Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

“MOMMY!” 

Sevi’s grin was the first thing I saw when I picked him up from the playground at King Royale Academy.

Five years old and the kid had more energy than a power grid. He was sharp and way ahead of kids his age. He’s already in first grade. 

“How was school?” I kissed his sweaty forehead and both cheeks, then walked him to the nearest bench. 

“I got another gold star, Mommy. Teacher said I’m very good student.” 

“You are a very good student. Turn around, Baby. Let me dry your back.” 

“Teacher said I’m gonna play violin.” 

“Wow!”  I laughed, wiping him down with a small towel. 

“I’m gonna play that song on TV.” His missing front teeth were on full display when he grinned. “You’ll watch, right, Mommy?” 

“Of course.”

“Love you, Mommy.” 

“Love you too, Sevi baby.”

Sevi was the sweetest to anyone he loved. I couldn’t help but realize, again and again, that I would never regret keeping him.

Even with all the sacrifices I had to make and the hardships I went through just to give birth to Sevirious and raise him well.

“You already know how to change your clothes by yourself, right? Put your dirty ones in the basket,” I told him once we got back to our apartment. 

“Yep, Mommy!” He bolted to our room 

I smiled and headed to the kitchen to start dinner. 

“Mommy, Auntie Heath is calling!” Sevi yelled from the bedroom. He came running into the kitchen waving my phone like a tiny air traffic controller. 

“Answer it for me, please.” 

He scrambled up onto a chair like a little monkey, grinning as he picked up the call. 

“Sevi Baby!” my best friend Heather’s sweet voice came through the line.

I leaned over to peek at the screen while holding a handful of vegetables, “Hi! How's the trip?” 

“This is not a vacation, Nesh. Oh my God. I’m so exhausted.” She rolled her eyes and I laughed. I owe this woman I could ever repay. 

She was the one driving the car that almost hit me when I tried to take my own life after Sebastian dumped me and was kicked out by my dad. 

Heather rushed me to the hospital when I passed out. By the time I woke up, she was already gone–but she’d left money and paid the entire bill. I used the money Heather gave me to rent a cheap apartment. It was a huge help while I looked for a job.

I was already heavily pregnant when Heather and I finally met again. She was also a student at St. Benilde College, the same school where I and Sebastian studied. I had spent every last cent of my savings when I gave birth to Sevi. Thank God Heather stepped in. She didn’t even blink when she paid off the huge hospital bill.

"Auntie Heath, I'm gonna play violin. Will you come watch?"

Heather pouted. "Sorry, Sevi Baby. I might still be working that day."

"You work too? I saw on the internet that when people have lots of money, they don't have to work. Your house is big and your cars are really cool. You have lots of money, right, Auntie Heath?"

Heather laughed. Always entertained by my kid. "Auntie has expensive taste, so I have to work. If I run out of money, who's gonna spoil you and your Mommy?"

Sevi nodded seriously, like he'd just received critical intel. "Okay, Auntie. Work hard then. Can we just do a video call? Or watch the video Mommy records?”

I nodded and marked the date on my phone so I wouldn't forget.

After dinner, Sevi was deep sleep while I remained awake. I reached for his little hand and carefully pulled him closer so I could wrap my arms around him.My baby stirred, rubbed his nose against my arm, and went right back to sleep. 

My son was so handsome. I was sure he would have girls chasing after him when he grew up. It wasn’t surprising at all. The “Sperm Donor” had been the ultimate playboy of St. Benilde College back then. Annoyingly good-looking, even I had to admit. 

At least Sevi's face was kinda mix of both of us. Sebastian wouldn't recognize him just by looking at him — not immediately.

The only problem was that Sebastian’s genes seemed too strong. Our son had inherited those striking green eyes.

“I’ll protect you from him,” I whispered. “I will never let that monster of a father hurt you.” 

“AW, NESH.  What is this?” Arnaiz asked when I handed him a small cake the next day. 

“Just a thank you for yesterday.” 

I passed out in the bathroom when I had anxiety attack. Armaiz was the one who carried me to the clinic. 

My body still wasn’t ready for seeing Sebastian again. I wouldn't have wished it in my worst nightmare. Not after what happened that night at the hospital. He had security drag me out, and I looked completely pathetic. 

I hated the entire Rocc family with every fiber of my being.

“It was nothing. It only took a sec—”

“Nesh, the boss is calling for you.” Erika popped in. She’d taken over as the new head of marketing. 

“I’ll be there in a minute. It’s not even eight yet.” 

“He said now. And his eyebrows are doing that thing where they're basically touching." She widened her eyes at me. "He's terrifying, by the way. Don't let the rest of us go down with you."

I had no choice but to head up to the CEO’s floor.

“You’re late, Neshara Mijares,” Sebastian snapped the second I walked in.

He was leaning against my desk, looking polished and irritated at the same time. It wasn’t even morning and his face was already in scowl. 

“Sorry, Sir. It’s not eight yet.” 

“My office hours start at seven. You need to be here before me.” 

I didn’t argue instead, I pulled out the resignation letter I’d written last night. 

“What’s this?” 

“Resignation letter, Sir.” 

The corner of his mouth lifted mockingly. Like I’d just told a joke he didn’t find funny.

“Agnes doesn’t know how to keep her word. She has the audacity to ask for favors from Rocc Corporation when this company is nearly bankrupt.”

I didn’t like the words coming out of his mouth. “You’re lying. MedBrain isn’t bankrupt.”

“I see. She lied to you too.” He nodded slowly, ignoring the fact that I was physically restraining myself from kicking him. “Tell your co-workers to pack their things. They’re all out of job.” 

“What?” 

He held up my resignation letter. “I'm not satisfied with what Agnes left behind. And I won't be granting any of the favors she asked for."

My jaw dropped as he went inside his office. 

No. No, no, no. 

What would I even tell Agnes if she found out I let the company that took a chance on me go down? The same company that hired me even though I never finished college. When I was desperate for work, MedBrain was the only one that gave me a shot.

I bit my lip, sat down at my station, opened the computer and sent Sebastian an IM. 

A few seconds later, his cold voice came through the intercom. 

“I need my schedule.” 

I didn’t want to be anywhere near Sebastian, but what choice did I have? I just had to stick it out until he found a permanent secretary. It would only be a few days. 

Sebastian Rocc looked every inch the powerful CEO as he sat in the large swivel chair.

The bastard still had that undeniable charisma.

"At lunch, you have a meeting with Mr. Volazo regarding the lab reconstruction," I said, keeping my voice flat and professional while standing in front of his desk.

"Cancel my Friday afternoon appointment."

I nodded and crossed it off the schedule. That happened to be the same day as Sevi's school event. Nice coincidence.

"Do you have plans that day, Sir?"

He didn't answer so I looked up and found him staring at me. Just staring. One hand spinning a pen between his fingers like he had all the time in the world.

I bit my tongue. "I-I mean, if you have another meeting somewhere and need me to assist."

"None, Mijares." His lips barely moved when he spoke. What was he looking at? The way he stared, you'd think he hadn't ruined my entire life.

"Anything else, Sir?"

He tilted his head. "How's the baby?"