Chapter 3

Daniella POV

I went home, so eager to call Aunt lily and then tell Lilian to come home to tell them About the wonderful news. I haven’t told aunt lily about Jake betrayal yet and I intended to keep it like that. 

“Aunt lily “ I screamed through the phone not hiding my excitement and joy. Ooh my lovely Elle how are you doing and why do you want to hurt my already old eardrums with your screaming dear she said laughing through the phone. Ooh aunty I have missed you so much and I also have good news for you I said while trying to microwave some left over macaroni from yesterday since I forgot to eat while rushing for my interview earlier today. And what’s the good news dear Aunt lily said not being able to control her curiosity over the phone. Aunty I finally got a job at a very big and popular company as the boss secretary I screamed once again and heard aunty laugh through the phone .

Ooh my darling I’m so happy for you my aunt said not able to control her excitement and joy through the phone. Your designed for greatness and this is just the beginning for you my dear. 

Your parents would be so proud of how far you’ve come and I’m proud of you also my dear. Her voice held a trace of sadness at the mention of my parents.

We spoke about a lot and we wished ourselves merry Christmas before ending the call. 

After we ended the call, I called Lilian to come home since she didn’t come home from the party of yesterday and I told her I had a huge news for her and she said she’ll be home in 10. 

I had already eaten and was watching a movie when I heard Lilian voice from the doorway screaming my name. Bitch couldn’t even wait to see me before she started screaming .

She ran towards me and hugged me telling me how much she has missed me like she didn’t see me yesterday.

“Lilian you’re just being dramatic we literally saw each other before the party gurll. 

Speaking of party Ella, I heard what Jake did to you. I’m so sorry you had to find out like that babe. He’s just a jerk and he’s so lucky he didn’t bother showing. I would have kicked him so hard where the sun doesn’t shine and teach him never to play with my best friend she said while putting her hand into a fist.

It’s fine Iilian beside let’s leave jack and talk about the good news gurll. She squealed like a baby and urged me to talk.

I applied for a job at sterling wealth enterprises and I got it girl I’m literally the boss secretary bitch. I said laughing and smiling so hard.

Girl I’m so happy for you honestly gosh we need to go for shopping bitch you’re not going to start your work dressing like that a mother of four. We’re talking about the boss here bitch like the actual fucking CEO of the sterling company. We’re going shopping now and I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll order the ride go get ready bitch .

And before I knew it I’m being dragged into my room to get dressed for our shopping. 

We went out that afternoon. The mall lights were bright. Lilian moved from rack to rack with sharp focus.

“This one is good,” Lilian said, lifting a simple black skirt. “You look neat and serious in this.”

They picked shirts. They picked shoes. They picked a small work bag. Lilian made jokes.  I tried to relax. But deep inside, a quiet fear sat there. A feeling I just couldn’t name.

That night, I laid my new clothes on the chair and whispered to myself .

“I’ll be fine.”

Monday came.

The office was large and quiet. Everything smelled clean. The sound of footsteps echoed through the hall. I walked to my desk right outside Ryder’s office.

Files were already waiting for me .

So many.

I took a breath and got to work.

Hours passed. My eyes burned. My fingers hurt. But I still kept reading. Signing. Arranging. Typing. Every time I thought I was almost done, someone dropped more work on my desk. It was frustrating but I just had to overlook it . This wasn’t how I thought my first day would look like but I’ll adjust to it. 

Rider came out of his office once. His eyes brushed past me like I wasn’t even there. No greeting. No warmth. Just silence.

My chest tightened, but I just  continued working.

Day after day, it was the same.

I stayed late. Lights off in most parts of the building. The city outside dark. My desk still full. Rider never said thank you. He never asked if I was tired. He gave me orders like I was a stranger in his world. Sometimes, when I looked at him through the glass, it felt like he was angry at me for breathing the same air.

I just couldn’t understand why and it was getting frustrating.

By the end of the week, my shoulders ached,  my head throbbed and my heart felt heavy.

One night, I finally made it home a little bit earlier than usual and just  dropped onto the couch. Tears filled my eyes before I could even stop them.

Lilian rushed to my  side.

“What’s the matter?” she asked softly.

I covered my face with both hands. My voice shaky.

“I am trying,“I work and work and work”. He looks at me like I do not belong there. I feel like nothing. I am tired. I do not know how long I can do this.”

Lilian wrapped her arms around her and held her close.

I cried. Not loud. Just quiet tears that came from deep inside. The room felt small. The world felt heavy.

And for the first time since I had gotten the job, I  let myself break.

Lilian stayed beside me.

She did not leave. She just stayed quiet and let me get everything off my chest. After about 30minutes of me crying, she helped me get up and freshen up for bed. Brought me dinner and told me to get some rest. Ensuring me everything would be alright and still slept beside me to make me more comfortable and I let the darkness take over me.