01.The Haunted Past

Foreword

"You jerk!" I was about to hit him.

But his strong arms they caught me in mid-air. Now he was holding both of my arms and I did my best to push him away but that didn't really affect him. He pulled me closer, So closer that I could feel his warm breath on my cheeks. I didn't want to concentrate on our intimidating close proximity but the dangerous closeness of our lips made that impossible. His eyes never left me. Those sea coloured orbs were burning with cold fire. He pinned my hands behind my back and held me closer. I looked at him with pure hatred. My hands were starting to hurt but I knew he seldom cared about that. Tears were rolling down my cheeks but they weren't the tears of sadness. They were tears of hate. I hated him a lot. I doubt anyone could hate someone as much as I hated Derrick Hunt.

Derrick Hunt huh? More like 'Derrick The Devil'

"The choice is yours.. Stay or Leave but either way you can never get rid of me."  He said with an evil smirk.

"I loath you!" I exclaimed with pure hatred of molten red lava burning in my eyes.

"Do I look like I care??" He asked pulling me even more closer and hurting with his iron grip even more.

"Let me go!!" I tried to get away from his grip.

But it was almost impossible to get away from his iron grip. I winced in pain a little since my arms were really starting to hurt. I looked at him once again, he doesn't seem to avert his gaze from me. I stomped on his foot, that made his loosen his grip. And Bingo! Finally I was free from him. Well, At least for now.

"What the hell Miss Paxton?"  He winced looking shocked.

Wow! The man was capable of feeling pain other than inflicting it! Interesting!

"Consider that as your answer."  I spoke through my gritted teeth.

"I will and I always win one way or the other, Miss Paxton."  He declared arrogantly.

"Well, you didn't now!" I replied instantly.

"How so? You just agreed to be my secretary again!" He asked looking slightly bewilded .

"Well..now you just lost someone who thought you were a decent person than you pretend so not to be. Now you are just a lost cause to me, Mr Hunt!" I explained meekly.

Surprisingly his face grew glum after hearing those words.

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Author's Note:

Hello, I see you have clicked on this book. This is my second story on w*****d. I really hope you guys would like it.

Warning: English is not my first language so you'll spot lots of grammatical / Spelling errors. So if you are a Grammar Nazi, you will be disappointed but please give this story a try. I really worked hard typing this story so I hope you guys will be supportive. I always welcome critics but don't be mean. This book is filled with cliches so read at your own risks. I really suck at punctuation so please do bear with me.

PS: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Status: Completed & Under editing so if you find any errors please feel free to let me know.

Started on: May 22, 2016

Finished on: January 25, 2019

Highest Ranking: 12th under the Romance Hotlist, 5th under the Little Things list.

(A sequel to Something Good)

Reading Something Good is optional to understand this story.

Don't try to steal my work, it's a rather good feeling to get an appreciation for your own work.

Copyright with the author.

Happy Reading ❤

Love,

GeetVik

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                              1. The Haunted Past.

I woke up with a jerk and a strong hangover, it was followed by the hazy images of the previous night. I am not a party animal usually. Actually, I hated clubs, people always say it's a cool place to hangout but once we enter that hell hole, it's just pitch black out there. I can't imagine who enjoys colourful bright lights blinding people's sight. And how can I forget about the worst part, random strangers grinding against girls? It's been five years since I moved to New York City, I still haven't got any decent friends nor a decent apartment and did I mention?  I hated my job. I thought moving to New York will be good for my career in journalism but even after struggling for five whole years here, I was in the same place. I worked for The New Reads magazine, it was a pretty good magazine but I didn't get any recognition there. I was given a small column at first, it was called 'Fun Facts' I know right? Even though I took my job pretty seriously I felt like there was no real scope of any improvement for my column. 

Time passed by but my column reminded the same.  The interns who came after I got promoted as much as it was painful for me to watch, I couldn't really do anything about that. At first, I wasn't able to understand the real problem but then I found out that my horrible past followed me everywhere. Apparently, my boss thought I didn't deserve to be promoted because I was hired to cause some recommendation. She thought I was working for her cause I had no other choice which was only half true in real.     

Anyways that's my story for now. As much I was heartbroken to move to New York fives years ago, Now I really did have a life here. Even though it was really a crappier one, I had a life in New York working for a shitty magazine which didn't really give me any actual credit for my work. Amidst all that negative thoughts, I still kept holding on because at least I was still earning some money from that job, I had a roof over my head even though I didn't really like my roommate who was high most of the time.   

I have to confess I had a really messed up life and moving to New York was a mistake!   

Okay let's face it, I would move back home in a heartbeat if I can. I honestly felt like moving to New York was the worst thing that had happened to me. But I couldn't just move back home just like that,  I mean all these years my parents had supported me and now it was my turn to chase after the dream that they had supported me with. No, I refused to return home as a loser. I loved writing and I wanted to change the lives of people with my writing. I wanted to touch the souls with my writing. I tell you, it's really deep.

It has always been my dream.

Back to the present day, It was a warm Sunday morning, Oh wait! Scratch that it was a warm Sunday afternoon, yeah..sue me! I slept until noon. I do that all lot and hell, I don't regret it. As I laid on my bed contemplating the last five years, I heard a growl on my stomach. I was really hungry but I don't wanna go into my kitchen since that would mean I would have to have an encounter with my alcoholic roomie also the kitchen was a mess. My room mate, Huh well, She is not the best. She worked as a bartender so mostly she worked late light and when she came back, She brings lotta friends and they just mess up the place and just ruin my sleep in total. I didn't have the heart nor the guts to tell her, I wanted her to stop acting like only she lived there. I was stuck with her cause, I couldn't afford a nicer place in NYC.

I wasn't exactly in a mood to have chat with roommate today at least not since the last time when she made me do her dishes too. In short, Even my home was not really where I could relax. So I decided to take a pass, I took a quick shower and picked out the clothes I could reach first. I made myself presentable and decided to get some lunch.

I went to my favourite Indian place which was actually three blocks away from my apartment. I ordered the usual and waited for my food impatiently since I was literally starving and my stomach was growling with hunger. I was sitting in my booth along minding my own business, Well.. not exactly I was fishing for any updates from my friends on I*******m. Yeah...I do that, to avoid looking lonely and pathetic when I am alone. I took out my phone and pretended to look busy. It's indeed a great way to repel away unwanted conversations from strangers. I have grown really cold after moving here, I guess that what happens when people have no friends. I found Becky's profile and seeing her updates made me really emotional. Tears welled up in my eyes when I realized how much I missed her.

Becky is and was my best friend throughout high school and college actually she is more like my sister. I know I face time her all the time but still, it's not like hanging out in real. I was gulping water and scrolling my way down her profile. But then someone tapped on my shoulder, initially, I was annoyed by the interruption but then I decided to look who it was.

As I looked up, my eyes met a beautiful pair of hazel eyes. I was confused because I recognized them from before. I was looking at him for a few seconds without shifting my gaze. Then the realization hit me when I recognized it was my high school friend Theo. Well he wasn't a friend exactly, I mean we used to hang out during our school days but then as college came along we lost touch. I was delighted to see him after such a long time.

"Theo?" I asked looking surprised. It was a huge blast from the past to see from all of a sudden.

"You look like you could use some company?" He flashed a toothy grin and sat beside me.

"Yeah... Of course." I replied instantly with a huge smile on my face. He sat beside me and made his order.

"So long time no see? How have you been?" He asked looking amazed by our surprise encounter.

"I am great and you look really different from the last time I met you." I said shyly biting my lower lip. He looked really gorgeously handsome with his little stubble and muscles the last time I saw him he was a child but now he was a total heartthrob. It was so weird. But I can't tell him that so I just looked awkwardly flushed.

"Well, you too. Not too shabby, Blue is definitely your color." He eyed me with equal excitement. He complemented me noticing my rugged attire, I mean I just threw the first thing that I could reach in my closet. I knew he was just being nice to me. Anyone in here could see I was a mess.

"Um..What are you doing here?" He shot me a question noticing my awkward silence.

"Oh..I am just here just for lunch." I replied with an equally awkward smile.

"Are you waiting for your date?" He asked with a small chuckle with an undertone of curiosity.

"Date? Oh, no-no-no! I am here alone. I'm..Um..I'm single." I said trying hard to sound as normal as possible and not like a total loser.

I am pretty sure he thought that I was acting weird.

"Oh, That's cool. Well, Maybe its for the best." He said smiling sweetly. I didn't know what that meant but I let it slide.

"Um..so how's life?" I asked him, I know I came out a little bit curious... God, I need to take a chill pill.

"Pretty good actually, I woke for a publication as an associate editor." He explained sipping some sparkling bottled water.

"Oh my! That's awesome." I exclaimed eager to know more since I wanted to write and get published since childhood.

"So what about you?" He asked looking surprised by my response. 

"Oh, I'm just a columnist for The New Reads magazine." I replied with a small smile with lingering sadness underneath that I just couldn't shake away even for just pretend. My job was far from interesting for an associate editor.

"Wow! I guess..we have a lot in common." He said with a kind smile taking a bite of his hot plate pancakes. He was being sweet to me, I was nowhere near him career-wise but that's okay I was still happy for him. 

His phone started beeping and his smile turned into a frown. Should I ask What's wrong? Or Should I not? I thought. I did not want to intrude cause I don't wanna come across as Nosy Nancy. He noticed my expression and decided to discuss with me.

"Ughh..it's about my apartment." He sighed annoyed looking at his phone with a hint of distress.

"Um..What about it?" I asked swiftly but I tried my best not took look like I am prying.

"My roommate, He just moved out, I am searching for a decent roommate but this city is filled with weirdos... You know?" He said looking slightly annoyed. 

"Yeah... Tell me about it!" I said reminiscent of the good old days with my roomie.

"There was this guy who came asking for my apartment but he literally never washes his dishes. He has been staying for like a week and he already damaged my carpet and ruined the bathroom shower. It's just a disaster. I can not deal with this, I'm going to blow up." He started ranting on cue. It was like I was looking at myself in a mirror.

"Wow! I'm not the only one. Good to know." I chuckled looking surprised.

"Wait, Whatever do you mean?" He asked noticing my amazed smile.

"It's nothing, I live with one so I know exactly how you feel." I said trying to put on a decent smile and not bothering him with my life problems. 

"Well, I guess I have someone to share my shabby roommate worries to share with." He winked.

"I think you do." I giggled.

"June..Wait a minute!" He gave me an intense look for a few seconds. And then I guess a light bulb flashed like in the cartoon for him.

"What is it?" I asked looking confused. Was it my hair? Was it my shirt? What was wrong?

"Earth to Theo? Hello?" I waved before him as he looked spaced out for a moment or two.

"Uh..yeah. I am here, sorry I totally spaced out." He shuttered shyly.

I can see that.

"That's alright!" I smiled and continued eating the garlic and cumin rice with some healthy salad in the side which just came, Thank God for that. I was about to faint cause of starvation.

"Hey, Here is a crazy idea. Maybe you should move in." He said in a rush not thinking clearly.

Wait. What??  We just met after a long time. This was kinda weird to suggest.

"Um..what?" I asked bewildered almost spitting out my food.

"Yeah... We can be like roommates. I mean I am having a hard time to get a good roommate and by the looks of it you are having a hard time living in your apartment, so what the hell?" He seemed to be fascinated by that idea of his.

"Oh, Come on! It's not like we're strangers. We know each other for year's now." He said looking at my confused face.

He did sound logical but I wasn't sure about this. I mean common I just met him. I know he is my friend but it's been a really long time.

"Well, Yeah but..Um, I have never lived with a guy. You know..It's a whole different thing that cleaning up after shabby Jessie. I just feel like it would be weird for me." I was trying to be honest and reject his proposal as soft as I could.

"Yeah, but it's not like something gonna happen. It's a huge apartment, You would barely see me there." He tried his best to convince.

I didn't mean it like that. I wasn't looking for anyone in my life anyway.

"I don't know. It's too sudden of a life change for me I guess." I was not really convinced by his idea.

"Well, think about it... If you change your mind, you know where to find me." He said and gave his card.

Will I think about it???  Probably not.

"Thanks!" I smiled.  

"Alright, I gotta go now but I will hopefully see you soon? " He said flashing a big smile.

"Right, Of course." I nodded as I watched him walk away.

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I thought a lot about it and moving into a great apartment this the best thing that can happen to me after a long time, I can finally move out to a decent apartment. I was kinda happy after a long time. Just when I thought of telling this great news to Becky. I got a call from her.

"Hey, What's up?" I asked casually

"Oh.. OH MY GOD!! June!" She screamed suddenly.

I recognized that kinda freak out, it was for a piece of good news.

"Um..What's going on?" I asked her and the held the phone tight.

"I am engaged!" She shrieked in excitement.

"What?!?" I cried out shocked trying to figure out what I'm hearing was what she said.

"Are you messing around?" I asked her again just make sure it wasn't one of her silly pranks.

"No dummy, I am engaged for real!" She exclaimed again and it was just music to my ears. This was what I was waiting for my whole life since college. I was mentally planning everything out from gift ideas to dress ideas.

"Oh my god, Does this mean what I think it means?" I gasped with awe.

I found out Liam and Becky were dating before two years and I couldn't be happier for them.

"Yeah... He finally popped the question after a lot of hints I might add. He did it over the weekend when were in Italy." She said I bet she was looking flushed.

"I know You and Liam were the endgame from the beginning. I need pictures asap." I said smiling, honestly, my lips were starting to hurt the cause of all the smiling.

"Awe! I love you my maid of honour." She was trying hand to speak between her happy tears.

I was literally jumping up and down with joy.

"I wanna hug you. I wish you are here." I exclaimed trying to sound normal. My excitement and joy were outta control. I missed her a lot to hear this over the phone.

"Well, your wish will be true in a few seconds. I am in New York right now and I am at your front door actually, could you be a doll and open up?" She asked I suppose she was smirking right now behind my door.

What?? Is this even real?

"Wait, What?!?!" I gasped again.

"Open up!!!!" She screamed as she was banging my front door.

I ran up to the door and opened up swiftly. I was rendered speechless when I saw her. I pulled her into a tight bear hug. "I missed you like crazy, Beck!" I mumbled admist her tight grip.

"I hate you for moving away." She sulked.

"Oh! Come on in soon-to-be-bride!" I smiled brightly.

"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" I asked her punching her playfully.

"Well..if I told you, it won't be a surprise now, would it?" She confessed laughing.

"Okay now spill... I want all the details about the proposal." I exclaimed starting out little gossip session.

She started the tale of her love story. She seemed very happy and I was really glad to see her like that. We spent the day talking about her wedding and reminiscing about our college days together. She said she was staying in New York for a couple of days. We spent the evening cooking dinner and making pizzas. I told all about my early run-in with Theo.

"So...Are you going to move out and stay with Theo?" She smirked and I knew exactly what was running in her mind. She had a knack for matchmaking.

"I guess... But it's not like that." I said with a straight face trying not to fuel her fantasy about matchmaking. Ever since she knew I was not touch with Andrew, She kept trying fix me up with random dures. Some from her work, Some were her cousin's friends. She was acting strange. I didn't indulge her since I was busy with work here. Obviously. Also, I don't know something just never clicked with anyone since Andrew. He was one of a lifetime kinda love for me. He never really went away even though he just disappeared.

Whatever it was but I can't shake the feeling to ask her about Andrew. Maybe I shouldn't but I didn't want to move on even after we drifted apart. I haven't been great in dating anyway but with Andrew in the picture, I always thought he would magically appear on my doorstep someday and take me in his arms. I thought this wasmaybe God's way of telling me not to give up on him, I mean there are billions of people in the world and out of them my best friend ended up with his best friend. I mean what are the odds? If I said the same to someone they might say I was just crazy but Becky was my best friend. She won't judge me, So I should just ask her. She would knew where was Andrew and most of all how was he coping with out falling out.

Well, Technical we did not just fall out. After the whole thing during our colleges days. We decided to stay apart for some time, Like a year but then we just couldn't. We got back together and then he went to Europe for his business purposes and again he just never contacted me. I know being in a long-distance relationship was not a easy task but then again I thought it still worth it. I didn't wanna out pressure on him to like contact me daily but we were in touch for about two and half years but then he just stopped talking. Maybe he met someone else, I didn't know. I didn't wanna think about that, it was painful. I just let him be. I guess.

"So when is the wedding?" I started off coolly.

"It's a June Wedding at the Plaza!" She exclaimed ruffling through her bag trying to grab something.

"It's in New York?" I asked looking surprised.

"Oh my God..That's awesome." I smiled brightly.

"Yeah..We are actually planning to move here." She said looking excited.

"This is the best news ever. I'm so happy right now." I jumped and hugged again.

This is the best day ever. Everything was so perfect. Should I really ask her?

"So...How is..Um..Andrew?  Is he coming? You know..Like for the wedding? I assume he will the best man for Liam since they're practically like brothers." I almost mumbled but then festered up the courage to ask her anyway and once I did I just cant shut myself up.

There! I did it! Can't take it back now.

"Oh! Um..An..Andrew? He..Actually.." She shuttered struggling to put words together. I had never seen her so nervous. Maybe he was seeing someone else and she didn't wanna hurt me by telling me. 

She was looking at me speechless for some time.

"Becky it's okay... I am fine. You can tell me if he is with someone else."  I said trying to keep my calm and consoling her.

"Um..No. It's not that. He is not with anyone."  She said eyeing me closely.

I left out a breath in relief.

"Oh..Thank God! I imagined the worst... I mean he just stopped talking me... You know.. I always knew long-distance relationships never work, I agree we drifted apart but when he stopped responding to my calls and messages, it was like he disappeared from my life. Maybe he ghosted me, I don't know. When he was gone, it was like he left a hole in my heart. I just want some closure, You know?"  I said trying to sound normal as tears welled up my eyes.

"June, I thought we were past that? You said you have moved on."  She said looking shocked. Always Andrew was a topic that we never discussed at least since he left. It was like very sensitive.

"Well..I lied about it!" I snapped suddenly.

"What?" She gasped.

"You can't cling on to the past. He is not..He is not coming." She said holding my hands.

"Why? Please..Just.." I sighed and paused for a second.

"I just want to see him once and know the reason why he left me like that? Don't you think I deserve to know why? We were good. We didn't have any fight. He just left. He changed is mobile number. Blocked all his socials. He just disappears without any reason. Do you know, How that makes me feel? I don't know, I can't understand why? Was it something I did? Or Did he just stopped loving me one fine day? If so, Why didn't he have the nerve to say it to my face? " I broke into tears now. Like I said, Sensitive. I was not myself. All the pent up feeling just blew up.

"June, Stop it. It's not your fault. He really did love you."  She tried to comfort me.

"How do you know that?!" I cried.

"I just know. You need to let it go." She whispered rubbing my hands soothingly.

"I can't... You have to invite him to the wedding.i need answers face to face." I said wiping the tears off my cheeks.

"No, I couldn't!" She replied looking hesitant.

"Why do you keep saying that?" I asked looking confused.

"Wait, Did Liam have a fall out too? Is that why Liam remove his socials too? What is going on?" I was so confused to realise everyone including Liam was starting to cut him out of their life or was it the alternate. I was so confused.

"June... I..um..I..can't invite him because.." She shuttered.

"How can I tell you this?" Her eyes were starting to well up for some reason and it was creating this uncomfortable pit in my stomach. What was going on with Becky? Why was she so emotional? Oh no, This escalated from petty fights and falling out to touch to a whole new other level.

Please don't be what I think you're going to say!

"How can you tell me what?!?" I blinked blankly.

"Andrew, Um..He died. He is dead June." She said looking at me as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Nooo. This can't be. No. No. No. No. Just No. No. please No.

Why? Why did I not know that? How could I not know that? This can't be. No. This is not true.

That was the last I heard. My heard started spinning hard and I think I passed out. I hit the floor with loud thud and that is it. I was gone. Everything went black.

Finally, When I woke, I was on my bed and Becky was sitting near me looking teary. I tried to sit upright.

"What happened?" I asked touching my forehead.

"You passed out for a couple of hours." She said looking at me seriously.

"Why?" I asked again.

"The doctor said you had a lotta mental pressure to handle. You need to relax." She said looking guilty.

I was staring at the distance looking expressionless.

"Are you okay?" She muttered.

"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied swiftly.

"Why didn't you..why?" I asked slowly turning towards her remembering out conversation earlier. She knew exactly what I was talking about.

"June, Please. You need to clam down. You just woke up. We can talk about it later when you're feeling better." She tried to reason with me but this was not that time.

"I want to talk about it now." My nostrils were flaring and my eyes grew red. I couldn't say anger or grief.

"Why? Why did you keep this from me? How could you do it? I didn't even get to morn him. I didn't even get to pay him some respect at his funeral. God, I don't even know how long he hd been gone. Becky, Why?" I just wept bitterly.

"I couldn't June... I promised your parents." She said sobbing. She knew this was breaking me into pieces  and she couldn't bare to look at me.

"My parents knew about this?" I asked looking astonished.

She nodded slowly.

"They knew this would ruin you." She cried hugging me.

"And not knowing what happened to him did not? Look at me, Becky. I am going crazy... Making plans to see him at your wedding... How miserable is that?" I sobbed completely shattered.

Suddenly all my frustration turned into tears and I was crying ferociously. The pain was so fresh and raw, I could not contain me.

"I know.. I am so sorry... Shh!" She tried to comfort me.

She hugged me tightly and she let me cry my heart out.

"What happened Becky?" I asked between my sobs.

"Andrew was on a cruise ship on the east cost of Frace. He was holidaying with his parents. They had a huge party and... Then, there was this huge storm, the ship got capsized and.." She stopped as tears started pouring down her cheeks.

"And What?" I asked slowly.

"They never found him or his family... They never even have a funeral for them. All the people who were close enough with his family were lost too. More than a hundred people went missing. It was so bad. Liam tried to look for some records for months but nothing came out of it. The police and cost gaud, close the case as there was no hole for search and recue. I am so sorry June." She cried and hugged me tight as if she was trying to hold me in place before I completely fall apart.

"This hurts so much." I cried.

"I have got you. You are going to be fine. You hear me?" She said looking at me as her eyes were teary.

"Will I?" I asked crying harder.

"You will get through this." She nodded trying to make it believable.

"I'm sorry too. Liam and you had to go through all of this without me." A numb voice came out of me.

"Don't be silly! We loved both of you. Liam lost his brother, I lost my drarest friend. " She sobbed.

"And I lost my other half." Tears never stopped flowing down my cheeks.

"You have to hold on if not for you for me and Liam, For your parents. I love you so much. June. This is not the end of your story. Trust me." She is wrong. This was the end. There was only ashes everywhere. I would never come back from this, I knew that for sure. My heart isn't merely broken, it is a shadow of what it was and fading a little more every day.

It was impossible for me to find love again. I was lost. It was all over. This was my life and that's just it.

But God had other planes for June. Cause from ashes comes beauty and God just doesn't know impossible.

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A Month later...

Um... it's just that, I used to be happy. Um, yeah, past tense. Sucks, I know. But, they did tell me that I wouldn't be soon or I'd forget the feeling or whatever. But I knew I had to put a brave face for the people I love and those who are alive and with me right now, God I can't believe I just said that! Sometimes I wish I could scream into a pillow and cry all day but what good will it do to be expected to leave me with puffy eyes right?? So I decided to pretend that everything was fine.

Pretend. Pretend. As long as I could I will pretend to be alright.

"I appreciate you being here for me... But that doesn't mean you have to smother me... You know?" I teased raising an eyebrow.

"You are rude... You know that?" Becky implored sarcastically.

"Aren't you are engaged, Liam is gonna hate me for keeping you all to myself." I chuckled to myself.

"This was his idea actually. He worries about you. A lot." She beamed with a kind smile. Becky had a heart of gold and so did Liam. They were a match made in heaven indeed.

"Well...I guess You guys are made for each other then." I smiled sheepishly. 

"So When are you going to meet Theo?" She winked at me.

"No..I am still apartment hunting!" I said as I was checking my phone for notifications.

"Why not? He is funny, sweet and attractive. I heard he drives an Audi" She kept on talking.

Well, Then good for him.

"Becky... That's not the qualities I want in an apartment. Also stop it. Besides it's not like we're going to date just because I live with him. Also, I have my own issues with work and you know life?" I replied firmly and deflected from the topic we were talking.

"Is that the only issue?" She asked eyeing me suspiciously. She knew very well what was the real issue but she promised me if I forgive her for hiding the truth, we would never ever talk about Andrew again. I figured no talking means the fast I could forget. Clearly, it was not working. I thought about him every single day. I cry every single night thinking what could we be? If things were different.

" I feel like, You are not even giving the guy a fair chance? You don't have to date him just be friends or more. Whatever. I don't know." She complained.

"We are friends. And there is no more. There will never be more. With anyone anymore." I spoke unconsciously.

"What are you saying?" She looked concerned.

"Becky, I just mean like..I don't thinking throwing myself at someone who is my good friend right now is the best thing for me. " I spoke honestly.

"Yeah, That, Seems rational but..I just want you to be okay." She said holding my hands almost getting teary.

"I am Okay." I gave her a small smile as my mobile chimed in with an message.

"Also great news, I got an apartment in Brooklyn." I confessed finally, I was getting tired of her Theo lecture.

"What??" She looked really puzzled.

"When did this happen?" She asked as she was blocking my way.

"When you started pestering me to move in with Theo" I announced casually walking away.

"I am sorry June... I just want you to be happy that's all." She admitted with genuine concern in her eyes. 

"I know.. And I love you for that. But I am happy... Right now, I need to concentrate on my career right now." I assured her with a smile.

"Are you sure... You are alright?" She asked eyeing me closely again.

"Of course." I flashed her a luminous smile.

"How did you get the apartment anyway? And do you like your roommate?" She inquired curiously.

"Yeah, the apartment is great and I have no roommate." I answered back casually.

"You got your own place?" Becky gasped again.

"Yeah, I am moving in tomorrow..and why are you surprised?" I raised a question looking confused.

"Can you afford that?" She was concerned about it immediately.

"Hey... It's okay... I got a loan. It's no big deal." I assured her, I was doing fine financially.

But I guess that wasn't convincing enough for her, she still looked at me as if I told her I was a serial killer.

"Becky... Seriously you don't have to worry about me. I have a job, I will manage." I explained  trying to cheer her up.

"Alright. But if you need anything.." She began with her mommying. She was less of a friend and more of a mom to me.

"I will ask you. " I completed her sentence.

"We are going shopping at 5.. We got a lotta work to do." She declared looking excited.

"Alright... I will join you after work." I said grabbing my coat.

"Okay, Have a nice day." She screamed through my door

"I will. Thank you!" I exclaimed.

I went to my office, it was pretty much the normal stuff except it wasn't because they called all the employees for an announcement. That doesn't usually happen here. What was going on?

"Hey there." Lisa greeted me with a charming smile on her face.

Lisa was one of my Co-workers.

"Hey...What's going on!?" I asked her casually.

"You didn't hear the news still?" She asked looking surprised.

"What news?" I asked as I was arranging the stack of paper that was on my desk.

"Our company is shutting down... They are giving a two-week notice to all the employees." She said looking unhappy and disappointed.

There it was.. Just when I thought my life couldn't get any worse, It got really worse. With the new apartment? How will I manage without a job? I started freaking out in my mind.

"June, Did you start applying for other jobs?" She asked noticing my panic-ridden face.

"Umm..no. I didn't even know about this until now." I replied looking pale. It was probably because I wasn't as attentive as before for the past month.

"What? How come? This was rumored since the last month." She expressed her alarm hearing me.

"I guess, I wasn't that attentive." I replied recounting the events that made me numb since the past month. No wonder I was dejected the whole month in the office.

"Well, it's okay. Here are some of the companies I chose to apply. Do you want to check it out?" She asked with a gentle smile noticing how pale and dejected I looked.

"Uh, Sure. Thanks." I said and got her binder.

"Well..here is The Red rose publishers, I heard they pay well also I heard their boss is a solid work ethic. This is Grace publishing, It's a pretty peaceful work place. They have Sunday retreats too, I heard. This is Ellet magazine, so glamorous and what do you think about The Successful Savings?" She asked as she was listing out all the companies from her big file of brochures.

"Uh..it's the money magazine, right?" I asked swiftly.

She nodded nonchalantly.

"Well, I don't really know anything about finance so I think it's no good for me." I replied with a sheepish smile.

"Oh..Hey, what's that?" I asked pointing at a big R and H Logo on her huge binder. 

"Oh.. Sweetie that's the Rick and Hunt publishing. You wouldn't want to go there." She was appalled.

"Why is that?" I inquired curiously.

"Okay... You haven't heard this from me but rumor has that, Their boss breaths fire instead of air." She said looking dead serious.

"You mean like a Dragon!?" I made fake gasp and air quotes of mockery.

"It's not funny... It's true, he fires people with the snap of his fingers. Zero job security in that place. Such a hostile environment. Whole of Manhattan knows about R&H. I'm surprise you didn't." She warned me once again.

"Alright. I am shaking, you have made your point!" I said with sarcasm dripping from my words.

"Just so you know, You are doomed if you enter his den." She exclaimed with a crazy expression.

"Den?" I asked with a straight face.

"I meant his office!" She said looking exasperated.

"Will anyone in their right mind walk into the lion's den for food?" She asked gaping intensely.

"You just said he was a dragon." I responded sarcastically.

"June. That's not the point here. Just okay?" She muttered with annoyance.

I nodded trying to control my laughter.

"Do you want your life to be tarnished but Derrick Hunt?" She asked with wide eyes.

Now, who would want that?

I know Lisa was being dramatic but for some reason her stories made me feel like working there would be exciting but I wouldn't want to risk it since I needed job security. With the loan and the apartment, maybe it's probably not a good idea.

"No, I don't!" I exclaimed.

"Good. Then apply everywhere

except for that." She made a suggestion and took off.

I made a list of the companies and applied for all the job openings I found. I was trying to prepare myself for the interview that I was going tomorrow.

"You are gonna be fine!" I mumbled to myself with the hope of a new beginning.

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A/N How was the first chapter? There is still a long way to go, please stay with me readers. I am really thankful to all those people who read my book. Please show your support with your votes and comments ❤