Chapter 7

I stood in front of the Mirror in my room doing a quick check of my attire. If I wanted to get a good job I needed to make a good first impression. After all it’s what everyone remembers the most. And I sincerely hope this goes well.

It was much better when I was running my own interior design company back home but out here it is a much bigger world with a lot more competition so I don’t think trying to start up my own business in an unfamiliar town is the best idea right now. Besides I’d like to prove to Nathan I can get any job that I want to and that’s just what I plan to do.

A knock at my door temporarily distracts my thought from Nathan and I couldn’t have been happier for it. The less I think of him the better. Truth be told I’m not entirely happy with him at the moment, especially after last night events.

“Come in.” I announced loud enough for the person to hear me.

“Excuse me Mrs. Holbrook but your husband would like to speak with you.” Carl said handing me his personal Blackberry.

“Thank you Carl but why didn’t he phone me?” I rasked while taking it from his grasp.

“He tried miss but you did not answer. Perhaps you didn’t hear the call.” He replied.

 Almost instantly last night came to mind when I remember placing my phone on silent so I could get some sleep. I guess I forgot to switch it back on this morning. Poor Carl, I hate having him come find me all for a simple mistake on my part.

“I see. I’m sorry if I’ve inconvenienced you Carl. I’ll take it now.”

“No inconvenience at all Mrs. Holbrook. I’ll be at the car waiting when you are ready to leave.” He said before exiting the room.

I placed the phone to my ear before gathering my things.

“Nathan.” I greeted.

“You know it worries me when you don’t answer my call. What if something happened?” He lectured.

“But nothing did happen. You shouldn’t worry so much you know. It’s not good for you.” I replied exiting my room.

“A lot of things are not good for me but I do them anyway. It’s the human way.” He chuckles.

“Were you calling just to check up on me or was there a reason?” I asked a bit impatiently. “I’m in a hurry you know.”

“Okay Payton, point well made. I was actually inquiring about having lunch today. Have Carl pick me up from the office and we’ll go anywhere of your choosing. “

Well I suppose I do have to eat and he is letting me pick the place so why not? We might as well start getting to know each other again.

“Lunch sounds great. I’ll have Carl drop by about noon.” I replied.

“Noon it is. Oh and Payton please answer your phone next time. I was worried sick.”

“Sure Nathan, goodbye.” I smiled hanging up the phone.

Well I suppose it is sweet he was worried about me but he is sure send himself to an early grave if he doesn’t stop stressing about things of less importance. I’m a grown girl perfectly capable of taking care of myself. He need not worry.

As I reached the car Carl was already standing at the door holding it open for me. Even though it is a kind gesture and what he was paid to do I’m not sure I liked it too much. I’m just not used to this kind of treatment. I suppose it is something that takes some getting used to.

“Where to first Mrs. Holbrook?” He asks as I enter the vehicle.

“I do wish you wouldn’t call me that. I told you Payton is perfectly acceptable. No need for the formalities.”

“Whatever you say Mrs. Payton.”

“For heaven sake Carl, no Miss just Payton.” I chuckled at his insistence. “And the address is written on this paper. I hope my handwriting is readable.”

He took the paper from my hand and quickly skimmed over it.

“Perfectly.” He smiled. “I promise to have you there on time Mrs. - I mean Payton. Are you sure I cannot say Mrs.? It feels so odd calling a person by their first name.”

“Only if you must.” I smiled kindly.

There was no sense in arguing with him about this. I imagine he will do as he wishes anyway so why not let him?

We traveled down the private road a ways until we finally passed the gates and entered onto the main road. At least now I feel like any other normal person and no one knows me as just Nathan’s wife. I have to say I’m very much looking forward to today.

Most of the morning had already past and I was becoming a bit disappointed. I had been to four interviews already and the jobs and just mysteriously been filled. I just think it would have been nice if they told me the jobs weren’t available anymore before the interview but they all went the same way. That’s four hours I’ll never get back.

This morning has seemed to drag by. It must be noon by now. I quickly glanced down at my watch and realized it was much later than I had thought. I was supposed to meet Nathan thirty minutes ago! He must be very upset, especially since I have turned my phone off for the interviews. He’ll never let me hear the end of this.

“Where to know Mrs. Payton?” Carl asked from the front of the car.

“I’ll be having lunch with Nathan this afternoon so could you drop me off at his office please?” I asked politely.

“Yes ma’am.” He nodded.

As the car proceeded down the road I tried to think of things to cheer me up. Just because I hadn’t gotten a job yet it was no reason to get me down. Maybe I could try somewhere else. Wasn’t there another listing on that paper?

I began digging through my pocketbook in search of it. I know I have it here somewhere. Oh wait, here it is.

After I pulled it out I scanned the paper for the address of the only place I hadn’t been to yet. Bridget Hill Inc. Maybe I’ll have some luck here. I’ve nothing else left to lose anyway.

As the car rolled to a stop I peeked out the window to see we had arrived in front of Nathan’s building and opened to door exit the vehicle.

“I’m just going up to see about Nathan, Carl. I’ll only be just a minute.” I said before closing the door behind me and quickly rushing inside the building.

As soon as I entered I walk briskly through the building. Thankfully I didn’t draw to much attention to myself since everyone seemed to be too busy to notice me.

Once I reached Nathan’s floor I came across the same woman sitting at the desk when Kristen and I visited a few days ago. Let’s just hope she doesn’t get irritated at me for being late again. I’m sure Nathan told her I would be here at noon which just happened to be over forty five minutes ago.

“Can I help you?” She asked in a very formal tone until she looked up from her desk to see it was me.

Her face instantly changed from her board stuffy one to a friendlier one. However I couldn’t tell if it was real of just forced. She did work for my husband after all.

“Oh Mrs. Holbrook, Nathan’s been expecting you.”She smiled before adding. “An hour ago.”

“Yes, I know. I’m a little late but could I see him now?” I asked.

“I take it punctuality is a problem for you, isn’t it?” She asked in fake sweetness.

 I could tell she was still judging me but I didn’t care. It didn’t matter to me one bit if she like me or not. I didn’t work for her.

“I guess time just escapes us sometimes.” I answered back while trying to remain polite.

I knew she was trying to be rude but I refuse to let her know her words have any effect on me.

“You know your husband is very punctual.  He’s always s the first one here and the last one to leave. Perhaps you should take a page from his book.

“Yes well, I’m not my husband, am I? Now could you get him for me, please?” I shot back.

She looked completely unaffected by my words and reached down to pick up her phone.

 “I’ll see if he’s available.” She said. “Please take a seat in the waiting room.”

This woman’s attitude was slowly getting on my nerves but I really didn’t want to make enemies with his employees so I just sighed and turned to go find an empty chair in the room. It’s doubtful I’ll have to see very much f her anyway so I can deal with her rudeness for now.

After ten minutes passed I finally heard Nathan’s voice talking with someone as he entered the room from the back. I quickly stood to go greet him when I caught sight of a tall beautiful blonde he was talking to. Who is that?

She brushed his arm playfully and giggled in a very flirtatious manner before he joined in on the laughter. It bothered me that he didn’t seem a bit bothered by her gestures because it was irritating me.

This certainly seemed a bit too personal to be business. Is way he kept me wait for ten minutes? She must be far more interesting than me.

Good heavens, now I sound like some insane, jealous wife. I need to get it together. Why do I even care about this anyway?

Once the laughter came to a halt she gently leaned up on her toes and placed a longer than necessary kiss on his cheek and left.

By this point I was fuming.  Did he not see me standing here? I’m his wife after all. How would he like it if I let some strange guy kiss me in front of him?

Well actually I’m not sure if he would even care. He’s not really showed much romantic interest in me, And why would he anyway? We’re just two friends who ended up married and in bed together. That’s all. He’s just staying married for his image. I think.

“I’m glad to see you have arrived safely.” He said interrupting my thoughts.

“Yeah I had my phone off, sorry.” I said watching behind him as the blonde left.

“We’ll at least you’re alright.” He said placing a hand on my back. “Are you ready for lunch?”

Not anymore.

“Actually, I’ve seemed to lose my appetite. Maybe we should do this another time.”

“Payton, you need to eat. It’s not healthy skipping meals.” He said firmly.

“Well I don’t like to eat if I’m not hungry. I’ll eat later.” I said.

He didn’t look please with my response and I could tell he wasn’t gonna let this go.

“Maybe you’ll change your mind after we are in the restaurant.”

“No.” I replied a bit irritated by his insistence. “I don’t have any interest in eating right now. I said I’ll eat later.”

“Fine Payton.” He sighs pinching the bridge of his nose. “Have it your way. You always liked to do the exact opposite of what I say anyhow.”

“No, I just don’t want to eat. Why must you turn this into something else? Just leave it at that.” I snapped.

I could already tell we weren’t going to get by in this marriage without a few arguments. I just hoped we wouldn’t have any. We never used to argue like this before. It’s like something has changed.  Well I guess something has changed. We grew up.

“Fine then, at least sit and talk with me before you go. How were the interviews?”

“They were dead ends if you must no. The jobs were already filled.”

I’m not sure why I was being so snappy at Nathan. Maybe it was because I was upset about the jobs or… maybe it was because a blonde bimbo was shamelessly flirting with him right in front of me. And what’s worse is I couldn’t even work up the nerve to ask him about her. I don’t want to give him the wrong impression.

“Something tells me you’re upset.” He noted.

“I’m fine Nathan but I really need to go. I’d like to get one job today.”

“You’ve been turned down from four companies already. Isn’t that enough? Why don’t you just relax and enjoying having free time?”

Did he just say four?

“How did you know it was four?” I asked.

He seemed to be a bit taken back by my question and didn’t answer right away.

“I never said how many it was.” I added.

“Oh.” He said a bit nervously. “Was it four? I was just guessing.”

“Well it was a pretty accurate one.” I stated.

Maybe I’m just being too suspicious about this. I suppose it is possible that he could have guessed, strange but possible. I think I’ll call off the job search just for today. I believe a good nap and swim in the pool will get me ready to start with a fresh mind tomorrow. I’m not giving up until I can start pulling some of my own weight.

“I suppose since we’re not going out then I’ll just order in today. I really must get back to work anyway. Today has been a busy day.” He stated.

Yeah I could see that when you walked out with a girl on your arm.

“Its fine, I’m leaving anyway. I’ll see you tonight.” I said not waiting for a response before walking past him and getting on the elevator.

After all I’d hate to take up anymore of his time. What was I thinking when I agreed to this?

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A/N

Finally, another chapter! I’m so sorry it has been nearly two months since my last update. I never meant to take so long. I promise that the next update won’t be in two months this time. I’ll try to start working on the next chapter soon. This writer’s block has been a pain to deal with but I’m working through it.

 Anyway I hope you will all comment and vote and I hope you liked the chapter, even if it was short.

Until next time…..

Ps: What do you think of the new cover?