When Darkness Calls

Chapter six: The call 2

POV: Elena

By Tuesday afternoon I'd checked my phone so many times that Mum finally snatched it out of my hand. "Enough."

"Mum."

"You've checked it twelve times in the last hour."

"I was just checking the time."

She looked at me, then at the wall clock.

"Okay, maybe eleven times."

She laughed and set the phone on the table. "They said they'll call, so let them call."

"I know."

"You did the interview, now you wait."

I dropped back against the sofa. "I hate waiting."

My brother walked past with bread in his mouth. "Maybe they didn't hire you."

I sat up. "Why would you say that?"

He shrugged. "Just preparing you."

"For what?"

"Disappointment."

Mum threw a cushion at him and he ducked, laughing. "What, I'm helping."

"You've been helping too much lately," I said.

He pointed at me. "If they hire you, remember my sneakers."

"You're still on that?"

"You never said no."

"I never said no because I don't have a job yet."

"Exactly, so don't forget when you do."

I grabbed my phone off the table and checked it again, but there was nothing.

The interview had gone better than I expected, but I still couldn't shake the feeling that I'd said too much, or not enough.

"Stop thinking," Mum said.

"I didn't say anything."

"You don't have to."

I smiled. "You know me too well."

"I've been your mother for twenty-three years."

Then my phone rang and I nearly dropped it. It was an unknown number.

Mum leaned forward. "Answer it."

"What if it's not them?"

"Then you'll know."

I swallowed and picked up. "Hello?"

"Good afternoon, am I speaking with Elena Carter?"

My heart jumped. "Yes, this is Elena."

"This is Vale Enterprises, calling about your interview."

I stood up so fast my knee hit the table. "Yes, I'm listening."

"We're pleased to offer you the position of Junior Executive Assistant, we'd like you to resume next Monday."

For a second I couldn't get a word out.

"Ms Carter?"

"Yes, sorry, I'm here, thank you so much, I accept."

"We'll send the details and your first- day instructions to your email."

"Of course, thank you."

"We look forward to having you with us."

The call ended and I just stood there staring at the screen.

"Elena?" Mum said.

I looked up. "I got it."

Her face broke into a smile and I screamed so loud my brother came running from the kitchen.

"What happened?"

"I got hired!"

He froze. "Vale Enterprises?"

"Yes!"

He threw both hands in the air. "My sneakers!"

I laughed and shoved him. "You haven't even seen my first paycheck."

"You said remember!"

Dad walked in from the hallway. "What's all this noise?"

"I got the job!"

He smiled and pulled me into a hug, and Mum squeezed in from the side, while my brother stood there with his arms crossed.

"And my sneakers?"

"Let her breathe first," Dad said.

“But…”

"Go finish your bread."

He sighed. "Nobody supports my dreams around here."

I burst out laughing, and for the first time since losing my old job, everything felt lighter.

Sunday night I stood in front of my mirror holding two shirts. "Mum, blue or white?"

She didn't even look up. "Blue."

"You didn't check."

"I know you, you'll pick blue after asking anyway."

I looked down and she was right, so I put the white one back.

"What if I mess up tomorrow?"

"You probably will."

"Mum!"

She laughed. "Everyone messes up, just don't panic when you do."

"What if my boss is difficult?"

"Then be polite."

“What if he's rude?”

"Still be polite."

My brother yelled from the hallway. "What if he's handsome?"

"Go to bed!" Mum and I shouted together, and he ran off laughing.

***

Monday morning I stood outside Vale Enterprises with my bag on my shoulder, took one breath, and walked in.

The same receptionist from my interview looked up and smiled. "Good morning."

"Good morning."

She checked her screen. "Elena Carter, welcome, your department's been told, someone will come get you."

"Thank you."

I stepped aside, palms already sweating.

A few minutes later the elevator opened and a woman stepped out. "Elena Carter?"

"Yes."

"Come with me."

We walked toward the elevator together. "First day?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it here."

"I hope so."

"Your position sits directly under the executive office."

I slowed down. "Executive office?"

"Yes."

My stomach twisted, and we stopped in front of two large glass doors.

"Your boss is inside," she said, "I'll leave you here."

"Thank you."

She walked off, and I straightened my shirt, tightened my grip on my bag, and stared at the doors.

The man from the bar flashed through my mind, his stupid confidence, the way he looked at me like I was the problem.

"Forget him," I whispered, and reached for the handle.

The door opened.

A man stood by the window with his back to me. He was tall, with broad shoulders and black hair.

I stopped at the doorway.

He turned around. Our eyes met.

For a moment, neither of us said anything.

Then he smiled. "Hi. I'm Kael Vale."

I quickly straightened. "Good morning, sir."

He walked toward me and held out his hand.

I shook it carefully. "It's nice to meet you, sir."

"Nice to meet you too."

His eyes moved to the badge around my neck. "Elena Carter?"

"Yes, sir."

"You're the new Junior Executive Assistant?"

"Yes, sir."

He nodded. "Good. Come in."

"Yes, sir."

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me.

Mr. Kael walked toward the desk, and I followed.

He didn't look as intimidating as I'd imagined. His voice was calm, and there was an easy smile on his face.

I smiled nervously. “Wow. So this is my boss.”