The Darkness Within Read Online Free Page A

to the side and got her bag.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Where are you, boss? Client waiting for interview.’
    ‘What time is it? And what day is it? I thought I was off sick?’
    ‘But you told me that you wanted to do this interview, boss,’ her assistant Bailey said.
    ‘Yes… erm five minutes. Get me a driver. I can’t drive. Make it fifteen. Apologise and tell her I’m on my way.’
    ‘Yes, of course. Fifteen minutes.’
    Freya cut the call and rushed for the shower. Her head felt heavy, but she’d cope. She found two ibuprofens in the bathroom cabinet, and also took her medication so she wouldn’t hear any voices during the interview. Six minutes later Freya was pulling on her black suit with white shirt. It was the easiest to do without thought. The makeup was minimal, which was fine, she didn’t need much, which was a surprise with all the abuse she put her body through. Her hair went into a high bun; it was the easiest thing to do.
    Freya looked at the bottle of vodka and picked it up, unscrewed the lid and took a swig. She shut her eyes while it went down her throat warming her. She took another and another until she heard the horn outside. She closed the bottle and found a bag big enough to hide it in.
    ‘Perfect.’ She felt a little tipsy and headed downstairs.
    ‘Miss Johnson,’ the driver opened the door.
    ‘Morning Mark, straight to the office please.’
    ‘Yes, ma’am.’
    Freya had taken another two swigs of the vodka on the way to the office. Mark minded his own business and kept his focus on the road ahead. She pulled out some mint mouth spray and gave her mouth a spray. Then she took out her perfume and sprayed some in the air and allowed it to settle on her clothes giving her a subtle smell instead of an overpowering one.
    The car stopped outside the office. She stepped out, straightened up and headed for her building.
    ‘Boss,’ said Bailey. ‘She’s in the conference room.’
    ‘Thank you. I’ll take it from here.’ She headed for the conference room. Opened the door and smiled at the woman waiting to be interviewed. ‘Debra, I’m so sorry I’m late. Will you forgive me.’ She put on her charming smile that was hard to resist.
    ‘Of course, it’s honour to be interviewed by you.’
    ‘I’m so glad. Do you want something to drink? More coffee? I assume that’s coffee. I’ve done my homework.’ She winked.
    ‘Erm…no just water.’
    ‘Great.’ Freya buzzed for water and a cup of coffee which was brought by the office secretary. ‘So shall we begin?’
    ‘Yes.’ the woman smiled back.
    ‘Great. I love, just love powerful women like yourself.’
    ‘I could say the same about you.’ she smiled.
    The interview began.
    ****
    As soon as Freya got to her office she pulled the bottle from the handbag and took two swigs. She needed it just to function. There was a knock on the door.
    ‘Erm…’ She hid the bottle back in the handbag. ‘Enter.’ She sat back.
    ‘You have a visitor,’ said Bailey.
    ‘Erm…I don’t have anything in my calendar.’
    ‘He says he’s a friend. A mighty sexy one, I must say myself.’
    ‘Bailey please.’
    ‘His name is Ferguson. Should I let him in?’
    ‘How the hell did he find me?’
    ‘You’re owner and head editor of a very popular magazine. How hard would it be?’
    She smiled. ‘Okay, let him in.’
    ‘Good choice.’
    ‘Out!’ she laughed.
    Freya waited not sure how she felt about seeing him again. Bailey was right, he was gorgeous, but there were more pressing things than a sexy man.
    ‘Miss Johnson,’ he said as he walked in.
    ‘Hi,’ she smiled. ‘What are you doing here?’ she got right to it.
    ‘I’ve come to see how you’re doing. May I?’ He nodded at the chair.
    ‘Sure.’ She swirled on the swivel chair.
    ‘Nice offices. It’s a surprise that a woman as successful as you would want to end her life. You have it all.’
    She laughed. ‘It seems that way on the surface, but not everything you see is