The CEO'S favorite

One more time and you're fired.

The last words my boss said to me the previous day play in my head repeatedly as I run around like a headless chicken.

'I arrived at work fifteen minutes after the expected time and I ended up running into my boss. The glare he sent me was enough for me to flinch. "How come you're late again, Aria?"

It was the same excuse, and even if he knew said excuse, he still wanted to see me squirm. "I had to drop-"

"I don't care." He interrupted and I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from retorting. I needed my job as it was what I lived on. What we both lived on. "You keep on coming in whenever you like and making silly excuses."

Since his voice was quite loud and we were in the reception, everyone around us heard him and I knew he wanted it so. He enjoyed embarrassing me. Fighting back the not-so-nice words threatening to escape my mouth, I settled on. "I'm sorry." I didn't promise him that it would be the last time because I'd be lying.

He looked at me from head to toe in a distasteful way, even if I knew he was actually checking me out. Subtly, for others, but not so for me. "One more time and you're fired."'

Struggling to put on my heels, as well as fix in my earrings, I manage to knock off a vase that shatters to the ground. Groaning, I throw the earrings in my bag and try putting on my shoes first.

I groan in irritation when I hear the annoying sound of my ringtone, just as I am about to sweep off the broken pieces on the floor.

On a normal day, it wouldn't be as annoying. I may have even let it ring for a while just to listen to my favorite song, but right now, it is just irritating. It just means someone wasting my time even more-I don't have a lot of that right now.

Checking the caller ID, I see it was Heather, my friend and colleague, and I pick up, greeting her with a sharp, "What?"

Heather snorts on the line, already knowing my predicament. "What your ass. I'm not the reason you're late. Speaking of, where are you?"

"I'm still at home, and you're keeping me here even more. Goodbye."

I am ready to hang up when I hear her call out for me to wait. "Don't forget to bring the black dress with you."

I hang up after that and even if I won't admit it to her, I did forget about it. Lending her my black dress is the least of my worries right now. I have a job to save. I don't know how hard it is to find a job because I'd been employed full-time from my interning there, and I'm not sure I want to find out anytime soon.

Quickly, I get back into my room and get out the folded dress I was planning on taking with me yesterday but forgot to this morning before going back to the living room to clean up my mess.

"Lucas! Are you ready?" I yell out and a muffled, 'one minute' reaches my ears as I quickly sweep off the pieces that had fallen on the floor, not wanting Lucas to step on any one of them. "Lucas!" I call out again when one minute has passed.

"One second!" His voice sounds through the door. I glance at my watch, hasten my steps, and throw his room door open.

"What the- what are you doing?" I ask, correcting myself at the last moment, not wanting him to pick up curse words at an early age. He has a habit of imitating me. He used to keep his ketchup on the side. Now, he pours it on his fries, just like me.

"Tying my shoes! I'm almost done."

With a huff, I squat in front of him, bringing his legs forward and deftly knotting the laces of his sneakers. "All done. Can we go now?" His sheepish look makes me narrow my eyes at him. I already know he has done something wrong. "What?" His eyes fleet onto his nightstand and my jaw clenches at the still full bowl of cereal that sits atop it.

'You have to be fucking kidding me.'

"Why haven't you eaten?" I ask in a tone that makes him gulp. He insisted on eating inside his room and in my haste to get things done, I allowed him.

"It's not my fault. I was packing my books!"

I take a much-needed deep breath and rub my forehead before staring at him. "Take the bowl with you. You're eating in the car." I barely see his jaw drop before I'm turning around and exiting his room, turning off the lights on my way. "Are you coming?"

I get my answer in the form of his little footsteps behind me and I breathe in relief when I finally lock the door of our apartment.

We are only on the second floor so we don't need to wait for the elevator. Instead, we take the stairs. I am tempted to take two steps at once, but then, I have to consider Lucas' short legs.

Just as I open the back door and place my bag in it, I hear Lucas speak. "Mom?"

"Yes, baby?"

"I think I forgot to put my homework in my bag."

I pause.

'Breathe in. Breathe out.'

I check my watch. It's only seven-forty-one. My work starts at eight. There is still time.

'Yeah, there's still time. Even if the drive to your son's school is fifteen minutes, and seven from his school to your workplace.'

Deciding I'd just drive past the speed limit and lie that I have an emergency if I get pulled over, I finally answer him. "Sit in the lobby and eat your cereal. Give me two minutes. I hope you're done by then."

Lucas throws his school bag into the car before I lock it and nods frantically at my deadly tone. He knows we were late, and he knows we are going to get even later because of him, so he cooperates.

I go back inside my apartment, fish out his assignment, and get back down in less than two minutes, grabbing two bottles of water on the way back. When I reach the lobby, he is done with his cereal and extends his hand for one bottle.

Shaking my head, I pass one to him and pray his cereal didn't get stuck somewhere with how fast he ate. I don't want anything bad happening to him.

Immediately I hand him the bottle, he stands up and we make out way outside, back to my car. I start the car as soon as we are buckled up and belt out of the parking lot.

"Mom! You're going too fast!"

Gritting my teeth, I slow down at the tone of his voice. He sounds afraid and I don't blame him for being scared of fast-driving cars. We don't have a nice experience from that after all.

I quickly push those thoughts to the back of my mind, not wanting to dwell on them this morning, especially not when I am driving. I don't want to get distracted and put my son in danger. He is all I have, and I can't afford to lose him.

I arrive at his school in twelve minutes even if I was hoping for ten. "Have a nice day, honey!" I call out as he leaves the car with his book bag and lunch.

"You too!" He calls out without looking back.

I smile at the sight. He is only seven yet he is already acting like he is too old for his mother's affection. My throat almost closes up at the thought. I wish I have my mother's affection. I watch until he safely gets inside the school building, then I check the time again.

7:57 am.

Shit. The drive to my place of work is even faster than the one to Lucas' school and a trip of seven minutes takes only four. I am honestly surprised I didn't get pulled over but grateful for it. That would've wasted my time even more.

Unfortunately for me, since I arrive late, all the parking spots close to the door are occupied, which means I have to drive around to the back and hope that there are still spots there. If there aren't, I'd have to park in the parking lot of the coffee shop, next to our building.

Finally, I find an empty spot that is at the back of the building, and I quickly maneuver through the many already packed cars. I unbuckle my seatbelt, grab my bag, and exit the car. Then, I start speed walking.

I don't care that people are giving me weirded-out looks, because it is necessary if I don't want to get fired. Only looking for a spot had taken three extra minutes. Walking, however, will take more.

At a point, I start running and when I reach the front doors, I am out of breath. I stand there, allowing myself to catch my breath when I hear the familiar ding of my phone.

I bring out the device, eyes widening when I see the words written on my screen. They are words I'm dreading. The same words I was trying to avoid by breaking the speed limit, but I guess I didn't go fast enough.

'Don't bother coming in. You're fired.'

I blink once, twice, repeatedly just to make sure I am seeing right. I am. I lift my head and when I do, I lock eyes with the one person I simultaneously want to see the most and not see at all. My boss.

I'm a hundred percent sure my face portrays my disbelief as I push open the doors and walk into the building. Does he despise me that much? Firing me when he could see that I was only outside the glass doors.

I'm pretty sure he did it just because he's trying to get rid of me. That, or it was just a power play. I can't tell with him.

Shawn, my boss-ex-boss actually, what a fucking joke-expels a sigh at my arrival and speaks before I even get the chance to get a word out. "You got my text, didn't you? Why are you in here?"

I don't know whether to scream at him or plead with him, but then I think about Lucas and how hard it'll be to find a new job in record time. It's not like we'll suddenly go broke if I don't get my paycheck this month, but I don't want to have to start chirping at my savings bit by bit. It's stored away for Lucas' education.

"I'm sorry. Please, let me explain." I plead, even if I don't like that idea. He spares me a glance, hands over a file to the receptionist, and starts walking away. I grit my teeth in annoyance, but shake off my pride and follow after him. I still need my job after all. "Mr. Landon, one more chance."

He doesn't stop walking as he answers me. "You'll still be late tomorrow, as well as the rest of the weekdays. What exactly is the chance for?"

I won't admit it, but he gets me there. Lucas is a handful in the mornings because he is not a morning person, so it usually takes me a while to wake him up and get him ready. And then, there's also the fact that he gets distracted easily, which means dressing up takes more time than it should, as well as other morning rituals.

"I told you the other day, Ms. Jennings," he continued, acting formally for the public eye, "one more time and you're fired, but it seems like you want to be fired."

"I was barely five minutes late!"

"Five useful minutes wasted." He inputs nonchalantly as he adjusts his tie. When we get to the elevator, he nods towards it and I press the button for it. "It was a fair deal. Come late, get fired. I don't why you're pestering me. Other people that actually need your job and will do it better are out there!"

"I try my best to get here early!" I snap when we enter the elevator and it closes, leaving both of us alone and away from the eavesdropping ears and prying eyes.

"Not hard enough apparently."

"You know my situation!"

"While I know of your situation, I am not responsible for it and I can't be partial in a place of work. I'm not the one that knocked you up, Aria."

'You want to though, don't you?' I say in my head. I take a few deep breaths and remind myself that he is still my boss and only he has the power to give me back my job. When I started working here, I was meant to start by 8:30. Suddenly, Mr. Landon changed my time. I don't know if it was important for him to do so or because of a personal vendetta against me.

"You made your bed. Now, lie on it and stop pestering me."

My tongue pokes the inside of my cheek. Does he really want to get rid of me? I'm one of the best at what I do. "So you're not going to reconsider?"

He glances at me, noticing my voice has softened, and sighs. "Let's get to my office and I'll make my final decision."

Hope blossoms in my chest. I won't have to go searching for a new job. I probably should, but at least, it isn't urgent anymore. I don't have to worry about not getting as much as I get here and I don't have to worry about money for Lucas' education.

The rest of the elevator ride is silent but it isn't anything awkward. It's more of me tapping my feet in impatience and him struggling to keep a smirk off his face at my situation. Dick.

When we finally reach the last floor that makes up our workplace, I'm the first to exit the elevator. I can hear his scoff behind me, but I'm not deterred as I take longer strides toward his office.

I'm the first to reach the door and I don't waste any time opening it and sitting on the chair opposite his. He, on the other hand, takes his sweet time in coming in, locking the door behind him, before sitting down across from me.

"You want your job back, you say?" I nod and he smiles smugly. "And why should I give it back to you?"

I want to slap that smile out of his face. I really want to, but then I think of Lucas, and I find myself becoming humble. Being humble doesn't mean I'll be modest though. "I need the job and I'm probably the best advertiser you've got here. Firing me will be two losses on our parts."

My boss shakes his head in amusement, and I can tell he enjoys this way too much. I bet he'll enjoy it when I snap his neck. "Why don't you prove it to me?"

'What? Hasn't my work proved that I'm the best already?'

I don't understand what he's talking about until I see him glance down at his pants before looking up at me again. "Prove to me how much you need this job and I'll think about it."

I stand up with immediacy, disgust was written all over my face when I see the erection he's spotting. The bastard is getting turned on seeing me beg. "You're sick," I spit venomously.

He only laughs, standing up as well, the bulge in his pants even more visible. "Come on, it's just a blow, nothing serious."

He comes around and tries to hold my hand, but I rip it away before his fingers can brush me. "You're sick," I repeat.

"Okay, fine. Blow me and your job is guaranteed."

I look at him in shock. How does he feel letting those words escape his mouth? And just because I need to ask, I do. "Don't you feel stupid? Are you that desperate that you're exchanging a job opportunity with a blow job? Does no one want you that bad?"

Shawn's face contorts in rage and that should give me a sign to back off, but I don't. His movements are so fast, that I don't know what is happening until he grabs my neck in one fluid movement, attacking my lips with his.

I try to push him away, but he doesn't budge. Instead, he presses his hard bulge against me. It's like he gets turned on seeing me struggle. He's a sick piece of shit.

With a strength I don't know I possess, I shove his chest and he breaks away, but he still looks lust-crazed and I know he'll do worse if I don't act fast. In a panic, I raise my knee, connecting it with his sick-ass erection.

He backs away with a curse, clutching his jewels and looking like he's in the worst pain ever. Clenching his teeth, he looks at me with hatred in his eyes. I scoff. I should be the one looking at him like that. He just tried to assault me. "You bitch!"

I laugh. Classic. I don't give in to him and he calls me a bitch. At this point, I don't care if I lose my job or not. Even if I don't lose it, I can't see myself working for Shawn anymore. "Word of advice, Shawn, do not try this with another employee."

His expression hardens at me addressing him by his first name. He hates it when he's addressed that way in the office. He loves being called boss or Mr. Landon. "Security!" He roars and I raise an eyebrow. There aren't any standby security officers on each floor, so he's wasting his time.

"Let me save you the trouble, Shawn, I quit," I inform him, still irritated at what almost happened. If I didn't hit him in his balls, I wonder what would've happened. "I'll send in my resignation by tomorrow." And probably start sending out resumes as well.

Shawn straightens up, the pain a little more bearable for him. "I already fired you."

I stand my ground. It's harder to get a job if other companies know you got fired from your last job. "I'll send in my resignation by tomorrow," I repeat, watching as his eye twitches.

"Get out!" He orders, coming closer to me. I step back, not wanting to get caught in another situation with him.

"With pleasure."

I turn on my heel and exit his office, making sure to bang the door as hard as possible. I ride the elevator to the floor right underneath Shawn's floor, stopping at my office to pick up a few essentials. I'll clean it out tomorrow.

When I get to the ground floor, I run into Heather, whose eyes go wide when she sees me with a packing box. "What happened?"

I smile bitterly. "I got fired." I start to walk away, but I stop and dip my hand into my bag. "Oh, and here's your dress."

She doesn't know what to say as she watches me walk away from her. I know Shawn isn't getting an award for the boss of the year anytime soon, but that doesn't mean I fancy losing my job. It's heartbreaking and nerve-racking that I'll have to start searching for new jobs, but there's no chance in hell I'm stepping my foot in Landon and co ever again.

I stare at the building before me in distaste. This is what I've resorted to because it's always the same result.

I sent out my resume to a few companies. They were all hiring, just not looking for an advertiser.

After three long weeks of looking for a noble job, I started searching for any kind of job. At this point, I can work as a waiter or a bartender, which propels my decision to enter the building.

Lucas doesn't know I've lost my job. He still thinks I go to work every morning because he asks how work went every other afternoon and I smile and lie through my fake smile that my day and my boss were great.

The building before me, 'Ecstasy' showcases a signboard that says they're looking for waitresses and cooks. Most places I've stopped by don't even have an open position. I don't know how to cook enough to apply as a professional cook, so I decide to settle on waitressing.

I can be working as a waitress for the time being until a company finally accepts my application and requests an interview.

What makes me feel better is the fact that the restaurant before me is high-class. That means they'll pay well because, from the very expensive cars in the parking lot, a lot of well-off people patronize this place.

I take a deep breath and walk in. The first thing I see is a reception, and the receptionist plasters a wide smile on her face when she sees me come in. "Welcome to Ecstasy. Do you have a reservation?"

I clear my throat and project all my confidence into my voice despite me feeling vulnerable at the thought of being jobless. "I'm here to apply for a job. I heard you're hiring."

Her smile seems more genuine when she speaks this time. "Yes, we are. We need cooks and waiters. What exactly are you applying for?"

"A waitress." Internally, I wince at the word. I never thought a day would come when I'll have to waitress. I've never done it in my life. My parents were -are- loaded so I didn't have to work when I was younger. I didn't have to work at the university because I was busy balancing school and taking care of a child while Lucas' father provided.

My first experience working was my last job and I was only accepted as an intern there because of my parent's connections. It just so happened that I was a good addition and they decided to keep me. Until they didn't.

The receptionist laughs. "You're already dressed for the job."

I look down at my clothing choice. I'm clad in the typical black and white formal attire. A white plaid shirt and a black pencil skirt.

"Come with me. Someone will interview you at the back."

She starts walking away and I follow her as expected. "Interview?" I ask, not really expecting that. I expected them to give me a form that will determine if they will call me back for an interview.

"We're desperate if you can't already tell."

I nod, despite knowing she won't see me, and follow silently until we reach a door. She doesn't knock before she wrenches the door opening, stepping inside. Hesitantly, I follow behind.

When I look forward, I'm met with the captivating blue eyes of a man in a chair. I realize it's his office and he probably owns the restaurant or is the manager. "Gerald, we have a new applicant." She informs him.

"Thanks, Jess." He shoots a sweet smile at her, letting me know they're more than just employer and employee. "I'll handle her. You can get back to work."

Jess turns around and winks at me before she leaves. I don't know why she does that. I don't know why she's so enthusiastic.

"Take a seat, dear."

I take a seat and keep my hands on my thighs. I don't know how to act. I've never been in an interview. Maybe, if my parents had let me get a job when I was younger, things won't be so awkward now.

"What's your name?"

"Aria Jennings."

"Aria," he practices and it rolls off his tongue sweetly. "I'm Gerald LeVert. I'm the manager of Ecstasy." So, my guess is correct. "What are you applying for?"

I sigh subtly. Why are they making me repeat it? Is this a joke? Is that karma for going against my parents all those years ago? Is that what this is? I'm tempted to just say fuck it and leave, but I don't. I remember how I've started touching what I stored away for the future. I guess this is the future, but I still don't want to use the money so soon. "A position as a waitress."

"Do you have any experience waitressing?"

I shake my head, no.

His eyes narrow. "Where did you work last?"

I'm not fond of remembering where I worked last because it reminds me of what Shawn tried to do; of what he's capable of. I wonder if he has tried it with any other female worker before me. "Landon and co."

Gerald's eyebrows shoot up. "Isn't that an advertising company?" It isn't very popular, so I wonder how he knows this.

Teeth gritted, I answer. "It is."

"Did you resign or did you get fired? What made you leave?"

I don't know what that has to do with waitressing. Anyone can waitress. Even if it is a drug dealer or an ex-convict. I don't see the reason why he wants to know about me personally.

It is your professional life.

Whatever it is, I don't see the reason he has to know. "Why?"

"I need to make sure my employees are trustworthy and reliable."

I guess there's that.

"Both actually."

Gerald releases a laugh. "What do you mean by that?"

For the first time in a while, I smile a genuine smile, even if it is sheepish. "I got fired, but then I pleaded for my job back. My old boss then asked for a blow job and I quit. I sent in my resignation the next morning."

At my admission, Gerald's face loses all its friendliness. He blinks repeatedly. "You're that Aria?"

My face scrunches up in confusion as I don't understand what he means by that Aria but I nod anyway. "Yes."

"You don't look like you've put to bed though." He mutters to himself.

"What?"

Am I hearing correctly? Did he just say I don't look like I've had a child? How does he even know this information? "It's quite a coincidence running into you." I become more confused if that's even possible. "Shawn's my good friend. He told me about you."

My breath gets stuck in my throat because I know whatever he's going to say next won't be pleasing to my ears.

"Don't get me wrong. I never imagined us meeting, but Shawn was moaning about a woman out to ruin his name. I didn't take him seriously because he's a good person, why will anyone do that?" Gerald pauses and searches my face for any reaction to his words. There's none. "You just proved me wrong."

I only focus on one sentence out of his monologue. "Shawn's a good person?"

"Yes, he is. We've been mates since college."

I laugh humorlessly. I already know I'm not getting this job. What hurts is that I had high hopes since they were desperate. "So you know your mate has been getting into sexual assaults these days right? He kissed me forcefully." I emphasize, but Gerald's expression remains stoic.

"That's not what happened."

"Humor me."

"You have a son, don't you?" I stare at him blankly, not replying. He takes that as a yes. "You go into work late because of him and Gerald fires you for your tardiness. You want your job back and instead of pleading for it like you said you did, you tried to seduce him. Seeing as he's loyal to his fiance, he doesn't give in, so you force yourself on him."

At this point, I hate Shawn even more. More so, I am disgusted by him. He has a fiance? If I'd given in, he would've been cheating on her?

"Then, he pushes you off him where you get escorted out by security. Am I right?"

I stand up from the chair, not wanting to waste any more of my time here. "I'm not getting this job, am I?"

Gerald shakes his head as if pitying me. What I wouldn't give to punch him in the face right now. Both him and his bastard mate, Shawn. "Not only are you unreliable because of your tardiness, but you're also a liar and a potential rapist. I don't see why I should let you in this fine establishment."

I can almost feel my ears emitting flames. "It is because of men like you women don't like to speak up. I can get Shawn in jail for what he did to me, but people like you who don't believe me won't let that happen. Instead, he's free to walk around knowing that he's a danger to the female community."

Gerald still seems as calm as ever. "You're still keeping up with this act? I already said I'm not hiring you."

"Fuck you," I conclude. "Fuck you and your bastard of a mate. If someone like you runs this place, I don't even want to be in it."

"You're free to go, Aria."

I want to scream. I hate that my words don't have any effect on him. Does he have any empathy? Why doesn't he feel guilty? "For their sake, I hope you don't have any kids. Wouldn't want them to grow up with the same mentality as you have."

His eye twitches. My words are beginning to affect him.

"I also hope that you don't have a female partner because if you do and she gets assaulted, you won't believe her."

"Get the fuck out, Aria."

Without saying any more, I turn on my heel and exit his office with much-needed urgency. I can't be around a man like that who blindly trusts men and doesn't believe women when they speak out.

Jess sees me rushing out and she immediately stops me, panicking at the expression on my face. "What happened?"

I smile sadly. "Let's just say your boss is a fucking cunt."