Chapter 1: Aftermath

"Please," I begged. "I really need this job. Please, don't fire me, Miss. Wu."

"JoyAnna, you've been a great worker. You have a wonderful personality and you get along with everyone just fine. But I need someone who is willing to devote time into this company."

I pouted and walked after her. "I am here all the time."

"Do you know that most of the workers here already have their college degree?" I followed her putting my head down. I knew where she was going with this. "I don't hire people who are only students or still taking undergraduate classes," she turned her head to eye me out and then kept walking. "You aren't any of those either and yet you still were hired. And do you know why? I felt bad for you. Truly I did. The Banners are a well-known family here in the Dauntless state. It had shocked us to hear the Prince of the Banner estate had his bride leave him at the altar," Miss. Wu chuckled. "What was a greater shock was that that bride showed up at my office two months later looking for a job."

"And I need this job..."

"You didn't finish College."

"I explained why though and..."

"Yes you did explain why but that does not excuse the fact that you are not at the level that I want you to be at."

"A College education doesn't automatically guarantee you a job these days. And Dauntless University was hard to get in. The Banners paid for my tuition. I can't afford it now," I protested.

Miss. Wu let out a sigh. "You're a smart girl. You can figure things out."

"I was left with nothing," I practically cried. "And now you're asking me to..."

Miss. Wu quickly pulled me towards the side of the hallway. "This isn't personal, Miss. Summers. If it were I would keep you because as I said I truly feel for you but I have to think about business. I need workers who are prepared in the analytical sciences. Yes, a college degree doesn't guarantee you a job but neither does ignorance. Go back to College and see me in a couple years."

"I can't afford it. Why do you think I'm working here? Miss. Wu, please..."

"I'm sorry JoyAnna."

Leaving this building today, an hour after my shift had started was not what I had in mind today. I did not even bother to tell anyone goodbye. Yes I did get along with the few people who were here but we didn't have much in common. Miss. Wu was correct. A lot of girls here were truly career oriented. They were focused and driven, finished at the top of their class and spoke about things like the stock market, politics and environmental awareness. I almost wanted to protest because they had never worked a day out in the field, like my father or mother. They had never left the City. Of course they all claimed to have natural foods and fresh water and paid top dollars for organic resources, including their clothing. I didn't belong there.

My fingers played with my house phone later on that night. Who has a house phone these days? I do. It's cheaper than purchasing a cell phone plan. Scrap that idea. I actually had a prepaid plan but the service was so terrible. I had to lean out my window in order to get a good connection to talk to my family back at home.

After the wedding was called off, my family had spent a couple days in Dauntless which is what their tickets were planned for. I didn't have money to fly back and the gift my father got me was a priceless item passed down through generations. I wasn't parting with that. My savings account was limited too. Because Cain encouraged me to be a stay at home girlfriend and in time a stay at home wife, I hadn't been working part time. I had very little experience with technology so finding something was kind of difficult. I worked as an assistant to Miss. Wu's assistant and even that was demanding of my skill set.

The phone rang and I knew who was calling me. Only four people called me, three of them were my cousins and the other was my mom.

"Hi, Mom," I answered.

"JoyAnna," she replied. I could tell she was smiling.

"Hi JoyAnna," James shouted in the phone.

"Hi Jimmy Bean," I smiled at hearing his voice.

"When are you coming to visit?"

"Soon," I lied. "Can I talk to Mom again?"

"I'm here JoyAnna," she replied. "How was your day?"

"I got fired," I said quietly.

"Oh Wildflower," mother sighed. "Everything is going to be okay. You can get through this. You are my beautiful Wildflower. You are your father's brave Songbird. You can do this. I have faith in you."

I was just about to say something but someone's voice caught my attention.

"Why doesn't she just come home," I heard Jensen ask in the background. "No one is talking about it anymore," he whispered to Mother but I had heard it.

I sighed and placed my phone against my chest. I let a tear slide down my cheek and wiped it off before I picked the phone back up to my face. I knew about the rumors that were floating around in Amity, especially from the small town that we were from. Well, it wasn't small but it was the type of place where everyone knew everyone, literally. People were saying things about me and the failed marriage and how I was just some poor country girl that got a harsh taste of the real world and life out there beyond our warm community.

I refused to go back after my family had returned. Jordan had called and told me what people were saying. I had two cousins who were living here in Dauntless state but they were still hours away from where I had settled. One of my cousins did live in there and I had stayed with him for a couple weeks before finally finding my small apartment.

Glancing around it, I realized that it was actually a decent sized place. I just was so broke that I had no money to purchase any furniture. I had a pullout bed that folded up into a couch and that was where I slept. My room had a mattress on the floor and there were no tables, coffee or dining in here. Even the lamp was on the floor in my bedroom. My small college dorm sized fridge had a half gallon of milk that I think had spoiled along with a small bottle of orange juice. This place didn't even come with appliances like a stove or a laundry washer. Those costed extra and I did not have extra.

"Go away Jensen," my mother scolded him.

I could go back home. I didn't need to live like this. Mrs. Reyes said she would hire me back. She had written me a letter saying to be positive and that she would pray for me. The woman was truly a kind soul. She also told me to forgive Cain for his mistakes but when I had heard that he had gone to take that Tasha girl to our honeymoon suite, claiming he didn't want it to go to waste, I refused to forgive him, let alone talk to any of his family or friends.

X had been the first one I had called. He had known for months that they were sleeping together. I had previously only thought it was a kiss, and then I thought they had only slept with one another a couple weeks before our wedding date. When in reality it had been going on since before we got engaged. That was the real reason why he proposed. He had felt guilty about cheating and then figured to make it right, he'd propose to me.

"Why didn't anyone tell me," I asked X when he showed up with a couple wedding gifts that were from my family.

"I thought it was just a onetime thing, Ana," he stated. "I seriously thought Cain would have stopped after you got engaged."

"And let me guess, you were just looking after your boy," I sassed and took the small shoe box that held the envelopes.

Cain had kept all the money from his family, stating that the envelopes were addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Cain Banner. Since I refused to become Mrs. Cain Banner, they didn't belong to me. I couldn't be upset about that. Even my father had told me that I couldn't resent Cain anymore. I had left, this was my choice and they were going to support me as best as they could with it. I used the funds I had as a deposit for the apartment and to buy a small used car from an older couple who were retiring and traveling.

"JoyAnna," a voice came over the phone.

"Papa," I started to cry.

"Wildflower, I know you don't want to come home. I know you want to do this. You want to prove yourself and your mother and I believe that you can do it," he assured me. "Now, my JoyAnna is going to pick herself up off the floor and stop crying. You're too beautiful to cry."

I let out a small laugh and did stand up. "Thank you Papa."

"Your mother and I checked our finances and we're able to send some monetary aid."

"Papa," I began to protest.

"I don't want to hear about it. It's just a little bit of money to buy you some groceries and other necessities alright? Your Aunt Demetria also is going to send your cousin a small care package."

"Daddy..."

"She and your cousin Dayna wanted to mutilate the boy, you know that right? Since I talked them out of flattening the tires on his car, they decided to this instead. This is the last I'll hear about it."

I had received the care package from my cousin Dillon a week later. I put on a small smile. It was some clothes from Dayna and also some personal care items like shavers, lotion, sanitary napkins and even birth control pills.

"You dating again," Dillon asked with a smirk on his face.

"Shut up," I pushed him playfully.

Eating dinner with him and his friends wasn't exactly my cup of tea. His friend Taylor and Adam were a bunch of clowns. They all worked together for the same company. I had to endure Adam's flirting time and time again which did not help. I had just gotten my box into my car when Dillon told me that they weren't coming over. Dillon wanted to talk to me. The bank where he went to which was the bank he encouraged me to start going to, was hiring. Though it wasn't required, a college education was highly recommended.

"Well then I can't go," I told him.

"It's not required," Dillon stated. "Just try it out," he said as we started to eat.

When I had arrived at the bank the next day to see the money that my parents had deposited I was a bit shocked. It was enough to pay my rent for the next two months and still have a couple hundred left over. I started crying at the window until the teller handed me a tissue. After explaining to her that I had needed a job, she also encouraged me to apply and said that she was currently attending.

"The manager is really nice. She'll work around your schedule."

I filled it out and returned it to the teller who handed it to the Branch Manager. I was beyond excited when they had called me two weeks later to set up an interview. I had tried on the skirt that Dayna sent and braided my hair, put on heels and went out to the interview. I thought it went nice and the manager though a little apprehensive at first, liked my positive attitude and my willing spirit.

That day I had a couple extra dollars and decided to visit Dillon with a shake and a couple cookies to thank him for encouraging me to apply.

I had just gotten back into my car when trouble began again.

"No, no, no," I tapped on the steering wheel. "Please start," I begged turning the key again.

The engine only spluttered in defeat. I had been there for a while, jiggling the key and pleading with the car to start. I even tried to push the car a little but even that wouldn't do anything but move it a centimeter or so. I had gas, why wouldn't it start? It was working fine earlier. I just didn't need this right now. Looking over at the chocolate shake that was melting I couldn't help but break down.

"Please, no," I shook my head before resting it against the wheel. "Please start," I said as I started to cry.

"It's Japanese," a voice said from outside the car next to my window.

I turned to see a handsome guy, tall with blonde hair and a pleasant smile.

I shook my head. "Excuse me," I asked.

"Your car," he motioned to it. "It's a Toyota, manufactured in Japan."

"I know," I said slowly wondering where he was going with this.

"It's not going to know English. I think you have to say 'please' in Japanese," his smiled widened.

I couldn't help but smile a little at his joking demeanor of my situation.

"Its kudasai or onegaishimasu," I tilted my head and kept on smiling.

"Well," he chuckled. "Now that you said it, it just might work. Pop the hood, I'll take a look at what you got here," he replied walking to the front.

"No, you don't need to. I'm sure that..."

"Nonsense," he waved me off. "I'm waiting for one of my friends anyways."

"No, it's really okay..."

"Trust me," he looked back at me as I got out of the car with a genuine smile.

Nodding, I went back in the car and popped the hood for him. After a couple minutes of just standing there and watching him, I felt a little flustered. A guy was working on my car. I had not had any interaction with the opposite sex in months. Then I realized that there was a reason why. He probably was just being nice so he could get into my pants. And for a brief moment I was actually thinking about it too. What is wrong with me? Men will hurt you, Ana. Get a grip!

"Alright," the guy said. "Try to start her up now."

The car's engine hesitated at first but started nonetheless with a little kick and a loud roar. When I looked back at the front of the car, the guy who decided to play the helpful Samaritan was smiling at me. No, I wanted to shout in my head. Just because you started my car doesn't mean you're starting anything with me.

"Thanks," I told him climbing back out of the car.

"No problem. The name is Edward," he extended his hand.

"Ana," I shook it.

He smiled again and just as his mouth opened to say something I heard a girl shouting his name. We both turned to see a petite but pretty looking girl hurry down the street. That must be the friend that he was waiting for. Yup, the neighborly Samaritan had a girlfriend. I wonder if she knew he was trying to hit on me. Or was he and I was just misreading things?

"Myra, come over here," he called to the girl.

She smiled and walked over towards his side as he wrapped an arm around her.

"Myra this is Ana. Ana, this is Myra," he introduced us. "Ana was having trouble with her car."

"I've been there before," the girl shrugged. "It's nice to meet you, Ana," she held out her hand. "I'm glad Edward stumbled across you. He's quite handy with his hands." Myra giggled a little. I smiled as well. Handy with his hands was a clever line I suppose.

"Well, I'm sorry that I took your boyfriend away from you."

It was then that Myra's smile dropped. "Oh, he's not... We're not..." she shook her head.

"We're friends," Edward added with a small smile laced with something a little like disappointment.

"Oh, sorry," I mumbled looking down.

"No harm done," Myra spoke up cheerfully. "Why don't the two of you exchange numbers and then Edward can set you up at that place that what's his face works at," she snapped her fingers. "Peter," she shouted.

"Myra," he seriously looked her over.

"What," she questioned. "She needs help with her car," she nudged him. Was she trying to set us up or something?

"I'll take your number but I don't know if you should Peter."

"Peter," I asked Edward but Myra answered.

"There is this little car repair shop business, nothing like these big corporations but it's decent enough to get your car repair done. And I'm pretty sure that you could get a nice discount from Edward's friend, Peter. He is one of the main mechanics there."

I took a deep breath. "By any chance is your friend Peter Hayes?"

"Oh no, he got to her already," Myra's eyes widened before she turned to Edward. "I told you that he is one notch shy of being a player, you know that right? I'm so sorry," she looked back at me. "I wasn't thinking..."

"Before you begin," I let out a little laugh. "Peter is my cousin."

"Oh," Myra looked shocked and then smiled. "Either way I still feel sorry for you that you are related to him."

We both started to laugh.

"He told me he works security," I rolled my eyes.

"He does," Edward interrupted. "But he works a side job at Eaton's garage."

I never knew. I shook my head and then looked up at Myra. "Well, thank you again. I think I will stop by and see my cousin. I haven't in a while and it would be nice to catch up."

I had still exchanged numbers with Edward under Myra's insistence. After some time I had finally made it to Dillon's office to see him and offer him the cookies along with another shake that I decided to buy. I explained what happened to the first one and he laughed it off.

Another week had passed and the bank called me back to interview with one of the HR managers, Jillian Matthews. She seemed easy to get along with and spoke with me openly about my first and only job that I had held as a waitress for Mrs. Reyes diner. Of course she used the term hostess and said that I should not demean myself just because of my first job. It went well again and I treated Dillon to lunch.

"Seriously," Dillon smiled when I dropped off the food at his place. "You don't need to get me something."

"You encouraged me to apply," I said. "Your sister gave me the skirt and blouse I used on the interview. I'm confident it went well and one day you can stop by my job and bring me lunch too," I smiled sitting on his desk as we continued to talk.

One week had gone by until Miss Matthews had called me back. I was thrilled. They would hire me as a part time teller. I could have a set schedule, just in case I wanted to take up classes at the community college which was something I told her that I wanted to do. The branch manager wanted to bring me in for some final paperwork and then give me my starting date. Happily I went out to the store and bought Dillon a small cake.

"I got the job," I announced to Dillon walking into his office.

"That's great," he hugged me and spun me around.

We had just started eating our slices when someone called Dillon.

"Duke," a deep voice shouted.

"Yes," Dillon stood up from his chair.

"This isn't eHarmony, tell your girlfriend she has to leave," someone stepped out.

But of course it wasn't someone I was expecting. He looked about the same age as Dillon, only a couple years older than me. Despite looking young, he looked very serious at the moment. Even Taylor who had been playing basketball with Adam's trashcan had turned around on his desk.

"This is my cousin, Ana," Dillon nodded to the man.

"Well this isn't ancestry dot com either," he added walking over to Dillon's desk.

I gulped. "Sorry, I was just leaving now. I wanted to thank my cousin for something."

The man lifted his eyebrow. "By delivering cake," he glanced down at it.

"I got a job," I said quietly looking down.

"How did you even get in," he questioned loudly making me look back up at him.

"I applied for the job. There was an interview process and..."

"I mean the building," he snarled. "How did you get in the building?"

"I walked in," I answered slowly as though wondering what was so difficult about walking into the building. I always just walked in. The receptionist at the front desk, Jane, would smile and let me through.

"You walked in," he asked.

I nodded.

"Okay then," he stated as he walked past me. After getting to the edge of the office he turned. "Come on."

"Bye," I whispered giving Dillon a brief hug. "Thanks again," I kissed his cheek.

I gave Taylor a fist bump and hurried out following the tall guy who looked handsome in his dark jeans and a button up shirt with folded sleeves up to his elbows. It showed that tattoos on his arms. His well-built arms. Wait, I shook my head. What am I doing?

"Look Miss," he turned around and faced me.

"Summers, Ana Summers," I answered.

"Well Miss Summers, this is business hours here. I understand you may be family but during business hours, I need my workers focused on their business."

"I understand Mr.," I started.

"Coulter," he took a step forward and smirked. "Eric Coulter," he held out one hand.

I shook it. "Well hopefully it won't happen. I just was happy I got a job," I smiled looking away. "My cousin told me to apply, so," I bit my lip because my smile was going to start growing.

It had finally sunk in. I was getting a job! I went through the interview process and everything. After four months of calling off my wedding, a month and a half of being unemployed with close to nothing in my bank account, my car breaking down, I was about to get a job! I had truly done it.

Dillon's department supervisor cleared his throat causing me to jump a little. "Sorry," I apologized again and smiled. "I'm just really happy," I nodded.

"Well," he turned and lifted an arm up to show me the door.

I nodded and walked over. Just as I had grabbed the handle he called me back.

"Miss Summers," he said causing me turn around. He had smiled. It was the first time in the past couple minutes that I saw a genuine smile on his stoic face. "Congratulations on your job," he nodded. "I'm sure your employer is fortunate to have someone deserving as you working for them now."

"Thanks," I smiled.

I opened the door, walking out. I pressed the button for the elevator only to turn back around one last time and notice that he was still smiling and looking at me. I smiled and waved which got a nod in response before the elevator doors opened. I moved to let the older woman off and when I had glanced back, he was already gone. I couldn't help but noticed how I felt very flushed. I felt heat rise in my cheeks and knew that it wasn't from the happiness of receiving a job. He complimented me. It had felt good to get a compliment.