The Lives We Live

Chapter 3

Toni broke her trance first and made her way to stand in front of the redhead. "Good morning," She said sticking her hand out. "Toni Topaz." When she didn't receive an answer from the redhead, she spoke softly again. "Cheryl Blossom, I assume."

Cheryl  stood dumbfounded at the sight in front of her. Am I dreaming? She thought as she shook the brunette's hand. "That is correct."

"Have a seat please," Toni said as she guided Cheryl to one of the chairs in front of her desk, and went to sit in her chair. "I-Is something wrong?" Toni asked as she noticed Cheryl was still looking at her.

The redhead  shook her head and gave Toni a smile. "N-No"

"Well I ordered coffee, I don't know i-if you-"

"Water." Cheryl cut her off quickly.

Toni smiled and asked Jane to get a glass of water. Toni picked up Cheryl's  resume and sighed. "I was reading your CV a while ago, and I liked what I read."

"Thank you."

"You used to live in Toronto?" Toni asked smirking. Cheryl nodded. "And from what I understood, you used to work in a famous company back there. Why did you leave?"

"I didn't leave."

"You didn't?" The newspaper owner asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I did leave because I came back here."

"And why did you come back here?" Toni asked again. The redhead remained silent. "Okay," Toni said after not getting an answer from the redhead. "You were an IT expert for over five years in the same company, how did that happen?"

"I worked hard to get that position."

Toni nodded her head, "Head of IT department. Impressive."

"Thank you."

"Married?" Toni asked as she looked the redhead in the eye.

Cheryl took a deep breath, looking everywhere in the room except for the brown eyes in front of her. "Yes." She whispered.

Toni sighed internally. Lucky bastard. "Kids?"

"Two little boys," Cheryl said smiling as she remembered her two boys.

"You haven't answered my question, why did you come back here?"

Cheryl sighed. "M-My husband got a better offer."

The brunette nodded. "Veronica Topaz  is handling all the IT department. And now she's preparing herself to get a bigger responsibility so we are searching for someone who takes her place." The redhead nodded in understanding.

"And from what I have read, I think you'd be a perfect match for the job. Can you start working tomorrow?" Toni asked eagerly.

"I-I don't k-know. Can I i-inform you tomorrow?"

"Why? Is there any better offer you got from other companies?" The brunette asked with a hint of disappointment.

"No," "Yes," She said quickly, sighing.

"Better position? Better salary?"

Cheryl smiled softly shaking her head. "It's not the position, nor the salary, I'd be honored to work in such organization, but I have some personal reasons. I'd prefer not to take a fast decision about the job."

Toni nodded in understanding and took her card out of the drawer passing it to the redhead. "Here's my card, call me when you have an answer." When Cheryl was about to take the card Toni pulled it away. "Better yet, save my number on your phone, the card might get lost." She said smirking. Cheryl said nothing as she took her phone out and typed in Toni's number, promising her that she'd call her soon.