Chapter 5: New Beginnings

TRICIA

As I stepped out of Damon’s sleek black car, the cool evening breeze wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. I barely had time to process the whirlwind of emotions from the day when I heard the familiar sound of tiny footsteps pounding against the pavement.

“Mom! Mom!” Melody’s voice rang out, bright and full of joy.

I turned, and there she was, my little girl, her curls bouncing as she ran toward me with open arms. I dropped to my knees, catching her in a tight hug. The warmth of her body against mine chased away the remnants of the day’s stress.

“Hey, baby! Did you have fun with Mrs. Lopez?” I asked, pulling back to look into her big brown eyes.

“Uh-huh! We made cookies! And I helped her water the plants!” She beamed, her excitement infectious.

“That sounds amazing!” I ruffled her hair, standing up as she grabbed my hand, leading me toward our little apartment.

The hallway was lined with peeling paint and the faint smell of fried food from one of our neighbors. I felt a sense of relief wash over me as we entered our small space. It wasn’t much, but it was home.

“Can we have spaghetti for dinner?” Melody asked, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Of course! Your favorite!” I replied, smiling at her enthusiasm.

Today felt like it was a huge blessing for me, and Melody, so I couldn't say no to anything she requested for today.

As I moved around our cramped kitchen, I felt fulfilled. I finally had a chance at giving Melody the life she deserved. Although her birthday was a mistake, she had become the most intentional part of my life.

I was going to make this night memorable but just for me. But for Melody, the night we finally had our lives pointing towards a bright future.

It wasn't long after I started setting up the dining table Melody came running to me and grabbed my finger.

“Mommy, are you happy?” she asked, tilting her head slightly.

I raised an eyebrow. Could she see through my smile?

“Of course, sweetheart. I’m very happy,” I replied, forcing a smile that I hoped looked genuine. “I have you, and I just got a new job. What more could I want?”

She nodded, clearly satisfied with my answer, but deep down I knew I wasn't being completely honest.

Funny thing was that I couldn't be honest with her even if I wanted to, she was just too young to carry my burdens.

Dinner was filled with laughter as we twirled spaghetti on our forks and made silly faces. Melody recounted every detail of her day, her animated storytelling making me forget the weight of my own struggles, if only for a moment.

After dinner, we snuggled together on the couch, watching cartoons until her eyelids grew heavy. I tucked her into bed, kissing her forehead and whispering, “Sweet dreams, my Melody.”

As I settled into my own bed later that night, I couldn’t shake the thoughts of Damon from my mind. The way he had looked at me, his gaze lingering longer than necessary, sent a shiver down my spine.

I remembered how he stood up for me in front of that arrogant man, his words cutting through the man's pride like a knife. No one had ever defended me like that before.

But I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. I had a job to focus on, and I needed to keep my head clear for Melody. I couldn’t afford to get distracted by my boss, no matter how captivating he seemed.

---

The next morning came too quickly. I woke up early, the sun barely peeking through the curtains. I got ready, slipping into a simple but professional outfit, making sure to look polished for my first full day at Blackwell Group.

As I walked to the office, my heart raced with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I arrived early, the building still quiet as I made my way to my desk. I organized my papers, recalling the rush of the previous day. I felt ready to tackle whatever came my way.

The day passed in a blur of emails and meetings, each moment sharpening my focus. I was determined to prove myself, to show that I belonged here. But as the day wore on, I received a message from Damon.

“Miss Alvarez, please come to my office.”

My stomach twisted. Had I done something wrong? I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and made my way to his office.

When I entered, his gaze were still locked onto his tablet. “Tricia, thank you for coming. I wanted to personally thank you for your advice to the CFO yesterday. If not for your suggestion, we wouldn’t have secured that contract.”

He said this but his countenance said otherwise. It was like he was compelled to do it and not if his own accord. Nevertheless, I was just happy it wasn't anything that called for an alarm.

Relief washed over me, and I felt my cheeks warm. “I’m glad it helped, sir.”

He leaned back in his chair, raising his head for the first time. "So what else can that brain if yours do for this company?"

I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my composure. “I'm yet to find out sir, but I'll do my best.”

“Good. I expect nothing less,” he replied, his voice steady, but cold. “Now, tell me about your family. How is everything progressing?”

"He changed the subject just like that?" I said within me, trying to hide my shock.

Was he just bad at talking to people in general?

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. “It’s just me and my daughter, Melody. She’s three and… she keeps me busy,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Three? That’s a fun age,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “What’s she like?”

I couldn’t help but smile as I spoke about Melody. “She’s lively and curious. Always asking questions and exploring everything. She loves to bake and draw.”

Damon’s expression shifted, a hint of warmth breaking through his usual stoic demeanor. “Sounds like a handful. You must be doing a great job.”

“Thank you,” I replied, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. “I'll try my best.”

"And her father?" He asked.

I froze for a moment, not sure if what to say. As if noticing my countenance, he waved his hand dismissively. "Nevermind, I wouldn't want to bring back lost memories. You may leave."

Just like that?

He truly doesn't know how to socialize. But something in me told me this wasn't the end.