Chapter 7

The meeting finally ended. So apparently, he visited not to hire a secretary—but to lay out the new project and assign roles.

I still remember how the atmosphere shifted the moment he walked in. His cold and fierce demeanor thinned out the oxygen and shrank the room. Leviticus Foster didn’t need to raise his voice—his presence alone was enough to pin everyone in place.

But during the entire meeting, I couldn’t help but be bothered feeling his gaze on me. As if he was checking something.

Every time I feel those gray eyes of his sweep my direction, I could feel the heat crawling up my neck and my palms sweating. Which is why a sigh of relief fell upon me once the meeting ended.

“The CEO is so handsome and scary at the same time, isn’t he?”

Erica suddenly popped up beside me. I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Oh my god, Erica!” I clutched my chest. “Can you stop popping out of nowhere?”

Erica stifled a laugh and smirk, locking her elbows with mine. “Come on. Be honest. He’s handsome and scary, right?:

“I agree with the latter,” I said, trying to sound casual.

“What about the handsome part?” She said, raising her eyebrow and narrowing her eyes as if she was analyzing my thoughts. “Don’t tell me he doesn’t suit your type.”

I hesitated. Of course he was handsome. Anyone who sees him would say so. That man looks like every woman’s dream husband—rich, CEO, and handsome. But admitting that out loud? No thank you.

“He’s okay,” I mumbled.

Erica clutched her chest and gasped dramatically. “Okay? Vera, are you blind?”

Before I could even defend myself, our manager’s loud voice cut through the office.

“Let’s have dinner tonight to celebrate!”

Cheers echoed throughout the room and everyone was buzzing with excitement. Some people clapped. Some people cheered. And some people stopped with their tracks.

“Oh my god, Vera! Let’s go!” Erica beamed in excitement, grabbing my arm and bouncing it lightly.

“I think I’ll pass,” I said quickly. My whole body felt like it was about to give up. “I’m exhausted.”

Her excitement earlier collapsed instantly. “Eh? Why?” Erica pouted so hard as I felt her disappointment radiating. “We rarely get chances like this.”

“I know,” I said softly, patting her arms. “But I really just want to rest. I promise to go next time though.”

She sighed and drooped her shoulders. “Fine.”

“But… enjoy the night, okay?” I said, giving her a tired smile.

Erica brightened a little. “I will. And you—take a proper rest, okay?”

I just nodded and gave her a smile.

As she jogged back to the group, preparing to leave, I exhaled slowly. Today’s events exhausted me so much and I just wanted to go home and rest.

My hand instinctively went to my stomach, discretely resting over the tiny person growing inside me. I could almost feel the flutter of movement—or probably my imagination since the baby’s too young yet—but either way, it made my chest tighten with both affection and fear.

“Mommy’s sorry, okay?” I whispered. “You and I, as well as your auntie Amara, will have a feast at home.”

—---

I opened the door to our apartment, only to be greeted by Amara’s panicked and frustrated expression. Her eyebrows were knitted and irritation was visible throughout her face as she looked at the paper she’s currently holding.

“What’s up with that expression?” I said, raising an eyebrow.

“That landlord again! She raised the rent!” Amara hissed, slamming the paper onto the kitchen counter. “This is the fourth time this year! That greedy old hag!”

I sighed, moving closer. “Let me see.” I grabbed the paper from the counter, scanning the numbers quickly. My stomach sank with the new prices. A couple hundred dollars more?

I flopped onto the couch, rubbing my temples with what I’ve read. “The rooms aren’t even that good,” I muttered, irritation lacing my voice.

Amara threw herself into the chair in front of me, folding both of her arms aggressively. “How dare she raise it again! We’re barely able to pay and keep up as it is!”

I leaned forward, tracing the numbers with my finger. Great. Just when I thought today couldn’t get any worse.

“Should we find a new apartment now?” I asked.

Amara groaned, leaned her back, and thought. “I don’t know. I’ll try to ask my mom if she could send over a few bucks.”

She suddenly straightened up as if a lightbulb had flickered above her head and hurriedly grabbed her phone. Without hesitation, she dialed a number. It barely rang twice before someone picked up,

“Hello, Ma?” Amara greeted, beam flashing on her face and voice instantly bright,

I watched her closely. I couldn’t hear what the person on the other line was saying, but the way Amara kept nodding too fast and forcing out chuckles told me that whatever the other person was saying—it was definitely not good.

Meanwhile, my hand drifted to my stomach again—an unconscious habit at this point whenever I feel stressed. A pang of worry immediately shot me. The rent increase—possible eviction—the baby, and the baby daddy that I haven’t talked to yet piled up on top of me like a stack of bricks.

Maybe… maybe I should come clean and tell Leviticus. The thought alone made me exhausted even more and just wanted to disappear, but what other choice do I even have now? If it’s for the baby, then I will do it.

Amara ended the call, her face instantly dropping the smile. She turned to me slowly.

“V…Vera…” Her voice was shaky.

“Hm? Why? You’re making me nervous.” I said, trying to ease the tension.

“My parents…” She swallowed hard. “They got mad. Really mad. When I told them about the rent increase, they said they didn’t want me struggling anymore and—” her voice cracked, “ —they’re planning to make me live with them instead.”

Sadness flashed over me as I heard the news. I froze. I couldn’t blame her parents at all. Whose parents in the right mind would want their child to struggle?

“When… when are they coming to get you?” I asked, trying to hide the sadness laced in my voice.

“Next week. Probably.” Her eyes glistened before she blinked it away. “And I’m worried, Vera. What about you… and little pea?

I’m worried either. I’m not sure how I will be able to do this. I have to look for an apartment with cheap rent and move to it as soon as possible

“I… I don’t know,” I admitted, voice shaking lightly. “But—but we’ll be okay. We’ll manage.”

That was a lie. And Amara’s face tells me that she saw right through it.

Without any second thought, Amara lunged at me and pulled me into a tight hug. “You don’t have to pretend, okay?” she whispered. “I promise… I’ll help you and little pea to find a new place. Both of you won’t face it alone. I’ll still come and visit.”

I let out a small laugh and hugged her back. “I know you won’t leave us,” I mumbled. “You won’t survive without your best friend anyway.”

“Hey—!” she shoved me lightly and laughed. “How did you know?”

“Of course,” I snickered. “I’m your best friend after all.”

And just like that, the heaviness lifted. It was slightly, but at least the tension eased.