I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY

JADE

Once the door was pushed open and Max's father walked into the room, I leaned my body against the wall, pretending to be dizzy.

"What happened?" he ran toward me in surprise. "Are you okay?"

"My head hurts, and I feel dizzy," I lied.

He held my shoulders and led me toward a chair to sit down, "What are you doing here?"

I hesitated for a while before saying, "I came in here to mop but suddenly...."

"What?" Anderson's voice was loud as he interrupted me. "You came in here to mop? Who allowed you to take such a risk?"

"No, it's not like...."

"This is not acceptable," he interrupted me again without letting me speak."

"Agatha!" he yelled.

The maid who had been assigned to me ran into the room when she heard her name. Behind her was Stacy and Max who seemed to have heard Anderson's voice as well.

"What is the meaning of this?" Anderson questioned the maid. "Why would you ask her to mop my room when you know her condition?"

"No, I didn't ask her," Agatha quickly replied.

"You're fired. Pack your things and get out of my house," he declared.

"Hold on, please," I interjected, stopping him. "Please don't do that, Mr. Anderson. I'm very sorry. It wasn't her fault; it was my fault."

"What do you mean? She has a responsibility to take care of you. She should not even let you pick up a pin, but she sent you to my room to mop!"

"No, Mr. Anderson, that's not what happened. She didn't send me here to mop. I was the one who told her I wanted to mop because I was bored. She refused but I insisted until she gave in. I chose your room because I wanted to do something nice for you."

"Why? You are six months pregnant, Jade. You should not be doing anything strenuous," Anderson responded.

"I'm sorry, sir" I apologized.

Stacy, stared at me with disdain as I explained further, "I'm used to working. For as long as I can remember, I've always had a job. Even with my pregnancy, I've worked in different restaurants, cleaning, cooking, and serving guests. I had no idea that doing this would make me dizzy. Please don't fire Agatha; she warned me not to come here. I won't be able to forgive myself if she loses her job because of me."

As he heard my words, Anderson finally became calm and said to Agatha, "Do not let this happen again."

Turning to Max, he said, "Take Jade to her room so she can rest."

I heaved a sigh of relief as Agatha hurried out of the room and Max led me back to my room. He gently made me sit on the bed and right when he was about to leave, tears began to roll down my cheeks.

Upon seeing me crying, Max sat beside me on the bed and asked, "Are you still dizzy? Why are you crying?"

"I'm sorry," I sniffled. "I don't want to cry but I almost got Agatha fired because I'm full of bad luck. I feel so terrible."

"Do not say such things, Jade," he told me. "You're carrying my children in your womb so how can you be full of bad luck? Do not say that again."

I looked at him and more tears poured down my eyes, "You wouldn't understand, Max. My life has always been unfortunate from birth.

My mom died while giving birth to me. Ten years later, my dad ran away with a wealthy woman, leaving me in the care of his sister who took out her frustration on me. She never let me forget that I was the reason she was poor and I brought bad luck to her and her son.

I had to start working at the age of fourteen. Even then, I had dreams for my future. I met Henry and he became the very breath I took. We started dating in high school and his mum supported our relationship.

We planned to go to college together but I had to stay back and work so he started without me. We planned to spend the rest of our lives together afterward, at least, that was what he told me.

Then he fell sick and needed fifty thousand dollars for his surgery. I couldn't watch him die and desperately ran to my boss, begging him to pay me upfront.

He refused instantly and then I got to hear that you wanted a girl for the night who was a virgin. I refused when my boss asked me but my colleague, Cass, convinced me and that's how I ended up in your bed that night.

The cheque you left for me, I gave it to Henry's mom and she cashed it. I had to stop working at the club because the news of what I did with you had spread like wildfire.

After he got better, Henry dumped me and began to date Cass. She told him I had been sleeping around and that's how I got the money for his treatment.

I tried to explain but his mind was made up. I asked for the balance of the money but he had spent it on getting a brand new SUV.

I burned the car in anger and he called the cops on me. He wanted to send me to jail and even his mum who had begged me to do whatever I could to save his life back then, slapped me and called me a whore.

I was finally released from jail but I had lost my new job at the restaurant where I worked. I went back home but my aunt kicked me out of the house.

I kept searching until I finally got a job that came with accommodation. However, I began to feel sick and learned I was pregnant. At the time, I thought it was just one baby and I wanted to get rid of it but I couldn't.

How can a mother kill her own child? You know, separating a mom from her child is really cruel. For a mother, it is a terrible fate, and for a child.... who would understand it better than me? I decided to give my child a chance to live and experience my love as a mother but I got blessed with three.

But life became harder for me. As I got far along, I lost my job and no longer had a place to stay. I went back to my aunt but she shamed me and turned me away.

I ended up here, in front of your gate because I was willing to do anything to protect my children and bring them safely into this world but my bad luck keeps getting in the way.

Today, a maid almost got fired because of me. What further problems would my presence here bring?"

I broke down in tears as I said the last part and Max surprised me by pulling me into his arms and hugging me.

"Shh," he rubbed my back gently. "I'm sorry, Jade. I never knew you went through so much. As for Agatha, you stopped her from getting fired, so don't feel terrible. How can the mother of my children be full of bad luck?

He cupped my face and wiped my tears with his thumbs, "Don't cry anymore. I want you to be happy so our children will be happy too.

If you ever feel bored or feel like talking to someone, I promise to lend you a listening ear. I will keep you company and I will assist you in whatever way I can. Do not try to do any hard work and remember this; you are bringing three adorable children into this world. That makes you very important, okay?"

I nodded, "Thank you very much, Max. Your words have really made me feel better."

Afterward, Max got up and left my room. A sly smile appeared on my face after he left and I got up and locked the door.

I took out all the money I had stolen and hid it where no one else would find it. After that, I unlocked my door and sat back on my bed.

Although everything I had told Max was the truth, I had intentionally cried to divert his attention and stir his emotions.

I laid on the bed and rubbed my belly as I thought, "Max, Mr. Anderson, and Stacy, you guys can keep plotting but, I will beat you all at your own game."