Modern Love {A Cinderella Retelling} ✔️

Chapter Three

Amelia couldn't get her mind off the boy who she and Petra met at the coffee shop. Thoughts circled her mind as she recalled that the boy was familiar. She couldn't explain how she felt. Words barely came out, so when he was in a hurry to leave, she didn't know what to do or how to find him. Amelia and Petra left the coffee shop but not before her best friend noted her reaction.

"Amelia?" Petra asked. "You seem lost in thought,"

"What?" Amelia responded. "Oh yeah, I can't stop thinking about him."

The girls walked to the parking garage as cars passed left and right. She smiled to herself wishing that she could have gotten the guys number. When he left in a hurry she watched as Brock left the store and walk across the street. She glanced up at the building and saw that the building was none other than the Porthouse publishing building. Her stomach surprised her with butterflies. If she could get her book in there then she'd be able to get her story out. Hopefully she would get that done in time. After all she was close to finishing, all she needed was a break from the computer.

"Hey Petra," Amelia said.

"What's up?" Petra responded and the two girls turned into the parking garage.

"I think I might be able to finish that story tonight," Amelia stated. "I must get back to the apartment. I think I had some inspiration hit,"

"Whatever you say girl," Petra responded as the girls arrived at the car.

Amelia drove a 2013 Mazda3 and so far, she enjoyed the car. Especially since she just got it. No way was she going to lose that car to another wreck like the previous two. The girls climbed in and drove out of the garage heading back to the apartment that was on the far side of town.

*~*~*~*

Alaric and Stella had been waiting for their coffee for the last thirty minutes. It shouldn't have taken Brock that long to get two cups of coffee. The coffee shop that he sent Brock to was a small business barely anyone walked in there that they knew about that is. Alaric's secretary knocked on the door, she'd been carrying a pile of folders with books that have been sent by upcoming authors. Even though it was a small amount Alaric knew that most of the stories would have already been done. He needed something that was fresh on the table. But how could he find that?

"Yes Patrice?" Alaric said. His brown eyes looked up from his paper while his daughter was sitting in the chair across from his desk and flipping through the pages. "How can I help you?"

"Well sir, I thought that maybe you'd find some more author's in this pile," Patrice said as she fixed her black glasses. "I selected these myself, thought you might like them,"

Patrice walked over to the desk and politely handed them to him. He took them and nodded.

"Thank you, Patrice," Alaric responded.

The sounds of gasps and murmurs exploded through the office nearby his room. All three paused and looked toward the door as Brock entered the room carrying three cups of coffee. Which didn't make much sense as he had only told Brock to get him and his daughter one. If Brock got himself something, then he wasn't going to be too pleased.

*~*~*~*

Brock was walking as fast as he could through the office trying to avoid anyone who crossed in front of him. But that didn't go as well as he had hoped considering that he'd bumped into a few office workers and nearly spilled his own coffee on one of the computers. The office was huge, each cubicle looked the same aside from the few that decorated them with various decorations from fake flowers to family. He didn't stop to think about what the consequences would be. He arrived at the office all the walls were two-way glass so there was no way anyone would think about looking into the window. Out of breath he stepped into the office where Alaric, and Stella placed all their attention on him.

"Sorry for the inconvenience but I got your coffee," Brock said sarcastically.

However, Alaric and Stella didn't look too pleased.

"Patrice, Stella? Would you excuse us please," Alaric said.

Patrice left the papers on the desk as Stella also left carrying her own pile of papers.

"You're in so much trouble," Stella said smirking.

Brock's heart rate began to rise as he looked over at Alaric.

"Brock, get in here, and shut the door while you're at it," Alaric ordered.

Brock gulped as his hands also began to get sweaty. He stepped into the office and shut the door. Alaric told him to set the coffee on the desk. He did as he was told but stayed as far away as he could from his stepfather. It was extremely quiet in the room, but Brock kept his cool.

"Tell me something Brock," Alaric started. "Where exactly was this coffee shop?"

"Across the street..." Brock answered. "You're the one who sent me there,"

Alaric placed his hands in his pocket.

"How long does it take to make the coffee,"

"I don't know! I don't work there!" Brock exclaimed.

Alaric walked over and knocked the chair onto the floor hard enough for Brock to flinch and step away.

"Don't you fucking talk back to me!" Alaric yelled. "I told you to do one small thing and here you are late! What's the reason behind it this time?!"

Alaric walked toward him. Brock defended himself claiming that he had lost track of time. When that did not suffice, Alaric backhanded him causing him to fall into a chair. A bright red handprint was present on his cheek as well as the shape of a ring.

"Lost track of time?! Well, I'll have you know that I don't approve of you being late," Alaric yelled. "You are worthless! You can't do anything right! So tonight, when we get back you will be cooking dinner, and you will not eat with us! Now get out of my sight!"

Brock scrambled out of the chair and ran out of the room.