“I love you, Sophia,” he whispered against my hair. “Have you learned your lesson, love?”

“Yes. I did,” I replied with a smile plastered across my face, thankful that he couldn’t see me. I had learned that I wanted more, and I’d misbehave again for the fun of it. I loved that Kayden wanted to push my boundaries and make my fantasies a reality.

Now what?

I stared at the screen reading the message over and over again, unable to really believe the words. I had been invited to interview for a position with UPS. I chewed on my thumb nail, reading through the details. The background check would be ordered if I was selected as a candidate for hire. Could I pass it?

“Sophia, I got an interview,” I said to her, trying not to sound too excited.

“Really, where?” she asked, putting down her book and turning toward me.

“With UPS, do you think I have any hope of being hired?” I asked her. “I don’t want to get my hopes up. They haven’t done a background check yet.”

“Their requirements may be different, so it’s worth a shot. Worst that’ll happen is they tell you is no,” she said to me. She was right and I knew it. I had nothing to lose.

“You’re right, it’s on Saturday. Can you drop me off?” I asked her.

“Yes, baby. I’ll bring you to the interview. I’m so excited,” she said with a smile, bouncing up and down on the bed. “Maybe things are finally starting to turn around.”

“It’s a nice thought. I’ll ask at the interview what their requirements are,” I said, trying to think how to broach the topic of my arrest at the interview.

Sophia dropped me off at the door, but I felt like a slob. Some people wore suits, but others were more casual than me. I didn’t own a suit and didn’t have the money to buy one for interviews. I pieced together some clothes I salvaged from New Orleans, some gray pants and a golf shirt. The lined stretched out the door and I took my place at the end.

Me: Fuck, there are a lot of people here.

Sophia: Don’t worry baby. They’re hiring for all locations in the Bay area. There’s plenty of work to go around. They’re going to love you.

A man stepped outside, cupping his hands around his mouth. “The interview process today will take between two to three hours. If you can’t stay for that length of time, you can leave now.” Some men stepped out of line and walked to their cars. I felt sick waiting in line, my nerves were on edge. I didn’t want to talk about my arrest, but I needed to know my chances of landing this job.

Me: A guy just announced I’ll be here around 3 hours. I’m sorry beautiful.

Sophia: That’s fine, I’ll go shopping. Stay there and knock their socks off sexy.

I made my way through the various stations and paperwork checks. I sat in the waiting room, shaking my foot uncontrollably, to be called by the head of Human Resources. I kept playing over possible ways to ask about the background check without sounding like a lifelong criminal.

“Mr. Michaels?” a woman called from the doorway. I blinked taking a moment to realize she was calling my name, before standing and following behind her. The interview started relatively well, she read over my application and questioned me about my work experience. While I spoke she flipped through my paper work, stopping on a spot and began to tap her pen.

“I see here, Mr. Michaels, that you’ve been arrested. Tell me about it,” she said

My palms began to sweat as I rubbed them together thinking before I answered. “I was arrested and charged with Criminal Mischief.”

“Is it a misdemeanor or a felony?” she asked. She chewed on her pen as she waited for my answer.

“Misdemeanor, ma’am,” I answered as my heart pounded violently in my chest.

“Were you found guilty?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“No, adjudication was withheld.” I responded.

“It shouldn’t be an issue then, misdemeanors are often over looked, but felonies are the kiss of death.” She quickly read over the rest of my application, “Look for an email in the next 24 hours. The candidates we’ve chosen to move forward will receive an email with directions.” She stood up and extended her hand to me.

“Thank you, ma’am, I look forward to that email.” I said with a wink. I could usually charm the panties off any woman, but today my goal was a job. She blushed and I shook her hand lightly and smiled. I felt confident that I would get that email, I always interviewed well with women.

I left the interview feeling upbeat and found Sophia waiting for me in the parking lot. She smiled as I entered the car. “How did it go, sweetheart?” she asked, leaning over for a kiss.

“Really well, I think I got the job actually, if I can pass the background check,” I said, rifling through the papers they handed me during the interview. “I’ll get an email tomorrow if I’m selected to move forward in the hiring process.”

I became obsessed with my email; I wanted this job, I needed it. Every time my phone dinged I jumped to check it. Just when I was about to give up hope, it arrived.

“I got it, Sophia,” I said still slightly in shock. “I have to fill out the background check agreement and take a drug test.”

“Congratulations, baby… You’ll get it, I just know it.” She wrapped her arms around me and placed a kiss on my cheek.

“I have ten days to submit the background check and get the drug test.” I read off the email confirmation. The possibility of being denied still weighed heavily on my mind. The end of my probation drew near and I didn’t know how it would end. I felt the world shifting; favoring me for once. Maybe now was the time to contact my probation officer about Lisa’s harassment. I didn’t have anything to fucking lose.

She’s back

I fidgeted, unable to stop, as Kayden talked to his probation officer on speakerphone. The officer explained that he would be in violation of probation if he didn’t pay the remaining restitution by the end of next week…a warrant would be issued for his arrest. He pleaded with the man. My stomach twisted and turned listening to the conversation. Didn’t anyone have any compassion anymore? He couldn’t have an active warrant during the background check process.

“Mr. Haas, can I get an extension?” Kayden asked.

“No extensions are given. You’ll have to turn yourself in and ask the judge for leniency.”

I put my head in my hands, trying to hide my reaction. I wanted to cry, but uneasiness settled in stripping me of any tears. I felt the light at the end of the tunnel being snuffed out before my eyes. I couldn’t just sit there passively anymore; I opened my laptop and searched for probation laws in Florida. There had to be a way around it, a way for him to avoid arrest.

“Can I make an appointment to meet with you sometime this week?” Kayden asked.

“Sure, if you feel it’s necessary. How about Wednesday, at one?” Mr. Hass replied.

“I’ll be there, see you then,” Kayden replied waiting for a response before ending the call.

The sound of an incoming message drew my attention away from my screen and to Kayden’s phone, but I couldn’t see the screen.

“Is it her?” I asked. Could this day get any worse?

“Yes,” he said, he huffed while reading the message on her screen. “She’s such a bitch.”