My Boss Likes Blood

2. Same Old Same Old

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2 years ago...

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I jumped back when the ice cold water hit my skin.

"What the f**k!" I cursed.

The stupid landlord did not let us tenants miss a day with the rent and made sure that he collected the maintenance fee as well, but something or the other was always dysfunctional around here.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward again, clenching my jaws to endure the cold cold water. Nothing was going to stop me today - I was going to attend the interview at Miles Corp. and I have already decided that I will get the job no matter what. And for that I have to look impeccable, carry myself elegantly and be the best.

I didn't go to any fancy college, like the many applicants I know would be present there, but I did have multiple online degrees and a full folder of recommendations and reviews from the small firms I had worked before.

I was positive that I would get some sort of post at the secretarial department. And I planned to climb up my career ladder from there.

Turning off the shower, I took my time to dry myself before walking out to my room, the heat of the fortunately still functioning air conditioner a form of comfort to my exposed skin.

I lived in a studio apartment so what was my bedroom was also my living room, dining room and the kitchen was a set of counters to the corner. I had a mini fridge which was always stacked with beer and cake, the two things that I just couldn't live without. I could be dirt poor and struggling to pay my bills but I would always have a whole cake and a dozen of beer cans stacked in my fridge.

I quickly sat down in front of my work desk which I had transformed into a vanity table for the occasion and started working on my look.

"Look impeccable. Look impeccable." I chanted to myself as I did my eyeliner. I completely agree with what people say about eyeliners. They CAN smell fear so don't overstress about it and just give it a single nice stroke and viola!

It took me an hour to get ready but I had already allotted that much time for it.

I still had two hours to show up to the interview and I was already half way ready.

I made my hair up in a neat tight bun - this was going to hurt my roots so bad at the end of the day. I should just cut off all my hair or something but unlike those lucky gorgeous people, I would not be able to rock that look. I will look like a half-evolved ape if I did.

I had bought a baby pink pantsuit for the occasion - had spent a whole month worth of salary on it but I just had to, didn't I? This job was my ticket out of the hell of a life I was living. I thought the orphanage was hell, but when I turned eighteen and had to leave the place, I realized how lucky I had been to have a place to stay and dine without having to worry about bills and groceries and jobs.

It had been four years since I left that place but there was not one day which passed by without me wishing that things would go back to how they were before I became of legal age and had to leave that rusty old place.

But that's how life worked, isn't it?

I quickly put on the clothes and my cheap nude heels. They looked so real that no one was ever going to see the difference. P.S. when you wear branded clothes from head to ankle, no one really cares what's below the ankle.

Finally, with an hour and a half left to the interview, I plopped down on my couch.

"I am going to get this job!" I said to myself. Because I know I am going to get this job. That's right. I was made for this job!

Few more minutes of pep talk later, I hailed a cab - something that I don't usually do because I use buses or the subway to save money but today was a special day and I could not afford to have any kind of accident happen today nor could I have my clothes wrinkled. I needed to look IMPECCABLE.

"You have an interview, miss?" The old cab driver asked, trying to make small talk.

I nodded my head vigorously.

"I know I am going to get this job but I am so so so so nervous about it!" I exclaimed. I can't help myself when I am nervous. I start blabbering and so that's what I did. "I have double checked everything and I have a good portfolio and this company cares about skillset and experience more than education and I have that too but what if I am not good enough? What if all my hopes are crushed?" The more I talked the more pessimistic I became.

"No no no Miss." He said quickly, taken aback by my sudden outburst. "I am sure you will ace the interview today and get the job."

"You promise?" I asked stupidly. The man looked at me through the rear view mirror with a warm smile on his face.

"I promise."

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Back to the present...

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"Doesn't the company provide you with a car?" Steve asked as he took the turn that led to the apartment I currently lived in, one that was provided by the company.

"Yeah. But I am a terrible driver." I shrugged. It was the truth. I had trouble navigating.

The man shook his head chuckling to himself. This was the same dude who had promised me that I would get the job and the same man who had stayed in the parking lot until I got back and treated me to a good meal when I delivered the good news. We had been good friends ever since.

I know it's weird to have a fifty something year old as your best friend but he was the father figure I never had. He and his wife Janet, along with their two kids Adam and Lucy, had come to treat me like their own family in the last two years and I really felt so grateful to god for giving that to me. For an orphan, these things meant a lot.

"Judy, you are not a terrible driver." Of course Steve knew that I didn't drive that bad. I just couldn't distinguish between place. "You just have to use the navigation system."

I gave him a flat look. "You know I have trouble with my left and right as well."

Steve sighed as he resigned from the conversation we had been having ever since we met. I was so bad with my left and right. I had to constantly pretend to write on air to figure which was left because I was left handed.

"Just drop me off at the supermarket." I said as soon as Steve took a turn. I wanted to get some stuff to drown my sorrow in.

"What happened?"

I know it was obvious to him that something had happed at the office when I want to be dropped off at the supermarket to get all the beer and cake I wanted.

"Same old same old." I shrugged.

He didn't prod into the matter and that was something that I absolutely adored about him. He was always there for me but did not expect me to share everything and anything with him and that was perfect you know. Whatever may be the relationship, some space and privacy is always for the best.

Also I didn't want to talk about my f****d up relationship with dhampir to anyone. Not that anyone would ever believe me. Not that I would disclose this matter to anyone in the first place.

See, I was such a nice person, forever protecting him and his bullshit. Then why couldn't he just give me the basic respect I deserved?

"Alright." He said as he pulled up to the side. "See you tomorrow Jude."

"You too." I waved at him as I got off the car after paying him. I walked in through the doors of the supermarket and beelined for the cake section.

I was in the mood for multiple flavors so I decided I was going to get pastries of all that looked yummy here.

Choosing a colorful array of those creamy baked goods, I made my way to the alcohol section, randomly adding stuff that I found on the way to my cart.

I just needed my beer now, and maybe some fried chicken and then I was going to retire for the day.

I reached the aisle and was surprised.

"Judy." Logan nodded at me.

My eyes must have been as big as saucers.

What is the CEO of the biggest corporation doing in my neighborhood supermarket?

"What are you doing here, Logan?" I asked.

"Getting wine." He held up a two bottles of the most expensive wines in the store, one white and another red.

I nodded, not knowing what else to do. "Enjoy your shopping then."

I wheeled my shopping cart to the beer section but before I could go any further, he grabbed my arm and pulled me towards him, our chests colliding.

"Where are you going?" His voice was low and deep, and arousing.

"T-to the beer section?" I stuttered, hating the effect he had on me.

"Why would you buy beer when I am getting wine for the both of us?"

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