Page 49 of Taunt Me (Dark Odyssey 2)

“Thank you so much. I’m so grateful,” I beam at him and my smile is the one thing I can’t hold back. “I absolutely love it here and can definitely see myself staying here for a very long time. Your English Literature program is truly impressive and I’m not just saying this because you offered me the job. I mean it.”

He puts out his hand to shake mine. “Wonderful, I’m excited for you to start. If you don’t mind me saying so, I read your dissertation and thought you wrote true to Post Romanticism.”

I’m so stunned by that. I truly am. All I did was write what was in my heart. “I’m so honored. Thank you.”

“I’m hoping if you have any ideas for us up your sleeves you’ll share them. I want to get the kids here motivated for college. I know it may sound premature when you think of the younger kids here, but I think having that unique experience will leave a lasting impression on them. Like you. I can tell from the way you talk that you valued your education.”

The smile I give him now is definitely one I won’t try to hold back.

“I really did. My love for literature started with my grandmother. She loved anything by Browning. She used to read his poems to me and I got sucked in. I wanted more and most often found myself in the library trying to grab whatever I could to read.”

He likes that, he’s nodding and smiling at me. “Perfect. All I have to say is when do you want to start? We’re a month away from the start of the Easter break. You can start as soon as and get used to the place or I’m happy for you to start at the end of April.”

“I’d like to start soon. Maybe two weeks’ time.” It will give me time to move and get settled in.

“That’s perfect. Two weeks is perfect. I have all your references and everything done. I just need you to fill out your contract and payment details then we’re done with documents.”

I liked the sound of that, definitely.

“Thanks, I can’t wait to start.” I tip my head and smile at him. For the first time in forever hope fills my heart.

This is a good thing. I made the right choice and I’m making the right choice by distancing myself from everyone.

* * *

Cordelia insistedon meeting me for lunch and celebrating when I messaged her to let her know I got the job.

She was at the mall shopping and I was about an hour away so we worked out that we’d probably get to the coffeehouse at the same time.

I’m here before her though which is fine because on my way I got a call from a realtor who wanted to book an appointment with me to see some apartments.

Yesterday I’d looked at the area near Raventhorne and decided it seemed like such a pretty, peaceful place that I wouldn’t mind living there whether I got the job or not. Now I have the job it’s perfect.

It will be nice to live near the school.

I message the realtor back, agreeing to a meeting at ten o’clock tomorrow at a condo by the river.

I kind of want to get home and start going through my old stuff but this meeting with Cordelia outside the house is probably a good thing.

It will be good to talk to her away from our parents. Ma is always around the corner like she’s listening out in case I need something and Pa is just as bad.

Cordelia checks in on me too but she gives me some breathing space.

I’m not sure how she’ll react when I tell her I hope to move out by next week. This lunch could also be her way of wanting to find out what happened with Gabe. I haven’t said anything to anyone about him. I haven’t been able to talk about it. It’s hard to when I’m having trouble letting go myself.

I open my purse wider to put my phone back in and my hands graze over my diary and the little birthday box Abuelita gave me. I’ve kept them with me but haven’t been able to look inside either of them.

I’m too afraid to see what she wrote in the birthday book because I can’t imagine my grandmother seeing such a dark future for me when she wrote the little notes and not giving me the heads up. And as for the diary, I don’t want the reminder of the man I left behind.

The last entry was me prepping to lose my virginity.

I was to update it the next day and tell my diary I had done it.

I sigh and catch a glimpse of Cordelia rushing over to me with two shopping bags.

She giggles when she gets to me and sits down.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, parking was crazy,” she says releasing a ragged breath. “Then there was this weird guy who wanted to sell me chicken feet.”

---