Three years have already passed in my life. Too fast that I didn't realize much had changed. Even the life I was used to was very different than before.
I'm on my way to the living room. I smiled when I heard a small shrill laugh. I smiled when I saw Sam with Martha and Bea. They were happily laughing.
“Mommy, Mommy…” His small voice greeted me. His small body embraced my leg with his tiny arms.
Martha immediately took the tray I was carrying full of food.
I lifted and kissed my son's whole face. He giggled and that was like music to my ears.
"Oh, this mother and son are really sweet, it seems they don't to be together every day at home," Bea reacted immediately.
"You're just jealous," I replied chuckling.
“You should go to get married, Sweetie. Then you've also made such a wonderful child-like Sam. So that this child already has a playmate,” Martha said with a laugh as we prepared our food at the small table in the living room.
“You really keep repeating it. That's what you always insist on me, Mother Martha. You know, It's not that easy just because we wanted Sam to have a playmate,” Bea said frowning but still smiling.
“I feel pity because this is my son, and he has no playmate except the three of us. Have mercy, Bey,” I said, and she frowned for the second time.
“You're annoying, Cha, and there you are also. Eh, can you please stop it? how can I do it if I don't have a boyfriend, hm?” She said rolling her eyes.
I laughed. “Okay, okay. But anyway, that is because you still don't want to accept a lover, so there, your life is very boring right now.”
“Wow, huh? The one who doesn't have a love life speaks,” Bea rolled her eyes again.
Martha and I just laughed. "Then?"
“Hey then, come on, I'm hungry. You and your Son will bond there again later,” Bea sat down first and faced the food on the table.
We had fun taking our snacks. We are always like this every weekend after our working days. Bea and I would like to spend our time together with my Son. Like me, she loved Sam dearly too, and she wasn’t used to not seeing the kid. He stays almost at home every weekend.
I was pleased and blessed to have Bea as my best friend. God is great because even though I lost Kathy, He replaced Bea. She is my neighbor in the subdivision where our house is located. Bea was such a good companion. She let me know that not everyone who made friends with me would fool me. She also said she wouldn't be like Kathy who was willing to consider what we had together just for her own sake.
Before, when I found out that I was pregnant, it was as if heaven and earth were covering me because of what I feared had happened. Resulted in one night of trend in my whole life. I was confused and afraid of what to do before. Especially since my family doesn't know my true condition. But even though that happened to me, I’m still thankful that I didn’t get to the point of aborting what I was carrying.
Yes, I'm not ready yet, but there's nothing I can do. He came into my life and I need to embrace it.
Sam Levine Cordova, that’s the name of my son. Levine, because it sounds like the name of the man who got me pregnant. I gave birth to him no one else knew but only Martha and my friend of mine Bea.
Hours, days, weeks, months, and three years passed, and still, I continued to hide the truth from my own family. Fortunately, my family no longer pressured me to follow them to America. They were too busy to run their business there.
I also resigned from my old job, before my co-workers noticed that I was pregnant. It's not because I avoid getting embarrassed with the eyes of others, I just don't want to be stressed by what they say. I also don’t want my parent's names to be issued and dragged out.
I just stayed at home and I only left the house once then. I was so happy when I gave birth. Bea was there to support me.
“Mommy…” My son calls that bring me back to the present.
"What is it, baby?" I squeezed his nose.
"I want," he pointed to the ice cream brought by his godmother.
“Oh. My dear son wants it…” I scooped it up a little and put it in my son's glass. "Let Mommy feed you, okay?"
"No." He shook his head and snatched the spoon in my hand.
“There, the child is already independent. Don’t feel sad, Charm.”
"Oh yeah, Bey, look he really is like me." I just shook my head and I let Sam eat alone.
“So, can we go to the mall later?”
"Yes, so we can take this child for a walk." My answer. "What if we leave now?"
"Hmm, I like the idea."
"Then let's change our clothes now."
“Sure. after Sam has done his food.”
After Sam ate, Mom Martha cleaned him up. I wondered as we left that Mother Martha was still undressed.
“Martha?”
“Oh Sweetheart, I will not come with you right now. I'll just want to be here and rest.”
"Okay. Sam and I will just buy you something later.”
"Thank you, dear. You and Bea take care of the child, okay?”
“Oh, sure Mom. Thank you and you rest well.”
When we arrived at a mall I immediately let my son played on the toddler’s playground. Bea and I happily accompanied him inside. I let him play with his peers.
“Hey.” Bea patted my arm.
I looked at him. "What?"
Bea frowned. "Why were you in the deep thoughts?" I did not answer. "Ah, maybe you've made progress in finding your son's father, am right?"
"What?" My forehead furrowed.
"Have you found him yet?"
"Huh? You, what are you talking there. I’m not looking for him. Also, don't be loud and my son might hear you,” I said softly eyeing my son who happily playing with those children.
“Oh, silly. Your son is so far away from us, Cha. I doubt if he can hear me. Eh, what are you thinking? Is it Lee again?”
“Will you please stop mentioning that name? He's not who I think. I’m just recalling the past three years of my life. That’s all," I corrected her misconception.
“Eh, then he also occupied your thoughts. Because if it weren't for the semen he injected into you, we wouldn't have known each other while you were doing walk exercise during your pregnancy, nor is it likely that your son is a very cute child who exists today, is it?”
"Okay okay. But please don’t mention his name, let’s not talk about it.”
“You don’t really admit it, either. Maybe you’ve got actually met, am right? Where and when, Charmane? Tell me?”
“Hey, Beatriz, I think you're crazy. Will you stop telling me the nonsense you are saying there.”
"Then admit it, Cha."
“I certainly didn't expect that to happen, Bea. He only said his first name, and I don't really know what his last name. So how can I meet or something looks for that man if I haven't his whole information?” I shook my head. “Also, I'm not really interested in getting to know him. Even more this time.”
“You’re not, eh, how about that son of yours? Look, Charmane, he's growing and I'm sure he'll be looking for that in the years to come.”
“Tsk! I know that will happen, Bea.”
"Of course. And You know, this city is too small that you and that Lee won't meet again."
“You know, Bey, no matter how small the world is, if it's not really destined, we won't meet. So, stop hoping there.” I scolded her again.
She smirked. "But sorry, I'm still hoping you'll meet sooner or later."
When my son got tired of playing, we decided to went to a seafood restaurant that Bea used to take me to even now.Bea ordered a lot of foods, like a finger seafood platter. That dish is mixed on a platter like fried tilapia or catfish fillet, shrimp, blue crab cake, stuffed shrimp, stuffed crab with French fries. Sam loved it, he even thought it was all just fried chicken, He loved crunchy foods.Bea also ordered our favorite dish, the grilled rock lobster with mashed red potatoes and broccoli on it. And of course, the langoustine and salmon ravioli. Bea even ordered a dessert trio — sweet potato pecan pie, turtle fudge brownie, and key lime pie with vanilla ice cream toppings.It's really different when we earn too much because we can afford so much expensive lunch for ourselves. Not out of envy, I can also eat out with
When I first stepped into the company I worked for that morning, I mostly heard people talked about the new owner of the company. The owner of this company has reportedly sold their company. Actually, that hot news was just a month ago.Everyone thought it was absurd because it was so impossible to sell even though the state of this company was so good. But when the owner informed us about it, we just believed everything.It is said that he will migrate to another country. Not because the business is already losing money, but because he is already tired of managing it. His children want their father to rest because of his old age. And it because his children are career-oriented and have their thriving businesses abroad.It hurts to the owner to sell it, but he can't do anything because his children don
[Brad p.o.v]I am the new owner of, Mr. Cheng’s company. I was here to introduce myself as the new owner. Mr. Cheng and I planned this formal introduction before his flight next week. I just visited the company earlier because I insisted on it.Actually, my real agenda was to visit and be familiar with the whole area. But then my plan suddenly changed last night.The company was now under my name so I guess I can do what I want because I am the law. So last night, I called Mr. Cheng to move my introduction today. And he immediately approved it. He was one of our family friends so he immediately agreed to what I wanted to happen.I scanned all the employees working in this company. But there’s only one person who I wanted to see, but I couldn’t find her. I knew that it was impossible because there were four to six hundred employees here so I could definitely vaguely see tha
I DON'T have a choice but to obey him. It's my fault too. But what he did to me was not right. He was a very unprofessional man. Right now, I am losing the desire to work under his new management.I hope it says “it is an urgent meeting,” so that I did not go first to the comfort room.I was still resentful and disgusted with myself, but I was even more disgusted when he humiliated me in front of so many employees.That man was ruthless, rude, rude. I didn’t care if he was the owner! I was just angry and disgusted with him. He has no right to embarrass me. I kept on apologizing and I admit I was wrong, but what? Instead of listening to me, I was just embarrassed by the shamelessness in front of people.The arrogance!Why is it that of all the people who can buy this company of Mr. Cheng, why him?Ugh! I just hoped that he didn’t recognize me.
[Brad P.O.V]Mr. Cheng really had a good sense of how to decorate his office. This is because it should be the first of all areas in the whole company that are in order. The office was my second home, so I had to feel comfortable while doing paperwork.The office had a combination of dark, gray, and white interior setup. All the small and big things were arranged properly in each area. There are even beautiful 3D paintings hanging on the wall. The big luxury table was placed in an open glass wall where you could see the busy streets.It had been a while since I was just planning to convince Mr. cheng to sell this company. I wanted to buy this so that my other companies could grow even more and then I got what I want. But he had a simple request like not to lay off the other employees. We had a deal, not everyone would stay, especially the managers, supervisors, etc in their respective positions. It's also
AS SOON as I entered the office, Gee immediately looked at me. It was as if he was really looking forward to my arrival. Not only him but also the others. They all looked at me immediately. As if they have to do is approach me and find out what happened. But of course, they are ashamed to do it. Only Gee dared to ask me."Hey Girl. Where are you from, huh? Do you know I'm waiting for you? " He raised his eyebrow as he darted me to my table. Gee is talkative really. He did not also know how to lower his voice.My forehead frowned. Of course, we should have had lunch earlier.How could I forget that?I slapped on the forehead and faced him. "I'm sorry, Gee, I didn't inform you right away. You know I was called, didn't you?""Eh, why are you alone now? Don't you say that one hour you talked with him? And what is it I hear? Mr. Hernandez, and you left the company?"
[Charmane P.O.V]I couldn't keep my son awake because it would be nine o'clock in the evening. Excessive traffic due to rush hour. So I just went to Sam's room and lay down next to him. I kissed his tiny little cheeks and forehead. I hugged him tenderly too.I really miss you, baby.“Mommy…” He was half awake when I hugged her.I smiled. My stress because of work and the traffic was gone. “Sshh… Close your eyes again, baby. Sleep tight. I love you…” I whispered. I caressed his head and then I sang a lullaby to him to fall asleep again.I I sighed.Baby, I saw him again— your Daddy. But he doesn’t know about you, baby. I don't know how to introduce you to him. How you can learn about each other. Will you be angry with me because I hid you from him? Will you hate Mommy if I don't want to introduce you to your daddy anymore?
[Charmane POV]Everyone kept an eye on me. But as usual, I just ignored it. I didn’t go straight to my desk which surprised others, especially Gee. I walked directly to Ma’am Celly’s office. I just wanted to clarify things, even if it's not vague that it's true that I will be his secretary.I knocked three times before entering her office.“Good morning, Ma’am,” I greeted her first.“Good morning. Take your seat, Miss Cordova.” Ma’am Celly sat me down first, then she spoke again. “I think you already know it. I mean, about the— ”"Yes, Ma'am," I replied."Our new owner requested that you will be his temporary secretary," he said seriously. “I don't know why out of so many workers here, he chose you to replace his secretary. Anyway, you’re good at working so… I agreed. I know your skills when it comes to working. Honestly, it's hard to let go