Taken by You (Taken by You Book One) Read Online Free

an app for a friend. It was weird because—”
    “ No, no, not that kind of obstacle. I mean a personal obstacle,” Sharon interrupted.
    “ Oh, well,” I said, as I twiddled my thumbs and tried to think of a new answer.
    I guess I’d had many hardships and disappointments in my life. I wasn’t exactly from a good home, if you know what I mean. I came from parents who were divorced when I was only two years old, and an alcoholic father who, while never abusive in any real way, was never there either. My adolescence was numbed only by the thought of leaving that small Illinois town and getting somewhere bigger and better.
    “ I think, I know, that growing up with a broken household was definitely my largest obstacle to overcome. My parents divorced when I was two, so I definitely don’t have any recollection of that. My life was always with them separated, which I suppose is easier than being old enough to actually remember a split or fights. I think I remember believing that our situation was normal and that everybody didn’t have their fathers around in the same house as them. I went to his house every other weekend for visits, but it wasn’t ever that much fun. He drank,” I said.
    “ I’m sorry to hear that. It isn’t always easy when a parent or loved one is facing an addiction,” Sharon said.
    “ No, it’s not. Even with low-income parents, though, I managed to get out. I taught myself to code, got a partial scholarship to college, and was able to leave and end the cycle and the hold those moments had on me. I definitely haven’t forgotten them, and visiting back home during the holidays is a stark reminder of the life I once lived, but I believe I overcame it all,” I said, smiling a little.
    “ I would say you did. You definitely have an impressive resume, and you seem like a polite, poised, and very intelligent young woman. I know you’d definitely be an asset to any company someday, no matter where that may be,” Sharon said.
    I panicked as I felt my stomach drop a little. It felt like a piece of cotton filled my mouth as I struggled to produce enough saliva. I’d be an asset wherever I went? What did that mean? Was I not getting the internship? I didn’t know what I’d do without this position, and especially the money that would come with it. I wasn’t sure I was prepared to walk out of here without any hope of salvation.
    “ Excuse me,” a woman behind me said.
    I turned slightly. She stood with her hands against the glass while she looked straight at Sharon.
    “ I’m in the middle of an interview, Tonya,” Sharon said.
    “ It’s Mr. Hunter,” Tonya said.
    “ Is everything all right?” Sharon asked, perking up.
    “ Everything’s fine. He wants to see her…now,” Tonya said.
    “ Who, me?” Sharon asked, with a confused tone.
    “ No…her,” Tonya said, pointing at me.
    “ Me?” I asked.
    “ Did he say why? Can it wait until after the interview?” Sharon asked.
    “ I’m afraid not. He said he wanted her in his office as soon as possible. You know how he can be,” Tonya said.
    “ Well, okay then. I’m not one to say no to the boss. Penelope, if you will, Tonya here will escort you to Mr. Hunter’s office for, well, whatever he needs,” Sharon said.
    She stood up, I stood up, and then she shook my hand before I grabbed my bag and shuffled my feet as I followed Tonya, who walked with a quick pace. What in the hell could the CEO of this company need to see me for? Who in the hell was he, anyway? From the news I knew he was a little reserved and out of the public eye, which was strange considering the nature of the company he founded and ran.
    I meant to do some research about the company the other day, but with figuring out how to pay for my groceries and my share of the utilities for the month, I guess I just never got around to it. Now I really wished I had.
    “ Here’s his office,” Tonya said, as we came around a corner.
    The office was different from all the