Page 6 of His Flash Mate
I got out and hugged Uncle Jay before he could take my seat.“Thanks for bringing my car back.See you tomorrow.”
“Any time.And welcome home, Sophie-Girl.Tell your mom I said, ‘Hi’.”
“I will.”
My phone buzzedon the nightstand next to me, waking me.I rubbed a hand over my face and forced my eyes open.Daylight peeked in from around my window blinds as I squinted at the message from Miranda.
Miranda:There’s a job opening at Steele Corporation.Administrative position, but it’s for the VP.Not sure if you’re interested.
I sat up, excitedly clicking the link she’d included, and read the job description.Working for the VP wasn’t starting at the bottom, but it was within my skill set.I had all the software experience they required.
Giddy, I sent Miranda a heart emoji, said it was perfect, and told her to keep sending recommendations like that.Then, I looked up Steele Corporation.I wasn’t unfamiliar with the Steele name.They were old money.The company had been around for a century already, proof of solid past leadership that helped it survive numerous economic crises during that time.But what about now?
I pulled up the company website and started reading.They had a strong company motto and core values that showed they cared about their employees.However, when I went to the leadership page, there were no pictures for the higher-ups, just a little bit about their achievements and ethics.
The man in charge, Drokonnen Steele, took over a few years ago, as had the Vice President, Lianna Stonestock.Both went to elite schools, proving they had pedigrees and brains.
Feeling a little intimidated, I filled out the application anyway.
Impossible only happened when a person never tried.
CHAPTERTWO
Mom stoodby the stove when I walked into the kitchen.
“I thought I heard you moving around,” she said with a smile.“How do pancakes sound?”
“Good, but you don’t have to cook for me, Mom.I already appreciate you letting me stay here.”
“Of course, you should stay here.This is your home too.And I like cooking for you.Cooking for one isn’t fun.”
I could tell by how thin she was that she hadn’t been cooking for herself much since I left last time, and I made a mental note to do my share of cooking, too.
“Do you work today?”I asked.
“Yeah, I picked up a shift.”She glanced at the clock.“I should leave in an hour.”
During that hour, we chatted and ate.She told me more about her current job and asked about Uncle Jay and my work.I shared my plan to work nights at Lunar Pulse for the foreseeable future, until I got a day job.I didn’t mention the application I’d submitted to Steele, though.
After Dad bulldozed her out of their company during the divorce, she’d clawed her way into upper management elsewhere—until one project failure toppled it all.From there, she’d landed a mid-management position that ended with severance, then lower and lower rungs, until she ended up behind a retail counter.She didn’t even glance at companies like Steele anymore.A man—and relentless bad luck—had broken her confidence.
While she would be happy for me if I managed to get into Steele Corporation, one of the “it” companies to join in Motan, I also knew she’d worry.The corporate world could be cutthroat.She’d experienced it firsthand.However, I wasn’t looking to be corporate.At least, not at the level she’d been.A steady job with room to grow was all I wanted.
Stability was good.
When a person climbed too high, the foundation got shaky.
She hugged me goodbye, and I started cleaning up.While putting things away, I saw how little food there was in the house and ran to the grocery store with last night’s tip money.
With a roast in the slow cooker and a note on it reminding Mom to eat, I left for the club.
Uncle Jay was dusting bottles behind the bar when I walked in.
“You’re early,” he said.
“Nope.I’m right on time for you to make me tonight’s signature drink.”
“It’s a little early to start sampling, isn't it?”
