Chapter 7: Jealous Interviews

I knock on Brandon's office door twice before he answered with, "Come in."

Stepping quietly into the room, my eyes immediately zoned in on him at his desk, going over some paperwork. His head is still down so he doesn't know that it's me who has entered.

"You know, Mr. Woods, it's very unsafe for you not to know who is entering your office." I smile as he lifts his head. Grinning crookedly at me he says, "I guess you're right about that. It's a very bad habit of mine."

He stands up in his tailored grey suit that fits him in all the right places and saunters over to me. "Not that I didn't already know that you were the one knocking on my door anyway."

I lifted my eyebrow. Well at least I tried but both of them ended up being lifted instead. "And how exactly did you know that?"

"No one knocks on my door all quietly like that except for you." He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me in closer to him. Brandon leans down and kisses my ear before whispering, "Hello, Beautiful." I shiver slightly at his touch and cool breath. This man is going to be the death of me.

"Hello yourself." He leans back to look in my eyes, but still keeps me close in his arms. I wrap my one of my arms around his neck and use my other hand to lightly touch the dark shadows under his eyes. "You haven't been getting any sleep, have you? I told you about that, Bran-"

He cuts me off with a short kiss that I feel from head to toe. "I know, I know. That's why once I have my assistant I can get more rest. Now just relax would ya?" Brandon's been working nonstop trying to get some new program up and running at Alfea Corp. I know he's busy, but he has to get some rest every once in a while. That's why I'm even more determined to help him find the best assistant there is today.

"You still have to take care of yourself first, Brandon." I scolded lightly. Brandon rolled his eyes.

"I'll see what I can do about that later. Right now I really want to kiss this stunningly gorgeous woman, but…"

I glare at him playfully. "But what?"

"She's kind of acting like my mom right now. And you know I'm not into all that incest stuff so…" I slap him on the arm and he laughs. "Seriously, Stells. Relax. I'll be fine. Once this new software launch is started right, I'll be back to cuddling up with you on Saturdays. Okay?"

I nod reluctantly. "Okay. So now that I'm not acting like your mom anymore…" I trail off as he grins wider and bends down to kiss me into submission. We were so lost in each other that the door opening behind us didn't register until we heard Riven cry out. "My eyes! My eyes!"

I pulled away from Brandon to see Riven covering his face dramatically, Sky looking slightly disgusted, and Helia smirking at Riven's obvious discomfort.

Brandon scowls at them all. "Have you people ever heard of knocking?"

"Well I'm so sorry. We didn't know you would be in here eating your girlfriend's face off." Riven laughed. I hid my red face in Brandon's neck. This is beyond embarrassing.

"Who invited them?" I mumble into Brandon's neck. His arms tighten around me as he lets out a chuckle.

"Well, I thought I was going to need the all the advice on this whole assistant thing that I could get so I asked them to tag along." Brandon explained and glanced at his watch. "As a matter of fact, the first interviewee should be here in about ten minutes."

I look up from Brandon's neck and glance over at the guys. Sky is now leaning against the wall with Helia and Riven is sitting in Brandon's desk chair.

"Let's get this show on the road."

Brandon sighed as the door slammed shut. Again. "Stella what was so wrong with her? She seemed like a good fit."

I shook my head. "She was too fidgety. Being that nervous isn't going to get you anywhere in this business right?" I'm such a bad liar. The real reason was because she was way to… fitted… into that short attire of hers. Why is every interviewee so far a woman?

Sky sighs deeply from behind me. "Look that was the fourth one today you have sent packing. We aren't going to get anywhere is you don't choose one soon. I mean, how many are there left to interview?"

Brandon looks back down at his files. "Only two left." He glances at me and I look at the ground, biting my lower lip. What can I say? There is this bubbling feeling in the pit of my stomach that I keep getting each time these girls even grin at Brandon. They were obviously all struck by his handsomeness and I didn't like it at all.

"Look babe. I only have two people left to choose from and I can't just turn them away, alright? Plus, the next person who comes up here is going to not…make me very happy." Brandon said tiredly. I nod and place my hand on his.

"I'm sorry. I just want the best for you. I'll be objective from now on, I promise." He nods and smiles slightly. The intercom on Brandon's phone comes on.

"Brandon, your next interviewee is here." Flora's voice floats through the phone. She sounds hesitant and maybe a little nervous.

Brandon presses a button and replies, "Send her up." Great. Another female.

Riven quickly reaches over and hits the same button on the phone before saying, "Hey baby, you want McDonald's tonight?" Brandon swats him upside the head and I giggle.

Flora laughs and answers, "Whatever, Riven." Riven smiles broadly and steps away from Brandon's glare. I can't help but glance over at Helia to see that he is stubbornly looking straight ahead of him. His face seemed to contort like he was in pain. No one noticed but me. The door swung open to reveal a less than appealing face.

Mitzi.

Her harsh words at Brandon's parent's wedding anniversary are still ingrained in my mind. She's wearing a bright yellow sundress and her long black hair was swept to the side. Her sights latched onto Brandon right away. "So we meet again, Mr. Woods."

Brandon breathed out harshly and closed his eyes. It seemed like he was trying to reign in some of his anger right now. "What in the hell are you doing here Mitzi?"

Mitzi sat down in the chair in front of Brandon's desk and stretched her arms. "For an interview, obviously. Why else would I be here?"

"To waste my time, obviously, because there's no way I'm even considering giving you a job at my company. Ever." Brandon said heatedly.

"Oh, relax yourself Brandon. You know you need me and my expertise. Just look at my resume' and tell me I don't." Her lazy gaze slipped to me and narrowed. "So I see you haven't gotten rid of the waitress yet, huh?"

"You don't speak of her," Brandon snapped. "You might as well leave now."

Mitzi shook her head innocently. "I have done nothing wrong. As soon as you review the application I filled out, I will leave." While Brandon and Mitzi continued in their angry stare-down, Sky picked up Mitzi's application off of the desk.

"Uh, Brandon?" Sky said.

"What?" Brandon asked without taking his eyes off Mitzi. His shoulders were so tense I thought they were about to pop. I put my hand on one and gently rubbed it. He relaxed a bit but not much.

"I think you should look this over. She does have a pretty impressive-" Sky stopped talking when he saw the death glare Brandon was giving him. He tosses the application back on Brandon's desk without a word.

Brandon isn't going to calmly end this interview so I think I should do it for him. "That will be all…" I look down at the papers for her last name. Brandon tries to cover it up but I see the name before he can. "Ms. Woods?"

I look at Brandon in astonishment to the fact that this woman has his last name. It can't be a coincidence.

"What? Oh, Brandon didn't tell you that I happen to the long lost big sister he just loves so much?" Mitzi smiles widely and with extra fake exuberance. "Why didn't you tell your girly friend over here about that Brandon?"

I'm still looking at Brandon, but he wouldn't look at me. His face was blank. He is wearing the same look he gets when he wants no one to see his emotions on his face.

"Get. Out." Brandon says evenly. The room feels like it just dropped 20 degrees.

Mitzi sighs exaggeratedly and stands. "Well, I guess it's time to blow this Popsicle stand." She switches over to the door and before she exits she looks over her shoulder and says, "Tootles, brother dearest."

The room is silent for ten heartbeats before I speak up. "I thought she was an old family friend."

Brandon closes his eyes and tilts his head back against his chair. "I only wish."

I am still very confused. He…lied to me. Why? I mean, why would he lie about his own sister? I figure this conversation is for another time though. I will definitely get to the bottom of this.

Riven whistles long and low. "That wasn't pleasant whatsoever."

"Let's just get through this last interview and then we all go home. Sounds like a plan?" I tilt my head towards Brandon and he looks at me. I smile encouragingly and Brandon pulls me close to his side to kiss my temple.

"Thank you," Brandon whispers in my ear. I warm at his thanks and sit back in my seat. He's not saying thank you for me calming him down. He's saying thank you because I didn't flip out and ask questions about Mitzi.

Yet.

Flora announces that the next interviewer is coming up. A few minutes of silence later and the door opened to a beautiful, tall, busty blonde. Her skirt was way too high and her hips were swaying way too much. I immediately narrow my eyes. Her hair was perfectly curled in contrast with my straight locks. I don't like her. I don't like her AT. ALL. I especially don't like the fact that she had her eyes zeroed in on Brandon.

Riven was openly gaping right now along with Sky, but at least Sky tried to disguise his amazement. Even Helia's eyes widened. I snapped my head over to Brandon. I can't exactly read his face. It's perfectly blank. It's like he didn't want anyone to see his emotions at that moment.

I think that's what hurts the most.

She sits down in the chair Mitzi previously sat in and not once did she break eye contact from Brandon. Crossing her legs she exclaims, "Mr. Woods! It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I have heard only great things. My name is Diaspro. Diaspro Flowers." Her voice has a slightly seductive edge to it that I'm sure was meant the lure men in.

Brandon leans forward and looks down at her file. "That's always good to hear, Miss. Flowers. I reviewed your application earlier and I must say that I'm quite impressed. Your references are excellent as are your previous works."

"Yes, I do have plenty of experience in the personal assisting area." Diaspro smiles crookedly and I want to slap that smirk right off her face. That bubbling feeling in my stomach is coming back full force now. It's a feeling of anger and possessiveness mixed in with a little insecurity. It can only be one thing I am feeling right now.

Jealousy. It is now possibly one of the worst feelings that I have ever experienced.

This girl is the kind of girl that I thought guys like Brandon actually looked for at first. The fact that he wants to be with me is still astounding. So when I see girls like Diaspro trying to flirt with my man, I get pissed. And…jealous. Gosh, jealousy is a terrible thing.

When Brandon arches his eyebrow at her, I think I almost lost it. I reach over and slam her folder shut. The sound echoes around the entire room.

Turning towards Diaspro I smile, "Thank you for your time. You may leave." Diaspro drags her gaze to me and sees me for the first time.

"I do believe the interview I am here for is from Brandon Woods. No one...else. So I do believe I will be leaving when he asks. No one…else." She states snottily and turns back to Brandon.

Brandon clears his throat before I can reply. "That will be all Miss Flowers. Thank you. I will call personally if you have the job." Oh, if I have anything to do with it, she will most definitely not be getting that call.

She nods slowly and stands, extending her hand towards Brandon. "It was nice to meet you again, Mr. Woods." Brandon shakes her hands quickly and nods.

"Same here."

With one last look in his direction, she sauntered out of the room. The office was silent once again until Riven coughed.

"Yeah. I think you should definitely give her that call," Riven laughed. Helia snapped his eyes over to Riven.

"I didn't think your fiancé was so lenient with you checking out other women." Helia inquired.

"I don't think it's any of your business what my fiancé thinks at all," Riven replies with narrowed eyes.

"Shut up you two. I'm not in the mood for that today." Brandon orders them. He lets out a gust of air and rubs his face with his hand. "So I guess we're done for the day then."

"Wait," I say. "Who are you thinking of choosing?"

Brandon's eyebrows draw together in confusion. "Uh, Diaspro of course. Who else?"

"Uh, not Diaspro!" I exclaim. Was he seriously going to consider that?

"Stella, she's a perfect candidate for the job. Better than all the rest. Why wouldn't I pick her?"

Sky shakes his head. "Dude, you know absolutely nothing about women, do you?"

I stand up and cross my arms. "He obviously doesn't if he thinks I'll be okay with this."

"Stella, you can't be serious right now."

"I've never been more serious in my life."

We stare at each other for a minute before Brandon shakes his head. "I'm not doing this with you, Stella. She the best option so I'm hiring her."

I was basically seeing red at that point. This jealousy thing is really a pain in the ass. "You hire her and I promise you that you won't be seeing me again," I threaten icily. Brandon looks at me like I'm crazy or something and pinches the bridge of his nose.

"Gentlemen, leave so I can have a minute to talk to Stella."

"No! Don't bother gentlemen. I'll go." I grab my purse and coat off the rack next to the door. Brandon is standing now.

"Stella, goddammit, just calm down! Let's just talk about this." He tried to rationalize but I was beyond being rational. I swung the door open.

"Oh, and when your dialing her phone number tonight, lose mine." And with that, I slam the office door shut.

A/N: Thank you to all who have been reading and reviewing. I love you all!

So… I bet you didn't see that coming did you? Poor Brandon. Sometimes men really don't understand. LOL. Do you blame Stella for being angry? What do you think Brandon will do about the whole situation?

Was that Mitzi part surprising to you? Why does Brandon despise her so much? More information on that as we continue.

Someone reviewed telling me they were ready for some jealousy. I hope that led up to your standards!

Okay I know It took like over a month for me to update again. Sorry! That's why I made this one extra-long for you ;)

Oh, and you just wait. You won't even imagine what drama is headed Brandon and Stella's way next chapter. But I have to know what you guys think for me to continue….

So…Review!