CHAPTER 2

"Mom" she whispered tears streaming down her cheeks.

After arriving at her apartment she couldn't help but think of her mother. She missed her so much and longed to hug her but her stepfather had been keeping them apart.

[On the next day]

"Good morning everyone!" She greeted her coworkers in the marketing office.

"Congratulations Samantha! Your first project for our marketing department is assigned to you, and you're the lead on this project"

Kelsey said, handing her a thick stack of papers.

"Really? Thank you Kelsey!" Samantha replied with a smile.

"I'll do my best to make this project great and surprise the CEO with my skills."

She dove into the project working tirelessly throughout the day.

As the office started to close her coworkers began to leave.

"Samantha aren't you going home?" Kelsey asked, gathering her belongings.

"You go ahead I'll just finish this up" She replied.

"First day of work and you're already overworking yourself! Okay, I'll head out. Bye, see you tomorrow!"

As the office emptied Samantha was left alone. The lights suddenly went out plunging the building into darkness. It was already 10 pm and she was still working.

"Hey the lights are out but I'm still here" she muttered to herself.

Just then a voice behind her made her jump.

"Not going home Miss Samantha?"

Samantha turned her head she suddenly stun when she saw Yzak standing behind her.

"S-sir CEO good evening" she said quickly standing up straight.

"It's late. The guard will close all the doors. You should go home" he said.

"Ah, y-yes, sir CEO" She replied

hastily gathering her belongings. She noticed Yzak leaving the building and followed him out.

As they stepped out of the building She waited for a taxi. Suddenly Yzak appeared beside her.

"Waiting for a taxi?" he asked

catching her off guard.

"Y-yes, sir CEO" she stuttered in response.

"It's midnight there are no more taxi at this hour. Wait here I'll get my car from the parking area"

He said making her feel embarrassed.

As she waited at the entrance of the building her phone suddenly rang.

"Mom!!" she exclaimed hurriedly leaving her spot.

When he arrived at the entrance he noticed she was gone and asked the guard,

"Where is the girl who was standing here?"

The guard replied "Sir she left in a hurry. She seemed to be in a rush."

he was shocked and feeling rejected for the first time.

"How come she rejected me?" he wondered frowning.

[Hospital Emergency]

When She received a message about her mother's accident she rushed to the hospital to check on her condition.

"Mom!! Are you okay?" she asked crying and holding her mother's hand.

"I'm okay dear. It's just a minor injury. Don't worry"

her mother reassured and wiping away her tears.

"I really miss you so much dear."

She couldn't help but worry about her mother even though she felt she had no right to.

"Mom, please be careful next time. I'm not there to take care of you. Mom, I don't want to lose you" she said in tears streaming down her face.

"I won't go anywhere dear. I promise" her mother said with a smile trying to reassure her.

While talking suddenly the door opened and Eldrick del Fierro, her stepfather's son appeared in front of them.

"You must go home now, Samantha. Dad will come here" he said in a serious voice

"But, Mom" She protested looking at her mother.

"Go, dear. I promise I'll be okay. Take care" her mother said

And Eldrick took her arm pulling her out of the room.

"Can you let me go? I can walk on my own" She said trying to shake off Eldrick's grip.

"Dad will get angry if he sees you with your mom" he replied making her cry.

"Why are you doing this to me? How long will you keep my mom away from me? Don't I have the right to see her?" She asked tears flowing down her face.

Eldrick's expression softened and he handed her a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

"Let's go. I'll take you home" he said.

"Thank you but I'll go home by myself" She replied, walking away from him.

he stopped her and said "I'll take you home. It's late and there are no taxis. I'll text you tomorrow about your mom's condition."

[Home]

When She arrived home, she suddenly remembered Yzak, whom she had left without saying goodbye. She had been so worried about her mother that she had forgotten about him.

"Oh my gosh, what did I do?"

she exclaimed running her hands through her hair.