Consumed: A Dark Stalker Age Gap Romance

Chapter 1

Six years later

Pepper

The big day is here, and I couldn't be more excited. I was in total disbelief after receiving the acceptance email for the coveted paid software engineer intern position at Stone Incorporated. Today is new hire orientation. Working here and as a part-time waitress will keep me busy all summer.

The three-person panel interview took almost ninety minutes. They were very thorough in their questioning, wanting to ensure only the best moved forward. It was stressful, and I found myself stuttering through some of my responses, so I figured there was no way in heck I'd be considered. It wasn't that I didn't know my stuff, nervousness just got the better of me. I wanted to kick my own behind for screwing up so badly.

I'm in my sophomore year at Duncan University, studying computer science. Usually only graduating seniors are eligible to apply for the prestigious summer internship opportunities, but this year, the honor was extended to sophomores and juniors. The competition was fierce. I worked really hard for this by maintaining a high GPA throughout college thus far, in addition to volunteering at various community outreach centers around the city. Also, my professors provided glowing recommendation letters, which helped a lot.

I take one last look in the bathroom mirror, fluffing my kinky shoulder-length hair. Dark caramel-colored eyes set in a dark chocolate face stare back at me. My stomach is filled with butterflies.

Hearing the familiar tone of my cell phone, I walk into the bedroom and snag it from the dresser. I smile, seeing the name flashing across the small rectangular screen.

"Hi, Mia."

We met on the first day of freshmen year and became fast friends. She's actually my only friend. I was socially awkward. I'm grateful I had Mia to help me flourish. I didn't have the luxury of having a normal childhood, not with my strict upbringing by Pastor Russell Bryant. Even as an adult, he controls my life. He's an authoritarian. My theory is the military made him that way. As a former colonel in the United States Marine Corps, he demands unwavering obedience and rules with an iron fist. College was my escape from his domineering guidance.

"Hey, just wanted to wish you luck."

"Thank you." I take a deep breath in the hopes of steadying my nerves. "I'm going to need it."

"You've got this," she assures me. "You're going to rock."

"I wish you were here."

"I know, babe, but we'll see each other when you come to visit in a few weeks."

Mia is originally from Denver and spends her summers there with her adoring family. I visited for a week last year to get away for a bit. It was refreshing to witness her family's playful banter, but it also made me sad. I lacked that type of affection since my mother died when I was eight years old. Mom was a free spirit. It's strange how two people who were so different ended up married. She chose the name Pepper because she said I added spice to her life. I miss her so much.

We were living in Buffalo, New York, when she was diagnosed with schizophrenia just after I turned five. The winters there are rough. One night, Mom left the house, disappearing into the blizzard with only her nightgown on. No one was the wiser until the morning. She was found frozen solid. Afterwards, my father uprooted my younger brother, Patrick, and me to the West Coast. He attends military school to jump-start his career in the service, leaving me alone and without a buffer against our father.

Another call beeps in, and I check the caller ID. "I'll call you during my lunch break. Dad's on the other line."

"Don't let the drill sergeant ruin your morning."