One evening, during the restaurant evening rush, I weaved between tables, balancing a tray stacked with orders. It was a holiday, so many patrons were in the restaurant. The smell of expensive cologne was almost overwhelming; I sniffed as I walked by a table with a powerful scent.
'I might be allergic to something here.' I thought, blinking the water coming out of my smarting eyes.
A sudden collision sent the tray crashing down—plates and drinks clattering loudly. Gasps echoed through the room as patrons turned toward the commotion.
Heat flooded my cheeks; humiliation surged as the entire restaurant fell into a tense silence. I felt the icy stares and condescending comments and heard the stifled laughter, and it cut deeper than the shards on the floor.
"Out of the way, clumsy!" a customer sneered, stepping over the mess without a glance.
My hands shook as I scrambled to clean up. Tears welled in my eyes; I felt insignificant; my pride shattered alongside the broken dishes.
A colleague came to help me with the broken dishes while another mopped up the mess.
I could see my boss's face from across the room.
Fuck, I was definitely going to get torn into today.
"Briana, you're bleeding! Go get your hand checked."
"Yeah, we'll take care of it, OK?"
Later, in the break room, my boss, Mr. Granger, was waiting, his face filled with disapproval.
"What the hell was that, Summers?" he barked, his voice sharp and demanding.
"I-I'm so sorry, sir. It was an accident. I'll clean it up," I stuttered, my cheeks burning.
"Cleaning won't fix this," Mr Granger snapped. "You're a liability. You're done here."
My heart plummeted. "Please, Mr. Granger, I have a son to support. I'll do better," I pleaded, desperation seeping into my voice.
"Promises won't undo this mess," he retorted coldly, sealing my fate.
Panic squeezed my chest as I packed my belongings, bleeding hands stinging. Tears blur my vision. My dignity was bruised, and my future was uncertain.
I stopped by the emergency room to check my hands and bandage up.
I cried all the way home, head aching. I paced back and forth in my cramped apartment; once again, Jayden's business card burned a hole in my mind. I'd tossed it onto the table when I got home, hoping to ignore it, but it taunted me, teasing me with an offer that could change everything.
"I can't do this," I muttered, my steps quickening in agitation. I toyed with my phone, contemplating whether to call. I no longer had a job. How would I keep up?
'Hell, I don't know if he'll want me back after all that. What was the guarantee he hasn't given someone else the job?'
My mind conjured up desperate excuses to avoid Jayden.
My finger hovered over the "call" button, then hesitated, pulling back. Guilt gnawed at me—backing out of commitments wasn't my style. But Leo's picture on the mantelpiece kept prickling my consciousness.
"I can't let Leo down," I whispered. I'll look for another job and take four if necessary.
Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes, bracing myself for what lay ahead. This meeting with Jayden—could be a mistake or a leap of faith. But for Leo, I'd go to any length. With a drained sigh, I pocketed the card and went to get Leo from Sophie's. Heaven knows I'd need all my strength for this job hunt.
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That evening, while preparing dinner, Leo suddenly fell ill. His fever spiked overnight and only kept getting worse. Frantic, I rushed him to the hospital, where they discovered a severe infection that required immediate treatment.
I sat by Leo's hospital bed in the sterile, lit room. Watching him sleep fitfully, hooked up to machines and monitors, my resolve crumbled.
'Why is this happening today of all days.'
My bandaged hands pulsed with dull pain as I tried to massage my aching head.
Looking at him, so small and vulnerable, made me realise I couldn't do it alone. I had been managing, but now, faced with my child's health crisis, I needed help, not for myself but for Leo.
As I gazed at his pale face, I questioned every decision that led to this moment. Had my pride caused this? If I had just accepted Jayden's offer earlier, would Leo be in this condition?
In desperation, I pulled out my phone and dialled Jayden's number. My finger trembled as I waited for him to pick up. I knew when to admit defeat. I needed his help, and for the sake of my child, I was willing to set aside my pride.
The call connected after seemingly an eternity, and Jayden's voice, calm yet tinged with curiosity, filled my ear.
"Briana? To what do I owe the pleasure?"
A sob escaped me, betraying my distress. Was I really doing this?
"Briana, are you crying? Where are you?" His tone shifted from poised to concerned; I could hear fabric rustling
in the background.
"It's nothing. I'm fine," I forced out between shuddering breaths. "Is the job still available?"
There was a pause, and his response was cautious and measured.
"Ria, answer me. Where are you?"
"Fuck! It's nothing! Why do you care? Is the job open or not?!" I shouted, scrubbing my face harshly.
Leo shifted in bed, and I hastily turned to face him. 'Did I wake him?'
There was silence on the line, and for a moment, I thought he had hung up.
"Jay—"
"Yes, come by my office tomorrow, let's talk."
"I'll be there," my heart felt like it fell to the ground, and I stroked Leo's soft curls.
"Fuck. Don't worry. I'll be there on time."
As the call ended, I turned fully to Leo and stroked his short curls gently. This call gave me a mix of relief and fear. I had made the difficult decision to reach out to Jayden, and now our paths were about to meet again, unintentionally, due to the shared well-being of our child.
Sitting there, absorbing the room's silence, my thoughts swirled. Would Jayden really help? Could I trust him after all that had transpired between us? The possibility of facing him, of reopening those old wounds, filled me with apprehension.
The next day couldn't have arrived any faster. Every ticking second felt like an eternity as I approached Jayden's office. I paused at the door, taking deep breaths to calm my nerves before I mustered the courage to knock. Leaving Leo behind at the hospital was tough, but I wanted to ensure our future with this meeting. The atmosphere was tense as I entered. Sitting behind his imposing desk, Jayden looked up with that unreadable gaze of his. Jayden's expression remained unreadable, but he gestured for me to take a seat. I sat across from him, the room filled with an almost unbearable silence. This office was filled with memories that almost felt sinful; I shifted uncomfortably. I feared he might ask why I called him crying so late at night. I tucked my hair behind my ear and nibbled my lip, a nervous tic of mine. His eyes followed my movement intensely. I couldn't help but feel exposed. He always had a way of knowing what I was thinking. Finally, Jayden broke the silence, his voice
BRIANNA It had been my day off, so I decided to stroll by the riverbank, allowing myself a moment of introspection. The air was crisp, and the distant hum of the city faded into the background. Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the faint call of my name until it was right behind me. “Brianna?” The voice sounded hesitant, unsure if I was the one they were looking for. I turned, narrowing my eyes at the silhouette approaching me. A woman clad in worn-out clothes stepped into the fading sunlight. As she drew closer, I recognized her tear-streaked face — my mother?! “Brianna!” she exclaimed, her voice seemingly mixed with surprise and joy. Without warning, she engulfed me in a tight embrace, and for a moment, I stood frozen, the shock of her sudden appearance stunning me. “I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered as she pulled back, her teary eyes searching mine. Confusion flashed across my face, prompting me to pull away, studying her with disbelief and guarded caution. “How did y
BRIANNA The next day at work, I tried to focus on my tasks, but my mind kept drifting back to the encounter with my mother. My phone buzzed on the desk, interrupting my thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I saw my mother's name flashing. I peeked at Jayden, who was engrossed on his screen. I wasn't sure he would let me pick up the call. I swiped it and returned to work, thinking, 'Maybe I'll call back later.' The phone started ringing again, and I decided to mute it. I looked up and found Jayden staring at me. "Aren't you going to take that?" he asked. "It's not important," I said, pushing it aside. We both continued to work, but the phone kept vibrating. "Pick your call, Brianna, it's fine," Jayden waved me off. I took a deep breath and stepped outside Jayden's office to answer the call. "Hey, Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my voice steady. "Brianna, sweetheart! How have you been?" my mother's voice echoed through the phone, a hint of genuine concern in her tone. "I'm managing,
JAYDEN As I stepped out of my sleek black car, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the city. The click of my Italian leather shoes echoed through the marble foyer. In the expansive living room, my half-brother, Ethan, reclined on a couch, engrossed in his tablet. The two brothers nodded. “Long day at the office, Jay?” Ethan asked, not looking up from his device. “You have no idea,” I replied, loosening my tie as I moved further into the manor. My mother, Eleanor Steele, stood at the top of the stairs, an imposing figure with a stern countenance. Her disdain for Ethan, my half-brother, was apparent, a constant reminder of the infidelity that had fractured our family. “Jayden,” Eleanor nodded, her piercing gaze assessing me. “Mother,” I replied with a curt nod, keeping my composure. Ethan’s eyes flickered between us, silently observing. He knew his presence was the reason for a lot of our disagreements. I moved towards the stairs, the air heavy with tens
BRIANNA I had returned to work. Most of the day was spent in the office, so I didn’t have to deal with the bitches downstairs. Jayden seemed swamped with some proposals, so we were busy. After endless papers and clauses, Jayden finally decided the proposals were perfect. I stretched as I walked away from the table, looking for something to drink. I glanced at the time and frowned. It was almost closing hour. Just how many papers did we go through? “Brianna?” Jayden called from his desk, dark eyes meeting mine as I looked up. “Yes?” He stared at my outfit for a few minutes, seemingly thinking about something. “What is it?” I asked, shifting on my feet. “We have a meeting at The Rutherford Tower in a few minutes. Get what you need; we’ll be closing from there,” he finally responded. “Oh, okay,” I said. Now I was looking at my outfit. The Rutherford Tower was an upscale skyscraper immersive restaurant in the most expensive suburb of the city. I rushed to the toilet to see what I co
BRIANNA "I've been searching for you, Brianna," he said with a grin that revealed too much confidence. "Wasn't sure it was you at first. You've changed a lot." The blood drained from my face as I stared at him in shock. It was Luke, my ex-boyfriend from years ago. The memories of our toxic relationship flooded back, and I instinctively tried to pull my hand away. His grip tightened, and I winced, the pressure bruising my skin. "You shouldn't have come here," I managed to choke out, my eyes locked onto his. "Couldn't stay away, could I? Missed you, babe," Luke continued, his cold and predatory eyes tracing over me possessively. Fear coursed through my veins as I assessed my surroundings, searching for an escape route, an ally—anything. The restaurant's patrons continued their oblivious chatter, and it seemed no one paid attention to the waiter or the poorly dressed woman caught in an uncomfortable situation. "And Leo, too. How's our little guy?" Luke's voice lowered, sending a chi
BRIANNAThe kiss caught me off guard, its suddenness and intensity leaving me breathless. Jayden's lips pressed against mine, a surprising warmth enveloping me. But just as quickly as it began, he pulled away, leaving me slightly dizzy. I couldn't deny the flutter in my chest that the kiss had ignited. He didn't let go, and I didn't want him to. His hand stayed on my waist, holding me flush against him. I rested my head against Jayden's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. It lulled me into a warm sense of safety. We stood in the elevator, his arms around me, a comforting strength in his hold. The elevator chimed, and the doors opened to reveal the bustling lobby. Jayden led me towards the exit where the car was already waiting, still holding my hand. The ride back to wherever Jayden was taking me was silent. I stole glances at his profile, dishevelled appearance, and the blood splatters on his shirt—he had stepped up for me without hesitation. Sitting beside me, Jayde
BRIANNA As I lay in bed that night, I couldn’t help but think about all that had happened. Back when... I never expected to see Luke again, and certainly not this way. Our relationship had started so well. He had come into my life soon after I found out I was pregnant with Leo. He had been nothing but kind and supportive, making sure I didn’t fall into depression from overthinking. We went places I had never thought of going and tried new things together. We even decorated the nursery together. There were certain things he did that were a bit untoward, like having the final say, trying to isolate me from friends and coworkers, saying things like “Oh, I just want it to be the two of us,” or “I’m your best friend; you don’t need anyone else,” Luke’s once-charming demeanour became overshadowed by possessiveness, and his eyes betrayed a simmering rage beneath the surface—one moment, showering affection; the next, succumbing to an explosive rage over trivial matters. As our relationshi