Breathing Ch. 05

"Of course," Sonya answered a lot louder than she wanted to. "I'm sorry, of course I can," she smiled.

"Great. See you then."

When the same woman had called and rescheduled a day later Sonya had gotten even more nervous. What if they had found someone else more qualified?

Now she stood in front of a man she never thought she'd ever see again. In the two days she had spent with him she had never known what his last name was. And if he had told her she was sure that in her anger she hadn't paid any attention to it.

And she certainly didn't think he was the same Mr. Sinclair she was having a meeting with. Now she stood there in front of him trying not to cry. You're still alive.

The statement made her cringe but at the same time she could understand. They had history. Really dark history.

"Yes. I am still alive," she answered looking down at her hands again as she tried to pull her blazer sleeves down lower.

Following her motions closely, Trent motioned for her to have a seat.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to sound so callous. I'm just surprised to see you here."

"Same here," she snorted but didn't move toward the chair.

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I didn't think I was ever going to see you again. You left me locked in that place," she answered her voice getting softer towards the end of her statement.

"Sonya—"

"Does this mean I don't get the job? I mean because of...you know."

"What?"

"I didn't know I was interviewing for a job—I mean I didn't know you'd be interviewing me for this job. To be honest, I didn't think I'd ever see you again. And I've been doing better, I swear. You wouldn't have to worry about any accidents or mishaps or..."

"Sonya. Sonya. Calm down," he stopped her by grabbing her hands which she had been flailing around.

"Let's sit down, okay?"

Sonya's eyes moved towards the chair again and then back to him. "Yeah. I'm sorry," she whispered as she followed him to his desk.

"It's just that a few of my last interviews didn't go so well. I found out a little after them that my information was available online. I guess employers don't want to hire a crazy person."

When Trent didn't say anything Sonya continued, "I was actually surprised when I got a call from this agency. It's one of the most prestigious up and coming places."

"Yes, well we try not to discriminate when it comes to employment," Trent answered finally finding his voice. He'd also have to have a little talk with Gloria afterwards.

"I appreciate you even looking at my resume. And I hope you will consider me for the job," Sonya answered trying her best to smile even though deep down inside her emotions were at war with each other.

"Yes well we will call you after we screen the remaining applicants and let you know," he answered putting on his professional voice.

"You didn't ask me any questions."

"I don't need to. Look to hear from us in the next three days. That'll be all Miss Philips."

And just like that he had dismissed her. Sonya looked at him stunned and stood to leave. She hadn't expected to see him but she also didn't think their meeting would be so abrupt. It was as if he was shoving her out of the door.

Her eyes shifted back to his face and noticed that his jaw was locked as if he wanted to say something.

"Well thank you for this opportunity," she answered back trying her best to sound just as professional.

"Sonya, before you leave—"

"Yes," she asked with hope in her voice. Too much hope, she mentally chastised herself.

"Can you send Gloria in when you go out? We'll call you and let you know about the position," he repeated.

And then turning his back to her he silently dismissed her. The change in his demeanor threw her off but she simply nodded her head and turned to leave.

The sound of a an object hitting against the door frame caught Trent off guard. As he turned he saw that his assistant had stumbled as the door swung open. Righting her body she smoothed her skirt and gave Sonya a small smile.

"It was nice meeting you," she told Sonya as she walked past her.

"Eavesdropping Gloria," Trent tsked after the door closed.

"We'll call you? Really Trenton Sinclair?"

"Really Gloria Richards?" he mocked. "You knew who she was and you didn't warn me?"

"Warn you? So that you could tell me in no uncertain terms to stay out of it. And then refuse to hire her."

When Trent didn't say anything she sat down in the chair that Sonya had just vacated.

"Besides you saw her resume. She's qualified and has a thirst for this. She wants to learn from the best and you my dear are the best."

Trent tried his best to glare at her but he knew that she was right. He was one of the best in the business. And he did say he loved fresh talent because they had a thirst for bringing new ideas to the table. But that was before he knew one of those talents was her.

His eyes closed and he could feel the shift in the room when Gloria walked around his desk. Her greying hair was the only indication that she was old enough to be his mother. At 54 she didn't look a day over 36.

Her olive skin told of her Italian heritage and the way that her hazel eyes lit up with such enthusiasm was testament to the fact that she was a very passionate person. So when he told her all about his missing week of work she had simply sat there and listened to him like a mother would.

When he was finished she simply told him to take a few more days off and then get back to work.

Of course she was right. After he had finished wallowing in guilt, Trent found that work was exactly what he needed. And the rest as they say is history.

"Gloria, I don't like being blindsided like that."

Gloria eyes rolled as she looked at the little boy in front of her. No matter how old he got she would always think of him that way. She had been with the company since he was a teenager and when he applied for an internship she was the person who greased the wheels for him. And voila! He was a successful ad exec.

"Well I don't like an unhappy Trenton. 'Specially when you're with that harpy you call a girlfriend," she frowned.

At the mention of Melissa, Trent couldn't help laughing. Gloria had tried warning him but of course he wouldn't listen. Melissa was just a means to an end. He hadn't planned on actually making her his girlfriend.

"Don't worry Glory, we broke up."

Gloria's ears perked up at the news. "Really? You're not just messing with me?"

"Really," he smiled.

A shrill scream echoed throughout the room as Gloria did a happy dance. "Ding dong the witch is dead!"

"Gloria!" he chastised her.

"Oh come off it. You know that's what she is. All that was missing was green skin and flying monkeys."

Trent couldn't hold back the laughter this time. After all her ringtone was the theme song for Darth Vader. He guessed Gloria had a good point.

"Now you can pursue Sonya," she smiled, turning and leaving before he realized what she said.

"Wait—what? Gloria, what do you have planned?" he asked the closed door. When she didn't come back in he panicked.

"Gloria?"

This was going to be a disaster.

Not because he knew he wasn't going to hire Sonya Philips, but because he knew he was.