Five

May’s POV

The first thing I did as I walked out of the interview room on the third floor of Keith Industries, was grab my phone from my bag to turn it on. I had to turn it off the moment I walked into the building.

Mom has been calling me these days, because my stepfather needed some money. 

I shook my head as I remembered it, making me grimace. I realized she wasn’t in on what was going on, and my stepfather had probably complained to her and asked her to ask me for help. 

What a twisted way of asking me to give in to what he and my husband wanted. But it was what prompted me to come for this interview. If he needed help, then maybe if I got a job to help him myself, he wouldn’t be so bent on trying to force my hand. 

Using my mother to ask me for money was really low, even for him. He knew I would do anything for her, for my sister, their daughter. 

Aside from that, I knew I had to get a job sooner than later. I’ve realized Asher didn’t respect me because I wasn’t financially independent, and he thought all I used my time for was scheming to get one thing or the other from him. 

Doing this wasn’t about just helping my stepfather anymore. This was about earning respect, proving my worth beyond his expectations. This was my chance to show I was more.

As soon as my phone came up, I cursed. “Holy shit!” I mumbled.

I had missed ten calls during the three hours I had been here for. I was going to have to call my mother later. Quickly, I dialed back his number and pressed the phone to my ear as I walked out of the building to walk to the bus stop. 

As it rang and I waited for him to pick the call, I wondered what was wrong, because he had never called me that much before at one time. 

“Hello,” I said when he picked the call, but instead of his usual calm and cold voice, he yelled in my ear so much I had to pull the phone from it.

I stared down at the phone as if I wanted to make sure it was Asher I had called. “What the hell, May?” He asked me, with the same raised voice.

“I’ve been calling you over and over but you picked none of the calls.” 

My voice came out small when I spoke, because I didn’t want to give him any other reason to yell any further. “I’m sorry about that, Asher. I called back as soon as I turned on my phone and saw your calls.” 

“Why?” He barked. “Why did you have to turn it off in the first place?” He asked.

“I had to because I went for an interview. I was going to tell you, but I didn’t want to disturb you at work.” 

“Job interview? May, I needed you! I had an important meeting, one you were supposed to attend with me and you weren’t there,” Asher’s voice was filled with irritation.

Feeling as if I had done something wrong, I tried to explain more. “I’m sorry, Ash. I turned off my phone to focus on the interview. I didn’t think it would take long,” I said.

“Well, it did take long! Since I couldn’t reach you, I took someone else to the meeting. I had no choice, but that didn’t sit well with the clients!” His tone grew harsher.

“I understand, Asher, but I couldn’t leave my phone on during an interview, and I didn’t want to bother you at work, or I would have informed you,” I pleaded.

“That’s not the point! You’re supposed to be here when I need you,” Asher snapped. “You’ve always been here when I needed you, so I didn’t think I had to tell you last night. What other use are you in this damn marriage?! The one thing you need to do is to play a good wife!”

Feeling hurt and unheard, I fell silent for a moment. Then he dropped another bombshell on my lap.

“Now, with the look of things, the deal has fallen through.” He said. Asher’s words were like a punch to my gut.

My heart sank. “I’m sorry, Asher. I’ll be more available next time,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the pang of hurt I was feeling. What else could I do anyway, than to apologize about it and show how sorry I was? I had not at all thought that he might call me in the few hours I was in the interview. I would have left my phone turned on, and on vibrate at least, so I don’t miss his calls.

Certainly, this wasn’t how I expected telling him about the interview to pan out.