Next to Always: Shattered Innocence Trilogy Book Two Read Online Free PDF Page A

ago when he shipped him off to boarding school. On the day that Isaac died, he lost his mother as well. Both deaths were at the hands of his father. Rade would never forgive his father for causing their deaths. They should never have died that day. Since that day, his father had been dead to him.
     
    *****
     
    Dylan was so excited about her interview. Even though she was a little nervous, she knew whether she got this job or not, this day was going to be the start of a new life for her. This was the day she was going to get her shit together and she was going to move on with her life. No matter how hard it was or how long it took, she would get over Rade.
    When she got to BlackStone Industries she was more than nervous. Butterflies were having a heyday in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what was going on with her, but she needed to calm her nerves. Taking deep breaths she said to herself, “ In and Out. It’s okay, Dylan, you can do this. In and Out. Just breathe. Relax. In and Out.” Finally, when she was able to enter the building, Dylan took in her surroundings. Even though the building was nicely decorated, it was no comparison to the Northgate Building. The furnishings were neutral in color, with only a few paintings of different landscapes adding to the décor. Where Northgate had marble flooring, the flooring here was covered in commercial carpeting, which must have been recently installed. Dylan could smell the new carpeting along with a hint of glue that was used when laying it. The lobby also lacked a security desk, which left Dylan wondering why such a profitable company would choose to have an office in a less than posh building.
    Pushing her thoughts aside, she headed to the set of elevators located on the back wall of the lobby. When Dylan walked up to the elevator, she noticed a directory board strategically placed between the two elevators. Running her finger along the glass, she stopped when she came upon BlackStone Industries. The company was located on the 15 th floor of the building. As she entered the elevator, she hit the fifteenth floor button. Several other people also entered the elevator, pressing the appropriate floor for their destination. Dylan was the only one left in the elevator as it settled on the fifteenth floor. Once outside the elevator car, she scanned the hallway in search of the office she needed to go to for her interview. There were only two ways she could go, either left or right. She chose to walk to her left.
    At the end of the long hallway was BlackStone Industries. Dylan took a deep breath as she entered through the double glass doors that were propped open. “BlackStone Industries” was displayed above the glass doors in thick brass lettering. When Dylan walked in, there was a long reception desk in front. Two young women were sitting behind the reception desk as Dylan approached them.
    “Hi, my name is Dylan Adams. I have an appointment with Mr. Black and Mr. Stone at two o’clock,” Dylan said as she looked from one woman to the other.
    “Oh yes. They are expecting you. Please have a seat and I’ll let them know you’re here,” the younger of the two said as she pointed to the waiting area.
    “Thank you,” Dylan said as she walked into the small waiting area.
    While Dylan was waiting, she could hear the hustle and bustle in the office. There were people walking back and forth through various doors, talking to each other as they went by. Dylan liked that the office was really busy. She could also see herself working there.
    It wasn’t long before one of the women behind the reception area walked up to Dylan.
    “Mr. Black and Mr. Stone will see you now. If you would follow me, I’ll show to the conference room. That’s where they will be interviewing you. My name is Jessica Martin, by the way,” she said as she guided Dylan into the conference room.
    “Nice to meet you,” Dylan said as she continued following her.
    “Here we are,” Jessica said as she