The Interview

Riley POV

I did exactly as my father had said. I emailed the company in Seattle, Brookstone Inc., the second I got home accepting their offer. It was only 3 o'clock because my father refused to let me come with him for his treatment. I wasn't expecting a reply from them the same day but within an hour I had an email requesting a video interview tomorrow.

I couldn't help but squeal in joy. I of course accepted and then cleaned my horribly smelling apartment. I still can't believe I let it get this bad. I'm normally so put together, but ever since I lost my mother my emotions are all over the place. I seemed off balance without her and nothing I did seem to make me feel like the women I was.

I know it's normal to feel lost after losing a parent but this was something else. I never really connected with anyone my entire life. I felt like an alien that didn't belong except when I was with them.

I tried to be friends with kids in school but we just never really clicked. We would hangout and have fun but never anything deeper. I dated a few boys but it always turned serious to quick for me and I bailed. Every since college I just had little flings with a few men that knew we were about one thing only.

I wanted to be loved like my mother was from her husband but I just never felt it. A part of me even felt like I was betraying someone when I slept with other men. Not that it stop me but how messed up is it to feel like you owe some stranger a piece of you. At this rate I'll probably never met that perfect guy for me anyways.

———

The next morning I was up at five with way too much energy. The interview wasn't until 10 but I wanted to know if I had a real chance to continue my career or not. This past month I felt hopeless with the complete silence from the outside world other than Becky.

By 8:30 I was sitting at my desk fiddling with my pen waiting for the meeting to start. I quickly got bored and decided to look at the housing in the area some more. The apartments were pricey in Seattle but if all went as planned then I could afford it. I wanted to get a three bedroom, hoping I could convince my dad to live with me. It was a long shot but if he was moving to a new city with no friends then we should stick together, atleast in the beginning. I know I'm a daddy's girl and I don't mind it one bit.

My laptop started ringing and I nearly jumped at the sound. I quickly hit accept and nervously flattened my hair.

"Hello, Ms. Parker. I'm Gina, Mr. Brookstone's assistance."

"Hi Gina. It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you dear. I'm going to patch you through now."

"Thank you!"

The screen went blank then an image of the most gorgeous man I ever seen appeared. His skin was milky white, eyes bright sky blue and hair short dirty blonde. I could only see from his chest up but I knew from his defined face and broad shoulders he had a muscular body. His face was chiseled in perfection but his eyes were soft and kind. If this was my new boss I prayed he was faithfully married because damn, I was going to get in trouble.

He cleared his throat with a sly smile and I widened my eyes. "I'm sorry Mr. Brookstone. The image was a little blurry but everything is clear now. My name is... "

"Yes, I know who you are Riley Parker. Please call me Jax. Mr. Brookstone makes me feel old."

"Of course, my apologies Mr. I mean Jax."

I tried playing it off like I wasn't drooling over him but I knew from his smirk he saw right through me. The rest of the interview went well except for me stuttering, losing my train of thought more than once, and my stupid mouth that kept calling him Mr or Sir. It was an old habit from Darrell. Everyone had to address him by his last name out of respect. Only when we worked alone did he let me call him by his first name.

Jax was deliciously handsome and he knew it but I also felt comfortable with him. He didn't make any comments or look at me as just a beautiful women with no brains. We carried a good conversation with each other and I could see he was not a bastard like my last boss. He seemed to be impressed with my knowledge of his business and that I even had a few ideas for some of his current clients. I did indeed know how to do my research.

At the end of the call he said "I look forward to working with you." That should mean I got the job but then he hung up. Usually we would discuss a contract or even a possible start date but nothing was said. I really hoped he wasn't just being polite in some weird way.

The next day I received a full contract including a salary higher then I asked with full benefits and even a commission based on how well my team performed. There was also a moving company's information and three rental places to choose from all on the company's dime. I couldn't believe what my eyes were reading. This was everything I wanted and it was just laid at my feet. "Manifest your destiny," my mother always said.

I left with the packet and headed straight to my dads. I couldn't wait to share the news with him. When I got there he had his nurse attending to him. She was an odd looking women that looked way too old to be walking or even alive. My dad said she was the best holistic healer and I was willing to try anything to keep him alive.

"Hi dad, hi Mildred" I gave him a kiss on the cheek and waved to her.

She glared back at me with her dark eyes that looked to be black. "Trouble is back I see. You would have less problems if you let her go." She always said how I was too stressful for his heart. I really wasn't much of a bother, even as a child, but I wasn't going to argue with the old hag.

"Sorry to bother you. Should I come back?" My eyes began to water a bit but I held it back. I didn't want to cause him to be any sicker than he already was.

"Of course not Ri baby. Ignore the old witch and tell me what has you so happy." His green eyes seemed to lighten up waiting to hear my news. I don't know how Mildred thinks I cause him such stress.

"I did what you said and accepted the job. They hired me and sent paperwork for a moving company and apartments to choose from in Seattle."

"Seattle!" Mildred shouted. "That is nonsense. You will not be going to Seattle child. You have caused enough pain now go away and let me try and heal your father." She nearly took my head off and she says I'm stressful.

"That is excellent news." My dad was smiling from ear to ear. He was good at tuning Mildred out.

"Are you sure? I can still reject the offer if it is better to stay here." I looked down at my envelope confused.

Mildred has been both my parents personal doctor for as long as I can remember and she never liked me, but I had no idea why.

"Of course. I told you a thousand times to ignore that horrid women." He turned to Mildred "I would keep a better lid on that tongue before it is removed." His eyes showed power and dominance but with his cancer treatments his body was becoming frail.

"Yes of course. My apologies for trying to keep you alive. I'll grab some herbs from my car and we can finish once she leaves." Mildred nodded towards me with pure hatred in her eyes then walked out.

"Why does she hate me so much?" I huffed.

"She doesn't hate you. She is old and lonely, that is all. If she wasn't the best at what she does I would had killed her a long time ago."

I giggled at his words. "Killed her? I never seen you hurt a fly dad. I doubt you could kill her no matter how vile her mouth is."

"Hmm maybe, but let's not worry about that. I spoke with my doctor yesterday and he is going to recommend me to a new doctor in Seattle. He said the facilities there are more advanced with my rare type of cancer and might just be the best thing. It might take me a month or two to get there but we will be together. So, ignore what Mildred says and be happy. I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks dad. I really thought my career was over. If you weren't here I would of drowned myself in ice cream. I can't lose you too." I tried to hold back the sadness at the thought of losing him like I did my mom.

He extended his arms and I walked right into his embrace like I was five years old again. There was so much love from this man and so little from anyone else in the world. He always said he was lucky to found us and that we open our hearts to him but it was the other way around.

My mother was amazing in her own way but she didn't really know how to raise a young child or anything about boys and highschool. Sometimes it felt like she was emotionless to the normal drama of life. The first time a boy broke my heart she told me not to waste my tears on someone so below me. I needed to be stronger then some useless emotion for a boy I barely knew.

That was the extent of her pep talk. I was only ten at the time and it hurt when that boy kissed Susie at the slide after he asked me to be his girl. My mother thought it was ridiculous and we never spoke about it again.

My dad on the other hand took me for some desserts and told me how special I am. He said I should be happy I learned who he really was before we started dating and that he was an ape for hurting his little princess. He was much better at comforting and understanding me.

Mildred was back and even more angry that I was still there. I slowly got up but my dad held my hand and gave me a kiss on the head. "It will all work out. Go make your plans for moving and pick the best apartment. I promise I'll meet you there and it will be for the best. Ok!"

"Ok. Thank you for always being here for me. I love you." I gave him a kiss on the cheek and left.

Mildred didn't even try to hid her dismay of how close we were. It made no sense to me why a father loving his daughter upset her but I didn't care enough to ask her either.