5 Broken Dreams & Long Hours

{P.O.V Jennifer Ross}

I have to admit, even though I don't like Kendrick Ryans. I do have to agree he smells fantastic, not to mention really warm. Sitting down at a booth in the diner, he orders me some coffee and water. Then orders me a small bowl of soup with some crackers. Grabbing his phone out of his pocket, he looked like he was texting someone.

"I can order my own food." Telling him bluntly. He just looked up at me for a second and went back to his phone. The waitress brings the coffee and the glass of water. Placing his phone down, he leans back in his seat.

"Drink your water or coffee, Miss Ross." He demands

"Will you quit calling me that!? Were not in the office anymore. Which means my name is Jennifer". He sighs deeply and leans forward.

"Fine, Jennifer, will you now drink your water or coffee?"

"Yea, Actually, I will." Taking a couple of sugar packets and putting in my coffee, and drinking it. He leans back in his chair again and looks outside. There was this awkward silence that if a pin was dropped, you could hear it.

"Thank you, by the way." Braking the silence, he looks back at me, waiting for me to explain. "For helping me with those guys."

He didn't say anything; he nods his head in understanding. Then he looks back out the window. The waitress brings me some chicken noodle soup with some crackers. Eating my food, his phone goes off. He looks at it for a second then puts it away.

"Your friends decided to head home." My heart dropped a little it wasn't like Cass to leave with knowing I was safe. "She knows that you're with me. Once you're done, I will take you home. That only if you finish your food, coffee, and water".

He finishes his sentence, also giving me some reassurance. Nodding my head, I finish up the meal he orders me. I never ate soup for a hangover before; it was quite different. Once completely done, Kendrick takes me home.

Kendrick driver, Braxton Hollows, came and picked us up from the diner. Braxton was an old army marine. He has short white and gray hair, a small and short beard, his very tall and muscular for someone his age, and he really doesn't say much. When he does talk, he is always polite and kind. Another thing about Braxton he always has a suit on and a security earpiece in his ear. For the two years that I have worked for Mr. Ryans, Braxton, and I get along great. Getting to my apartment complex, Kendrick got out first, then me.

"Thank you again for helping me with those guys and for sobering me up." Thanking Mr.Ryans.

"Next time you want to get drunk like that, I suggest you wear something less revealing." He says bluntly. Ah! the arrogance of this man! a simple welcome would be nice. Nodding my head, I start walking towards my apartment. "Oh, Miss Ross,"

Turning around, he walks up to me and hands me a small bottle of aspirin and a bottle of water. Looking up at him, a little confused.

"For your hangover." He explains, answering with a nod. "I would rest up tomorrow, Miss Ross, for I expect you to still be on time on Monday."

"Of course, Sir."

"Have a goodnight Miss Ross." He says and leaves.

Sunday was a long day. Cassidy, Taylor, and I all had a hangover. Cassidy and Taylors were the worst. Mine wasn't too bad, thanks to Mr. Ryans. Now it's Monday. I'm just getting ready to meet my appointment to see if I can get this property. I was sitting in a small coffee shop just down the street from the office building. A blonde and beautiful woman walks in and sits down in front of me.

"Hi, Jenna, it's good to see you," Lisa says.

"Hi, Lisa, it's good to see you too."

"What is it that you wanted to see me about?"

"I was letting you know that I almost have all the money I need to put a down-payment on the property I was looking at. I will have the rest at the end of this month if you will just let your boss know." She had this look of not understanding.

"Jenna, did Derek not call you? or email you?"

"No. Why?"

"The property has another buyer and at the end of the week. If you don't have the money, then Derek is going to sell the property to the other buyers."

"How much more are they giving him?" Swallowing hard, trying to get the lump out of my throat.

"They're giving him an extra 100,000 on the property. They are also going to pay it all in full."

"I see." Trying hard to push the tears back.

"I'm sorry, Jenna, I thought you knew and had the money. That's why I thought you asked me to meet me today... If you want, I can look for some different properties for you?"

"That would be great." Telling her sadly, I really wanted the property I was saving up for. It was everything that my Grandma and I wanted for our little B&B.

"Alright, I will send you some listings to your email. I wished I had better news for you."

"It's alright. Thank you, Lisa, for letting me know."

"Anytime, I need to get going, alright? I wanna hear back from you, okay?"

"I will let you know what I think.

"Good, Have a nice rest of your day Jenna."

"Bye, Lisa." After she left, I grab my coffee and bagel and head back to Ryans Corporate building.

The rest of the day was long when it turned 3:00; different beautiful high-class women came for interviews. Some even looked at me like I was a low life; some even had the nerve to tell me I was. Which just made me feel more awful and made my day feel longer. Some women left happy and more confident. While others left either upset to the point, they were crying or really mad. The time it was 8:00 p.m. I was finally allowed to go home.

Peeking my head through Mr. Ryans's office door. He was standing by the window, looking at Seattle. Knocking on the door to let him know that I have entered.

"Yes, Miss Ross?" He asks, not pulling his attention away from the window.

"I'm going to head home now if that alright, Sir?" Asking him calmly.

"Do you have a ride?"

"I was just going to get a cab."

"Braxton will take you home."

"Thank you, sir, have a goodnight." Leaving his office, grabbing my stuff from my desk. Heading towards the elevator, Mr. Ryans stops me.

"Miss Ross!" He calls out to me. Turning around, he was standing by my desk. "Tomorrow and the rest of the month, there will be interviews with women like today. I don't understand why you were down today. If it had anything to do with those witches, then don't let them get you down. Most high-class women think there better than anyone else, but in reality there not."

"Yes, Sir." This is not normal for him to act this way, so caring and understanding. Honestly, I got to say it does make me feel a little better.

"Have a goodnight, Jennifer. " He says as the elevator opens up. Then he walks right back into his office. Stepping into the elevator, I head home.

[P.O.V Kendrick Ryans]

I was surprised by the way Jennifer talked to me in the diner. All the time she has worked for me, she never talked that way to me. I have also never seen her dressed that way; I can't get the image out of my mind. Her little black dress showing off her long, lightly tan legs. With her small feet wearing black heels. A butterfly tattoed on her right ankle. Her beautiful red burgundy hair was down, going over her shoulders to her lower back. The way her make-up was done really brought out her beautiful and luscious brown eyes. Her lips painted red made her lips look irresistible to kiss. So irresistible, not even the devil could resist wanting to kiss her.

When I rescued her from those two men, I didn't even know it was her. But the moment our eyes met, I was surprised even to see her dressed that way. I was used to her dressing in office clothes with her makeup was done lightly, and her hair was up. To see her dressed that way was an amazing sight to see. But it's not the reason that has pulled my interest to her. What pulled my interest was the way she stood up to me in the diner. Every woman I know they hide in their shells, too afraid to stand up to me. That is why I have decided to test Jennifer to see if she can keep standing up for herself and towards me. If she can pass my little test and a couple more I have planned, maybe she is the answer to my marriage situation.