𝑊𝑂𝑅𝐾𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑈𝑁𝐷𝐸𝑅 𝐽𝐸𝐴𝐺𝐸𝑅

1. 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑒

——
𝑎𝑣𝑎

My entire life was spent in and out of foster homes and trying to make ends meet for myself. I had high expectations for my future and I wasn't going to let myself down.

I have no recollection of who I was before my parents dropped me off at some filthy fire station and went on with their lives.

The only thing I knew was that I wasn't going to be some stereotyped foster child who goes on to be homeless and addicted to drugs.

Nope.

I have high hopes for myself, and today, I reach them.

——

"Ava Ackerman!"

My heels clicked against the hardwood as I walked across the stage, stopping halfway to receive my diploma and shake the hand of my principal.

Walking off stage, I see two of my biggest supporters; my boss and my roommate.

For the last six years of my life, I worked in a homey cafe and coffee shop owned by a young couple, the Ackermans'. They took on a parental role for me after a while so their coming to my college graduation was very special to me.

And, of course, my psycho fucking roommate, Carsyn.

Carsyn also worked at the cafe and has been supporting me through the all-nighters and breakdowns I've had throughout the years.

After the ceremony finished and students and their families started going home, I said my goodbyes to the Jacksons and headed home with Carsyn.

"Babes, you looked fucking hot up on that stage!"

I pushed him playfully and smiled. We were walking to his 2014 Honda Civic, he named her Valerie. He opened the passenger side door for me to get in and I curtsied and got in. It wasn't long before we got on the road back to our apartment.

"So... What's the plan now?" He asked but didn't look away from the road, his thumbs rubbing the curve of the steering wheel. He was nervous.

"I- uh- saved up enough from Athena's to buy an apartment in West Nyack. It's not a bad commute from the city and apartments go way cheaper than in the heart of Manhattan. The only way I'll make the big bucks is to work in the city." I looked over at him and squeezed his shoulder. "I was gonna ask over dinner- or something, I don't fucking know, but uh," I sighed and looked down at my lap before speaking again, "There's an extra bedroom if you wanted to tag along?" I screamed as he half swerved into the other lane and held onto the oh-shit handle.

"Of-fucking-course I will, you dumb bitch!" He looked over at me with a grin from ear to ear plastered on his face.

"Okay, we can't celebrate if we're dead, you asshole. Watch the road!"

——

𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛

"Eren, why did you fire the head of the Queens sister firm?"

Jesus, Mary, and Jerome- does it ever stop?

"None of your fucking business, Mikasa." I palmed my forehead and leaned back in my office chair.

"Well, genius, now we need a replacement. Do you know how hard it is to find a replacement for the Queens firm?" She put one porcelain arm firmly on her hip.

"Mikasa, please," I snaked both hands into my hair, pulling at the strands. "Just deal with it."

She scoffed and walked out of my office.

The real reason I fired that pervy bitch is that she was taking chance after chance at getting into my pants. I need serious people for my firm and I won't jeopardize that for anything or anyone.

I've worked way too hard to get where I am just to have my reputation ruined by some broad.

Interrupting my thoughts, Mikasa opened my office door again with a manila folder in her hand.

"Here," She tossed it on my desk, "New hire for the Queens firm. Her record is impressive, Eren." She left the file on my desk for me to look over and walked out.

Opening the folder, I see the name, Ava Ackerman. Harvard, Masters in Criminal Law, Bachelors in Business Law.

Impressive.

Punching the secretary number into my office phone, I reserve a day for Ms. Ackerman to come in for an interview.

I leaned back in my office chair, my hands clasped behind my head and slightly messing up my preexisting bun.

Ackermans are always a fun breed.