The Clash, Book One

Chapter 2: The Job Interview

"This is Victoria Belfry of Belfry Towers in Seattle, Washington. I have been watching your career and the work you accomplished in expanding your neighborhood. You impressed me, and I am prepared to offer job with a higher paying salary. This is contingent on you coming to Seattle for an interview."

Alena took a few minutes to think it over. This was an amazing opportunity that she'd be foolish to turn down. It gave her the chance to live in a new place and gain new experiences – both personally and professionally. More importantly, she would be able to give more to her girls, and they were young enough where a cross-country move wouldn't be too jarring for them.

She then heard Belfry's voice, "May I have your answer, Mrs. Swan-Jones?"

"Of course! I was just considering the offer," Alena replied. She then took a breath and continued, "Thank you for the opportunity. I will try to be on the next flight to Seattle."

"Wonderful. I hope to see you soon," Victoria spoke before hanging up the phone.

Dinner was momentarily forgotten as Alena sprinted to her room to grab her laptop. She returned to the kitchen and placed the Dell on the counter, where she could still see Emma and Lily.

She quickly began scanning the Internet for flights to Seattle. To her amazement, she found a reasonably priced flight that would be leaving in four hours.

"Perfect," Alena spoke with a smile. She booked her seat before sending an email to her hopefully future boss.

With a deep breath, she returned to the dining table where she and the girls finished eating. Once the dining room and kitchen were cleaned, she called the twins' sitter.

"I'm so sorry to bother you, and I know this is short notice, but I need Emma and Lily to stay with you for a few days. I have an opportunity for a job in Seattle, and I need to be there for an interview."

A couple of minutes later, Alena breathed a sigh of relief when the sitter accepted. "Thank you so much! I'll drop the girls off shortly."

The blonde then looked around for Emma and Lily before she realized they were most likely in their room. When she walked across the apartment and stepped through the door, she found her girls playing with their princess dolls.

She sat down beside them and spoke, "Mommy has something to tell you."

They looked up with curious brown eyes, and Alena continued, "I'm about to get a new job in another city called Seattle."

The girls were quiet at first before Lily asked, "Us go?"

"Mommy is going to meet my boss. You two are staying here with the sitter," Alena gently explained.

"Mommy go away?" Emma then asked sadly.

Alena ran her hand through her twins' hair before she assured them, "I'll be back. I promise – and then you'll get to come, okay?"

"Otay, Mommy," Emma and Lily answered simultaneously, having understood.

Alena smiled at her girls before she asked, "Do you want to help pack for your sleepover?" The twins nodded excitedly before they grabbed their backpacks.

Once Alena had the girls ready, she began getting herself ready. She headed to her room, which was next to the girls', to begin packing. Emma and Lily insisted on helping.

To be honest, Alena wasn't sure she needed some of the items her girls handed her, but aside from the time constraint, she couldn't bear to let them down.

Once they were finished, and after double-checking things, the three of them were in the car and were heading toward the sitter's house.

Once they arrived, the sitter was waiting for them outside. She unbuckled Emma from her booster seat while Alena unbuckled Lily. Alena then planted a kiss on each of her girl's foreheads before she bid them goodbye.