Illicit Attraction

22: The Interview

Era

The room was filled with silence, but the sound of my phone ringing broke it in my bag.

"Get the call. It must be important," Henry whispered in my ear.

"I think it is." I nodded and excused myself.

I plodded to the kitchen hall with my hand holding my chest. Hell, the situation was congesting my lungs, draining out my oxygen.

I leaned against the fridge and sighed before hitting the answer button. "Yes, Mr. Gill."

"Campbell," his authoritative voice began. "Check your e-mail, read the documents, and fill-up those papers..." My forehead furrowed, hearing my superior's instructions. It seemed that he was in a hurry. "Then send it back to me. Understand? Goodbye."

I knew the other line was already dead, but I whispered, "Okay."

I sat down in the dining chair and rummaged through my e-mail. I opened the top message and read it thoroughly. My brows raised. For real?

The next page made my mouth drop involuntarily. An application form for the assistant managerial position? "Holy shit!" I cupped my mouth. Tears began to form at the corners of my eyes as I read it. "I'm going to have an interview next month!"

My heart sang glory as adrenaline rushed through my system. I was so f*cking close to my dreams! My hunger for wanting a better career was now only days away from my hand.

I've got to tell this to Henry.

I rose from the chair, combed my blonde locks with my fingers, and wore that optimistic smile as I trod back to the living area.

Hearing some ascending sounds, I paused by the doorframe and spotted Henry and Timothy lounging in the living room. They were throwing sharp glares as if there was a Cold War happening in their minds.

"I'm here to help Era get her luggage. She's going with me." Henry's blue, placid eyes stared at Timothy with almost no emotions at all. He's very composed and confident.

I gave a nervous glance at Timothy. His face was turning red and veins were visible under the skin of his temples, like a volcano ready to burst anytime soon. "Are you sure?" Timothy exhaled sharply. "Why's that? Is she a toy or used shirt that I borrowed from you?" he chuckled sarcastically.

"No..." Henry whispered. "But you can't loop around her anymore."

"You kidding me? Me, looping around her? Oh, come on!" Timothy laughed devilishly but stopped when he spotted me frozen on the door. He cleared his throat and eyed Henry again. "You can't claim Era just like that, Mr. Andersen. So, where would you bring her? Trap in your penthouse? Or present her as your... girlfriend? Go ahead, so the hotel kicks her out of the managerial training immediately. Anyway, that's what you always do - destroy her, and she's oblivious to that!"

"Things might have been rude to us before..." Henry said, hissing. "But now I would do anything just to make things better this time. We're not blood-related, so there's no stopping us now." When he noticed me, he rose off the sofa and pivoted in my direction. "Era, pack now. We need to get out of here."

I blinked. "O-okay." Without looking at Timothy, I climbed up the stairs and stumped towards my room. I opened the closet and bit my lips, confused about what to pull from the hangers. "No. I can't bring these. They're from Timothy's money," I whispered. It was a shame bringing the kinds of stuff he purchased for me when I left him.

I walked down the staircase. Henry was standing at the main door waiting for me. He looked at me, forehead creased. I knew he was wondering why I only had my small sling bag with me. I shook my head and said, "I will just buy new clothes. I have my debit card with me anyway."