Stunned

By JA Lafrance

Ada Mathiens has been searching for her perfect job, to kick off her advertising career. She is finally able to land a job with the biggest advertising in her city. While she is out celebrating with her family she runs into a man that would eventually be her everything. But what happens when someone else thinks they deserve her and stalking her takes on a whole new meaning. Will Luca be able to protect Ada, or will the powers that be tear them apart for good.

• Language: English
• Publisher: JA Lafrance
• Release date: Jul 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393405375

JA Lafrance

JA resides in Northern Ontario Canada but is originally from the Capital of Ontario.She is married to her loving husband and has three beautiful children.When she is not locked in her writing cave she works with the board of education as a supply Educational Assistant.She loves watching hockey and Soccer and enjoys talking to the many people she has made friends with.She enjoys a good joke and can usually be seen with a smile on her face and a joke on her lips.

Book preview

Prologue

Ada

"I am dying to nail this interview. I want nothing more than to go to my parents’ house with the news that I finally have a job. No, I have THE job for the company that I had hoped to get in with. My opportunities will be abundant." I’m standing in front of the mirror looking at my outfit of choice, a nice pair of black dress pants, with my knee-high heeled boots and a royal blue blouse.

This interview is going to either start me on my path to the career I have dreamed about or it’s going to make me step back and re-evaluate my choices. Either way, I am ready to prove to myself that this is my job.

I look at my watch, noticing that I have exactly forty-five minutes to make a fifteen-minute walk. I am excited and nervous. I want this job more than anything and know that I have to be assertive.

The fifteen-minute walk to the most stunning building I’ve ever seen keeps my thoughts rolling on a loop. I want this job, I am ready for this.

A gorgeous glass building stands before me, the sunlight glistens off the windows making it sparkle. This is the place that I want to work. No, this is the place that I will work, no more doubts or second-guessing.

I know that my interview is on the second floor and that I am to meet with one of the owners of the company. I enter the elevator and my nervousness starts to kick in, making me jittery. I take two deep breaths, closing my eyes. When the elevator opens to a cherry wood sitting area that looks like it’s lined with silver. I approach the secretary and sign in. Sitting amongst the beautiful woman all are here interviewing for the same position.

I have been sitting in the most uncomfortable chair. Waiting to hear my name called for my interview which was supposed to be fifteen minutes ago, but apparently, the guy that was doing the interviews was running late. Some sort of emergency.

The way all the guys look around here, his emergency was probably some model type Barbie, with her hair always on point, her makeup always on point and a need to scream, ‘Yes Daddy’.

Ada Mathins, you’re next please, the short older lady announces. The lady looks like a school librarian, one that you immediately fall in love with.

I stand and head towards where she is standing.

That’s me, I tell her with a smile.

I have been in this interview for all of ten minutes when the man behind the desk looks at me and states, Look Ms., Mathins, you are the only candidate that has come in here prepared to do the job at hand, no matter what. I don’t have time to play around training a lazy person. You are capable of doing the position from the start with minimal direction. Can you start on Monday at 8:30 am? I nod my head, Yes sir, trying desperately to keep the excitement from my face. Focusing back in as he finishes, Please report to security fifteen minutes before the start of your workday. He gets up and escorts me out of his office and slams the door behind me.

Thank you, Sir. Great fucking manners you have. I mumble more to myself, not expecting the librarian to be watching me.

The secretary looks up at me with my stunned expression and asks, How did it go in there?

I smile at her and whisper, I got the job.

I start walking towards the elevator. I have to get home and tell my parents and my brother. I have been waiting for this day to come. It’s taken me so long to find a position for someone overqualified and underworked.

Chapter One

Ada

"Get lost ref! What game are you watchin?" Aiden screams at the T.V. as I walk into my parents’ house. My big brother is a diehard soccer fanatic. He loves the technicality of the game and the athleticism of the players. Unfortunately for my brother, the ability to play the game left at the age of six. When he tried to save our dog and was hit by a car.

That was one of the worst days ever, according to my Mom. I was only two years old, but I remember my Mom was crying hysterically and my Dad was trying to stay strong by hugging us while the emergency medical technicians loaded Aiden into the back of the ambulance. We weren’t sure if Aiden would make it or if that was going to be his last day on earth. We thank that medical team for working tirelessly on him.

The guy that hit Aiden was texting an escort to set up a time to meet his needs. I believe when he hit Aiden, his hands were not on the steering wheel. There was a huge scandal with this guy, because his wife was at home with their six-year-old twin boys, while he was trying to get his rocks off.

Needless to say, once the scandal broke, the guy lost his family. They stripped him of his position at his place of work, and he lost his license permanently and spent time in prison for vehicular assault causing bodily harm and a distracted driving charge.

Adie, can you please get me a beer and some chips? Aiden yells.

Yeah Biggie, I’ll grab you some. I walk towards the fridge, making sure I get the coldest one from the back.

I grabbed two beers and a bowl of popcorn for me and the bowl of chips for Aiden, taking them out to the living room. , So, the bowls are for my mom. If we eat out of the bags she always asks if we were raised with animals. Why she has such an idea that eating out of the bag is wrong, is beyond me.

So Biggie what’s new with you? I plunk down beside him on the couch.

Ah, nuttin much Adie Ado, just chillin, you know watching the game and stuff. What’s new with you? Have you found a job yet? He asks in return eyes glued to the TV like something is going to happen, and he is going to miss it.

Well, that’s why I am heretic was hoping Mom and Dad would have been home. Do you know when they will be back? I shoot back, just as the front door opens and Dad yells Aiden is Ada here?

Yeah Daddy, I am, is Momma with you?" I yell back. I have always had a strong connection with my dad. I know they say girls are ‘daddy’s little girls’ always, but the relationship I have with him is one of admiration and love. He is my best friend and parents all rolled into one.

Yes, I still refer to my parents in little kid form, but I truly don’t care.

Mom and Dad come walking in with huge smiles on their faces and envelop me in hugs. Nothing can beat hugs from your parents.

Mom, Dad, Aiden gather round I have some news for you, I exclaim I am extremely giddy. They all gather around and start making funny faces at me.

I giggle as I state, I GOT A JOB! ok, so I yelled it. Mom and Dad jump up and down, while Aiden spins in circles.

You are looking at the newest filing clerk for Maddox, Rodriguez and Mathieu Advertising Agency. My starting pay is sixteen dollars and fifty cents an hour, with benefits after the first six months and then, I will be able to apply for a secretary’s position in two and a half years. I am so excited! I squealed the whole speech.

My Mom and Dad both exclaim that it is a celebration night and that we are going out to eat.

I vote for pub grub, so I can keep my eyes on the game, Aiden states racing to the front door.

Let’s go to The Hockey Ball, I state.

The Hockey Ball is the local pub with the most amazing Buffalo wings and fried pickles, TV on every wall playing a different sport and just an all-around great atmosphere.

We all agree to pile into my Mom’s minivan; it has been modified for Aiden’s needs, even though my brother has his transportation.

As we pull into the parking lot which is almost packed, but I can’t be sure if it’s for the pub or the arena across the street. We park in the handicap spot I see a beautiful bike pull up and park. I don’t get to see who the rider is as I start helping Aiden out of the van.

As we wheel up to the door a man comes stumbling out and falls into Aiden’s lap.

Dude, Watch what the fuck you are doing! Aiden growls and pushes the drunk off.

Since Aiden has been wheelchair-bound he works his upper body daily, so he is built like a bodybuilder on top and a twig on the bottom.

Hey man! Why you pushin me? Not my fault you’re a cripple. Then he looks over to me and gets what I call the glazed over donut smile. Hey chunky, why don’t you ride a real man. He states with open arms. The man looks dishevelled and the smell that is coming off of him could make the garbage dump smell like perfume.

I hear a collective groan from my family; they