Lexie’s POV :
“Dad?”
My hands trembled as I reached for his shoulder.
“Dad, wake up!”
I shook him harder. His head rolled to the side. That was when I saw the blood. It was still warm when I touched it. I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t scream, neither could I move.
My stomach turned.
“No, no, no!”
I pressed my fingers against his neck, searching for pulse, the way I had seen people do in movies.
I checked again and again and again. Nothing.
My voice broke
“Please, daddy”
I grabbed his hand, it was already becoming cold.
I dropped to my knees beside him.
“Please don’t do this to me”
That was when I saw the blood had soaked through the front of his white shirt and spread across the carpet beneath him.
I stared at his face waiting for him to suddenly open his eyes and tell me this was some horrible joke.
But he didn’t .
*Five years later
I stood in front of the small mirror in my bedroom, trying to decide whether I looked nervous. I did. There was no point pretending otherwise.
“You’re staring at yourself again”
I turned.
My uncle stopped in the doorway, holding a mug of coffee.
“Do I look nervous?”
“You look like you’re about to sit for an exam you didn’t prepare for”
I laughed and added, “Thanks Uncle Martin.”
He walked in and handed me the coffee.
“First week in a new city, new job, new house. You have every right to be nervous.”
I took a sip.
San Francisco was nothing like home. The streets were busier, the buildings were taller. Everything felt unfamiliar. I had arrived three days earlier with two suitcases, a few boxes and the determination to start over. My uncle had welcomed me without asking too many questions and I was grateful for that.
After what happened to my father, my family had changed, everyone had. There were things we didn’t talk about anymore. Names we avoided and questions that never got answered. Maybe this job would change everything.
“Hey Princess, you’re going to do great.”
“I hope so.” I smiled.
My phone vibrated on the bed, I glanced, it was Margot.
“Morning to you big head.” I greeted.
“Please tell me you checked your email.”
I frowned. “What email?”
“The email, Lexie!” she screamed.
Margot now had access to my email ever since the day I left my PC when I needed it the most.
“I just woke up.” I said in a sleepy voice.
“You have an interview girl!”
“What?” I froze.
“Dude check your email.”
I opened my laptop. There was one new message. No company logo. No familiar name. Just a subject line.
INTERVIEW INVITATION FOR LEXIE DIAZ
I clicked it. The message was short. They had reviewed my résumé and wanted me to attend an interview that afternoon. The company name was included. Woods International. My smile faded and I didn’t know why.
“Lexie, are you there?” Margot’s voice came through the phone.
“Yeah, well I got it.”
“Oh my goodness!” she screamed.
At this point, Margot was even more excited for this job than I was.
“Pipe down, Marg.”
“Do you know how difficult that is and you’re acting like you just got invited to lunch?” Margot asked in shock.
“Oh please, I haven’t even had the interview.” I smiled.
“Which means you need to get your ass up and get ready for this interview.” Margot added.
“Congratulations, babe.” A male voice said.
“Damon is that you?” I asked wit so much excitement.
Why was Damon with Marg anyways? I really didn’t care.
My smile softened when I heard his voice, I missed him. We’ve been dating for three years. We barely fought. I called him Sweet Damon because he was sweetest person you could ever meet.
“That’s Michael Woods’ company right?” Damon asked and my stomach tightened.
“Yeah.”
“You know him?”
“No” I replied sharply.
“Babe are you sure you want to do this?”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
“An anonymous interview invitation from a company this big is strange.”
“Oh please don’t be a party pooper.” Margot scoffed.
“I’m just saying.” Damon continued “companies don’t usually recruit people out of nowhere.”
“They do if they like someone’s resume.” Margot said.
“I know, I’m just telling her to be careful.”
I sighed. “Guys, I’ll be fine “
There was a long pause. Then Damon said softly. “I’m very proud of you, babe.”
I smiled. “Thank you.”
“We love you.” They both sang.
“Don’t forget to call me after.” Damon added finally. I ended the call.
For a moment, I stared at the mail. Something about it didn’t sit right with me. But opportunity didn’t knock twice. And I prayed earnestly for mine and so I got dressed.
The drive to the office felt long. During the endless drive, I thought so much about my father and how he’d be so proud of me for taking this bold step. The Woods International building was enormous. The kind of place where everyone walking through the doors looked like they knew exactly where they were going. I felt like an imposter. I tightened my grip around my résumé.
“Alexia Diaz?” I turned. A woman in a blue suit stood behind me.
“Yes?” I answered.
“I’m Sarah, I’ll take you upstairs.”
“Thank you” I followed her into an elevator. As the doors closed, my reflection stared back at me. I looked calm even though I wasn’t . The elevator climbed then stopped at the thirtieth floor. The doors opened and the atmosphere immediately changed. Phones rang, assistants hurried between offices, people moved quickly through the hallway, everything was polished and quiet. She led me towards a large glass door.
“Mr. Woods is expecting you.”
I stopped walking. My heart gave an uncomfortable beat.
“Is everything okay?” Sarah asked.
“Yes” I forced a smile.
She opened the door.
“Mr. Woods, Miss Diaz is here.”
