So first, I want to give a BIG HUGE thanks to Michelle aka mrnjones (I think i got your tag right...eep! i hope!). She writes "Business Deal" and I suggest you all check it out since it was really amazing and you'll become addicted to her wonderful characters... such as Xander. I really must thank her for allowing me to borrow Xander for a cameo in this chapter. Xander is the sole property of Michelle aka mrnjones and i do not claim any right to that character whatsoever. So check her work out.

Please... again... leave comments, suggestions, become a fan if you like me? vote? if you hate it or love it then please just tell me. Thanks for reading :)

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Chapter 2:

"So...," Stacy ran one red fingernail across the steering wheel as she drove, which told me that her "so" was going to come with something I probably didn't want to know. "Don't freak on me yet because I know you'll love me later, but....Ikindacalledsomepeopleandgotyouajobinterview". She ran through that last piece so fast I wasn't sure I heard her correctly. I turned to face her while she became way too focused on looking straightforward.

"You did what??"

"Well, I knew you would be moping around the house if you weren't working, so I made a few phone calls and now we're on the way for you to have a job interview." She smiled. I glared.

"Stace, I am so not ready for a job interview tonight. I mean, what would I say? Wait.. is this why you put me in this outfit?" (not complaining much about what I was wearing because it was CUTE!). "Hold up, what type of job is it?" I eyed her suspiciously.

"You'll be fine. It's just a position as secretary. Remember that guy I went on a date with last week?" I wondered to myself which one, Stacy always had guys taking her out, especially to nice places. I just nodded like I did know this particular one. "Well, I called him up and asked him to meet us at Marciano's and do a quick informal interview. He agreed."

Great... a job interview. Thanks a lot Stace, I thought.

A few minutes went by and we arrived at Marciano's. Stacy pulled the car into the valet parking. It was either that or circle the block for parking on the street. Marciano's is a pretty fancy place. Half restaurant with a lounge to the side and most of the food was usually pretty pricey, probably paying off the expensive décor in the entryway easily. Many of the customers who went there parked in valet anyway as not to jeopardize leaving their shiny expensive cars out on the street. I just found it amusing how on more than one occasion the valets refused to give the keys to very intoxicated customers and would have to call for a driver to take them home. This place screamed high class if valets called drivers for their patrons. Good thing Stacy made me wear something nice. Of course, she was always dressed to kill... ahem... I mean impress, with short red skirt and slinky black top.

We walked in Marciano's and she immediately walked to a table where a young, handsome, well dress man sat looking at the wine list.

"Xander!" He stood and allowed her to hug him, kissing his cheek and acting extra flirtly. I followed her and tried to pretend that I didn't see his eyes roll over her, salivating as if she were a piece of meat. He noticed me after a second and I could almost feel his eyes gaze over me before, I assumed, thinking I wasn't nearing as interesting as Stacy.

"This must be your friend, Emma. She's pretty." He spoke. I had to admit, he did have a sexy voice to match his looks, but I quickly snapped myself from that idea.

"Its Emily," I spoke as I extended my hand and he shook it. "Nice to meet you Mr. ...?"

"Its Hardcastle. My father owns Hardcastle Enterprises and I will take over someday. Please ladies, take a seat." He gestured for us to sit, me sitting across while Stacy tried to inconspicuously move her seat closer to him.

"So Xander mentioned he was looking for a new secretary, perhaps firing off his current one for... how did you put it? Messing in your affairs? Anyway, I mentioned to him that you needed a new job and here we are." Cheerful Stacy, please please stop talking, I begged silently.

"Ah yes, I'm afraid I might soon have to tell my secretary Nichole that she doesn't fit the company image, but instead of waiting for my father to find me another employee, I thought I could do a interview myself right now. So please, tell me what are your skills?"

"Oh Mr. Hardcastle, I'm sorry. I believe I have many useful skills I can contribute. I worked answering phones for the last year with Tele-mart Company and I'm very efficient with computers. I would have brought a resume if I knew I would be doing this interview, but Stacy had just barely told me in the car."

"It's fine Emmie. All of your..." He phone rang and he quickly took it out of his coat pocket, looking at the caller id. "Excuse me ladies, I really must take this." He got up and walked towards the door, while I could hear him answer his phone quickly... "Yes Derrick".

I was slight annoyed at him having forgot my name already. Its a easy to remember name. Stacy looked at me and smiled. "It looks like its going good so far. Isn't he sexy?"

Before I could answer, Xander returned to the table. "That was a really urgent call and I'm sorry but I must go. I'll consider your skills and will call to see when you can start your employment with our company." Groveling over Stacy once again he said, "And I hope to see you again soon." Winking to her as he turned around and left.

"That wasn't much of an interview. Do you think he would really hire me?" I knew Hardcastle Enterprises was a very big corporation. I was freaking out but Stacy gave me a "puh-lease girl" look.

"Its fine, hes just an extremely important and busy man but after hearing how he is ready to fire that Nichole chick, then I'm almost positive you'll get the job. Just this morning he told me how she tried to lecture him on how to act at a workplace. That girl must really want to lose her job, which is great for you!"

"Stace, I just think I want to go get a drink. I can' t believe you made me do that. Your buying."

"Alright alright," she grumbled as I dragged her to the lounge area.

Scooting onto a seat at the bar, I ordered two apple martinis. I immediately began drinking the minute it came so I could lose the edge I still felt from the interview. Stacy elbowed me while she lightly sipped hers and tilted her head to the right. I followed her direction to see a cute guy sitting a few seats down.

"What do you think about him? Isn't he cute?" She whispered to me.

"Yeah hes cute I guess, but probably isn't that great of a guy." Turning back to face forward and enjoy my drink.

"Aw come on Em, you have to get over him sometime. Check out some of the fresh meat in this room, get some number, have fun on dates.... you know, like you used to do?" She gave me puppy dog eyes.

"Just because I'm not ready for a relationship right now doesn't mean I'm not over him. I'm so over him. I'm over him like.... last years fashion, over him." I suck at thinking of things when I'm trying to lie to my best friend. Doesn't mean I couldn't try to convince her anyway. I was mostly just grateful she didn't say his name and see me grimace.

"Whatever Em," Rolling her eyes at me she looked around the lounge for more guys. "Oh, that one over there is cute, I'm going to go talk to him if you aren't."

"Knock yourself out."

With that, she departed to her next helpless victim and I quickly swallowed the rest of my drink and ordered a few shots for when she came back. Less than two minutes later, she returned with a triumphant look on her face, victorious smile, and his phone number in hand."

"Ohhh shots! I love shots." We looked at each other, shotglass in hand, and gulped.

Ten minutes and I don't remember how many shots later, the alcohol was really starting to have an effect on me. Being only about 130 and having hadn't eaten anything but oreos, I was a lightweight. The bartenders changed shifts and I got this new guy to hit me up some booze. Stacy would occasionally run off to flirt with some random guy and come back laughing and recalling what had just happened. I was becoming so out of it that I just zoned out and nodded.

I only stopped her once so she could give the bartender her credit card so the alcohol could keep on coming. I knew as long as she paid, they wouldn't cut us off, just might have to call us a ride.

While Stace was too busy with her fourth guy of the night, I was still chugging down drinks. Somehow, I don't remember since things were getting pretty fuzzy, I struck up a conversation with the bartender. "Hmm... he's a pretty cute bartender too!" I Thought. "Are all the guys in this bar cute? Naw, its the cute ones I need to watch out for. They are all jerks. My exboyfriend was hot!! I mean... reallly really really hot!!! And he was a jerk. Why was he a jerk. Man I hate guys. They are all jerks. Jerks jerks jerks. I caught him in so many lies and I even met the other girl. She was sooo pretty. Am I not pretty? Why didn't he just like me? What's wrong with me? Am I too skinny for him? Or too fat or too brunette or too short? Blahh...why didn't he love me anymore. I loved him. I mean, I really really reeeaaaallllyyyyyy loved him. Ass. Oh but he did have a hot ass...man he was hot...but no. bad! He was a jerk. Why did I fall in love with a jerk? Mmmm this drink is good...ummmm.... I forgot what it is hahahaha wheres stace? I wanna wanna drink another but she left...just like him... oh god don't cry again. NO, stop it, don't cry."

I looked up to see that bartender man was still talking and just mutely nodded. Then I felt someone pull me back off the seat and I almost fell, but someone caught me. I saw bartender man on one side of me and Stace on the other.

"Staccceeeeyyyyyy" I tried to whisper to her. "I don't feel so gooooooodddddd."

"I know honey, we're gonna go home now I think." She started laughing really really loud. Aw please shut up stacy. Your laugh hurts my ears.

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Next thing I remember was waking up on my side on my bed. I fumbled for my clock to check them time...but it wasn't there. Ugh... my head hurt and the clock ran away. I rubbed my eyes as I tried to lean up and look for it.

Wait... this isn't my bed. Where am I?? Looking around for a minute while my eyes adjusted to the barely lit room, I realized I had somehow fell asleep on Stacy's bed.... but I didn't go to Stacy's did I? How did I end up on Stacy's bed?

I rolled over to find her passed out beside me. Nudging her, I tried to get her to wake up. What was going on??? With no success, I just fell back and passed out again.