

Julia asked the receptionist where the interview would take place. The woman, a middle aged one, with a sweet smile, told her it was the 24th floor. The elevator took forever to arrive. She was almost going by the stairs. Once she got there, she bumped into someone coming out of the other elevator.

"Ouch! Sorry!"

"So, was that mistake again?"

Oh, no. That voice. The mysterious handsome!

"I am really sorry; I can't talk now I am running late." She said to him.

"Look where you are going, I won't accept an apology for a third time!" He yelled at.

She knew he was being serious by the tone in his voice and death stare he was giving her. But she had no time!

"I will!" she yelled back to him

Five minutes, she had five more minutes until her 9:00 A.M. interview.

"Hi! I am here for the Junior Assistant Design interview!" She said .

A blond woman sitting by the desk looked at her, like she was a bug.

"Your late."

"No, My interview is at 9:00 A.M."

"Well, you should have been here 15 minutes before. So, you are late."

"Ma'am please, I am responsible, and I need this job."

"Sorry, can't help you with that."

With this, she got back to mind her business and left Julia looking blankly.

She lost it. She closed her eyes and breathed.

"Hey, I am talking to you!"

The woman was snapping her fingers in front of Julia, who snapped out of her daze.

"You can go in." She told Julia.

Oh, my! Bless him!! Julia said to herself and smiled as she went into the CEO's office.

She knocked.

"Come in!", was heard from the other side of the door. She walked in.

"Thank you, sir. I..."

When she looked ahead, her eyes almost fell out.

Him! she said to herself.

"Hello, Ms. Jones. Here we meet again."

His smirk would be the death of her for sure!

Julia walked until she reached the chair in front of his desk. Her legs were shaking.

"Did you bring your portfolio with you? If so, leave it on my desk, have a seat and tell me a little more about yourself and why you're the best candidate for position."

She took a seat, placed her folders in front of him.

"Well, my name is Julia Jones, I am 23 years old, I graduated with a degree in interior design from Harvard. I was on an academic scholarship. You will find my transcripts inside my portfolio, that I gave to you, sir, as you can see my grades were always exemplary, I also did my internship with the top company in the United States."

"Why did you come back? Did none of those companies offer a full-time position."

"They actually did. Apple offered me a very competitive position, but I had to turn it down because my brother has is currently undergoing medical treatment and can't not relocate. My father, just recently passed away am the only family I had to return home to take care of him."

The room became silent for a few moments, August pondered this decision, this young lady has an amazing portfolio, and she has the highest GPA in her graduation class. I will make her an offer that she can't decline.

She was the perfect person to get married to for a year and then we would divorce, and I would make sure that she was financially taken care of for the rest of her life. He was thinking to himself before he asked Julia.

"So, Ms. Jones, you need financial help, aren't you?"

"Yes. This job is going to help me take care of my brother and pay for the rest of our bills to survive."

"But, if I am not mistaken, the Jones family is not poor. Since your father is not here anymore, you and your brother should be safe with the inheritance he left."

"Actually, sir, he left everything to my stepmother and her daughter." He frowned.

How could a father do that? This girl does not seem to be a bad and rebellious daughter to be left with nothing. And his son is sick. Something was off. He would find out.

"And since your curriculum is great and you need the job, you could be hired. Why would I hire you, Ms. Jones?"

She looked at him, confused. What does this man want from her?

"What do you mean, sir?"

"August. You can call me August."

She looked away, embarrassed. Calling someone by their first name is very inappropriate, once that person is your probably future boss.

"I want you to tell me what you can offer me that is better than the others."

He was looking intensely at her. It is not possible that she did not understand what he meant. Any woman would catch the opportunity to throw herself at the rich boss.

"I don't know if I am better than the others. Never considered me better than anyone like this. But I can assure you I am responsible, hardworking, and fast learning..."

"And?"

She was dumbfounded. What must she have to be accepted here?

"Sir, I really don't understand what you expect from me. I am polite and easy going..."

Ok, she is not getting it. Maybe it is good. She is not interested in him.

"Scoff"

How not? Maybe she is into girls...He was not listening to her blabbering.

"Miss Jones. Enough. Maybe we can talk more tomorrow, don't you think?"

She stopped talking and looked at him as if he had two heads. Tomorrow? If she came tomorrow...

"Are you hiring me?"

He smirked.

"Smart girl."

Her eyes got bigger, and she started to smile as if she got the numbers in the lottery. He thought she looked kind of cute.

"Yes, Ms. Jones. Now, please, be here at 7a.m. Do not be late, am I clear?"

"Yes, sir!"

"What? Sir?"

She took a few seconds to remember.

"August. I won't be late, August." He liked the way she pronounced his name. Sexy, almost. He nodded his head to her and got back to his work.

She understood and went to the HR department. Next day will be a great day!

Next day arrived and Julia woke up before sunrise. She was so happy! Finally, she was hired! Her brother would have a good treatment, since the salary offered was really good.

"Hey, sis! Made you breakfast. It is your first day and I am so very proud of you! Mom and Dad would be, as well. I know it."

They hardly spoke about their parents because the pain was too much.

"Thank you. But I don't think dad would care. If he did care for us, he would not have left us with nothing more than the clothes we were wearing. I miss mom, she was so good..."

"Hey, don't cry! I am so sorry! Come on", he wiped her tears, "eat and go to work. Today is the start of a new life for us."

She smiled and nodded. He was right. Everything would change. And they did not need a penny from anyone.

She arrived at work 15 minutes to 08am. Her mood was perfect, until she saw a blond hair, very familiar. Laura, she was sure of this. But why? She decided to go straight to her level, not bothering to look in the direction her "half-sister" was in. The elevator was taking forever!

"Come on! She will see me!", was all she could think about. Finally, it arrived. She entered as fast as she could. It was crowded in no time. When she arrived at her level, she got off and went to the same secretary she spoke to last time.

"Hi!! Good morning! I am Julia, Julia Jones."

"Yeah, I know. Be welcome, Julia. I will show you your office. Follow me."

The blond woman spoke in a very unnatural way. Obviously, she was not really welcoming Julia. She opened the door of the room and waited for Julia to enter.

"Everything you need to work is on the computer and by the desk. I'll inform your superior that you arrived. She will give you more instructions."

Before the woman could go, Julia asked her name.

"It is Amanda." She said without looking back and stopped before the door was closed. "Be here on time. You were almost late. The Boss doesn't like it. It is advice I give you."

Julia felt a shrug. Amanda was very unpleasant. But, at least, I gave her some advice, right? Maybe she was just too serious about her job. Smiling, Julia walked to her desk and sat. She was so happy! The computer was already turned on, so she just had to search for the folds and learn more about what she needed to know about her work there.

A knock on the door came and she answered with a "Come in".

"Good morning, Ms. Jones."

The Boss. But he was not her direct superior, so she was a bit confused. She got up, of course.

"Good morning, Mr. Crane."

He gave a few steps ahead.

"Is this office of your liking?" She looked at him as if she didn't understand what he just said. She frowned at this.

"Yes, sure, Mr. Crane. It is perfect."

He was looking at her. Like, really looking at her. All of her.

"Have Daniel Schmidt spoken to you, already?", he asked.

"No, Mr. Crane. Besides you, sir, I only spoke with Amanda when she showed me the office. She said my superior was coming to talk to me, soon. I was waiting."

"I see... Well, be welcome." With that, he just turned around and left.

"People here are a bit crazy. Weirdos". She was thinking this when another knock came.

Before she could say anything, a tall man came in. He had a beautiful smile, nice brown eyes, and short dark hair.

"Julia?", the man asked.

"Yes, you must be Mr. Schmidt, right?"

"Yes!" He held out his hand to shake hers. He was pleasant. "Be welcome. I will send you by email every work we need to get done, okay? Every detail. So, always take a look at it. I'll give you my number, in case you have any doubt and can't wait for a message. Just call me. Any time."

His eyes were sparkling. She thought he was really good looking, and a nice person. At least for now.

"Thank you, sir. I can't wait to start working."

He smiled again.

"I will get going. My office is the third door to your right, when you look at your door. See you later"

When he was gone, she sent a message to her brother, saying how things were going. In no time, an email arrived. Work.

She spent the whole day working. During lunch time, she went to the cafeteria and came back pretty quickly. She wanted to be done with as much work as she could. She was so into her designs that time flew, and it was already time to leave. When she was closing her door, a message came into her phone. An unknown number.

"Come to my office, Mr. Jones". It was not Daniel's number, so, was it Mr. Crane?

"Mr. Crane?", she sent a message in return.

"Yes. Come." She thought it was strange, since he was not the one giving her work to do, at least, shouldn't be. But he was The Boss and she had to see what he did want. Since she had been there for the interview before, she knew how to arrive at his office.

Amanda was not there anymore. Actually, the floor seemed empty. Was it that late? Knocking on his door, the answer came quickly, for her to go in. She entered slowly, a bit apprehensive, since it was already time for her to leave and her brother was waiting for her. She only sent him a message asking for him to wait a bit longer.

"Yes, Mr. Crane?"

He was sitting, looking at the window behind his desk. He turned around.

"Sit", he commanded.

She walked to the chair before the desk and took a seat. He never looked away from her.

"Miss Jones, are you married?"

"Ah, no, Mr. Crane." She was feeling awkward. Why would he ask this? And, anyway, it was in her files at the HR, for sure.

"What do you think of marriage?" He was serious.

"Well, it has to happen when two people feel like it, if, they are sure."

"Is love a necessary thing?"

She paused for a moment to think.

"More than love, respect. If there is no love, but respect, two people can be happy."

"And what if one loves another person, outside of marriage?"

"In this loveless marriage?"

"Yes."

"Talking is absolutely necessary. If the other person does not agree, then, there are two options: divorce or give up on this love. Betrayal is inadmissible."

He was looking at her.

"Thanks, Ms. Jones. Our talk was very instructive. You may leave."

She was caught by surprise. As he was back at reading his paperwork, he looked at her again, with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, ok. Thanks. I am going now." She got up, gathered her things, and left.

Before she went home, she decided to buy something nice for her brother. He was a very good boy and everything she had in this life. They had to celebrate this first day.

"Hey, bro!!! Look what I have here!!"

Jack ran to her as if his life depended on it. He knew her. It was something he could eat; he was sure of it. And 100% right about it.

"So, do you like it?" she asked.

No answer needed. His eyes were sparkling.

"Of course, sister!! Ju, you are the best. I just love ice cream, this cookie one is my favorite. Thank you!! I am so happy! If you bought it, that means your day at work was very good and we can start a new life, right?"

She was smiling, finally feeling happiness after a very long time of sorrow.

"Yes, Jack. Our life is going to change, at last. Aaah, put your ice cream in the freezer. You can eat after dinner, sir."

He nodded and did as she said. They chatted a bit while she was preparing pasta.

"How are the people there? Did they treat you all right?", Jack asked.

"Yeah. My boss is Mr. Schmidt. He was very polite and agreeable. And my boss's boss is weird but did not treat me badly. Just the girl, the receptionist, is a bit rude and thinks too highly of herself."

He wrinkled his nose.

"Don't like her already."

"Hahahaha. Me too!" They both laughed.

After dinner, Jack had his ice cream, while Julie washed the dishes. She said goodnight and went to take a shower before going to bed. When she laid down, she took her phone to charge it and then, she saw two missed calls from Mr. Crane. Oh, crap! She called back and when she was going to give up, he attended.

"Finally, you decided to look at your phone, Ms. Jones. If a very important work depended on it, we would have lost it, right?"

She swallowed hard and answered, with her mouth feeling like it was Saara.

"I am very sorry. I got home and was entangled with my housework. What can I do to help you, Mr. Crane?" There was a pause, but she heard him sight twice before he spoke.

"Tomorrow you will wait for me to leave. I have something important to discuss with you. At 7p.m. I will be finished, so be you, do you understand?" His tone was serious, and she said a very weak yes.

He said goodnight and hung up. What was it now?

She slept after a few minutes, dreaming of her parents and her work.

Julie couldn't sleep well. Her dreams kept her awake all the time. When she wanted to sleep for good, the alarm clock screamed for her to wake up. She did, of course, and her head was aching.

"Morning, Sis! Here, breakfast" Jack was trying to be useful, since his sister was working more for him than for herself. In the 18 years of his existence, he has always felt like "trouble" should be his real name. His mother died giving birth to him and his sister got the burden of raising him.

"Good morning. Thanks for the breakfast. Could you give me something for a headache? I didn't sleep well."

He just nodded and gave her the medication. She took it with her orange juice and, after eating a slice of bread, got her stuff, gave Jack a kiss and headed to work.

Traffic was fine, and she was thankful for that. She was praying that this medication started kick in pretty soon, because every step she took was like a hammer right into her head.

She greeted people good morning and went to her desk. When she opened the email, it was full. Mr. Schmidt congratulated her for yesterday's work, and, since she was so good working, he felt like he could rely on her to do a bit more. By lunch time, her head was feeling better, but not 100%.

When she was going to the cafeteria to eat something, she bumped into someone.

"Oh, I am so sorry..."

"Again. All that is to touch me?"

Mr. Crane. Oh, shit! Why always him? Wait, touch him? He thought she was using this as an excuse to touch him??

"Sir, It was not my intention. I really was not looking ahead, so I didn't even know it was you, until you spoke something."

She was looking at him very seriously, hands on her hips.

"Then, you admit you were not looking where you were going. As always. Anyways, you are in the wrong, Ms. Jones. I think we should have a little chat about it. My office. Now." He went straight to his office, while she was feeling uneasy all of a sudden. Was he going to fire her? It was just her second day! Oh, no. She followed him, before he said anything.

"Close the door." He ordered. She did as he said "Sit." His face was unreadable.

Seriously. She was so afraid. She decided to start talking, apologizing.

"Mr. Crane, I am so sorry. I swear, I was not doing that on purpose, I mean, bumping into you to touch you. And not looking to where I was going just to bump into you. I woke up with a terrible headache today, so..."

"I didn't ask you this, did I, now? And what did I tell you about how you should address me?" He interrupted her.

She stopped talking. He was looking directly into her eyes. Then, he lowered his sight to her

bust, her legs and, finally, back at her eyes. She was feeling like she was naked in front of

him. How rude of him!

"I am sorry, August", she apologized. His lips twitched upwards slightly, without her noticing.

"You say that too much for my taste. Now, tell me, Ms. Jones, would you marry without love? And not only that, but, with no hopes for love, at all. In fact, love would be one of the causes for a divorce. Would you do that?" First she thought she heard it wrong and that he was joking, but when looking at his face, she knew he was being genuine.

She was confused. What kind of question was that? She just bumped into him. What does one

thing have to do with the other?

"Ah, why would I do that? No one would marry with this kind of condition." Was all she could say.

"At all? No exceptions?" His face darkened.

"I know some people marry without love, only for convenience. But after losing so much, all I

have left is marrying for love. If I do marry, it is. I have a sick brother that depends on me. The

man with whom I may marry in the future must know and accept that I am not leaving him, no matter what. A man who doesn't love me won't accept it, I think."

He was silent for a few moments, and she was extremely uncomfortable. This conversation was so weird.

"And your brother would stay by your side, always?" August inquired.

"Of course. That is what I just said." She answered without a doubt. " He is sick, I am the only one taking care of him. How could I abandon him?"

"What is his sickness?" He already knew it. He always did research about all his employees.

"Cardiac insufficiency. His birth was not extremely easy, mother died in the process. He

has always been very weak, fragile. His blood pressure was always high, but I am no doctor and my father didn't think it was too serious, until, when he was ten, we found out his heart was not particularly good. I have been working as much as I can, since I was sixteen, to help with

his medications." She said, a bit sad.

"And your father? Why wasn't him paying for his medications?" August asked, already not liking the man.

"He never let go of the fact that my mother died. He blamed my brother. He only did what he was obligated, by law, to do. It is, give food and shelter. He never gave any affection. And his new wife never helped much in this matter. On the other hand, his wife's daughter was precious to him. And since I was by my brother's side, it was like I was the enemy." Julie was almost crying, now.

"Interesting." August said, looking at his fingers, but suddenly looked at Julie. " Go have your lunch and get back to work. Your brother needs it."

She took a few seconds to understand the dismissive. She stopped by the door when he spoke to remind her to wait for him after work. She nodded and left.

"Hey, Julie. I received your last designs, and I am incredibly happy with them! You really

have talent, and I can see we are going to accomplish many projects together." Mr.

Schmidt said, while she was eating. He did not sit with her but passed by smiling. She was

satisfied with eating alone.

Her "chat" with Mr. Crane was making her think why would he ask all that. On the other side of the room, Amanda was looking as if she could kill Julie. She was working there for a while and Mr. Crane never, ever, gave her any time of his day. Now, this girl comes in and is trying to climb into his bed, like a little slut! And the worst is that he seems to be accepting it!

Julie did not see Amanda at all. When she finished eating, she went to her office to finish her work. She needed to show that she was efficient and that her work was excellent, once her brother needed medication, and only by working she would be able to buy it.

Amanda followed her with her eyes until Julie could no longer be seen.

At 6:00 p.m., Julie was waiting for August. Yes, August. She had to remember he asked her to call him like this. Very strange. But, he was the boss and it was not something immoral, after all.

"At least, you are punctual. Let's go." She followed behind him, saying nothing.

Where are we going? Once she saw him entering the car, she was dumbfounded. He asked her to wait for him so she would accompany him to his car?

"Are you going to stay there? Our reservation is awaiting. Get in the car. Now!" He was with very little patience.

She had no time to think. He didn't have to scream, as if she were stupid. He was the one

acting weird, in the end!

"Where are we going?" She finally asked him, while fastening the seatbelts.

"You will see. We have something especially important to discuss, Ms. Jones. Especially important, indeed."

She was about to ask what it was, but he started the car and hit the accelerator. Shit. She

hated high speed.

"Are you afraid? Don't worry. My driving skills are perfect." He said it with a smirk on his face, without looking away from the road. But the torture did not last long, since he was so fast, they arrived in no time at their destination. "Here we are, my lady."

"Thank God!", she whispered to herself.

He got out of the car and opened the door for her, offering his hand. As she was only looking from his hand to his face, he got impatient.

"Are you going to get out or not? Is my hand unworthy of yours?"

"What? No, of course not" She got his hand. " I was surprised. No one has ever..." She stopped talking when she saw his eyebrows arched.

"No one has ever, what, Ms. Jones?" he asked.

"Be kind. Well, except for my mother." He moved his hand, as if asking her to take it at all. And she did. The warmth she felt was electrical. Their eyes met, because he felt the same, but kept a neutral face.

"Come. We have to discuss something, and it is an especially important matter to me. And, I think, for you too." He said, with a pleasant face.

"Okay. Let's go in." She replied.

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