Chapter 4: Please... Don't fire me

Isabelle’s POV 

The sun had risen high when I woke up the next morning.

I squinted, grabbing my phone from the nightstand.

My eyes widened as I checked the time.

I had slept far longer than I intended.

“Damn it.” I sat up quickly.

I almost forgot. Today was supposed to be my first day back at the clinic after my days off.

I had been working as a dental assistant for almost two years.

I took a few days off last week because I hadn't been feeling well. I never imagined I'd return to work carrying a pregnancy I hadn't even known about until yesterday.

It wasn't the kind of job I expected when I was younger, but I was good at it. To the point where I began to find it interesting.

I jumped out of the bed and sprinted towards the bathroom.

After everything that happened yesterday, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to walk back into that clinic and pretend my life hadn't fallen apart.

By the time I came out, Chloe was already in the kitchen.

I flipped my hair into a messy bun. 

Shoved a toast into my mouth while checking my phone.

There were several messages from my supervisor.

I didn't dare open it.

I slipped my phone into my bag.

“Babe. I have to go.”

“At least sit down to eat before you leave. You're pregnant for goodness sake. Stop acting like you're made of steel”. Chloe shouted as I rushed towards the door.

“I'll just grab something on my way. I'll eat when I get back”. I fixed the lace of my shoe, leaping outside.

The clinic was an hour ride from Chloe's apartment and traffic was already building.

By the time I arrived, I was nearly forty minutes late.

I hurried inside, apologizing to the receptionist before rushing toward my department.

The atmosphere felt different. Quiet and tense.

Several staff members were standing in the corridor, their expressions unusually serious.

“What happened?” I whispered to one of the nurses.

“The clinic's biggest sponsor is here. He'd always been anonymous. But today, he came in for an inspection”.

Before I could ask more, my supervisor appeared.

“Isabelle.”

I straightened immediately.

“Go inside and get changed. Then report to the main conference room. Some foreign equipments were brought in last week. Also, staff is being evaluated today for competence”.

I changed quickly and returned.

The staff were gathered in the conference room.

Mrs Luca, a stern-looking middle-aged woman, who looked like you could squeeze a lemon out of her face, stood at the front, going through several documents.

I quietly slipped into the back, trying to blend in.

She continued to speak.

“Mr Prescott, these are the department heads and senior staff members. The rest of the staff are being assessed according to their departments. And those equipments will be distributed as soon as possible.”

A man was sitting at the head of the table, flipping a pen between his fingers.

But I couldn't see his face. The lined up staff were obstructing my view of him. And I didn't want to look further to avoid being noticed.

“Mr Prescott, If there's anything else, please let me know”.

He waved one hand lazily in response.

I let out a sigh of relief.

Then his gaze lifted. Landing directly on me.

My stomach dropped.

I knew that face.

It was from the hospital. The man I almost fell into his arms yesterday.

The man whose bodyguard had pulled me away while strangers whispered that I was trying to throw myself at him.

Donavin Prescott.

He was…the sponsor?

“You.” He pointed straight at me.

Fear bubbled up in my chest.

I glanced behind me. There was no one else.

“Me?”

“Yes. Come forward.”

Every pair of eyes turned toward me as I went forward.

He leaned back on the chair, sizing me up in three seconds.

The tension in the air was so thick you could slice it with a knife.

I didn't dare to look up. 

I was staring down at my shoes as if something was stuck on them.

“Why are you here by this time?” He questioned.

“I'm sorry”. I mummured. “I didn't mean to be late”.

“Really?” He raised a brow.

His expression didn't change. But I could tell he remembered me.

“Sir”. Mrs Luca gave a curt bow.

She was the head supervisor. 

The one person who makes every staff walk on tiptoes around the clinic.

She flipped through the pages of her book, tracing down every single line with a finger.

“Isabelle Hart. Dental department?” She threw me a suspicious glare.

“Yes”. I answered.

“Is this how you mess up your chance of working here? Your shift started forty minutes ago and you only arrived now?” 

“I'm sorry. It won't happen again”. I clamped my hands together, forcing myself to remain composed. 

“Being sorry every time something happens doesn't erase a mistake. If you can't keep up with the rules, you can stay back home. This clinic doesn't need people who slack off”.

“Miss Hart. You are fired”.

After saying this, Donavin stood up and walked out.

I looked at the woman with a pleading face but she turned away.

“It is your fault. Don't look at me”.

Forget her.

If I get fired by Donavin, not just this clinic. Finding a job anywhere will be difficult.

I ran after him into the parking garage.

His bodyguard shoved me away, shielding him, but before I hit the ground, I grabbed Donavin’s sleeve.

He watched me with cold indifference as I steadied myself, holding onto him.

His eyes were calm, yet they looked calculating in a way I couldn't describe.

“Do you really have a thing for throwing yourself at men?”

I let go of him like I'd been burnt.

“That was…”

“You don't have to explain”. He walked away, towards a black Maybach.

As the bodyguard opened it, I blocked the door with my hand, stopping Donavin from getting in.

“What are you trying to do?”

“Please…let me explain”.

“What is there to explain?”

“I know I was wrong for coming late. I admit. But please…don't fire me. I really need this job”.

“I don't think you do. It is better to give it to someone who is diligent enough and deserves it”.

“I swear, this won't happen again. I've been working here for almost two years. This is the first time”.

“Unfortunately, I am not the type that softens over a few words. Sometimes, people need to understand that things don’t always have to go their way”.

“And I've given you enough time. If you don't move now, I'll order the bodyguard to drag you away”.

I hate to beg. But at a time like this, I was cornered.

“Please…”. My voice trembled. “I am pregnant. I genuinely need this job to take care of my child”.

Even though he was rumored to be heartless, he won't dismiss a pregnant woman, would he? 

I also knew he was currently in search of a surrogate. 

I was gambling on the last piece of card I had left. If he still refused, that would be the end of it.

“Pregnant?” A mocking smile played across his lips.

“Miss Hart. I don't have a memory loss. You were at City centre hospital yesterday for an abortion. Am I right? Don't think playing the damsel in distress will fool me. I find people like you disgusting”.

“I'm not lying. I didn't get an abortion. I'm truly pregnant. You can ask the hospital management. I didn't”.

“What you do with your life is none of my business. You're not worthy of my time. For the last time, move”.

My phone jarred. Easing the tension a little. 

An unfamiliar number.

My brows knitted together. I tried to end the call but accidentally swiped answer.

“Mrs Walker?” The caller from the other end asked.

Immediately, I knew the person had something to do with my past. It would take time to shed the Walker’s name off me. 

“Yes”. I answered flatly. “Who is this?” 

“City centre hospital”.

“Mrs Walker, we made a very big mistake. We are genuinely sorry to tell you that there was a mix-up during the IVF procedure”.

“What do you mean?” My voice pitched. 

“We..”

“Speak”. I snapped.

“The sperm used during the procedure isn't your husband's”.

The phone almost slipped out of my fingers.

“It belongs to…Donavin Prescott. We didn't mean for this to happen”.

Donavin, in front of me, stiffened.

“If you would like, please come to the hospital. We need to talk”.

My vision swayed and I felt the world close around me.