Unleashed

Chapter Twelve: Morning After

Emma Riley

Lakeside Apartments
Gina and Emma's Kitchen

Both Ryker and Gina watched me in horror, still seeming to be processing what I had just said. I had been fired. Something in me knew it was coming, and I was having mixed emotions as I poured myself another drink of scotch.

On one hand, somewhere in the back of my mind was thinking of how I was going to pay my bills now. What if I can't find another job right away? What if this video being out there just makes it that much harder for people to see me as a professional?

As a blonde female who was definitely not a stick figure, I was no stranger to being stereotyped. It had happened to me most of my life. Some would look at me, and at first glance assume I was stupid, or overly provocative. I've spent years trying to prove to people that's not me, and now that's all wasted with one video. I made myself look exactly what they always thought I was.

I downed my second glass of scotch, anxious to not have to think about how many things have went wrong in one day. Gina and Ryker both stared at me with a look of concern.

"What did Carl say to you, exactly?" Gina asked, breaking the tense silence. She folded her arms and her furrowed eyebrows gave away her growing anger. Ryker didn't look very happy either, but had yet to say anything.

"You mean besides 'you're fired?'" I asked sarcastically, looking at the third glass I had just poured and not at her. I could already feel a bit of a buzz. Keep in mind, I never drink like this.

Gina scoffed, not seeming amused. Ryker stepped closer past Gina and towards me, a look of anger in his eyes.

"What did the bastard say?" His eyes stayed on me, daring me to make eye contact. His voice sounded on edge and he spoke through gritted teeth.

I downed the third glass before speaking, and I felt my stomach turn and my gag reflex come up. Yep, definitely not used to drinking like this. I should let my tummy settle. Nothing sexy about blowing chunks all over the kitchen counter. Trust me, I speak from experience.

"Fuck that guy!" My voice sounded slurred and unnecessarily loud, even to me. I propped myself up against the kitchen counter, not trusting my balance.

"Oh Lord, she's half drunk already." Gina sounded both concerned and amused. I hardly ever get drunk but each time I have, Gina was in the passenger seat.

As a matter of fact, a few times she was behind the wheel..and drove us straight into a whiskey river.

"Half drunk? Whoo! Almost there!" I attempted to do a fist pump but my balance and coordination was leaving something to be desired.

I tried to make a grab for the bottle of scotch on the counter, but Ryker swiped it away from me at the last second.

"Swipper, no swiping!" I slurred before laughing at my Dora The Explorer reference, which was probably only funny to me.

I tried to take the scotch out of his hands, but I was pretty much useless in this moment. Ryker focused his eyes on my face, something in them looking intense and serious. Gina stood quietly observing from the other side of the kitchen.