TORI' POV.
I was exhausted. I've been cleaning and serving for about 7 hours straight without a break. I needed a bonus so I could pay Clyde, my landlord. I needed to pay rent for two months since I skipped paying it last month. Then I had to pay the bills. I also needed money for groccery since i was running short. I also needed money for Dahlia's upkeep. I needed a lot of money and I know being a waitress could never pay well enough for all this. I had to find another job as soon as possible. For now, I just have to work extra hours so I could get a raise in my salary. Working at RICO'S was good. At least I was guaranteed of free breakfast and lunch. This helped me to save enough money. Thank goodness my baby Dahlia wasn't a materialistic child. She understood at a young age that things never came to lazy people. I was blessed with the sweetest child ever. A smile made its way to my lips as I thought of my baby who was fast asleep. She was the only family I had. She was my everything. All this hardwork was for her. I was determined to give her the best in life.
"Tori sweetheart, could you do me another favour?" I turned around and met Rico, the young owner of this restaurant. He was charming no doubt.
I smiled up at him. "Sure thing, sir."
He gave me an intense look. "I've told you one million times to call me Rico. What's up with this sir bullshit?"Okay. Rico has been asking me out for some time now. He's a great guy but I'm totally not interested in dating. My number one interest is giving my daughter a good life. Rico told me to call him by his name but I know I can't since it'll raise a lot of suspicion on me by friends. My co-workers were the only friends I had since they were the only people I spent time with. I never had time to waste on frienship outside work.
"I'm not calling you by your name, sir. What can I do for you?" I asked. He needed to see my determination so that I could get a double raise.
He scoffed. "Fine. When you're done with cleaning this room, go to H&M and get the shoes I purchased. I already paid for it under my name." He said sounding professional.
"I sure will." I replied and watched him walk away. He was such a good boss. I felt bad that I had to look for a new job since the money I got from this one wasn't enough.
I hurriedly mopped and got ready to go. I walked over to the makeshift bed I made for Dahlia and tapped her lightly. "Sweetie."
She yawned and rubbed her big baby blue eyes, smiling at me. "Mommy is it time to leave already?" She asked in that sweet and innocent four year old voice.
I smiled down at her. "Nope,but we're going somewhere. When we come back, we can go home and I'll make you some mac 'n cheese."
This seemed to get her attention as she quickly stood up and hugged me. Oh, my sweet baby. "Thank you mommy."
Together, we walked down the street to H&M. Once I got there, filled in all the required information and got Rico's shoe. I noticed Dahlia looking at the ice cream shop across the street.
"Do you want some ice cream sweetie?" I asked her.
She shook her head sadly. "No mommy, we need the money to give Clyde."
My heart melted at her words. She understood our financial situation and was less demanding. I fake laughed. "Who said so? We don't owe Clyde a penny. Come on, let's get you some ice cream."
I got her her favourite flavour of ice cream. Vanilla. I never had enough money for two cones. We slowly walked back to RICO'S and he gave me $50 for running his errand. Rico never minded that I brought Dahlia to work. As a matter of fact, he loved her. I thanked him a lot then packed my stuff and headed home.
____________I looked at Dahlia's sleeping form and refused to let the tears run down again. I wasn't going to leave her like he did to me. He hurt me so bad and it was even worse since Dahlia looked a lot like him. He was history. He was a closed case. Dahlia and I are fine without him or anyone and we'd always be fine. I curse the day I met him.
TORI'S POVI woke up at the sound of my alarm. That is my worst sound. I grudgingly walk towards my bathroom and freshen up. I really hate waking up this early but what I hate most is waking up my daughter, disturbing her from her sweet sleep. It's even worse considering she's a deep sleeper.I tap her shoulder lightly while placing a kiss on her cheek. "Waky waky sleepy head."She doesn't shake for even a second. Great. Now I have to carry her to the bathroom and give her a shower when she's asleep. I really don't know how I do it. Four years ago, i could have swore I was never going to be a mom till I was 25 but here I am, giving motherhood my best shot.Once I carried my little bundle of joy up, she smiled and whispered a small 'good morning mommy'.I put her down and took off her dress, placing her in the tub filled with warm water. I had to work extra hard to keep
I couldn't sleep at night. Dahlia's words kept ringing in my mind and I couldn't keep my tears from rolling down. Oh Ian, what did you do to me? "I just want to have a daddy like other kids."I knew that deep down, she felt the emptiness of not having a father. I was doing my best and God knows that. If only he was here. I refused to dwell in that fact. If he left, then it means he did not want anything to do with the baby.I wiped a tear that slipped out as I looked at Dahlia's sleeping form. Was my love not enough for her? The heavens know I'm doing my best for her. Maybe she needs more than I'm offering. With that thought in mind, I took out my old laptop and clicked on the job application I saw earlier. I. W. R Corporation. The upfront picture of the building was so large. I wonder if they would take me in as a worker in their café since their pay is so high. $1500 per month. It was go
TORI'S POV.So here I am, standing in front of my mirror wearing a black skirt and blue button up top. Is my butt too pronounced? I hope not because that always seem to attract men. I was by nature very curvy in all the right places. A few years back, I'd have boasted of my body by wearing skin tight clothes but presently, all that teenage excitement is gone. I paired my outfit with my black flat sandals and black purse.My spirit suddenly dampened. I wasn't sure if I was ready to leave Dahlia with Finn. Not like he minded anyways, but this would be the first time I'll be far away from her and this feeling was traumatizing. Maybe I should just quit this new job and manage the salary I get from RICO'S. But that won't help me or Dahlia in anyway."You look beautiful mommy." I heard her say from the bed. She'd been acting all big girl lately and I knew she was also nervous to stay witho
IAN'S POV.________________________________________I looked at my watch, it was past 4 already and I still had a pile of documents I had to go through. Shit, Alyssa was going to be furious if I went home late. My intercom buzzed."Sir, Mr. Reynolds's here to see you." I heard Jenny, my P.A's voice.Oh Zach. I knew once he got here, we were gonna talk for a long time and I wasn't going to get much work done. "Yeah Jenny, let him in."My door burst open and I rolled my eye at his lack of respect. "You should knock next time.""I know Alyssa's at home so there's no need knocking since I know you won't be busy giving her some. "I laughed. When Zach came back from Germany last here, he needed to settle down. I thought he was going to have his own restaurant but he decided to work here in my companies kitchen. However, he cooked for important events round
"Mommy stop crying, you're not gonna look pretty if you keep up with that." Dahlia told me for about the one millionth time. But how could you not cry when you the only man you ever truly loved and the only man who hurt you most in the whole wide world?I nodded sadly at my little baby girl. If only she knew who the guy she bumped into at the mall is. Another tear rolled out."But you're still crying mommy. Please stop crying already. Pretty please." Her always cheerful voice was gone and in its place was sadness.I hugged my baby so tight. "It huets so much Dahlia. It hurts like a stab right in my forehead."She pulled away a little and gave me a confused look. "What hurts mommy? I was the one who fell down and got hurt yet you're the one doing the crying? "I let out a sad laugh at her cuteness. It was very contagious. "Its nothing baby. "How about we get some ice cr
TORI'S POV.So I followed Zach to his office quietly. Its was so big and spacious and nice. Black leather chairs and a coffee table. Ithought he's just a chef here.'.... I heard he's even cousins with the big boss.... 'I remembered Maria's voice. No doubt. He looks rich. But why would he choose to be a chef? Its not like I had aproblem with it. He just really looked like a model."Have a seat."I re
I couldn't decline his offer even though I really wanted to because the guy displayed that one in a million smile. "Fine.We can go when I get out of this uniform. And for you're own good, I'd let you know before time that Dahlia eats a lot."He chuckled. "That's fine with me, I eat a lot too so we'd bond faster. I'd also change too, we can meet up at the front infive minutes." He said and walked out. I couldn't help but stare at his gorgeous physique. If he works out a little more,he's gonna reach Ian's level.So now you're comparing both men.No. I'm not. I rolled m
TORI'S POV"Do you have a reservation here sir?" A man asked as we stepped in. This place was the bomb. I can't remember the lasttime I stepped into a restaurant this beautiful.Uh, maybe four years ago with your family who abandoned you cause you got pregnant at 18?Great! Just great inner girl. Way to ruin the day. I was driven out of my reverie once Zach placed his palms on my backand we started moving to a table at the end of the room. At least we were going to have some privacy. I ignored thedisapproving stares I got from these rich people and continued walk