Is it Love, Lust, Or Death?

Chapter 10

Third person

Amara couldn't believe what had happened between her and her boss. She would have to quit otherwise she would be too afraid to come in everyday. He painted Ashton as the villain when in reality, he was the one who almost hurt her. Maybe she would give Ashton a call. With a pay phone of course because she doesn't have a phone. She would have to ask for his email.

Amara wanted to do that on her way to work. Ashton seemed really calm and gentle. There was no way he could ever do what Jeremiah tried and what Harvey did to her. Amara was quite terrified to meet Mr. Sterling again. She didn't want anything to happen. Even though he said he wouldn't harm her, Amara had trust issues.

Before she made her way to work she cut some stress away. Ever since she was twelve, she had bought or taken razors from convenient locations and cut her wrists, thighs, ankles and any other hidden location. She enjoyed the splitting of her skin, the opening of the flesh, and the deep crimson flashing itself to the world. She enjoyed that it made her feel human. Something other than a rag doll being pushed around. She enjoyed the fact that she was in control of this little part of her small life.

She had many thoughts about killing herself, but always refused because she needed to take care of Harvey. One of the reasons why she is still alive is so that Harvey isn't alone. He may have been a horrible authority figure in her life, but Amara still loved him. He was her only family left.

She had bandaged herself because she didn't want the blood to seep through her favourite grey turtleneck.

On her way towards the building Amara stopped at the pay phone right outside Sterling Inc. She was nervous about what to say. Would she have to do all the talking? Would he even care? Was this all just a sick prank?

Ring. Ring. Ring. The third time it goes Amara loses hope, right when the someone picks up. It just so happened to be a girl.

"Hello. Um HELLO are you there" a very high pitched, nasally voice answered.

"Oh h-hi I was w-wondering if I could talk to A-Ashton"

"He is busy cleaning us up right now if you know what I mean hahaha" her screeching voice answered. Amara didn't know what she meant. So she just assumed they made a mess or something.

"Oh okay can you tell him that A-Amara called"

"Oh look he's back, here talk to him". While the phone was being passed to Ashton, Amara heard something along the lines of 'why the fuck did you answer my phone, who gave you the fucking right. Now get out of my fucking house bitch'. Amara was frightened but she refused to believe that Ashton would say something like that. So she brushed it under the rug.

"What is it" his smooth voice spoke up roughly sounding annoyed.

"Hi! It's Amara, if you are b-busy I can c-call back" .

"Oh no. No need for calling back sweetie. Are you finally done fucking with that bitch Jeremiah"

"Um no I have n-not quit yet, b-but I am going to. I was just wondering if you w-wanted hangout sometime". Amara didn't know how friends worked. However she was very excited to find out.

"I would love to, why are you calling from a pay phone"?

"I don't own a phone, I was wondering if I could have your email so we can chat about the details". So Ashton gave her his email. They hung up. Amara went on her way to hand in her letter of resignation. Amara was well aware of the two week notice rule, however she was absolutely terrified of Jeremiah and would ask if she could be exempt from it considering what happened between them.

Amara softly knocked on the door. She was panic-stricken of seeing him again. That too in such circumstances. His faint 'come in' made Amara almost have a panic attack, but she had to be strong. She had to be strong enough to cower from her job.

The rooms tension was impenetrable. They both couldn't help but feel awkward. Amara was more scared than awkward, Jeremiah on the other hand didn't know how to act. Amara was the first person Jeremiah had ever apologized too, besides family. He couldn't help but feel drawn towards her. He would always think about her, dream about her, fantasize about her. Yes she was pretty but for the first time Jeremiah felt more than a physical attraction. Her simplicity was captivating. Jeremiah was enchanted by her, however he would never admit that to himself.

"G-good morning Mr. Sterling, I was just coming in here to hand in my r-resignation". Mr. Sterling was astonished, no one quits his company. People are fired, they don't quit, they die for this job or any job in his company. He would have to simply refuse her notice. He couldn't help but feel the most minuscule pang of guilt because it was his fault he was losing her so soon. He wanted to learn more about her.

"No. You will not be quitting. I will not allow it, I will double or triple your pay", for some reason beyond him, he wanted her around.

Amara didn't know what to do. She was already being paid more than enough for her to survive, and now he's offering to double it? That seems to good to be true. But why did he even care? There are so many people who would kill for this job.

"Um okay, b-but can we forget about y-yesterday p-please? Can we s-start fresh, please? No need to t-triple or double my p-pay, the offer was q-quite enough, thank you".

"Yes, yes we can and I am tripling your pay. No question asked", he said with a look that said 'don't test me'. So Amara didn't. "Get back to work" he shooed.

Jeremiah has never met such a sweet person before. Yes they have only known each other for a short while, but subconsciously Jeremiah knew that something in this girl was different. Maybe it was because she didn't throw herself at him? Or maybe because she declined the offer for the triple pay? Or because she was shy and dainty and always anxious? Whatever it was, it definitely took a tole on Jeremiah, and he didn't enjoy it.