My Alpha and Beta

Ch. 2 - Pathetic

Riley POV

I spent the last three weeks in sweatpants eating mostly ice cream. I don't even like ice cream, it just what people who are sad always seem to do so I thought I'd give it a try. It didn't help. I think it made me put on a few pounds too.

I filled out every application that was out there from executive level to entry level. No one so much as emailed me back a rejection.

After two weeks Becky finally called me back. I was beginning to think she was avoiding me too. She said she had a family emergency and with work being so crazy she kept putting it off. I didn't know what to really think because I never had any close friends before.

She told me that Darrell had me black listed. He said I was mentally unstable, slowly becoming more uncontrollable after my mom died. That bastard actually told her that if I was willing to get help he would pay for my treatment and welcome me back to work.

It seemed the entire office and the world bought his lies because no one was giving me a chance. Becky begged for me to come back and just talk with him. They lost two big accounts already and she really needed me there before they started laying people off.

I was annoyed that she wanted me to just give in to him. I started to think maybe she believed the gossip. I told her I would never work for that slim again but if she wanted to come over I would help her with some of the accounts she had. She was my friend and I literally had nothing to do so it seemed like a good idea. Becky kept thanking me and said she would be over tomorrow after work.

We spent a few days working her accounts and it was making me miss my job. I was good at what I did. I know my clients and can give them the marketing tools and ads they need to advance their businesses. I never had a client that didn't see at least a 15% growth from my proposals.

Now it's been almost a month and I was still a bum on my couch living vicariously through Becky. She even got a top account this week and begged me to help her with it. I wanted to be happy for her but I wasn't finding the joy.

I went to grab more ice cream when there was a loud knock on my door. I didn't have any visitors except Becky or my dad so I had no idea who it could be.

I grabbed a kitchen knife walking silently to the door. I unlocked the chain then let out a big breath once I saw who it was.

"Dad! I'm so happy you're here." I gave him a big smile and tight hug.

"Ri baby, I was worried about you but now I think you need to come home. What is this?" He said grabbing the knife from my hands.

"I wasn't expecting anyone. I got scared but I'm fine."

"You don't look fine." He said eyeing my pajamas.

"I had a day off so I'm just relaxing. It's nothing big." I tried brushing it off walking to the kitchen. I needed to hid that ice cream. It was the middle of the day.

"Riley, I want you to get dress and come have lunch with me. Then I want to know exactly what is going on. No lies or half truths either. Do you understand!" He gave me that dad glare that I better not misbehave or I'll be grounded for a month.

"Fine! I need to shower though." I rolled my eyes caving to his demands. I love my father but I was embarrassed to tell him what happened.

"That's a good idea. I can smell you half way down the hall."

"Haha. Not funny. I'll just be a few minutes."

"Take your time. I'll clean up some." He said looking around my apartment. I immediately began turning red noticing the tissues, clothes, and empty ice cream containers everywhere. Wow! Maybe I am a little unstable.