Chapter 3.

It's like 2 years ago.

I'm on the floor, feeling small, while he stands tall and like a giant, towering over me.

He takes a step towards me and my heart beats widely against my chest, my face is heated up due to the humiliation I am feeling right now.

' You already are nothing more then gum under my shoe. And if you so much as breathe my way -

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes because those words hit me hard at this moment. The memory becomes so vivid that when his hand reaches out towards me, I flinch back.

I notice him now start to frown and I know what's next, he'll get angry and give me a disgusted look like that day, then the insults will follow.

" Sir she -"

I jump to my feet and quickly take my bag and shoes before pushing past everyone in my way, rushing out of there. This time I don't take the lift but head towards the stairs.

" Hey wait -"

I ignore that person, running off with a goal to never return here again. 

                           *******

I groan out with my head on the table.

" Here honey, you look like you could use this." A warm and friendly female voice says above me.

My head picks up and I see a juicy delicious chocolate cake, with a strawberry milkshake on the side, placed infront of me.

Glancing up at the person, I see that the lady is middle aged, very pretty with brownish reddish hair, tanned skin and quite curvacious.

I glance between her and the goodies, feeling hesitent to even ask how much. I'm kind of nipping and picking regarding the finances because I've still got rent to gather for.

" Don't worry, it's on the house."

" Oh no mam, I couldn't...." I say, pushing the food towards her.

And then dear friends, my traitorous stomach decides that this is the right time, to make a lot of rumbling noises.

My face warms up, no, it burns with embarassment. The lady gives me a knowing smile and I sheepishly take everything back.

" Thank you." I say softly, feeling embarassed enough.

The first touch of the cake on my tongue, lightens up my taste buds and an uncontrollable moan slips out.

" Sorry, but this is really good." I say, pointing at the yummy cake.

" I'm glad you're enjoying it." She says, sitting on the opposite side.

" Yeah, definetly."

" You look like you had quite a rough day."

I pause with the spoon mid air.

I sigh, placing it back on the plate.

"What's wrong dear?"

I sigh again, resting my cheek against my hand. " Rough doesn't begin to describe the day I've had."

" Oh?"

" Can I tell you something?"

" Sure dear."

" I have redifined the word humiliation by what I did today."

" Aren't you being just a little too hard on yourself?"

" Not at all. I totally messed up my interview before I even got to the part of questioning. I surely must be something to joke about over lunch." I groan out, facepalming myself.

" Everyone has rough days from time to time, but that doesn't mean they give up because from the look on your face, you want to do so."

" Right now yes, but I'm pretty sure after I've had a nice shower and a good nap, that's if I'm not haunted by what happened, then I'll be ready to go."

" Well if that's what will take to get you up on your feet again, then you do just that." She encourages, patting my hand.

" Oh that's not my motivation?.....It's actually the rent that I have to work hard to pay." I say wide eyed.

She nods, listening to me rambling.

" And ofcourse food because I love food, like this cake."

She chuckles, her eyes dancing in amusement.

" Well are you good now or do you want to let more out?"

" Are you in a hurry?" I ask, smiling sheepishly.

" I've got time."

I sit up straight, getting ready to let out all about today. I need to let it all out so that I don't feel the heavy load on my shoulders when I get home.

I let out a long and tired sigh after I basically throw myself on the couch. I can't believe today turned out this way, I'm back at my place after facing humiliation.

First I get stuck in the elevator which was hot by the way. I woke up ready and early for the interview, only to end up late and basically miss it, not to mention that I saw him again.

"Why now?.....Why did I have to see him again. My life was perfectly fine after - no, perfect is a little out there, but it was fine. Why can't he just disappear?" I let out a frustrated groan, after basically talking to myself.

I roll over onto my side and grab my bag, taking out my phone. I text Lucia, letting her know that I'm back and how everything went, with one word.

Horrific....

5 minutes later and she responds and that's when a long conversation starts. By the time that one of us ends the conversation, I am feeling slightly better. I finally get off the couch and change out of my clothes, dressing down with some leggings and a simple oversized shirt.

I waste time away on watching boring shows and one or two movies, whilst keeping my phone on the charger. Concentration on what I'm watching falls away as I think about what to do next.

One thing I wont do, no matter how tough the situation may look, is to crawl back to beg for my job from Mr Sanders. No way.

I'd rather cut myself.

I know that I have to start looking for another job soon, before time to pay rent is due. Gosh, I don't want to bother my mom and ask for a loan from her, no, I don't want to trouble her. I'll just have to find a way, someway.

Watching a scene of a girl going for a job interview in a movie, it has me thinking of what I can improve on my CV and -

" Oh no!" I sit up with a start, my eyes growing wide. " No, no, no....Stupid, stupid, stupid." I facepalm my forehead.

I can't believe that I forgot my CV at that company...

I must have forgotten it on the floor somewhere, maybe in the elevator because my focus was mostly on Ava.

I mean I don't regret what I did for her and putting her first, in a situation like that. She's a baby for crying out loud.

Though I do blame myself for being careless. I don't even want to think about how much more it would have been humiliating, if I didn't miss the interview, instead, going in there with nothing in my hand.

I would have surely looked like a fool.

" I have to get my things back." I tell myself.

The sudden knock on my door takes me out of my thoughts. I rise to my feet and head over to answer the door, being curious of who it might be since I'm not expecting anyone.

" Miss Grey?" The pretty female in office attire says.

She looks so pretty in a navy blue suit dress with black heels, hair tied in a bun, make-up done nicely. And gosh, she has flawless skin.

" Yes, this is she."

" My name is Mikayla and I'm from Mr Cullen's office, I believe that this belongs to you." She says, taking something from under her arm, which I hadn't taken notice of before.

It's an envelope, my envelope.

" Yes, my documents. Thank you so much, you know I was just thinking about how to get these back and then -" I stop mid sentence, realizing that I've started rambling.

A nervous smile takes over my face. " Uh.....Thanks."

" Miss Grey!" Her hand shoots out to stop me from closing the door.

Frowning, I open the door again.

" Is there anything else?"

" Yes, I've been personally sent from the office to inform you that your interview, has been rescheduled for tomorrow."

' She says it like someone did me a favour.'  I mentally scoff.

Wait, what?

" Excuse me, did you just say that the interview has been rescheduled?" I ask in surprise.

" Yes. The company has taken accountability for the incident that occurred earlier. This is why we as Cullen and Co Industries have taken full responsibility -"

" Is Ava okay?" I ask, cutting her off.

She takes a few seconds to answer, being taken aback by my interruption.

" Okay good." I sigh in relief.

" As I was saying Miss Grey, we would like it, if you came back again for the interview, transport would be provided ofcourse."

Why the trouble?....Geesh, people get stuck in the elevator all the time, it's no biggie.

" Uh thank you for coming all the way with my documents, I really appreciate it. As for the interview, I'm sorry but I'll have to say no."

Her brows shoot up in surprise.

"Sorry?"

" Yes, I've made the decision to not come back, please send my apologies to your boss. Okay thank you, bye!" I close the door before she can say anything.

Instead of feeling bad, a relieved sigh takes over my face. I actually feel okay and like a big weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I kiss my envelope, feeling relieved that I don't have to go back to that company again and see that man again. I believe that this is what had to happen, in order for me to feel like I am in control.

I believe that this was the last time in which I would have anything close to another encounter with him, nothing shall connect us anymore. I'm basically free from him, for good this time.

With the good feeling that's bubbling within me, I decide to treat myself to a nice juicy pizza. I know that many may think I'm messing with my rent money right now but no, this is from my piggy bank.

And yes, as old as I am, I still have a piggy bank.

By the time night rolls in, I'm all snuggled on my couch with a small blanket, large pizza and milkshake, along with some goodies displayed on the table, while I watch a nice movie.

A girl has got to treat herself before working hard tomorrow, and I mean job hunting.

During my nice moment, I hear a knock on the door. I groan out in irritation that someone decided to choose this moment to disturb me. When the person shows no intention of leaving, with their constant knocking, I finally get off the comfort of my couch and go on to answer.

" I'm coming, you don't have to knock so much, I heard you, you know!" I get tongue tied after opening the door and my eyes meet him.

Mr Cullen, in the flesh.

On my doorstep.