Chapter 2 - The interview

Aimee POV

"Are you sure this looks good?" I ask Stella, and she nods her head. I look at myself in the mirror, and I am honestly unsure about this skirt. I am going for an interview today, and I can't help but feel very anxious. I turn around, looking at my back reflected in the mirror, and I frown. I really don't think this looks good on me. This is not me. The skirt rests under my knees and has a slit right in the middle of the skirt in the back.

"This is supposed to look different", I protest, and Stella tells me I am being silly. Just because I am short doesn't mean that the skirt doesn't look good on me. She passes me her high heel shoes that I am wearing, and I frown. "I can't walk on this", I protest.

"You look amazing, but if you don't feel comfortable, why don't you wear your black dress?" Stella asks, and I look at the dress resting on the back of my bedroom chair, and I lift it up in front of my body, and I look at my reflection.

I nod my head as I strip the white shirt and the black skirt, and I slide the black dress on, it hugs all of my curves like a glove, and I feel very confident on this dress. I need it because I am very nervous about this interview.

"Did you try to get out of this one?" Stella asks as she sits me in front of the mirror so she can do my make up.

"I tried, but my editor said I am the right person for the job. I guess he doesn't know how wrong I am going to be. I tried to explain that I have a past with him, but he said that that's even better" I let out, and Stella laughed. She shakes her head, and once she is done, I look in the mirror, and my green eyes pop out through the smoky eyeshadow.

"You do realise I am not going there to seduce him or to try and get back with him, right? It's been ten years", I say, and Stella helps me up and on her high heels. I take a deep breath looking at my feet, and I might have to slip my flats in my bag without her noticing so I can change as soon as I get into the Uber.

"I know you don't want anything to do with him, but hey, it doesn't hurt to show that idiot what he lost", Stella says, and I nod my head slightly.

I look at myself in the mirror, remembering that night, the night he told me to get out of his house when his best friend trapped me in the bathroom and kissed me against my will. He believed him instead of me. I shake my head, trying to get that memory out of my mind. I look at Stella, and she pulls me for a hug.

"He is an idiot for not believing in you', Stella says, and I nod my head, and I fake a smile as I walk to grab my recording device, my pen and my pad. I am an old school journalist, and I like to write on paper. I know, weird.

I grab my bag and throw my shoes inside with my MacBook and other things when my phone pings announcing the Uber has arrived. After telling Stella I'll call her as soon as I am done with this interview, I walk out of the door. She nods her head and tells me to make him regret for dumping me.

In the car, I look at my feet and decide to keep the high heels to try and look a bit taller. I am only five foot four, and people tend to underestimate me because of my height. Stupid people.

"We're here, Miss", The driver calls, and I look out of the window to see the tall building I have been avoiding for the past seven years. I get out of the car and adjust myself in my dress before I walk into the building and announce myself to the lady at the reception area. She looks at the diary and gives me a little badge that I put on my dress, and she tells me to follow the corridor and turn right to the lift, the fifteenth floor. I nod my head, thanking her, and I walk to the lift.

As soon as the doors close, I start to feel my heart beat so fast that I honestly think I am about to have a heart attack, I have never been so nervous in all my life, but I guess it takes Alec Hardy to make me think I will fail at my job and not be able to conduct myself correctly.

The doors open, and a tall blonde woman greets me. She offers me her hand, and I shake it. "I'm Sonia, Mr Hardy's secretary", she says, and I smile. She seems nice.

"I'm Aimee Jones from Financial Times", I say, and she offers me a smile and guides me through the long corridor towards a set of double doors. I stop as she opens the door and walks in. I stand still, and she looks back over her shoulder and frowns.

I take a deep breath, and I walk into the room to see Alec, he stands up, and when his blue eyes meet mine, they turn cold. I walk in pretending the be the most confident woman in the world, and Sonia looks at me and then at Alec.

'Mr Hardy, this is Aimee jones from Financial Times, and she is your next appointment", she announces, and his eyes keep glued on mine. He then opens a big smile, walks around his mahogany desk towards me, and offers me a hand to shake.

"Miss Jones, it is a pleasure", he says, and as soon as our hands touch, I feel like an electric shock, and I remove my hand from his touch straight away. I clear my throat and offer him a smile.

"Pleasure is mine", I say as he guides me to the oval table at the end of his office. His hand resting on my lower back brought back memories of when he used to open the restaurant doors for me and guide me to our table. Alec pulls my chair, and I take my seat. He walks to the opposite side of the table and sits resting back on the chair. His eyes don't leave mine, and it makes me feel highly uncomfortable.

I clear my throat as I pick up everything that I will need for the interview, and he looks at me, analysing my every move. I look at him and lick my lips, and I raise my eyes to him.

"So, Mr Hardy", I start, and he laughs. I stop and look at him, frowning.

"How can you do this? Why are you here, Aimee?" he asks, and I look at him, keeping my composure. The conversation is already recording, and I look at him.

"I don't understand what you mean, sir. I am here to interview you, and please call me Miss Jones", I say, and his eyes grow darker as he rests his elbows on the table to stay closer to me.

"Who are you trying to fool?" he asks, and once again, I raise my chin and look up at him in the eyes.

"I am sorry, sir, I am here to interview you for our financial magazine", I say, and he stands up, slamming his hands on the desk, making me jump and open my eyes wide.

"Why are you here, Aimee? After ten years, why are you here? Didn't you do enough damage in my life? You want to do some more to my reputation now?" he barks at me, and I stand up, collecting all of my things and throwing everything into my bag.

"I never thought I would say this, but Fuck you, Alec", I say as I throw my bag over my shoulder and start walking towards the door, but his hand gets to me before I open the door, and he spins me, I lose balance on this bloody heels, and I stumble onto him against his chest between his arms. I look up at him as his arms rest around my petite frame. Alec's eyes fall on mine, and I pull away, adjusting my dress and my hair grabbing my bag that is now on the floor.