Chapter 7 New Skies

POV Scarlett:

Months later

I finish preparing my father’s breakfast and rush out of the house. I’m late for a job interview—something I can’t afford to miss. I need this opportunity. I need a fresh start. Maybe this job will be my chance to help him.

He’s been drowning a little more each day since my mother died. I don’t know if he’ll ever recover. Watching him fall apart is agony—first I lost my mother to cancer, and now I’m losing my father to the bottle.

Maybe, just maybe, if I can land this job, I can show him that together, we can find a way out.

Driving his old car, I try to focus on the road, on the interview, on the future that might finally begin today. Time slips away, and before I realize it, an hour has passed.

When I pull into the neighboring city, I’m already ten minutes late.

I park in front of the Blackwell building—the company I applied to for a secretary position. My résumé isn’t the strongest, but I’ve got a few of the qualifications they’re looking for. All that’s left now is to give it everything I’ve got.

“You can’t park your car in that spot!”

A deep, rough voice cuts through the air.

I glance into my rearview mirror and see a sleek, expensive car idling behind me. A man wearing dark sunglasses has his head out the window, yelling at me.

I lean out my window to face him. No way I’m letting anyone shout at me today.

“I’m sorry, but I actually can,” I snap back. “There’s no sign saying otherwise.”

I step out of the car, smoothing my skirt and throwing my bag over my shoulder. My pulse is racing, but I keep walking—head high, determined to claim the life I deserve.

“Arrogant little thing!” he barks behind me.

Without turning around, I lift my middle finger in the air.

“Asshole!” I yell back.

“And rude on top of it,” he mutters before pulling his car away from the curb.

I can’t help but laugh, shaking my head at his nerve. Whoever he is, I hope I never see that jerk again.

Still smiling, I head to the reception desk. The woman behind the counter greets me with a polite smile before handing me a visitor badge.

“Interview candidates go up to the seventh floor,” she says.

I take the badge, inhale deeply, and smile.

Today is the beginning of my comeback.

(...)

POV Damian:

I’m still in disbelief at that woman’s audacity.

Arrogant. That’s the only word that comes to mind as I storm into the building, seething with rage.

What the hell was she thinking when she parked in my spot?

My spot, for fuck’s sake.

As if being late because of traffic wasn’t enough, I had to deal with some random woman calling me an asshole—and, to top it off, flipping me off like she owned the damn place.

I had to park my car halfway to hell because of her.

“Mr. Blackwell,” Amanda—one of our secretaries—rises from her desk the moment I step inside the company. “Would you like me to bring your coffee now?”

I nod absently, still glaring at the beat-up car sitting right in front of my building.

In my parking space.

“Amanda,” I call out.

“Yes, sir?”

“Do me a favor. Call the tow service and have that piece of junk removed from in front of my building.” I point straight at the offending car.

Her eyes widen at the tone of my voice, but I couldn’t care less. I know it’s not fair to take it out on her—but fuck it, I’m too pissed to care right now.

“Yes, sir. Right away,” she says quickly, lowering her head before hurrying back to her desk.

I drag a hand through my hair, feeling slightly calmer. Just slightly.

Let’s see how smug that woman feels when she realizes her precious wreck has been towed away.

One question keeps circling in my mind though—what the hell is she even doing here? Is she the wife or girlfriend of one of my employees? Because she sure as hell doesn’t work here. I make a point of knowing everyone I hire, and there’s no way in hell I’d forget a woman that rude—or that tempting.

You know what? I don’t care. I’ve got more important things to focus on than some insolent woman.

I stride toward the elevator, trying to shift my thoughts back to work. I need to meet with Liam to finalize the details of our new branch acquisition and put an end to this contract that’s been driving me up the wall.

...

Liam walks into my office a few minutes after I call him. His expression is tense, which instantly catches my attention.

I raise a brow, silently asking what’s wrong.

He exhales sharply. “I just met a charming woman in the elevator,” he mutters, and from his tone, I can tell there’s nothing charming about her.

Could it be her? The arrogant one? No way. My brother can’t be that unlucky.

“Tell me more,” I say, smirking at his annoyed expression.

“I was in the elevator, on a call with Marcus. It was quick, so I kept my earbuds in because I was about to call you next. That’s when I heard a woman behind me say, ‘Hello, Mr. Perfect Ass.’”

I burst out laughing at the way he imitates her voice.

“Don’t laugh, damn it,” he snaps. “I turned around to see who it was and caught her red-handed, staring right at my ass.”

I can’t hold it in—I laugh harder.

“What kind of woman has a thing for asses?” he grumbles.

I shrug. “Maybe you should take it as a compliment, Mr. Perfect Ass.”

“Go to hell, Damian,” he mutters, dropping into the chair in front of me.

“Relax. Tell me what Marcus said,” I say, still chuckling. “I’ve got to interview a candidate soon.”

Liam sighs, pulling a folder from his briefcase and spreading the documents across my desk. Then he starts explaining what needs to be done to finalize the acquisition.

And just as he talks, I can’t shake the feeling that today is going to be one hell of a day.