CHAPTER 02

ALLISON'S P.O.V.

"Still no luck finding a job, Allison? How are you planning to provide for your son?"

There it was again.

My mother's daily lecture.

I sighed and slumped against the couch.

"I'm trying, Mom. I really am. It's just... no one wants to hire me."

It wasn't as though I lacked qualifications. I had the experience, the confidence, and I knew I could do the work.

The problem?

I couldn't tolerate difficult people.

I'd been hired by several companies before, but I never stayed long—not because of the salary, but because of arrogant bosses and toxic coworkers. The moment someone crossed the line, I'd answer back without hesitation.

"You'll never keep a job if you keep acting like you're the CEO," Mom scolded, crossing her arms.

She wasn't entirely wrong.

My temper has always been my biggest weakness.

If someone picked a fight with me, I fought back twice as hard. I hated being treated unfairly, and I refused to let anyone walk all over me.

"Remember when you fired one of your coworker's assistants without your CEO's approval?" she continued.

I groaned.

Of course she had to bring that up.

"I was only trying to help..."

"Help? Allison, you dismissed someone who wasn't even under your authority."

"..."

"And then you got fired."

I pouted.

It had only been a harmless prank.

Well...

At least it seemed harmless to me.

Who knew that woman would run straight to the CEO?

Life was unfair.

"Sweetheart," Mom said more gently this time, "it's time to grow up. You have a son now. You can't keep living like this forever."

I lowered my eyes.

"I know..."

She was right.

I couldn't depend on my parents forever.

I had to build a future—not for myself...

But for Drake.

I walked over and scooped my little boy into my arms.

"My handsome little prince."

He giggled as I kissed his chubby cheeks.

Drake would be turning two this coming June 9.

Looking at his smiling face erased every ounce of exhaustion I felt.

He rarely got sick, always smiled, and somehow found a way to brighten every difficult day.

"Ma-me," he babbled happily.

I laughed.

"Mommy," I corrected gently.

Before Drake came into my life, I had no direction.

I spent my days partying, wasting money, and living recklessly.

Everything changed the day I learned I was pregnant.

From that moment on...

He became my reason to become better.

My reason to fight.

My reason to keep moving forward.

He was my entire world.

And I would never let anyone take him away.

"Have you ever thought about finding his father?" Mom asked quietly.

The question made my heart stop.

I tightened my hold on Drake.

"Mom..."

"You know he'll start asking questions someday."

"I can be both his mother and father," I answered softly.

"I've raised him this far, haven't I?"

What I didn't say aloud was the truth buried deep inside my heart.

I was terrified.

Terrified if Drake's father ever learned about him...

He might take my son away.

And that was something I could never allow.

"I'll go prepare his milk," I whispered, ending the conversation.

Once Drake had finished his bottle and fallen asleep, I quietly laid him in his crib.

I glanced at the clock.

Time to search for another job.

Again.

"Angelo!" I shouted.

"Watch Drake for me!"

From the living room came a series of frustrated groans.

"What the heck?! Karina stole all my kills!"

"My teammates are hopeless!"

"Why is my ping so high?!"

"ANGELO!"

Still nothing.

Rolling my eyes, I walked over to the router...

...and switched off the Wi-Fi.

"What?!"

He sprang off the couch as though someone had set him on fire.

"You disconnected the internet?!"

"I told you to watch Drake."

"Stop living inside Mobile Legends."

"You've been stuck in the same rank forever."

He frowned.

"Excuse me? Says the girl who's still Elite."

I narrowed my eyes.

"At least I'm climbing. I was a Warrior just last week."

He burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! You're hilarious, Sis."

Finally, he raised both hands in surrender.

"Fine, fine. I'll watch him."

Before I could turn away, I held out my hand.

"And your car keys."

His smile disappeared instantly.

"No."

I lightly smacked the top of his head.

"Ow!"

"My brand-new car! You'll wreck it like the last one!"

"I won't."

"You said that last time!"

"I'll drive carefully."

He sighed dramatically before tossing me the keys.

"You owe me."

I caught them with a grin.

"Thanks."

The truth was, my family wasn't poor.

Far from it.

My parents had worked hard enough to give us a comfortable life.

But I wanted something that belonged to me.

I wanted to earn my own success.

Build my own home.

Raise my son with money I had earned myself.

Because someday...

My parents wouldn't always be there.

And when that day came...

I wanted to know that Drake and I would be okay.

GREG'S P.O.V.

"For the love of God, Dwayne..."

I pointed at the angry red bruise spreading across my cheek.

"I'm never pretending to be you again."

"I got kicked in the face."

Dwayne glanced at my injury...

...then burst into laughter.

"Seriously?"

"You think this is funny?"

He tried to suppress another laugh.

"Who did that to you?"

"One of your job applicants."

His eyebrows lifted.

"Oh?"

"I'm done covering for you."

"You can interview people yourself from now on."

He leaned back comfortably in his chair.

"So why didn't you hit her back?"

I stared at him.

"She's a woman."

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Kick her back?"

"Besides..." I rubbed my sore cheek.

"What was she even doing inside the men's restroom?"

"She completely ruined my morning."

Dwayne laughed even harder.

"Maybe she just wanted a closer look at your handsome face."

I rolled my eyes.

"Unlike you, I don't go around flirting with strangers."

"Oh?"

He smirked.

"Don't forget who's signing your paycheck."

There it was.

His favorite line.

I sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

"But at least protect my reputation."

"I'm too handsome to be mistaken for you."

He ignored my complaint.

Instead, his expression suddenly turned serious.

"What was her name?"

"Allison..."

I paused, recalling the application form.

"Allison Ruso Del Fierro."

Silence.

Dwayne froze.

For several long seconds, he simply stared into space.

Then...

A slow smile spread across his face.

"Bring her in."

"What?"

"Hire her."

He stood from his chair.

"Make her my personal assistant."

I frowned.

"What are you planning?"

His grin only widened.

"You'll find out."

That smile...

I knew it far too well.

Whenever Dwayne smiled like that...

Someone's life was about to become very complicated.

I leaned back with a smirk.

Well...

She did kick me first.

Maybe...

Instead of getting revenge...

I'd give her something she'd never expect.

A kiss.