6

Alessia

I heeved loudly as I watched him rise to his full height and spin on his heels. Wait, how could he just leave like that? Did that mean I'd lost the job?

"Wait! I'm not fired, right? What happened really wasn't my fault and I've already apologized." My voice grew weaker the more I spoke. Desperation dripped from my words and I watched his fleeing back while frantically thinking of what to do. But then he stopped at the door without turning around.

"Tsk, you're still giving excuses, you really are something. I have nothing else to say to you, so pick your sorry self off my floor and get out," he spat. Even though he was facing the other way, I could feel the power reverberating off his words in waves.

"Am I fired?" I asked again in a pathetic voice and he fell silent.

"I really need this job!" I begged.

He shoved a hand in his pocket then continued. "Are you really that desperate?"

Was I? The answer didn't need to leave my lips because I felt it etched into my very bone. If I didn't keep this job, then it would be nearly impossible for me to cover my bills. Not to talk of the fact that I had a baby on the way. Leaching off of Isabel was a big no and finding another high paying job was out of the question.

"I'll take your silence as a yes... But even so, get out. I'll deal with you later." With that, he shoved his other hand in his pocket and started a leisure stroll away until his back faded out of my sight.

Damn him! I wanted to scream but I knew I would be kicked out of the building if I tried. The room I was in was empty except for some office furniture and of course my sprawled on the floor frame. At least no one was here to witness my utter humiliation.

I gripped my chest to try to calm my rapidly beating heart but it was no use. I had been through so much in a matter of minutes and my poor heart needed some time to recover. I picked myself up slowly, then dragged my half dead feet across the floors until I got to the exit. I didn't bother to glance at myself on the reflective building as I walked out. I knew I was a mess. It was just too bad that the outfit Isabel had painstakingly picked out was in ruins.

Everything blurred together and before I knew it, I was back home. I silently prayed Isabel wouldn't be here because I didn't know what I would say happened this time. Minutes passed as I took the time to try to clear my head before I opened the door... Only for the door to open. My prayers weren't answered.

"I knew you were here, my senses were tingling," Isabel said, her eyes glued on whatever show was on because she hadn't seen me.

"Woah, what happened to you. Did you get into a fight with a raccoon or something? And why are you home so early? I thought you didn't get off work till four or five?" Her eyes narrowed in on the scratches I had gotten when I was knelt on the floor.

"Alessia, what happened?" She asked calmly,which meant she was the furthest thing from calm.

A sigh left my lips." Can I at least get in first, I'm not feeling too well."

"Fine. But don't think you can weasel your way out of this one."

"I won't try to."

I pushed passed her and made my way to my room. The clothes stuck on my back had really started to get on my nerves and the only thing that could help with how irritated I felt would be taking a nice, hot bath.

I opted for an actual bath this time to clear my head. I settled into the bath and "relaxed" all the while my head went reeling. If I didn't keep this job, I was screwed and that Axel jerk was annoying enough to let me go for the fun of it.

"Alessia, you can't stay in there forever. You're going to tell me what happened whether you like it or if you want me to drag you out by your hair," Isabel's impatient voice called through the door.

"I'm coming, just relax," I called back. I listened carefully as her footsteps faded away before I slumped on the bath tub's cool surface.

I soaked in the tub for another twenty minutes before I decided to get out. My fingers were like prunes and I was sure they would shrivel up and fall off if I left them to soak in the soapy water any longer.

"Oh, you're out," Isabel said, surprised. I raised a brow and looked at her.

"Why do you sound surprised?"

"Well,I was kind of hoping you would be stubborn so that I would go with the second option." Her eyes glimmered like she was talking about her wildest dreams and I rolled my eyes. Isabel was something else at times.

I wrapped the robe I had on tighter around my body and sat on the sofa opposite her. Isabel's eyes tracked my movements like a hawk and I wondered if she thought I would make a run for it.

"Stop looking at me like that, I'm not going anywhere." She thankfully snapped out of it and loosened up.

"No more delays, talk. Who do I have to beat up?" I nearly choked on my next words when I heard her. She really had no idea what was going on and was clueless about the kind of mess I had stepped into.

"Fine." I went on to tell her how I had had a fight with someone at work and eventually being sent out. She knew nothing about Mr Jerk so I wanted to keep it that day, it was better for her.

"How could that jerk do that to you? Now, I definitely have to beat him up." Her hands were balled at her sides as she fumed.

You wouldn't be able to beat him up, I wanted to say but I held my tongue. That would only complicate things.

Isabel took a breath and looked at me, her eyes scanned my face before she asked.

"The question is, do you still have a job?"