A Sweetly Brutal Revenge (Rock Hard Billionaires)

For a whole long week, I've been waiting impatiently for a call from Sullivan&Raegan; the new engineering firm in the city where I'd applied for a temp job. Now my phone rings with the caller ID displayed boldly, and I stare like a deer caught in the headlight. I look across the table at my best friend Matilda's curious face as she sips daintily at her dirty martini—Only Matilda drinks martinis at noon and calls them patience elixirs for dealing with people's s**t all morning. "At some point, you're going to have to answer that," she comments, indicating the phone with a low sweep of her long, sultry lashes. "Yeah, yeah, I should," I say breathlessly, swallowing against the nervous lump in my throat and reaching for the phone in the same beat. I never used to be this worked up about getting a job, but since losing my harassment suit against my former boss, my innate confidence has taken quite the hit. "Hello, this is Valerie Townsend." In one swift move, the nervousness switches into professionalism; the kind one acquires from years of working as an exec. personal assistant to a literal douchebag. You can't kill that s**t easily. "Ms. Townsend, I'm calling as regards your application last week and would like to welcome you on board officially. You've been hired and are expected to resume promptly at nine tomorrow, " Susie Brenton, from the firm's HR, speaks in a curt, brit accent. "Oh, wow. Tomorrow?" I was told just how urgent filling the job role was at the interview, but I didn't quite expect an immediate resumption. "Yes, Ms. Townsend. Would that be a problem?" I hurriedly shake my head and glance at Matilda with a smile. "No. Tomorrow at nine is perfect. Thank you, ma'am—" The line goes dead before I can gush out my excitement at finally getting a job after five, long and hellish months. "Is that what I think it is?" Matilda lowers the martini glass to the round, transparent table and leans in with an expectant grin. "Yes, Tilda. I got the job. I'm expected to resume tomorrow morning." "OMG! Girl, I told you!" Matilda springs up from her chair and rushes over to hug me tightly. I allow myself to sink into her as months of stress, emotional upheaval, and self-doubts seep slowly out of my body. I thought my career was toast the moment I lost the harassment suit against my former boss, Fowler. You aren't special, and you aren't the first Townsend. I would make sure you never find a decent job in this state, mark my words. I can still hear his hateful words reverberating in my head after learning of the suit. The bastard had gotten away with it for so long that he hadn't expected I'd actually sue. Technically, he still got away with it using his money and influence. Still, the judge had made him give a glowing recommendation for my next job—the only visible and hopeful light at the end of the tunnel. "I know what you're thinking now, Valerie," Matilda says as she releases me. "Regardless of how the suit had turned out, he didn't win, but you did. You said your truth and got out. Plus, he'd think twice about putting some other girl in that position ever again." " Thank you, Tilda. Sincerely." I smile, feeling tears prick mercilessly at my eyes. "Now, don't get teary on me," Matilda says as she gets up and empties the Martini glass. Although she pretends to hate emotional displays of any kind, my best friend remains the biggest baby I've ever known "We need to go shopping for the perfect first day outfit, and that's my treat. No refusal or complaint. Yay or yay?" "Yay," I get up instantly and pick up my purse, tugging a lock of Matilda's hair with a warm smile. There is no arguing with that tone. At least, I know better not to attempt it. The fear didn't resurface till we were perusing the clothing racks in Nordstrom. I pause over an A-line power suit as a fresh wave of anxiety overwhelms my thoughts. "Are you okay, Valerie? You look pale." Matilda asks with concern, coming over with an armful of clothes. "What if my new boss is just like Fowler?" I ask almost frantically. "I don't think I have the strength or emotional capability to handle such level of gaslighting and harassment again." "Valerie you worry too much," Matilda says softly. "You haven't even begun the job, yet you're letting pessimism take over." "But it's a valid fear, Tilda, and you know it." " Doesn't mean you can't overcome and take control of the situation," Matilda insists stubbornly, throwing an arm around my shoulder. "You singlehandedly took one of the strongest men in the state to court and dealt with his bullying and bullshits heads-on. You're the strongest, most resilient person I know, Val, and there's nothing you can't handle. Be optimistic, darling. You'd kill it, trust me." Matilda is right. I defended myself against Fowler and stood my ground regardless. I always found a way to deal with things rather than mope or remain in the situation. Things could be different at Sullivan& Raegan. I just needed to be positive and keep my spirits up. Sighing, I give Matilda a quick hug for the umpteenth time that day. "Thanks, girl. What would I ever do without you?" "Durh, practically nothing," she replies with a haughty flick of her wrist. "Now, are you trying on this breathtaking red power suit that screams you like nothing else, or do I have to make you?" "Get ready to be blown away." I take the suit off the rack with a quirky smile and a wink before sashaying towards the dressing room, more enthusiastic about the new job than ever before.