Moving Day

Riley POV

I spent the next three days running around to get everything packed and ready to move. Brookstone's wanted me there asap so they encouraged me to expedite the move. I had a moving company booked to come in two days and already picked a very stylish two bedroom apartment on the 22nd floor of a prestigious high riser. It was only a few blocks from work so I could even walk there every morning if I wanted.

I tried to convince my dad to stay with me but he refused. He said I needed my privacy for my own life and he needed his for his treatments. He knew I had no personal life. I also knew he didn't want me to be burden with watching him slowly deteriorate.

Some days he seemed to be better and others it looked like he took a sharp turn for the worse. All I could do was keep praying he beat this cancer and stayed around another fifty years, at least.

I was moving boxes from my kitchen when a loud bang came at the door making me drop everything. "Fuck!" I shouted watching my glass vase shatter. That was my mother's and now it was destroyed.

I threw the door open in a rage for whoever was here. "What!" I shouted. "Shit! Becky, I'm sorry."

"Are you ok? What is this? Are you moving?" Becky walked in with her portfolio case around her shoulder looking at my apartment of boxes. I forgot I told her I would help her with her new account.

"Yes. I got a job but it's in Seattle. They want me to start as soon as possible so I've been running around trying to prepare. I'm sorry, I completely forgot you were coming over."

"You're seriously leaving? We need you Ri. You can't leave. Darrell will give you your job back and probably a raise too. You can't leave."

"I don't care if he triples my salary. I'm done with that place and I'm done with Darrell's lies."

Becky shifted on her feet. She seemed nervous about something. I probably should had told her sooner, but as I said, I don't really know how to do the whole friends thing.

"Where did you find a job?" She asked taking a seat on my couch. I guess she was staying and I guess I could take a break for a bit. I probably owed Becky that much for always being my friend.

I grabbed a bottle of wine then dug out two glasses. "It's a large company made up of a few smaller companies, all working together to help other businesses called Brookstones. I'll be working with the marketing firm but I'm guessing I'll have to wear a few different hats. It's a little different then my old job but I'll learn the ropes quickly. They even offered me more then I made and are paying my first six months of a rental. It all happened so fast and with my dad being sick, I just been all over the place. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Marketing firm? Are you sure it doesn't conflict with Darrell's no compete contract you signed? You know he will come after you. He is pissed you haven't come crawling back yet."

"Shit! I don't think so but I should probably have a lawyer review that. That scum bag would try to sue me even if I'm on the other side of the country. Wait! He is seriously expecting me to come crawling back to him? Does he really think I have no dignity? God, I hate that man so much."

"I know you two had your differences but I think he knows that you aren't going to take it anymore. I would hate for you to move your whole life to Seattle because of this." Becky laid her hand on top of mine but her voice was almost condescending.

"How could you say that? He constantly tried to touch me, made stupid sexual comments, and offered many times to have sex. I should had filed charges against him for sexual harassment."

"He has a crush on you Ri. Come on, you're a beautiful woman, always wearing those tight dresses. Of course he made advancements on you, but he never forced you. I think it just got out of hand because you never straight out turned him down. He probably thought you were playing hard to get or something. I think if you talk to him you'll see it was just a misunderstanding." Becky rubbed her thumb over my hand but I was just feeling betrayed.

"It wasn't a misunderstanding and I won't ever work there again. I think you should leave."

"Leave! I'm just trying to help you Ri. Every since your mom died you been a little unstable. I don't want you throwing your life away because of this."

"I'm not throwing my life away. I already accepted the offer and I leave in two days. I would like you to go now." I got up and opened my front door.

This is why I never had any friends. No matter how close I got to people I always felt like they didn't understand me or were using me.

"Fine! Just kick me out. You promised you would help me but I guess you're too busy now."

"It's your account and your job. Figure it out! Goodbye Becky."

She rolled her eyes at me as she headed to the door. "I'll call you tomorrow. Hopefully you'll be in a better mood then. This isn't how friends treat each other." She said then walked out.

"No, this isn't how friends treat each other." I repeated to myself closing the door.

After Becky's little appearance I was lit with a fire to get out of here. I doubt I'll make any real friends in Seattle either but at least I'll being doing what I love. I really hoped Jax doesn't turn out to be some asshole. I do truly hate men.

———

The next day my apartment was packed and I had a lawyer review my contract. There were some gray areas that Darrell could try and challenge me with but I wasn't outright violating the non-compete clause. If he wanted to sue me then I'll deal with that later.

Honestly, I'd rather pay the fine and have my job far away from here anyways. I needed to work but my dad was right. I had an inheritance that would help me through any rough patches in life. I'm sure a lawsuit wasn't what they were planning on but if I was happy then my parents would be too.

That night I could barely sleep. I had so much anticipation built up I couldn't wait to be out of here. I even took a flight with a layover in Chicago just so I could get there quicker. I never been anywhere other then New York so I was going to do a little sightseeing along the way.

My dad had most his plans worked out. He had to wait six to eight weeks and said he would take the first flight out after he was medically cleared. We had dinner together and I couldn't believe it would be over a month before I saw him again. I don't think we been apart more than a week before. Even in college my parents constantly visited. Other kids would comment how strange it was but I was happy to see them.

———

I woke to a loud banging on my door. I checked the clock and it was five in the morning. I couldn't imagine who could be here at this time.

I grabbed my robe and walked with my eyes half open to the door. I was normally up at six but with the little sleep I got last night I felt like I haven't slept in a month.

I pulled the door open not even checking the peep hole and quickly tried closing it.

"Ri, please baby don't be like this." Darrell stood at my door holding it open with his foot. He looked perfect somehow in his tailored black suit, tan skin, and deep green eyes. He was a good looking man but his ego made him a complete turn off to me.

"Baby? Are you fucking serious? I'm leaving in a few hours and I don't need this aggravation right now. You said I was an embarrassment and to leave, so I left." I crossed my arms over my chest giving up trying to slam the door in his face.

"It was one bad meeting. I was upset, that's all. I didn't want you to quit."

"No, you wanted me to fuck you to make it go away." My face was pure venom but the bastard actually smirked at my words.

"That's not what I said, but I wouldn't object to those terms." His hand reached for my waist and I quickly slapped it off me. I turned to walk away and I knew it was a mistake the second I heard his little grunt. I could feel his eyes were now on my ass. I had a short silk robe on over my little shorts and tank top.

"Come on baby don't be like this. Tell me what you want and it is done."

"For one, stop calling me baby. We have never been together... ever. And we never will be."

"You sure about that?" He grabbed me from behind pinning my back to his front. My hands grabbed the kitchen island to brace myself from his sudden movement. "We are good together Ri. Let me show how good I can make you feel."

His hands roamed down to my thighs and I could feel his growing hard on against my ass. It was kind of sexy how he dominated me but not when I said no repeatedly.

"Get off me, Darrell. I don't want you to make me feel anything."

He wasn't listening anymore though. He began grinding against me and his fingers dug into my skin. I started fighting to get out of his grip unable to believe he would force himself on me like this. "Darrell get off!" I screamed trying to kick out of his arms.

He spun me around so quickly I didn't even see his hand come up but I felt it whip across my face.

"Stop being such a tease you whore." He grabbed my hand from my face and spun me back around until my face was smashed against the counter. "You're mine one way or another Riley." He threw my robe up on my back then tried pulling my shorts down. I fought with everything I had to stop him but he was too strong. I cried and shouted for him to stop but he didn't.

I looked around the best I could for anything to hit him with but I packed the whole damn kitchen up already. Just when he finally got my shorts out of my hands I felt him lifted off me. Thank god!

I spun around fixing my clothes and to see some stranger beating the crap out of Darrell. At first I was thankful someone came, then fear took over. This man was huge and definitely stronger than Darrell. I couldn't help but let my mind wander after what just happened. What if this stranger tried to finish what Darrell started?

"Hey Ms. it's ok. I won't hurt you." The man said reaching for my shoulders but I shrugged his hand away. I didn't mean to be rude to him. I was in shock from everything that just happened.

As the stranger tried slowly approaching me to calm me down Darrell shot up and ran out the apartment. "Hey! Get back here you piece of shit." The guy yelled then chased after him.

I quickly ran to the door locking it then slide down the wall and just sat there. I didn't cry and I didn't move an inch until my alarm started going off. Everything happen so fast that I couldn't really process what happened at all.

I pulled myself together, took a shower, and changed. I couldn't do anything about Darrell because again I had no proof. If the stranger that saved me came by I could ask him to file a complaint with me. It had been over an hour and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to come back anyways. The movers were due here any minute and I had a plane to catch this afternoon.

I was leaving it all behind me and hopefully never returning to this awful place again. I didn't need to dwell on what he tried to do to me. I just need a few drinks and a new life in a new city.