chapter 4

Daddy drops his brown bottle on the floor and it breaks. Brown stuff spills out and mommy shouts at daddy for spilling it. Daddy yells at mommy and throws a chair at the wall. Mommy cries out to me and tells me to go to my room. Daddy starts to hit mommy, again, and again, and again. Mommy is crying loud now. Daddy won't stop...

I woke up from a nightmare and felt my forehead. It was wet and my entire back was covered in sweat. I felt grimy and gross. I swung my legs over the bed and looked at the clock on my bedside table. 

I hopped in the shower to wash away the distress of my seemingly recurring nightmare. I used to have them when I was a kid, but they never seemed to have gone away.

I blow dried my long brown hair and curled the ends, my makeup today was minimal, as I wanted to be professional. 

I picked out my nicest looking dress and the prettiest heels I owned. I slipped my clothes on and looked at myself in the mirror.

Hi guys! I'm Madi, I'm from Australia and I love to read and write! I'm a self proclaimed writer and adventurist. I love nature and exploring the boundaries of fiction. Thank you for reading my stories!

"Looking good, hot date?" she laughed. She loved playing on my lack of a love life, sometimes I just wish I didn't tell her everything, so she can stop making fun of me. 

"Thanks Maggie. I'm kind of nervous, what if I don't fit in there?" I asked, ignoring her comment about my absent date. 

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure your little boyfriend will make you feel just right" she wiggled her eyebrows and laughed.

I felt my face turn red. "You just love embarrassing me don't you?"

"Love it." She said as she put her empty mug in the sink "listen, I'll be out later today. I'm going to go see Jack after work. Order some food...unless you'll be out with..."

"I'll order pizza" I smile at her and interrupt her before she mentions Mr. Saunders. She laughs at me "okay then kiddo. See you later, good luck. I have to go get dressed"

I waved her goodbye as I grabbed my purse and jacket.

Maggie works at a publishing company and she runs the business around here. I just follow what she puts out, but maybe that should change soon. 

I took a taxi to Ryan's building and arrived right on time. I walked over to Nancy at the front desk and she smiled at me. "Well good morning Maddie. Mr. Saunders is excited to have you here"

I blushed and thanked her. While we were in the elevator Nancy smiled at me. "He likes you"

I looked at her with a confused face. "Yes. He likes you, I was just as surprised to hear of hi taking you out for coffee as I am sure you were when he suggested it" she laughed. 

"I'm sorry but who are you...?" I asked in the most polite way I could. 

She laughed as if it were obvious "I'm his sister. Nancy Saunders. I've known Ryan nearly his whole life and he's always been a hermit. Never liked people, give him a chance, though" she stopped and corrected herself "I mean, give the job a chance"

Finding out that she's his sister made me feel terrible about making fun of her awful lips. I chose to ignore her comment as I was already so nervous for my first day, not knowing what to expect.

I smile at her and thank her for everything. I knocked on his office door and he immediately responded with "WHAT?!" In the nastiest of tones. Ryan, mean? No! It can't be! I rolled my eyes before responding.

"Um it's Madeline, Mr. Saunders," I said as I opened the door slowly, not wanted to get screamed at so early in the morning. His face visibly softened for a split second and then immediately hardened again. 

Hi guys! I'm Madi, I'm from Australia and I love to read and write! I'm a self proclaimed writer and adventurist. I love nature and exploring the boundaries of fiction. Thank you for reading my stories!

"Let me show you your new office" he led me down the hall to a silver door with a name plaque hanging on it 'Miss Madeline Slate'

He looked at me and motioned for me to sit. "Here's your agenda for the week. This should be done by Friday. Your workday officially starts at 8:30 am and ends at 6:00 pm. Staying overtime is not necessary" He did not even look at me as he dropped the Manila file on my desk and left briskly, shutting the door in a rather hard way. 

I opened it up and looked at my agenda for Monday. This isn't too bad, but an hour later, I realized what everyone had been talking about. 

I was typing up a letter for a business partner who's investing in our line of work with children's hospitals in the U.S when I heard screaming from down the hall.

I heard Ryan screaming over the phone "I TOLD YOU TO FUCKING TYPE UP THE LETTER BY MONDAY. IT'S FUCKING MONDAY AND I DON'T HAVE MY LETTER. I PAY YOU TO GET SHIT DONE NOT SIT ON YOUR ASS ALL DAY! I AM LOSING MONEY HOUR BY HOUR AND SOME PEOPLE NEED TO SUSTAIN THEMSELVES. GET THIS LETTER TYPED UP OR YOUR ASS IS FUCKING GRASS" he screamed and banged his fist into his desk and slammed the phone down. 

I would be lying if I said I didn't laugh a little. "Your ass is grass" classic line, I'll be sure to mark it down. He was right though, people depend on his business deals because it's how they make a living, if you don't do what you're told, you get fired.

I finished my daily duties at 6:00 pm and as I was walking out of my new office I bumped into Mr. 'Cliche threatening lines' Saunders

Hi guys! I'm Madi, I'm from Australia and I love to read and write! I'm a self proclaimed writer and adventurist. I love nature and exploring the boundaries of fiction. Thank you for reading my stories!

"I'm so sorry Mr. Saunders" I said as I backed away from him slowly, looking down at the ground, not wanting to get screamed at.

I decided to defend myself "Yes, I did. But if you belittle me, I surely do not" I bit my lip and looked away.

He smirked "well, if you still care, maybe I could tell you all about it over dinner?" he asked. 

"dinner?" I asked, shocked. 

"yes, it is this thing people do in New York, where we share a meal in the evening, talking about our days," he said in a mocking tone. 

I rolled my eyes "yeah, I know what dinner is, thanks for the clarification though" 

"So is that a yes or a no?" he pushed, seeming uneasy. 

"Sure, I just have to get my purse" I gave him a small smile and turned around, so he would not see the stupid smile playing on my face. I cannot believe this.

His driver took us to a restaurant downtown and we sat down to eat.

"How was your first day?" He asked as he ordered us a bottle of wine and some other fancy meal. 

"it was wonderful, thank you again for the opportunity." I smiled and took a sip of this wine that costs more than my life.

"I'm glad you did. You produce great work" he said nonchalantly as if giving someone a compliment was difficult, he had to make it seem like a no biggie. 

Hi guys! I'm Madi, I'm from Australia and I love to read and write! I'm a self proclaimed writer and adventurist. I love nature and exploring the boundaries of fiction. Thank you for reading my stories!

"You never answered my question" I pushed. 

"No" he said. 

I sat back and frowned and then sat back up again. I smiled at him "well, Mr. Ryan Saunders, there is a first for everything. So with that said, how was your day, don't skip any juicy details" 

He seemed pleased at my persistance and began to tell me of his day and how it began with that awful phone call that I laughed about and shook my head at. He told me of the terrible lunch he had and the stale coffee, and that overall, his day could have been better. 

I blushed and thanked him. I finished my salad as pulled out my wallet when he raised a hand. "I've got it," he said.

"No, I can't let you pay. That's so wrong" I probably would not have even been able to afford a fourth of the bill, but I felt like such a jerk.

He narrowed his eyes at me which told me not to argue with him. I slumped back down in my seat. I felt so bad. He paid for my meal and he's my boss.

We were standing outside and I turned to him to thank him for the meal when I took one good look into his eyes and it almost felt like I was being drawn towards him.

"I hope your day tomorrow will be better" I smiled. 

"I had a good day today, though," he said as he gazed past me, at the New York skyline. 

"I thought you said it could be better" I laughed. 

"It got better" he looked at me and cocked his head to the side, to match my confused expression.

"Penny for your thoughts?" He said.

He wasn't buying it. "Mhm. How are you getting home ?" He asked.

"Oh nothing, just thinking about how awesome this new job is" I smiled.

"I'll take a cab like most working New Yorkers," I said as I pulled out my phone. Did he really not know how most non-billionaires got around day to day?

"How about I just take you?" He asked, looking around at the abundance of cabbies on this block. 

I felt a surge of embarrassment because I didn't want this rich guy to see my tiny little apartment.

"Oh no it's fine, I'm sure you have more important things to do anyway. Thanks for the offer"

"I don't have any other things to do, and your safety is important to me. I'll take you there" he pushed, something told me not to mess with him, but I could not rest my case. 

"I really don't want to be a hassle" I felt super uneasy and slightly embarrassed. 

"Don't worry about it" he said as a black Audi pulled up. He opened the door and motioned for me to sit.

I thought about it for a second and then figured that it was just a ride home. He urged me to get in just based on the expression on his face. 

"What's your address?" He asked.

I told him my address as his driver typed it into his GPS.

"Upper west side. Nice" he said, looking impressed.

"Uh thanks, it's a really small apartment"

"I'm sure it's fine," he said with confidence.

"Where do you live?" I asked.

"Stalking me or genuinely interested?" He asked with a small smile on his face.

I blushed "genuinely interested"

He almost laughed "midtown. I'm never there anyway"

I wasn't surprised that he lived in the richest part of New York City.

"Oh, why?" I asked while facing him.

He looked confused for a second "you're actually interested in my home life?"

"Well considering the fact that you're never home I wouldn't think of it as home life. But yeah a little bit, am I being too intrusive?" I asked while putting my hands over my face

He pulled my hands away gently "no you're not being intrusive...at all. You asked me about my day and how my living situation is, no one is really interested in me. Ever" he muttered and looked away. 

"Oh wow. That's odd, you're quite interesting" I said with a small smile.

He almost smiled but changed the topic quickly "how do you get to work?" He asked.

"Taxi" I replied while looking out the window.

 "Well I can't really afford a car so, taxi it is," I said quietly.

"I see. That will change" he said while looking at his watch.

"Hopefully, I want to save up money but it's so hard having to pay rent and then afford a lease on a car," I said and frowned.

"How come your parents don't help you with your finances?" He asked me.

I remembered talking to my mom about helping me out with my college debt and her laughing in my face.

"My...mom isn't really up for that idea," I said quietly.

"Your father?" He asked.

I instantly froze and felt all the color drain from my face. "My dad...isn't with us," I said while looking down at my intertwined fingers.

Hi guys! I'm Madi, I'm from Australia and I love to read and write! I'm a self proclaimed writer and adventurist. I love nature and exploring the boundaries of fiction. Thank you for reading my stories!

"Sorry to hear that. We're at your apartment building." He said.

We rode the elevator up to my floor and I got to my door. I opened it and stepped inside heading for the kitchen.

"Would you like anything to drink?" I called.

"No thank you," he said as he examined some of my little knick knacks. "These are interesting," he said as he pointed to the two little bunny salt and pepper shakers. I detected amusement in his voice.

"Thanks, my roommate picked them out," I said as I pulled out a bottle of water from the fridge.

"What's her name?" He asked. "Margaret but she goes by Maggie" I smiled.

He looked amused "Maddie and Maggie? That worked out"

I laughed "yeah she's great. She's 2 years older than me. Really successful too, she runs a publishing company with her parents"

He nodded and put the salt and pepper shaker down. "Well, I should probably be going. It was nice seeing you tonight"

I smiled at him. He was undeniably hot, he was wearing a scarf and a pea coat and still looked amazing. "Thanks for the ride, and for coming"

I said.

"No problem. Bye" he waved me goodbye as he showed himself the door and left.

A part of me wondered why the poor guy never smiled. Even my greatest of jokes couldn't make him smile.

Granted, my jokes did suck but still, a smile or two couldn't kill anyone.