Chapter 5

I stood in front of the stove as I cooked some eggs for me and Delilah. I was in my long sleeve t-shirt dress and my hair was down my back. Usually I wouldn't be home at this time but Mr. Burkley called me this morning and said the only way I could come back to work is if I didn't get the job. Madam A also called me and said that Mr. Burkley told her to tell me not to come in as well. They're basically forcing me to get a new job and it made me want to strangle the both of them. But since I can't do that I started cooking eggs.

I turned the stove off and put the eggs on two plates. I went into the fridge and grabbed some vanilla almond milk and I poured it into the cups. I grabbed our food and walked over to the living room. I set Delilah's food down in front of her as she sat on the floor and watched Paw Patrol. She grinned up at me.

" Thank you Bribri! " I smiled and kissed her head.

" You're welcome baby " I walked over to the couch and took a seat. I grabbed my laptop and opened it. I waited patiently as the screen loaded slowly and I typed in my password. I opened my bank website to see what bills needed to be paid. Even though I get the rent bill in the mail, I still have other bills to pay online. The first one was Delilah's savings and college funds. I deposit at the least $150 a month. The water and electricity bill was $250, gas was $100 and rent was $700. So let's do the math. I get paid $1,600 a month, subtract $1,200 worth of bills and I have $400 left. $200 for food, $40 for the bus, $80 for clothes and small things Delilah asks for and I have to store the other $80 either in savings or our rainy day money because when we have leaks and damages in the apartment it was costly.

Mind you this is when it's not freezing cold and we're stable for the time being. I have no money left afterwards. I also have to pay for costumes for the winter show this December. Even though we can get free classes, Madam A can't pay for all of our costumes and expenses. Mr. Burkley already pays my phone and internet bill so I couldn't ask much more from him. As of now I only have $170 and the bills are coming in quickly.

On top of all of that I need to find some kind of money for the holiday season which begins in just less than a month. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, DELILAH'S BIRTHDAY FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE! I'm happy she doesn't go to school yet because god would I tremble. I opened the next tab and sighed as I saw the ad for KR Inc. The interview was tomorrow and you had to RSVP for a spot. I grabbed my phone and bit my lip. I dialled the number and held it up to my ear.

After a few rings someone picked up " Hello. This is Anna Wilson, assistant to the Department of Accountancy and secretary to the CEO of KR Inc. How may I assist you? "

I cleared my throat as I spoke " I'm um- c-calling for the personal assistant job opening.. " I heard the clicks of her keyboard in the background.

" Name? "

" Brielle Newman " I heard the keyboards clicks stop and Anna didn't say anything.

" Um.. Is everything alright? " As if she was woken from a trance she continued to type on her keyboard and she spoke again as she cleared her throat.

" Yes everything is fine. Now Brielle the interviews as you know are scheduled tomorrow morning at 11:00 sharp. You must arrive with your résumé, identification and application form. Would you like me to fax it to you? " I bit my lip again.

" I don't have a fax machine.... or a printer "

" That's quite alright miss. Since it is too late to mail the forms to you, if you could give me your address, I could send one of our driver to deliver them to you. " One of our drivers? How many could they possibly have? I gave her my address and she typed it into the computer.

" Alright. His name is George and he will be at your home in less than 20 minutes. I will also send an outline of a résumé that you can also fill out "

" Thank you "

She paused again " You're welcome Brielle. Hope to see you tomorrow. " I hung up the phone and Delilah walked up to me and sat in my lap.

" N-new j-job? " She whispered as tears were already forming in her eyes. I stroked her hair.

" I'm afraid so baby "

" B-b-but why? You can't stay with M-Mr. Burkley? " I shook my head.

" I love Mr. Burkley sweetie but aunty is really having a hard time with some things and a job at the library just isn't enough " She looked down and traced patterns on my stomach.

" You leave Dede? " She ask softly and my heart shattered.

" Of course not baby. I know I haven't left you alone for a long time but I would never leave you. If I do go to my new job, I'll just leave you with Mr. Burkley. Wouldn't you like that? " She shrugged and looked back up.

" I guess so.. Will Killy still visit? " My cheeks reddened slightly.

" I don't know baby but I'm sure he will " She nodded her head and laid her body on me. I stroked her hair as she continued to draw patterns on my stomach. After about 10 minutes I heard a knock at the door. I picked Delilah up and put her on my hip as I walked to the door. I unlocked it and made eye contact with a man who had black wavy hair and glasses. He looked to be in is late 30s. He had on a white button up shirt, a dark jean jacket, black fitted jeans and brown chelsea boots. And like every guy I know, he was taller than me.

" ... Are you George? " I asked as he looked at me for a second as if he was examining me.

He nodded his head. " Yes miss, my name is George. I was sent by Secretary Anna to give you these " He handed me a yellow folder and I took it out of his hand as I thanked him. He stared at me for a few more seconds then he looked at Delilah.

" He doesn't usually do this type of delivery... " I heard him mutter something under his breath but I didn't quite understand.

" I'm sorry? " I said and he shook his head.

" ....I'll see you around Brielle " He looked over to Delilah for a split second. She was looking up at him smiling as if she knew who he was. He walked to the stairs and I closed the door.

" Well wasn't that weird... " I said lowly and she shrugged as she hopped off my hip and ran back to the TV. I went back to the couch and pulled out a pen. I started to fill out the applications to get ready for tomorrow.

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯

" Do I look ok? " I asked Mr. Burkley for the tenth time as I came out of my room.

" You look great Brielle. It time for you to go now. " He said. I asked him if he could babysit Delilah yesterday and he said yes. What I didn't expect was for him to show up at my apartment at 9:30. I walked back in and groaned.

" Ugh I don't like it " I said looking in my bathroom mirror. He grabbed my hand and pulled me from the bathroom. He took the key from my pocket and locked the door.

" Hey! I was still using that " I whined and he grabbed my applications and my purse.

" Well guess what hon, you've been at this for the past hour. The only thing you're using now is the door " He pushed me to the door and I groaned.

I didn't own not one pencil skirt so I had to use one of my other regular skirts since I didn't want to show up in pants. I straightened my hair and made a part to the side and paired the skirt with a burgundy sweater, black tights and some brown ankle booties.

Delilah ran up to me and gave me a big kiss.

" Good luck Bribri!! " I smiled.

" Thank you Dede. I'll see in a little while ok? " She nodded and ran back to the living room. Mr Burkley opened the door and turned to me.

" Good luck Brielle. "

" Thank you sir " I smiled and walked out the apartment and onto the busy streets of New York City. I caught a taxi and I sat in the back. I rarely rode in taxis. The only time I did is when I was late for something and I only had 25 minutes to get to the building. I gave the man the address and he drove off. After about 15 minutes I noticed the area start to look a little more expensive. I gasped as I looked up at the huge buildings that was covered in mirrors as it reflected the sky and the streets. There was one that caught my eye specifically.

He stopped in front of that building and I paid him and stepped out. At the top in huge black LED lights it said KR. I walked to the front door and two security guards stood there.

They looked down at me " Identification is needed to enter the building. " I pulled out my ID and the other guard put it in some slot thing and the button turned green.

" Clear " He handed me my ID and I stepped into the building. They lobby was filled with people talking, bustling and hustling. I walked up to the receptionist and she typed as she ignored me.

" Um Hi.. " I said and she turned to me and looked me up and down as she grimaced.

" Can I help you? " She had a grey vest on and her blonde hair was wrapped in a bun.

" I'm here for the interview scheduled at 11 " She looked into her computer and spoke as she didn't even glance at me.

" Name? "

" Brielle Newman " She continued to type and she pointed to the left.

" Take that elevator to the top floor and speak to Anna " I nodded as I thanked her softly and walked to the elevator. I walked in and thank goodness it was empty. I looked at the buttons and my eyes widened. There is a total of 82 floors in this building. The other buildings on the block have the same or a little more. And I'm pretty sure he owns from about half to all of them. I hit the top button and the elevator started to go up. After a few minutes, I reached the top. I walked out and it was more quiet up here then down stairs. To the right of me were doors that had plaques and to the left was a desk. I walked up to the desk and I woman with brown hair looked up at me.

" Hello. Are you here for the interview? " She asked. I looked at he name on the desk and it was Anna.

" Yes.. My name is Brielle. We spoke on the phone yesterday.. " Her eyes opened slightly.

" Yes Brielle I do remember speaking with you. Can I see your applications please? I need to make a copy for Mr. Russel. " I nodded and handed her my papers. She made a copy of them and gave them back to me. We walked past the CEO office and the plaque was gold and it read CEO.

" The boss is getting ready for the interviews which will begin in 5 minutes. In the meantime please have a seat " We walked into the waiting room which had grey couches back to back and coffee tables. The women here all had their hair in updos or fine makeup. The were all dressed in vests and pencil skirts that were raise a little high and pumps that were at least 7 inches of the ground. As I walked in they looked over to me in disgust and whispered. I took a seat in the back and sighed.

Anna came back around and spoke.

" Good morning ladies. Mr. Russel would like to start the interviews now " She called the first name and one of the women stood up. After about 5 minutes she came back with tears strolling down her face and an angry scowl. As more women were called they all came back either angry or upset. Some even came back amused. I bounced my leg as my anticipation started to build. If those women couldn't get the job, how do my chances look?

" Brielle Newman? " Anna called and I looked up.

" Mr. Russel will see you now " I stood up cautiously as I followed her with my things. I specifically remember hearing the same thing in the trailer of Fifty Shades of Grey. We reached the door and she left me to it as she walked back to her desk. I opened the door to see a man standing at his window looking over the city.

" E-excuse me Mr. Russel? I'm here for the intervie- " I didn't finish because from the back of his head I could already tell it was him. He walked over to his office chair and sat down.

" Have a seat Brielle.. "

" K-Killian? " I asked dumbfounded.

" Y-you're the CEO?

"

" I sure am "

" Why didn't you tell me? "

" Simple. You didn't ask. "

" I can't work for you " I said as heat rose to my cheeks. Being in a room or building with him everyday would surely make me go crazy.

" Oh is that so? " He stood up and rounded his desk.

" I'm sorry Killian but I can't " The way he intimidated me didn't sit that well with me.

" And what about your niece hmm Brielle? What about Delilah? What job is going to offer you what this one has to offer " He walked closer to me and I started to back away.

" I'll tell you what sweetheart... this city, this state, hell in a few months this country, revolves around me. Try finding a job where they'll hire you, try finding a way to keep your apartment.. Because guess what Brielle. It won't happen. "

Tears came to my eyes " Y-you can't d-do that " He stopped a foot away from me and stroked the side of my face.

" Oh but I can darling. I can do many thing you are not aware of..... " Even though I should be furious and stomping out, I'm not. Something about knowing he has complete control of my life made the butterflies in my stomach flutter. He pressed the intercom behind me and spoke.

" Anna you can send the rest home. I found what I was looking for. " He looked me up and down and I blushed.

He placed his hand on my lower back " Come along Brielle, we have much to... discuss "