Chapter 4

The next day was a relatively free one. As I expected, the previous night, Parker had sent me a text. But I saw it just in the morning.

I was about to reply, at about 8 a.m., when my phone rang. It was a strange number. Nevertheless, I picked up.

“Hello?” I answered.

“Is this Ms. Iris Durham?” the person on the line asked.

“This is she,” I said hesitantly. Who was this, and why did that voice sound a little familiar?

“I’m calling on behalf of Grant Corporation. Congratulations, miss. You got the job!” The person exclaimed, and my eyes got wide.

“Excuse me?” I asked, not certain I had heard correctly.

“When can you start, miss?” the person asked, ignoring my question. Maybe they were used to people having all sorts of reactions.

“Um, Monday?” I said, or more like asked.

“Monday it is then. See you on Monday at 8:00 a.m. Have a nice day. And please, don’t be late,” then the call went off.

I looked at my phone in disbelief. What the hell? After my horrible interview yesterday, Harry had still decided to offer me the job? Was he alright?

I stood up, ready to go to his place and ask him questions, then sat down again on second thought. I had gotten my dream job in one of the best arms companies in the country. The pay was good, and it had a great reputation. And maybe going to confront Harry was going to put my position at risk.

I called my mother quickly so as to announce the good news. I was so happy. She picked on the first ring, and I immediately said, “Guess who got a job?”

My mother, whom I had always thought was a prude, said, “Yes, baby! Fuck them up!”

“Mom!” I exclaimed, laughing. That was the first time I had heard her curse when she was not angry.

“Baby, you got your first real job. I’d say that’s something to be happy about, right?” she asked, and I smiled.

Sometimes I regretted the way I behaved toward her. I knew she loved me, and that was why she was being overprotective. But I just badly wanted to show her I was an adult and that I could make reasonable decisions by myself.

“Yes, mommy. I love you,” I said with a big smile and misty eyes.

“Love you too, baby,” she said then I hung up after we had exchanged certain pleasantries.

I sighed in relief and then hastily replied to Parker’s text. He sent something funny in response, and I laughed. It was that easy to laugh when I was talking with him.

As I was about to put my phone away, he called. I was perplexed. Why was he calling me? And wasn’t he supposed to be at work?

I answered nonetheless. “Hey.”

“So, that’s the dry greeting you’re gonna answer with?” he asked, and I laughed.

“What did you want me to say? ‘Thank you for calling me, my lord. How are you today?’ That’s it?” I asked sarcastically.

“Exactly. But with more passion. You can start over,” he said, and I laughed out loud again. Then I remembered something.

“Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

“Not going in today,” he said, and I frowned. What did he even do? But I didn’t want to ask. I didn’t want to seem rude.

“Ohh. I got the job, by the way!” I exclaimed, smiling.

“The one you were convinced was an utter disaster?” Parker asked

“Yes,” I replied.

“Congrats!” He said, and I smiled. As I was about to answer, I heard a knock on the door.

“Can I call you later? Someone just knocked,” I said, and he hummed. It was soothing.

“Later,” he said, then I hung up.

I walked to the door in near trepidation. Who was at the door? And what did they want? The only people who knew my place were my mother and my neighbors. And I didn’t think any of them were here at this time.

I looked through the peephole and saw nothing but a gray material. So, I opened the door slowly and got shocked.

There, standing in front of my door with a package in his hand, was none other than Harry Killian.

I was about to slam the door in his face, but I remembered the call I had just got. He was now my boss. Even though we lived in the same building, I had to respect him.

“Yes?” I asked politely.

“Is this yours?” he asked, holding up the package in his hand.

I frowned and took it from him. After looking at the name and the company from which it was, I realized it was something I had ordered days ago and had even forgotten about the imminent arrival because of all the stress I was going through.

“Yes. Thank you.” I was being short. It was obvious. And he had clearly noticed it.

“I- alright. See you on Monday,” he said, then turned his back on me and started walking toward his apartment. I immediately felt bad.

“Wait, sir!” I said, then rushed to meet him. As soon as I got near him, I got a whiff of his perfume, and I had to stop myself from going up to him and hugging him uncontrollably.

“Yes?” Harry asked, turning around partly.

“I- thank you,” I said hesitantly. I was nervous. I didn’t know why, though.

“What for?” he asked, and I swallowed. He clearly was not going to make this easy for me.

“Thanks for the mail,” I said, then ended it there. I was kind of reluctant to mention the job. I didn’t know why, but I felt like he was going to explode or something if I mentioned it.

“You’re welcome,” Harry said, then continued walking toward his apartment.

I don’t even know what came over me, but I told him to wait a second time. I could tell he was getting impatient, but honestly, I didn’t care. I was nervous, but that was not going to stop me from telling him whatever I wanted to say.

“Thank you for taking a chance on me. I hope I won’t disappoint you.” There. I had finally said it. It hadn’t killed or paralyzed me.

Harry smiled. Or smirked, instead. It was like he had been waiting for me to say that. And to thank him. But the smirk was the only triumphant reaction he had. Then he said, “You were the most competent candidate. And I do hope you don’t disappoint us.”

“I won’t,” I affirmed with a nod. I would try my best not to.

His only answer was another smirk then he finally got into his apartment. I let out a huge sigh of relief.

I got into my apartment and slumped on the couch tiredly. I didn’t know what exactly was going to happen in the next few months. That was if I managed to keep the job that long. But all I knew was it was going to be a rollercoaster of emotions. Good or bad, I did not know. But I was going to find out.