Of Blood and Downfall

Chapter 1.

Dad says Jenny left the company but I think she's missing. I don't think he wants to bring attention to the publishing company. How is it going to look when all platforms are focusing on the famous producing news, City Central? It will ruin the supply and demand of the sells and bring the company down.

I don't really know what goes on in the company but what I know is that my Dad is the editor-chief and will produce anything for consumers. He's a business man and always will be. Whatever City Central publishes on the front page with a bolded headline is what keeps the stock up.

Let's not forget the boost of social media and the rise of electronic devices. Since they made an app to be purchased on smartphones, it has helped the company so much—it's the #1 best news report in America.

As for me, I finished graduate school at NYU in the Spring, and I am in desperate need of a job. I cannot stay in New York City any longer than my twenty-five years. It's overcrowded, there's huge rats, and freaky crackheads in the subways. I've been here all my life and I'm exhausted of no sleep, continuously running around and making sure I have fulfilled everybody's desires.

I finished in business and marketing to follow my dad's footsteps but from his countless business trips, long phone calls during dinner and complaints—I don't want to do it anymore. Yet, how I am supposed to tell him that? I did minor is computer science but all I did was nerdy things like cheat codes and break into facility accounts online.

Tossing my lanyard of keys on the island, I grab a water bottle from the refrigerator and lean back on the counter. The television in the living room is on and it's playing the news about things going on across the Atlantic Ocean.

It's Sunday and I just came back from running errands with my loving but arrogant boyfriend, Sam. We met during undergraduate school but I am not fulfilled with our relationship. That's another conversation for another day.

Dad comes out from the hallway and is adjusting his tie. I roll an apple around in my hand, feeling for any bruises. He turns and his face brightens when he finds me standing in the middle of the kitchen.

"Hi baby," He greets, walking to me and planting a kiss on my forehead. "How's Sam?"

"He's good." I reply, plain and simple. Unsure of adding next is appropriate but I do, "Actually, he wants to talk to you about an opening internship at City Central."

"Hm okay." He pulls out juice from the refrigerator and places it on the counter. "Which one?"

"Editor."

"Okay, next time he comes over, we can talk about it." I watch as he drinks a glass of orange juice and grabs his wallet and keys from the island.

"Where are you going?" I ask him and he slips his dress shoes on.

"The men from the company want to meet up to—"

"—See what we can do to make the company strong...right." I finish off because every time, it's the same answer. There's a soft smile on his lips but his eyes say otherwise. He knows I don't have the energy to beg him to stay home with me because I'm an adult and not a kid anymore. But he can read my face that I don't want to be alone today.

    Dad stuffs his hands in his pants pockets and sighs. "I know you want to move out."

    "Yes," I agree before taking a bite of the apple.

    "But the city has great opportunities. They are just under your thumb, you need to understand that." He informs me and I gnaw my lip.

    "I know but all I know is the city, Dad. I want to live somewhere else and see something new." I inform him for almost the seven-hundredth time.