Page 53 of A Night of Indulgence and Sloth
Emotions war within me as I wash my face and race to catch the bus. I feel hopeful that I’ll get the job and never have to see Aiden and Kaleb again; satisfaction, because by the time they realize why I’ve left, it’ll be too late. But the most prominent of them all is loss. There’s this paralyzing sense of homesickness worming its way through me, and I can’t make it go away. I actually loved my job, and if I’m honest with myself, I was falling for my bosses too.
They made me feel alive, wanted, and despite what I now know, those feelings won’t just disappear. If only feelings were like a chalkboard, erased with just one swipe and replaced with something new.
I don’t even realize I’m at my stop until someone bumps into me. With only ten minutes to spare and still an eight-minute walk, I hurry off the bus and down the street. The building isn’t as tall and luxurious as Exalta Solutions, but it’s new and clean, which is enough for me. The woman at the front desk smiles brightly as I walk in, telling me to sit and that Mr. Stuart will be right down.
As quickly as I can, I search the company website on my phone to familiarize myself a bit with their values and mission statement. From my experience, most employers like it if you know at least a little about their business.
The elevator chimes, and I look up to find a vaguely familiar-looking man walking toward me with a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. It’s more deranged than genuine, but I brush it off as my usual worries and stand to meet him.
“Liliana.” He says my name on a sigh, as if we’re long-lost friends finally reuniting.
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m thrilled you were able to interview me so quickly.”
“We are quite eager to get our hands on you. Please, come with me.”
Alarm bells go off in my head at his words, but I push them aside and follow him through the doors, down a hall, and into what must be his office. On the main floor, it’s a bit small as far as offices go, with barely any furniture and no personal photos. To the right of his desk is a door outside, providing access to a small patio and the back parking lot.
The chair he directs me to is one of those cheap, black folding chairs that are rickety and entirely uncomfortable, but I sit anyway. As much as I want to leave Exalta Solutions, maybe this isn’t my finest decision. This place screams bankruptcy, and as much as I love a challenge, even I’m not foolish enough to think Icould save a place like this. Not when Calantha relies on me.Isn’t this why you never rush into things, Lil?
“Your resume states you left the textile company almost six months ago. Where have you been since?” he asks, diving us straight into the deep end.
“I’ve been working for a company in the health sector, but as I’d only been there for a short time, I didn’t see the point in including them.” Okay, so that’s a lame excuse, but the more I sit here, the more I realize I don’t want to work here. I might be desperate, but I’m notthisdesperate. Kaleb and Aiden may have lied to me, but at least they never made me this creeped out. Maybe everything will be fine if I just give them the chance to explain.Would have been great if I had thought of that earlier.
His smile grows, reminding me of a jaguar about to pounce on its prey, and I swear I’ve seen it before. “Exalta Solutions, correct?”
“Yes,” I stammer, trying to keep the shock from my face. How the hell does he know that, and why does he look so familiar?
“That company is rather large and growing fast. Why would you want to leave?”
“I’m just keeping my options open.”
“Are they not satisfying you?”
“Excuse me?” My pulse thrums fast as I wait for him to respond.
He makes me wait an entire minute before he does. “Usually when someone keeps their options open, it’s because they aren’t finding joy in their current position. Is that the case? Are you hoping to find satisfaction somewhere else?”
Unease crawls up my spine as I realize that I’m alone in a room with this man who doesn’t seem the least bit professional and much too creepy for my liking. If they truly are going bankrupt under his leadership, it’s no surprise. “Mr. Stuart, I think this might have been a mistake. If you’ll excuse me.”
He doesn’t move to stop me like I expect, allowing me to walk to the door, all the while watching me with a terrifying glint in his eyes.
When I twist the knob, it doesn’t budge.It’s locked.
Before I can disengage the deadbolt, I hear a rustle of clothing behind me and turn. The last thing I see is him standing close, his arm cocked back, before pain lances through me and it all goes dark.
Aiden
What the fuck is going on?
Liliana didn’t show up for work today, and while I might not be shocked by that alone, she also didn’t call in sick. It’s so unlike her to bail like this without an explanation. Just how sick was she yesterday?
She hasn’t answered a single text, email, or call from either of us since yesterday, which leaves us with only one option. Calantha.
With Kaleb beside me, I dial her number and put the call on speaker phone. It rings three times before she picks up with the sound of howling dogs and mewling cats in the background.
“Hey, Aiden. I’m a bit busy right now.” A cat hisses in the background and she yelps.
“I’m sorry, I’ll keep it brief. We just wanted to know if Liliana was feeling better. She went home sick yesterday, but she isn’t answering our calls.”
