“Half-sister, right? And looking isn’t a crime. Hell, not looking at her is a crime.”
“Okay, you’ve outstayed your welcome. Out you go.”
“Gorgeous breasts,” he mouthed in the doorway, while miming running his hands over them. As the door closed behind him I gulped down the rest of my scotch and poured another.
Too much was happening, my brain felt like it was on a waltzer, and I needed an hour or so to get my head together. However, I also needed to call Katy to let her know Amelia was our choice, and then I had back-to-back meetings all afternoon.
Like I’d done with so much of my life, I had to shut my thoughts down and hide them inside of me for another time.
When my working day was over, I felt like hitting the gym. However, I needed to head home for steak, fries, re-fried beans and salsa.
I was pleased to find out that Amelia was seated in the kitchen. I hated the formality of the dining room and rarely ever used it. Amelia was still dressed in her interview clothes, her hair still up.
“Miss Porter.”
“Sorry about that, Henry. I didn’t know how to play it, but I wanted to be interviewed and accepted on my own merits, hence I put a different surname on my application and called myself Lia.”
“Yes, when you’re expecting a Lia Porter, it’s a bit of a shock when Amelia Wilson walks in for an interview.”
She smiled, a wide, face engulfing smile. She didn’t give a damn. “Your face.” Then she laughed, heartily.
She hopped off her stool and added steaks to the pan.
“That’s Mary’s job.” I told her.
“Mary did everything else. These needed cooking fresh. I wasn’t making her stay to do that when I’m perfectly capable of cooking them myself.”
I looked through some post while she cooked. She put a plate of food in front of me. I stood and got some water for the table.
“No wine tonight?” She asked.
“I’ll be going to the gym later.”
“Oh yes, I remember now. I’ll come too.”
I started to feel annoyed. It was only her second day here and now Amelia was in my apartment, at my place of work and now she wanted to accompany me to the gym. It was like a noose tightening around my neck. I needed space.
“So, can I now ask you the interview questions I wanted to ask but human resources would never have let me?” I stated.
“Sure.” Amelia started to cut her steak.
“Question number one. Why do you want to work in property and work for me?”
Amelia finished chewing and swallowing the food in her mouth and then she placed her fork down.
“My sister loved property, and she loved you. I didn’t know what to do with my life. I had/have no real interest in a career to be truthful. I did my business degree and then decided to try working with property. To see if I could discover what Vee had found so amazing. I enjoyed working at the realtor’s, but I wouldn’t say it was a passion. I don’t think I’ve ever had one of those. So, I decided I’d come and work where she worked, for the company she foundered. I’ve followed you on the internet for years. I saw the job advert. Decided it was like fate. I was meant to come here. I’ll be brilliant at it. You won’t regret hiring me.”
“But you don’t love it. Property?”
“Well that?
??s yet to be seen because I’ve not worked for you before, but I’ve never been all consumed by a career before, no.”
“So why do you think that is? Maybe you should pick out your own career rather than trying to emulate your sisters footsteps.” I snapped, irritated by her answers.
“Are you angry I’ve copied her, Henry?”
“I know you’re not Vee.”