12. The Determined
987 Words
Two Days Later...
"Are you serious? I'm just meeting up with him for lunch. Is that a crime?" I retort, glaring at Troy.
He's been completely unreasonable and possessive since I ended the phone call with my future boss and the director of the division, Jeremy Frasier. I'm supposed to be meeting him for lunch tomorrow to discuss details on the job I applied for. From what Troy has said about him, he isn't someone I should be working or discussing business with. He claims that he is very demanding and disrespectful, but I'm unsure if that's Troy's ego talking or if it is the truth.
He sighs, exasperated. "Babe, I'm just looking out for you. The man is a complete ass. I don't want you working for him."
I shake my head, tears of frustration welling in my eyes. "I have already applied everywhere close to home. I worked hard to get my degree and I can't even find a job. This is possibly the only opportunity I'm going to have and you want me to walk away from it?" I shake my head at the idea.
Troy advances to me, his eyes connecting with mine. Anger and determination highlight his eyes, making my heart race nervously. He cups my chin in his hand, bringing my eyes to his.
"I could make calls and get you a job at any publishing house that you want in the country. The only reason I'm not doing it is because of this situation right now," he growls, gesturing between the two of us. "I have more money than you can dream of, Ember. You need to find a way to get used to me doing things for you. The days of you being on your own are over."
He releases me and strides to the door, grabbing his car keys and phone. "I'm going out for a while. Don't bother waiting up," is the last words he releases before leaving.
A pain shoots through my heart, causing tears to tumble out of my eyes and onto the hardwood floors below me. I allow more to escape before I catch my breath and wipe my eyes.
Troy has never spoken to me like that, so far. It's as if he's asking me to change my view on how much money he makes. Money has never been a necessity for me. There are more important and beautiful things in this world besides money. That's how my parents raised me to be and I wouldn't have it any other way.
I focus on getting to my car rather than my thoughts and feelings right now. I make it to my house at a later time than usual. I leave my phone in the passenger seat and the keys in the ignition before stepping out and making my way to the beach through the side gate. I just want to be alone right now to think without the distractions of life getting in my way.
I choose a spot on the hot sand and settle on my behind, exhaling a deep breath. I won't budge on my decision to take this job offer. Being a part of the publishing industry has been my dream since high school. If I don't pursue it, I will have wasted money and time. My parents will have wasted money by creating a small trust fund for me. Letting down my mother is the last thing I want to do and she doesn't deserve that pain after losing my father; the love of her life.
The sound of a car door shutting startles me and I look back at the house. No one knows I'm back here and I'd like to keep it that way. I've been sitting here for maybe an hour now.
"Ember!" I hear a man call from the front of the house.
Is that...Axton? What could he want?
I turn back around to face the ocean, praying he doesn't venture to where I am. I don't know Axton very well and have no idea what could possibly make him come to my house. Oh God, what if Troy called him because he doesn't want to see me himself?
"There you are," I hear behind me and jump in surprise. I stand up and turn to face him. My toes sink into the sand, making me shorter than I am.
"What are you doing here?" I question him, narrowing my eyes and crossing my arms over my chest.
* * *
Twenty-five Minutes Earlier...
- Troy Lancaster -
I pull up in front of my house and cut the engine, listening to the purr of it die down. I've been gone almost a whole hour now and I'm feeling guilty.
I shouldn't have walked out on Em as I did. The image of tears in her eyes weighs on my mind and has been since I stopped at the diner where we met for the first time. I know Em has worked hard to get where she is and this job offer is important to her, but I don't want her working for a man like Jeremy Frasier. He's not only greedy but a manipulative, s****l sadist as well. Every assistant he's ever had has filed a restraining order or complaint towards him of some kind. I don't know what I would do if something were to happen to Emmy because of her working with him.
I step out and shut the car door, looking around for Em's car. It's nowhere in sight or parked in the garage like before. I race into the house and call her name, receiving no reply or sound that she's still here. I find her purse in the kitchen where it was when I left her. Her phone and keys are gone, though, meaning she made a quick exit.
Fuck, what have I done?
I retrieve my phone from my pocket and dial Axton's number, running to my car as it rings. He picks up a couple of rings later. "Axton."
"I need your help."
- Writer
