Desperate Times

Two weeks later.

Disappointment gnawed at Fiona as she stood outside the staffing agency, where she had once again gone to inquire about job openings.

In the past weeks, Fiona had been going in and out of the agency even though the manager had assured her they would call her once they hear of any openings in any company, and every time, she came out with the same answer.

"We're sorry, but there's nothing available for now."

Fiona had applied to various positions online, but hadn't received a single interview invitation. With her mother's discharge looming that weekend, Fiona felt the pressure mounting.

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she gazed at the agency, feeling exhausted and defeated.

If only Liam hadn't been her boss, or hadn't taunted her about their past encounter, causing her to reject the job in a splitting moment of anger, she wouldn't be in this predicament.

What was she going to do? Should she return to the hire-a-girlfriend agency? Fiona sighed in exasperation and flagged down a cab, heading home.

Just as she got out of the car, and headed to her door, her phone began to ring with a call from Elena. Fiona didn't bother to receive the call until she had successfully opened the door and was inside.

Just as she was about to take the call, it disconnected but immediately began to ring with another call. "Fiona," came Elena's voice immediately the call connected. Her worry, evident in her voice.

Hearing the worry in Elena's voice, Fiona sighed. "Lena, I'm tired," she croaked out and Elena's sigh echoed through the phone.

She didn't need to ask Fiona how far with her hunt to know she hadn't been successful since she could hear the frustration in Fiona's voice.

"How about you take me up on my offer? You can bring Aunt and work with me," Elena suggested and sensing her hesitation, Elena said again, "Or you could just go back to Liam...."

Fiona cut in immediately, "No way!"

But that didn't discourage Elena from refrain from what she wanted to say as she continued, wanting to get Fiona to hear her out. "Just listen to me first, before you disagree, okay?"

Fiona sighed. "I'll listen but I won't do what you want me to," Fiona said and Elena nodded.

"Fine. You can decide whatever you want after you hear me out. So, you did say he didn't ask you to quit and you wouldn't have if he didn't bring up that night, right?" Elena asked and Fiona took a moment to consider it.

"I might've. His mother....."

"I'm sure there'll be a way around it. Besides, you did say she liked you so even if she showed up at the company, you can easily tell her she mistook you for 'The Mr. Stones daughter' and she won't expect anything from you," Elena said thoughtfully and Fiona shook her head.

"That won't work and even if it did, j can't go back to that company. Not after Liam told me I'll be back. Thinking about it now, I think he's responsible for my failed job hunts," Fiona said reasonably and Elena had to agree since the thought had crossed her mind too.

"I won't say the thought didn't cross my mind which is why I think you should go back there. You don't have to think about anything else other than work when you're there," Elena said but Fiona wasn't having it.

Her pride wouldn't let her cower that way in front of Liam. "Doing that would only fuel his pride. I can't go back there and watch that smug smile on his face when he sees me. I mean, he's literally going to taunt me about it for the rest of my life there," Fiona said firmly and Elena sighed.

"Then what will you do? Aunt is returning by weekend. It's Monday already and you have to Friday to secure a job. You know what they say about desperate times calling for desperate measures. I suggest if you can't come over here, then you go apologize and get back your job," Elena said and Fiona sighed, tiredly.

"I'll figure something out," she said and Elena nodded.

"Alright then. I have a meeting with a client soon so, lets talk later," Elena said before ending the call.

Fiona sighed as she dropped the call. Now, what was she going to do? Time was against her and she had to do something about her situation except she was willing to tell her mother she lost her job and that her former boss was making things difficult for her.

But that was out of the equation. Doing so will weaken her mother's morale and make her want to push herself into going to look for jobs.

Could she really go to PK Enterprise after their last encounter? She thought with a sigh. Elena was right. Desperate times indeed call for desperate measures. She would just for the sake of her mother, cower in shame in front of Liam.

As long as she retained the job. The only thing she was scared of now was, if he hadn't hired someone else. She might just die in shame if after swallowing her pride, she discovers that he has hired someone else after making her life miserable. Fiona decided as she got off the bed, wanting to go freshen up.

She turned to the door when she heard the door bell and her brows creased into a frown. Who could it be? She didn't have friends who could visit and she was expecting anyone so, who could it be? She thought as she made a detour from the bathroom to the door.

Her face mirrored the surprise she felt when she opened the door to see Liam standing outside her door, looking dashing in his tailored suit.

"Liam?" she called out loud as if wanting to be sure her eyes weren't deceiving her. Her heart beat increased, her heart hammering against the wall of her chest when Liam nodded, confirming that it wasn't her imagination.

"Can I come in?" Liam asked, hopefully and Fiona swallowed. Her first instincts was to ask him what he was doing there after everything he did but then if she did that, she might lose her chance at getting her job back so instead, she opened the door wider for him to get in.