Page 32 of On Your Knees

COO | Ridgeland Enterprises

I don’t know how to respond to Zeland’s email. Is he hot? Fuck yes, but men like him shouldn’t be looking at someone like me. I’m just shiny and new and someone like him would eat me for breakfast and get bored fast.

The day goes by quicker than I expect, and when I clock out, I head straight home. The entire day was a dream, but completely overwhelming. Mom is at work when I get home, so I shower and reheat leftovers before I head down to my room and log into my game, not because I want to play but because of her. I want to tell her about my day and I have never had that feeling before.

“Sup, DarkSoul, how was your first day? Don’t tell me, let me guess. You were amazing and smashed it out of the park?”

I scoff. “Well, I wouldn’t say that exactly. I was a nervouswreck and complimented the bosses on their great architecture. Then I told someone it was a pleasure for them to meet me, and I think one of the bosses was hitting on me.”

“So all in all, it wasn’t so bad. We all get nervous on our first day, and this is your dream job.”

“What should I do about the boss hitting on me? He isn’t technically my boss, but he owns half of the company.”

“Take that, you pussy bitch,” she says as she shoots at the targets. “Well, is he hot? Because the level of hotness can play a part in my answer. And can he fire you?”

“He is more than hot, and if he owns the company, I’m sure he could fire me.”

“That’s a hard one. Maybe see how it goes—he could just be flirty. I worked with someone like that once; they just flirted and never wanted more. Now tell me everything. What does your office look like? What do they have you doing?... You shut your scrawny little mouth. If you don’t want to hear me talking to my friend, leave the party. Let’s face it, I would smoke your ass anyway. Then you would be embarrassed that you got beat by a girl.”

I snort at her as she verbally smites a stranger. He leaves the chat, and it’s now just us. Normally we’re in a private chat, but sometimes we need to group chat with the rest of our squad. Unfortunately, the teens in this game are all mouth, but she doesn’t take their shit.

“Any luck on finding a new job?” I ask her.

She sighs. “I have a few leads, nothingconcrete. On the upside, I have more free time. Do you know this obnoxious house has an indoor poolandan outdoor pool? Who needs two?”

We talk for a while until one of her roommates needs her help with something and she signs off.

Ever since I met her, my life has completely turned around. Mom always says, “Sometimes people come into your life for a reason and lead you where you’re supposed to be.” And maybe that’s what has happened with her. I might not know her name or where she lives, but she is quickly becoming the one person I want to talk to every day. And it’s nice to have a person who wants to listen.

Chapter Twelve

Aspen

Strolling straight into Zeland’s office has become a daily ritual since Arlo started working at Ridgeland.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, looking up from his computer screen as I flop into the chair opposite his desk.

“It’s official: I’m a school dropout and a weirdo stalker. I’m sure my mother would be so proud that I’m following in her footsteps. All I need now is to have a kid and disappear from its life. Wanna help a girl out?”

His laughter echoes through the room. “As hot as you would look knocked up, I don’t think Ridge would be thrilled about having a baby in the house. He doesn’treally like noise too much. But let’s go back to the first two problems—you dropped out?”

“Dropped out, kicked out... same, same, right? I ran into my ex-roommates today, and I might owe Sunny a new nose. Would you believe she tried to call me out in class for owing her rent? She kicked me out and kept the deposit I paid her. Then she tried to say I hit on her boyfriend, and he agreed. In my defense, I attacked him first for being a lying piece of shit, but she tried to jump in, so really it’s all her fault. I just hope she doesn’t press charges; I don’t need that shit right now.”

“Don’t sweat it, and if she tries, we will send our lawyers over. She will run scared the second they knock on the door. No bestie of mine is going to prison.”

“Thank god. Orange is not my color, and I would have to get a wife. I’m not cut out for that life.”

Zeland chuckles. “And what’s this about your stalker tendencies?”

I smile. “All week I have been watching Arlo work. I pretend to be the mail person just to get close enough to smell him. Who even does that? I shouldn’t be so obsessed with someone I’ve supposedly only just met.”

“Is there something wrong with how I smell? You’re free to sniff me whenever you want.”

“Don’t worry, I use your cologne and might have stolen a shirt or two from your room. I figured you knew about it since Ridge has cameras everywhere.”

“Shit, woman, you are making me rethink a lot of things, and I don’t like it.”

I kick my feet up onto his desk, the edge of my boots the only thing holding my legs up. “Yeah? Like what?”

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