Mr. Brockwell

CHAPTER TWO

*Calista*

I decided I didn't need to interview anywhere else, because I had already found a job. The thought alone was enough to make me smile, let alone who I'd be working for. Granted, I'm in a relationship, but it doesn't hurt to look! Plus, he's my boss, nothing could come from it even if I wanted it to.

When I returned home, I found that Ivan had already left for work. He works in the IT department at a company called Intell, so I'm not surprised. It's just nine in the morning now and there isn't much else to do, so I decide to call my friend Quinn. She is my best friend of five years and I can't wait to share my good news.

"Hey girl." She answers after a couple rings.

"Hey, do you work today?" I asked, hoping she didn't.

"Nope, why? Wanna grab lunch?" She asked and instantly I smiled.

"Yeah, I have some good news!" I shriek and feel my heart flutter, is this sensation just about the job..?

"Ooo, can't wait to hear!" She exclaims in return, showing the same level of excitement.

"When do you want to meet up?" I asked, taking my heels off.

"I'll pick you up in an hour." She said and we hung up.

Quinn arrives an hour later and I get into her Lexus SUV, buckling my seatbelt while she drives away. We went to a cute little restaurant that we love. It's not very popular and that's probably why we love it so much, but you can also get the best burrito here. It's called Terro's, just off eighth street. It doesn't take long and soon we're walking through the doors of our favorite restaurant.

Sitting at a small booth across from each other, we order our usual and wait for the waiter to deliver our food. They deliver our burritos and glasses of water, as well as some chips and salsa.

"So, what's your good news?" Quinn asks, filling her mouth with chips and salsa.

"I got a job offer today," I try to keep my voice calm but it fails and I end up squealing, "The first one!"

"That's great, sweetie! Where at?" She asks, dipping into her burrito.

"A place called Brockwell Investments, I'll be the owner's assistant." I answered with a proud grin, eating my food.

"Never heard of it," she says with a shrug, "Then again, I'm just a waitress."

"I just applied to every fancy looking building I could find and this guy interviewed me on the spot, then offered me a job right after!" I said, hoping I'd encourage her instead of gloat.

"That's not a bad idea," she says, chuckling and shaking her head, "I'm happy for you, love."

"Thanks, Quinn. I needed a job, because lately Ivan's been acting strange.. I think this will relieve some of his stress and maybe he'll get back to normal.." I admitted out loud and glanced up to find Quinn staring at me with a sympathetic expression.

"Why? What's he been doing?" She asked with suspicion.

"He just gets angry really easily," I answered and paused for a brief moment, "I'm sure this will help."

"Yeah, probably." Quinn agrees with a light nod, but I can tell she's judging Ivan by my words.

"Don't worry, he's just been worried about our finances, but now that's taken care of!" I smiled and finished my meal.

"I've always thought Ivan was an uptight arrogant prick and I haven't changed my mind.." Quinn grumbled under her breath and I raised my eyebrows.

"He has good moments.." I defended him but I could feel this sway inside my heart, it was leaning towards the opposite of my words and I'm unsure why.

"Do they outweigh the bad?" She asks and it's a question I feel compelled not to answer, because I'm afraid to hear the answer out loud.

I've been with Ivan for a year and leaving him is a scary thought. I don't have anywhere else to go and can't survive on my own. That's a selfish thought, I know, but lately things with Ivan haven't been great. He becomes more irate by the minute and yells all the time. It's too stressful to spend more than a few hours with him. Am I really supposed to date someone like that? Someone that I can barely spend time with, in fear of them becoming irate at some point and hurting me with words? However, the mere thought of leaving him has me shaking in my boots.

We leave the restaurant and Quinn drops me back off at home, where I see Ivan's car parked on the side of the street. It's four o'clock now and I'm guessing he got home not too long ago. I hugged Quinn goodbye, brushing her black and red hair off to the side with my hand.

I entered the building and took the elevator upstairs. Walking down the hallway and opening our door, shutting it behind me. I can hear Ivan shouting at someone on the phone and I cringed, I hope I'm not next. I walk through the kitchen and smile at him, but he doesn't look my way.

I set my things down and changed into comfortable clothes, jogging pants and a sweatshirt. I hear Ivan hang up the phone and he enters our bedroom, standing at the doorframe staring at me with crazed eyes. I noticed his normally green eyes were pulsing red, his pupils enlarged and dark.

"Where have you been?" He asked, his voice cold and malice.

"I was hanging out with Quinn.." I responded but didn't dare move, because I knew he was drunk.

"Why were you with her? You were supposed to be applying to jobs, Calista!" Ivan screams and moves closer to me.

"I got hired- I am starting tomorrow.." I announced, suddenly not feeling so proud and excited.

"What- where?" He asks in disbelief.

"Brockwell Investments." I snapped, feeling my own irritation creep up.

Before anything else could happen, I felt my head turning rapidly by a blunt force and a loud slap filled my ears. My eyes are watering and my left ear is ringing. Soon a burning sensation erupts on my left cheek and my stare finds Ivan, who is staring back at me with a look of shock. I can feel my own mouth hanging open and it starting to tremble, as tears fall down my face.

"You... you hit me.." I whispered, a voice so light I hardly recognized myself.