03

Violet POV

We need to talk.

Talk about what exactly? That you are too stubborn and I'm right about the finances?

My heart was racing and I felt like I was going to die. Literally.

We were in his office as he pulled out several files from the cabinets on his desk. He was scrambling through papers stacking each file on top of each other and slides them over to me.

''What is this?'' I asked. My eyes dropped in fear as he placed a pen on top of the desk.

Oh god, please don't tell me what I think he's going to do. Please, don't tell me he's going to fire me.

''Your homework.''

''Homework?'' I questioned.

He grinned softly, pushing himself closer to the desk.

''I'm going to be out of town for family emergencies. I want you to cover for me--''

''Me? Oh, no. I... I can't do that Jas-- Sir, I... I'm not even qualified to be....''

''But you are, and I can trust you. You're a smart woman and quite frankly I haven't had the ability to even give you the chance that you need. I've been watching you from afar and I can tell you're skills are equivalent to my position.''

I shook my head no.

''Sorry, I can't do this. It's way too hard.''

''I'll pay you two times the amount you get---''

''No.''

''Three times?''

''No.''

''Not even four times.''

''Money doesn't matter to me right now,'' I lied.

Actually, it does.

I still live in that one bedroom-one bathroom apart and I work at the luxurious clothing company. I like where I am. I'm comfortable in my setting and the last thing I want right now is my own boss persuading me to double or triple the amount of my salary.

It's not right.

''I'm trying,'' He gritted his teeth with frustration. He sighed. '''Can you at least do it for me?''

I sighed.

He copied and pressed his mouth and mumbled ''Please.''

''What?'' I questioned, even though I knew what he was saying.

''I said... Please.''

''Fine. I'll do it.''

''Good, it's going to be three days that I won't be here, instead of coming in at eight you come in at 6 til two. I'll send you the emails, phone numbers from Galaxy Photography and what not. And be sure you text me or call me at all times, understand?''

''Yes, sir, I understand.''

''Good, you're dismissed.''

---

''When are you going to leave this cockroach apartment?'' Aubree, my best friend said to me.

Aubree and I knew each other since freshman year of high school. She has the best characteristics of being a best friend.

She has a Hermione personality; she seems to know everything and anything you ask her, The party girl; She's a ball of fun and loves to go out every night of the week. She loves to party, get drunk, and just have a good time. And The motherly one, She sees right through your excuses and will call you out on your mistakes in a heartbeat. She always gives you the most practical advice and begs you to do things her way because she knows best.

That's my BFF, Aubree. Or I should say Little Mermaid.

You know.. cause of her hair

''Aubree, why do you always check me?'' I replied. She tossed me over a crop-top shirt and dark-blue jeans while digging through my makeup drawer.

''Because you deserve so much better love. You've been since UCLA, you graduated with a Business and Marketing degree and now you are working with the one and only Jason Vella at Vella Empire! Doesn't that concern you?''

''No.''

She dropped her face. ''That's bullshit.''

''No, it's not Bre! I am comfortable where I am.''

''Seriously? I think you should reconsider that.''

''Why?''

''Because someday you're going have to wave the white flag and surrender. Vi, it's best you do it for your own good. You don't want to be sixty years old and still live here with cats. Do you?''

''No,'' I mumbled.

''Exactly, what do you think about this?'' She showed off her sparkly blue jumpsuit.

''It's perfect.''

''Thanks, V, oh look at the time, we should get going!'

''Wait, now?''

''Yes, now! Come on, we're getting drunk and going to have the time of our lives!''

Ugh, it's Friday, girls night out that we planned for weeks now.

Why did I even say yes for? What's wrong with me?

"Oh god,'' I whispered.

--

I ended up driving us to the club.

Of course, Aubree was dancing her ass off on the dance floor with a random guy while I was stuck with his nerdy best friend as he was venting to me about him being a grad student at Georgia Tech in the Computer Sciences department.

I rolled my eyes, ordered a margarita, and sat back to watch this conversation slide into disaster. Two drinks later, I was completely zoned out as the guy droned on about his dissertation.

A small part of me could sympathize but half of me wants to die.

Unfortunately, at this point, I was on my third margarita.

''----What about you?'' He asked.

''Uhh... Umm... Wh..What?'' I slurred.

My tipsy brain skated around what he was trying to tell me.

''Uh,'' he nervously chuckled. ''I asked what's your occupation?''

I didn't respond. First of all, with the way he was leering at my legs, it was clear he found them attractive.

His hand landed on my knee, his touch cool and a little clammy. Yuck.

Pushing my legs back, I tucked them to the side, the position uncomfortable but far better than having his fingers on me.

He sucked at his drink, the slurping sound audible in the tight space, and leaned closer, his eyes glued to my breasts. Double Yuck.

I took a sip of my drink then splashed it right in front of his face.

''What the fuck!?!'' He barked and stood up from his seat rapidly with anger.

''Fucking pig!'' I replied, shoving him away and walked out from the door.

''Violet! Vi, wait!'' Aubree called from afar.

''What?!" I snapped.

''What happened? I thought you were having fun?''

''No, I'm not. I'm drunk and that guy over there was touching me, like touching me,'' I emphasized at the end.

''Oh... I'm sorry.''

''Can we go?''

''But--''

''Now," I retorted.

''Okay, okay, let's go.''