The Daughter In the Corner

Joining the Roger Family

The car ride home was noisy, mostly because of Amara. Hunter downed his drink in one go and held the steering wheel with both hands, eyes intent on the road. Every now and again he’d prompt a question to which Amara eagerly answered.

“So what are you doing now?”

Amara swallowed the last bit of muffin before replying. “I’m not sure yet. Dad had me intern at a few of his subsidiaries during college and now that I’ve graduated, he says it’s time I started climbing the ranks at corporate headquarters. Are you going to eat that?” Amara eyed the other untouched muffin hungrily.

Hunter snorted. “It’s all yours.”

“Thanks!” Amara eagerly opened the wax paper bag and bit into the warm muffin. “MMMmmm, this is sooo good. You want a bite?” She shoved the muffin towards Hunter’s mouth. “Here, I’ll feed you.”

Hunter turned his head slightly before he lunged for it; taking a sizable chunk out of the muffin.

“HEY! I said a bite! Not half the muffin! I mean, it was yours to begin with… ugh. Nevermind!” Amara grumbled and examined the damage.

Hunter could barely chew, his lips curled into a silly grin.

Amara nibbled on the remaining muffin. “So, are you still an avid reader?”

Hunter nodded, still chewing.

“I haven’t read for pleasure in years. I feel like all I do is work and study. Dad never compares me to my half-siblings but I don’t want to let him down, you know? Speaking of which, I never told you I had half-siblings did I?”

Hunter shook his head.

Amara snorted. “Regret taking such a huge bite now, huh?”

Hunter nodded, looking miserable as his cheeks bulged.

Amara chuckled. “Chew, buddy, chew! I’ll let you have some of my hot chocolate because I’m nice. Anyway, as I was saying, I have two older half-siblings on my father’s side. Dad keeps in touch with them but I haven’t talked to them in over fifteen years. I guess we will see each other more now that we’re all stuck in the same city.”

Hunter nodded as he forced the last lump down his throat. “Water…”

“Oh, here.” Amelia reached over and carefully tipped the liquid into Hunter’s mouth. “Careful it’s hot.”

Hunter’s eyes twinkled as his lips touched the pink part of the white lid.

***

When they arrived at Dustin’s main estate, Hunter pulled right up to the front. He got out and walked to the passenger side to open Amara’s door.

Amara smirked up at him as she took his extended hand. “What a gentleman! You’ve certainly changed since we were kids. Remember the first time we met you called me fat?”

Hunter looked appalled. “I never said that!!”

Amara huffed, “Yeah well, you basically did. Come in! I texted the chef and they made some hot breakfast for us. Eat some before you go.”

Hunter looked at the window and saw a flurry of curtains as the maids all disappeared.

“Uh, no thanks. I have other plans. I’ll catch you later, Amara!”

Amara nodded. “Thanks for the ride home!”

Hunter watched as she bounded up the steps and disappeared behind the large double doors before he slowly slid back into the driver’s seat. As he drove off, he traced a finger over his lips thinking back to the sweet beverage they shared earlier.

***

The weekend passed all too quickly and when Monday rolled around, it found Amara as a tightly wound ball of nerves. She shoveled mouthfuls of scrambled eggs into her open mouth.

Dustin smiled over his bowl of oatmeal. “Hey, if you vacuum up your food like that you’ll get indigestion. There’s still plenty of time before work hours. Take your time.”

Amara looked up and smiled weakly at her father. “MMmmph hrm…”

Amanda glanced at her daughter with pursed lips. “Honey, finish eating before you talk.”

Turning to her husband she asked, “Are you sure she’ll be okay working in Productions? That’s a high turnover department and for good reasons.”

Dustin shrugged. “You can’t baby her forever. She’ll have to face difficulties in the workplace sooner or later. May as well be sooner while we’re all still alive and able to help her through it.”

Amanda sighed deeply. Dustin preferred the “sink or swim” method and it had its benefits, but she wasn’t so sure it was applicable in every case.

“Dear, don’t be afraid to speak up. The company has a very strict whistleblower safeguard set up to deal with bullies and unethical behavior.”

Amara nodded as she washed down her breakfast with a glass of orange juice.

“Yeah, mom! I know. Thanks for breakfast. I’m going to head out first.”

“Wait! Aren’t you going in with your dad and me?”

Amara called over her shoulder as she ran out of the dining room. “Nope! I don’t want people to treat me any differently.”

Dustin rolled his eyes. “Like anyone will be fooled. Even if you use your mother’s maiden name you look just like me. I’d like to see how many idiots fall for your little trick.”

***

“Hi! My name is Amara Pierce. Nice to meet you all!”

Everyone nodded politely at the newcomer and then went back to work. Her team leader led her around their department floor letting her know where everything was before taking her to her seat.

“Work hours are eight to five. There may be some overtime but since you’re new, we’ll keep that to a minimum until you get your sea legs. Tallia here will be your mentor for the time being. Any questions?”

Amara shook her head.

“Good. Ask Tallia if you have questions. Welcome to the Rogers family.”

Amara smiled. “Thank you, sir.”

The team leader nodded and walked back to his office.

Tallia poked her head over the cubicle and smiled at Amara. “Hey! I’m Tallia. I’ll be over in just a minute. Let me send out some emails and I’ll get you started.”

Amara nodded gratefully. “Thanks, Tallia. I look forward to working with you.”

“Mmm likewise.”

Passerbys threw quizzical looks at Dustin who was standing outside the Productions work area peering in like a parent checking on his child on their first day of school. The VP of Productions hurried out and greeted him.

“Mr. Roger, to what do we owe this pleasure?”

Dustin cleared his throat and swept an eye across the work floor. “Nothing. Just looking around today. I see a few new faces.”

The man turned and looked at his department. “Oh yes, we just hired a few. Is there… anyone that you want me to pay extra attention to?”

Dustin frowned and raised an eyebrow. “Hm?”

The VP began to sweat as he tried to cover his gaffe. “Haha, I mean we always take care of our newcomers to ensure a good working environment so they stay for the long haul.”

Dustin nodded. His eyes fell on his daughter who was taking notes frantically as another woman talked. Everyone around them had their heads buried in their work not giving Amara a second glance. A vein twitched on Dustin’s face.

‘Are all these people blind!? She looks just like me!!!’

Dustin stormed off leaving a very confused VP standing in his wake.