CHAPTER 03

ALLISON'S P.O.V.

The first rays of sunlight had barely peeked through the curtains when I quietly slipped out of bed.

Beside me, my little prince was still sleeping peacefully, his tiny chest rising and falling with every soft breath. A smile tugged at my lips as I gently lowered the temperature of the air conditioner. I didn't want him getting too cold.

Leaning down, I brushed a kiss against his forehead before carefully stepping away from the bed, making sure not to wake him.

Just as I reached the bedroom door—

RING! RING! RING!

My phone blared so loudly that my heart nearly leaped out of my chest.

"Oh no..."

I immediately grabbed it and turned the volume down. Drake stirred for a moment, making me freeze in place, but after a few seconds, he settled back into a peaceful sleep.

I let out a relieved sigh.

The screen displayed an unfamiliar number.

UNKNOWN CALLER

+639XXXXXXXXX

Curious, I quietly stepped outside the room before answering.

"Hello? Who's this?" I asked politely.

A professional female voice answered almost immediately.

"Good morning, Ms. Allison Del Fierro. This is Mary Katie from Sandoval Corporation. We would like to invite you to a special interview for the position of Personal Assistant. Please be at our office at exactly eleven o'clock this morning. We're looking forward to meeting you. Thank you, and have a wonderful day."

"...Excuse me?"

Before I could ask another question, the line went dead.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I stared blankly at my phone.

"What... just happened?"

A special interview? Sandoval Corporation?

Why me?

"I shouldn't go," I muttered to myself. "What if it's some kind of trap? But..."

I bit my lower lip.

"...What if this is the opportunity I've been waiting for?"

"Who are you talking to this early in the morning, Allison? Have you finally gone crazy?" I nearly jumped.

Turning around, I saw my mother standing halfway down the staircase, watching me with amusement.

"Oh... Mom."

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.

"Sandoval Corporation called. They invited me for an interview."

Her expression immediately changed.

"Sandoval? Isn't that the rival company of your previous employer?"

I sighed.

Just hearing the name of my old workplace made me cringe.

That company was a complete disaster. Instead of focusing on work, most of the employees seemed more interested in office romances and gossip.

It was exhausting.

"Yes," I admitted. "That's the one."

I headed to the kitchen to prepare Drake's milk.

"So why are you still standing there?" Mom called after me. "A job opportunity is knocking on your door, yet you're thinking of refusing it?"

If only she knew what had happened yesterday.

For all I knew, they weren't inviting me because they wanted to hire me.

Maybe they wanted revenge.

Maybe they were planning to fire me before I'd even been hired.

Okay, Allison.

You're overthinking again.

Still...

A job at Sandoval Corporation would change everything.

Not just for me.

For Drake.

That thought alone made my decision.

"I'm going."

After preparing Drake's bottle, I handed it to my mother.

"Mom, can you watch him while I'm gone?"

She smiled and nodded.

"Don't worry about him. Just do your best."

I smiled gratefully before rushing upstairs.

While showering, my thoughts refused to settle. Every possible scenario played through my mind—from acing the interview to completely embarrassing myself.

Please... let today end well.

Once dressed, I slipped into my favorite beige business suit—the one I always wore to interviews.

I left my long hair loose, applied a touch of nude lipstick, and gave myself one final look in the mirror.

Not bad.

Motherhood hadn't changed me as much as I'd expected. After giving birth, my figure gradually returned thanks to countless hours at the gym.

Confidence restored, I grabbed my bag and hurried downstairs.

"Angelo," I called sweetly. "Can I borrow your car?"

My younger brother didn't even look away from his Mobile Legends match.

"No."

I puffed out my cheeks.

"Pleeease?"

Still nothing.

"I just had it repaired," he grumbled. "I'm not letting you wreck it again."

"I won't! Cross my heart."

"No."

"I'll buy you the newest skin."

His thumbs froze.

Slowly...

Very slowly...

He turned toward me.

"Seriously?"

I raised my right hand.

"I promise."

A grin spread across his face.

"Deal."

He tossed me the keys, and I caught them effortlessly.

"But if you scratch my car..."

"I won't!"

Laughing, I ran toward the garage before he could change his mind.

Less than thirty minutes later, I arrived at Sandoval Corporation.

Thankfully, the office wasn't far from our home. Living in Legazpi Village, Makati meant I could avoid the worst of the morning traffic.

The building towered over everything around it.

I swallowed.

Talk about intimidating.

As soon as I stepped toward the entrance—Snap.

"...Seriously?"

I looked down.

The heel of my sandal had completely broken off.

Of all the times...

I looked around to find several people staring.

Some even laughed.

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

With no other choice, I picked up the broken shoe and walked barefoot toward the elevator as though nothing had happened.

Inside, my phone buzzed.

1 New Message

Unknown Number

"18th Floor, Miss. Thank you."

I pressed the button and leaned against the elevator wall.

This building was ridiculously tall.

By the time the elevator reached the eighteenth floor, I was already feeling a little dizzy.

Ding.

The doors slid open.

As I stepped out, a tall, elegant woman approached me with a warm smile.

"Good morning. You must be Ms. Allison?"

"Yes," I replied, instinctively hiding my broken sandal behind my back.

She glanced down and smiled knowingly.

"You won't get very far wearing only one shoe."

Before I could respond, she handed me a luxury shopping bag.

"Here."

Curious, I opened it.

Inside was a brand-new pair of crystal heels.

My eyes widened when I saw the label.

Amina Muaddi Crystal Buckle Pumps – 95 mm Heel, Size 37.

"No... I can't accept these. They're far too expensive."

She laughed softly.

"Our boss insisted. If you don't take them, I'll be the one getting scolded."

"Your boss is incredibly generous."

"Please put them on. We only have five minutes before eleven."

Realizing the time, I quickly slipped them on.

To my surprise...

They fit perfectly.

Almost as though they had been chosen specifically for me.

Maybe today wasn't going to be all bad after all.