chapter Five

Three years ago

"You're threatening my position on the board because I won't go on a date?"

Alexander's voice was steady.

He held his father's eyes.

"Maybe a break from the company will give you the clarity you need." His father placed his hands on Alexander's shoulder and leaned in close

"I know you think you can do this alone, but you can't."

Alexander noticed the tired expression his father's face held, he noticed the grey hair and the wrinkles around his eyes.

He hated to admitted but it had been a while since he really looked at his parents.

He tried to remember the last time he had been to their place.

"Don't force my hands Alex, you're not the only one who's stubborn" Richard said firmly.

Alexander ran through the options in his head.

His father was certainly more stubborn than he was, he'd learned that the hard way.

He also knew that his father was persistent, a temporary solution would barely hold.

He said nothing for awhile

"I'll handle it"he finally said

Richard studied his son, his expression shifted slightly.

"Handle what?" He asked.

"Everything, I'll handle it" Alexander's jaw tightened.

Richard raised an eyebrow.

Richard squeezed his son's shoulders and rose to his feet.

"You have a month, handle it or I will."

Richard let himself out the same way he had walked in.

Leaving Alexander with his thoughts and the silence he had been looking forward too.

He rubbed his eyes and let out a tired sigh.

He needed to think and quick too, The appointments he could handle.

Showing up at his doctor's office every few weeks was not an impossible task.

The problem was a partner, he did not have the time or energy to give attention to anything other than the company.

He rose to his feet and made his way up to his room.

The next morning ,he showed up to the office earlier than everyone else. His father's threat continued to ring loudly in his ears the entire night, he had barely slept a wink.

Work was a good distraction. but he'd still to find a permanent solution.

He felt his stomach twist and remembered that he hadn't had breakfast.

He sent a quick message to Oliver telling him to bring his breakfast.

Oliver replied immediately.

The usual?

Yes.

He hit send and placed the phone back in his pockets.

He leaned back in his seat and thought of pasta dish he'd wanted yesterday.

He rarely craved something different.

His eyes grew wide.

He pulled out his phone and dialed his lawyer's number.

This would be nothing but business and he was good at business, this way they'd both get what they'd wanted.

She probably wouldn't remember him but for some reason she had lived rent free in his head.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Clara had exhausted all her options, she had sold everything she could sell, she had called friends and relatives she hadn't spoken to in years.

She always had a bitter taste in her mouth when the phone calls ended.

But at least she had a little bit more, it was enough for two more sessions but she knew she'd eventually have to raise more.

She searched her room for something else she could sell, she'd sell everything if it could, she still needed some things.

She opened her phone to call Jade and noticed that she had received an email.

They were informing her of a meeting with Alexander Ford Tomorrow at 9am.

The location was the Blackwell Tower.

She lowered herself on the ground and refreshed her screen.

She tried to remember if she had applied for a job there.

She applied on so many different sites, she'd already forgotten more then half of them.

But she was certain she didn't apply there.

Why did he want to meet her.

It was a job interview, she had no reason to decline.

She needed as many jobs as she could handle.

She rushed to her wardrobe to find something anything suitable for a job interview.

She had none. She settled for a dress her father had gotten for her on her birthday.

Blackwell Tower stood high in midtown Manhattan, she rubbed her hands against her dress, took a deep breath and stepped in.

The meeting would be on the forty-fifth floor,

She walked to the elevator, tried to put in the number and noticed her trembling fingers.

She took several deep breaths and tried again.

The elevator doors opened and Clara walked to the receptionist desk.

"Hi, I'm here to see Mr Ford"

The receptionist look up at her and then back to the laptop in front of her.

"Do you have an appointment"

"Yes, nine am"

The receptionist typed away at her laptop and then gave her a warm smile.

"Miss Clara Hayes, he's ready for you"

She raised her hands towards the large double doors at the end of the hallway and Clara walked in that direction.

She hoped something would come out of this,

She needed something that would give her hope they she'd be able to get through this.

She pushed open the door and walked into the office.

Alexander Ford's office was spotless, everything was kept in the place.

She had never been in a room so perfectly put together.

Behind him was a beautiful view of Manhattan.

He sat in front a desk, typing away on a laptop when she stepped in.

She wondered if he had heard the doors open because he didn't seem to react to her presence.

"Have a seat, Clara."

His eyes did not leave the laptop screen.