Omegas Fate

Job Offer and Rejection

*Eloise’s POV*

I felt awful. My head was pounding, my mouth dry and I thought I was going to throw up. I groaned and tried to roll over onto my side but something was stopping me. I could feel someone gently moving stray hairs away from my face and I forced myself to open my eyes. It took me a few seconds to focus, the lights seemed overly bright and the face peering down at me was unfamiliar and blurred.

“What’s going on?” I asked, my words slow and slurred as if I had woken from a deep sleep. I appeared to be led on the floor in what looked like the headteacher's office, my upper body was elevated and my head was resting on something solid. “How’d I get here?”

I tried to get my muddled head in order, my thought process frustratingly slow, I was finding it very difficult to concentrate. I tried to sit myself up but someone gently pushed me back down, large hands lightly resting on my shoulders preventing me from moving again. This is when I realised that my head was resting in someone’s lap, a strangers lap. What was going on? Apart from a really bad headache, I didn’t feel like I had been hurt. I awkwardly tried to look back and up behind me to see who held me but it was impossible to tell from this angle. All I could see were his arms and his long folded legs beneath me. Whoever it was he certainly looked like he spent a lot of time at the gym and he definitely didn’t skip leg day! He couldn’t possibly be a teacher.

“Who are you?” I directed at him, before looking down at myself, I saw I was also wearing a man's jacket. “...and what am I wearing?”

“What’s the last thing you remember Eloise?” A deep and unfamiliar voice murmured from close behind me, completely ignoring my questions. Well, two could play that game!

I could see my headteacher now, standing anxiously by his desk, looking directly at me and waiting for my response. I frowned, “Sir? Did I hurt myself? Why am I here?”

“You fainted.” I heard a familiar but unwelcome voice say. I located the source of the voice and narrowed my eyes at him. Bradley Walters might have known he had something to do with this. I frowned, trying to remember what happened before I apparently fainted. Carly and her cronies had attacked me at my locker before lunch and I had banged my head hard twice, once on the floor and then again on the lockers, which may be why I had passed out. They had taken something from me...

“My artwork!” I yelled, trying to sit up but once again being pushed back down. “They broke into my locker and burnt my coursework...”

“And then...?” The man behind me encouraged.

“I broke that b***h, Carly Hughes nose,” I said finding it quite difficult to disguise how proud I was of that despite the trouble I was going to get into. “...then everything’s a bit hazy. Is that when I fainted? I’ve never passed out before.”

My headteacher let out a sigh, looking relieved at this information. I was expecting him to be a lot angrier, I had, after all, assaulted another student.

“Am I in trouble?” I continued cautiously, attempting to sit up again, this time the man behind me permitted it. Although as soon as I was upright, my vision swam and my stomach lurched, making me retch. I grabbed onto the stranger's leg, fingers digging into the firm muscles of his thigh to try and stabilise myself and groaned again, closing my eyes. “I really don’t feel so good.”

The man put his legs on either side of my body, wrapping his arms around my waist and dragging me back towards his body so I was leant back against his chest. I relaxed into him, enjoying the warmth that radiated from him and the comfort he was bringing me. I hated being sick and I felt very close to throwing up.

I heard the sound of running water and a cold glass was thrust into my hands. “Drink this.” My headteacher said. “It will make you feel better.”

I pulled a face, not wanting to move, let alone drink anything. Eyes still closed I tried to place it down on the floor but someone took it from my hands.

“You will drink this”, the man from behind me said, pressing the cold glass against my lips, “Open.”

I could smell something wonderfully tempting as soon as the glass was raised towards me and I felt more compelled to obey, opening my mouth and allowing him to slowly tip the liquid into it, I gulped it down. I thought it was water but it had a strange bitter aftertaste to it, but as I had no control over the glass I had to keep drinking it otherwise it would end up going all over me. Once the glass was empty he withdrew it.

“Eurgh, what was that?” I said in disgust, but I did actually feel a lot better after drinking it.

“Better?” My headteacher asked.

I nodded gratefully, “Thank you.”

“So am I in trouble?” I asked again. “And my coursework, can anything be done?”

“We can provide an extension on your work.” The headteacher started, “I will let your teacher know. I will also deal with Carly, but her father may make things difficult.” He made eye contact with the man who sat behind me as he said that.

“I will handle the Hughes,” he said, I could feel the vibration of his voice against my back reminding me that I was still leant against him, with his arms wrapped loosely around me. Who was he? Why did he think he had more authority than the headteacher of the school?

I shuffled forward on the floor indicating I was ready to stand but he seemed reluctant to release me. “I’m ok now, I think” I muttered, and his arms fell away leaving me free to stand. I ungracefully rose to my feet and turned around to face my comforter. Oh no...

“Uhm, thanks for helping Mr Hanlon,” I said quickly, keeping my eyes down, my cheeks flushing red with embarrassment. I had just been snuggling up to the most powerful man in this town. I saw the suit jacket I was wearing, noticing how expensive it looked and felt, not to mention how much it smelled like him, and I immediately knew it was his. I went to unbutton it. “Did you want this back....oh!”

So now I had just flashed him as well, I had completely forgotten my shirt buttons had popped open.

“Keep it.” He said, laughter lighting up his eyes and causing his cheeks to dimple attractively. “...and you can call me Caleb. I think we know each other well enough to be on a first names basis after that.”

I wrapped the jacket back around me and shot a dirty look at Bradley who was laughing at my embarrassing mistake. “I will get it cleaned...” I started before he interrupted me with a shake of his head.

“It’s fine, consider it yours,” he said. “I was actually going to propose something to you if you wouldn’t mind hearing me out?”

Like I could actually say no to him, I thought to myself, eyeing him warily and giving him a small nod.

“Your teacher has informed me you’re an excellent student and I am looking for someone to intern at my company.” He said, watching my face closely to discern my reaction. “I would really like to offer you the role.”

I was shocked, I hadn’t expected that. I wasn’t exactly the top student at the school, my grades were pretty average but I did work hard. I glanced towards the headteacher who was watching me expectantly. If I was honest, I really didn’t want to get too closely involved with Caleb or his company, I had heard rumours he was a shady character and above all else, I really wanted to get out of this godforsaken town and away from its petty people. But like I thought before, Caleb was not the kind of man you said ‘No’ to. What a dilemma!

“Can I think about it?” I asked, before quickly adding, “I’m very grateful for the offer though.”

“You can still continue your studies and I will pay you well.” He continued. “What is there to think about?”

Someone’s being a bit pushy. “I already have a job,” I said coldly, not liking how forceful he was being.

“Where?” He asked.

None of your business. Well, that’s what I wanted to say but it probably wouldn’t have been my wisest decision. “In town,” I said evasively.

He rolled his eyes in frustration, which is when Bradley decided to help him out.

“She’s a waitress at Ruffles, the coffee shop in town. Zoe runs it.”

I glared at Bradley again but he ignored me, why’s he telling everyone my business.

“I’ll talk to Zoe, shouldn’t be an issue finding a replacement,” Caleb said as if that had been the problem.

“Wait, what?” I exclaimed, his attitude really starting to piss me off. “I never agreed to take your job.”

He shrugged, “Why wouldn’t you? It’s a good opportunity for you.”

The arrogance of this man! Well, that’s it, the decision made. “I don’t want your job,” I said, meeting his eyes, challenging him to back down. He didn’t submit, his eyes met mine, angry at my refusal.

“I think maybe we should discuss this later?” The headteacher interjected trying to relieve the tension. “Eloise you can take the rest of the afternoon off.”

“I still can’t get in my locker Sir, my books are inside,” I said, breaking eye contact so I could face my teacher. I gestured towards Bradley. “I believe that jackass over there changed the code.”

“Give me the code Bradley”, Caleb said. “I will escort her.”

“I know the way,” I replied churlishly. “You can give me the code Bradley.”

Bradley looked between us both, a bemused expression on his face.

“I’m sure you do,” Caleb said smoothly. “But you have already had one fainting fit, I don’t think you should be walking around on your own. Plus you seem to tend to get yourself into trouble.”

I turned to face him, “I can keep myself out of trouble”, hearing the lie as it left my lips but unable to stop myself. He just responded with a raised eyebrow and a knowing look, I retaliated with a frown, pouting like a petulant child before continuing, “...and I can look after myself, always have, always will. I don’t need anyone looking out for me.” I looked pointedly at him, my anger making me brave. I really did have a temper!

“Bradley. Greg. Can you give me a few minutes alone with Eloise please?”

Uh oh. Surely he couldn’t dismiss the headteacher from his own office? But much to my dismay both Bradley and the headteacher swiftly left the room, leaving me alone with an angry and slightly terrifying Caleb.

As soon as the door shut behind them, Caleb’s gaze darkened, and he advanced towards me, causing me to step backwards, my bravery deserting me in an instance. I found myself with my back pressed up against the wall, as he brought his hands down against it on either side of me, effectively caging me in. He bent down low until we were almost nose to nose, strands of his ebony black hair falling forwards over his face, shadowing his features. I could smell the mint of his toothpaste on his breath as he said, “You may not need anyone to look out for you, but that doesn’t mean they won’t. Just be careful you don’t capture the wrong person's attention, Little Cub.”

My heart hammered in my chest, breath coming out in short quick gasps, eyes wide. Any thoughts or smart retorts deserting me, I couldn’t think of anything else except how close he was to me and how good he smelt. My body was in full control now, and it was responding to Caleb with an almost primal need that I had never experienced before. My eyes were drawn to his lips, those full lips that were slowly curling up into a winning smile, revealing those perfect white teeth.

“Cat got your tongue?” He drawled. I shook my head, although we both knew it was true. I cast my eyes downwards not wanting to aggravate him any further.

“You may have noticed by now, that I’m not the type of man that likes to be refused.” He placed his hand under my chin, tilting it up to him so I met his eyes once again. He ran his rough calloused thumb across the smooth skin of my lips causing them to part slightly and I caught him staring at them as if he was contemplating kissing me as if I was somehow affecting him as much as he was affecting me. But his eyes flicked up to meet mine and he lowered his hand away from my face. “I want you to work for me Eloise, but I won’t force you.”

“Thank you for the offer,” I said, my voice slightly husky. I cleared my throat before continuing. “But I don’t think it’s right for me.”

He stepped back with a deep sigh, running a hand through the thick black hair on his head in frustration.

“OK, let’s get the code for your locker then. I will make sure Bradley doesn’t bother you anymore as well.” He sighed again. “I can manage that if nothing else.”

He looked at me intently, scanning my face as if he was trying to memorise my features. “I’m sorry if I scared you.” He apologised and he looked so sincere I didn’t have it in my heart to not forgive him.

“S’Ok” I mumbled. “I have quite a bad temper myself. I tend to aggravate people.” I gave him a wry smile, my dad would certainly agree with my last statement. I suddenly had a moment of panic, “Did someone contact my dad about this?”

“No, did you want someone to?” He replied.

“No!” I blurted out a bit more forcefully than I intended. “I mean no thanks, he will only....worry..” Worrying is the last thing my father would do, if he found out I had been in a fight, well it doesn’t bear thinking about. The school had once contacted him as I had failed to turn in the permission slip for a trip, that he had been too drunk to sign. He had slapped me so hard across the face I saw stars and my ears were ringing for at least an hour.

“Is everything ok at home, Eloise?” Caleb asked, his voice full of concern. “I heard that girl say...”

“Whatever she said she’s a liar,” I replied quickly, Erin was the only one that knew my dad hit me, as far as I was aware. She must have said something whilst I was passed out. “I’m fine, my dads fine, everything fine. I really should get going.” I gave him a false smile hoping he would just let it go and made my way towards the door. He didn’t stop me.

He just continued to watch me carefully, expression serious, I don’t think he believed a word I said.