Chapter 1: A DADDY FOR MIA

SERA'S POV

“I swear to you Miss Sarah, if you’re not here in thirty minutes, I’m leaving.” Greg shouted over the phone and the line clicked dead.

I stare at my phone like it personally betrayed me. “Greg, hello? Greg?” I drag in a sharp breath and shove the phone back into my bag, already moving faster down the street. My heel almost slips on the wet pavement, and I curse under my breath.

“Perfect, just perfect….a very good way to start my beautiful day.” I mumbled palming my face.

Rainwater from last night still clings to the edges of the road, turning every step into a risk. Cars rush past like their owners have somewhere better to be unlike me.

I glance at the time again, twenty-seven minutes left. If I miss this interview, I don’t just lose a job, I lose everything.

“Move.” I mutter to myself, pushing through the crowd. “Just move, Sera.”

A horn blares, the sound was too close to my ears making me turn, but it was too close and the world exploded in cold.

Water slams into me, soaking through my blouse, my skirt, and my skin. I gasp, stumbling back as the black car speeds past without slowing.

My fingers curl slowly at my sides. “Wow,” I say under my breath. “You couldn’t have picked a better day, huh?”

A man nearby snickers, someone else shakes their head in pity. I swipe at my face, but it’s useless. I looked like a mess, and I have an interview in twenty-five minutes. “Fine.” I breathe. “Well I will adapt.”

My phone rings again, this time I didn’t hesitate, I answered instantly. “Greg, I’m coming, I just…..”

“Mummy!” A soft voice came through the phone.

“Mia?”

“Yes sweet mama!” She chirps, her voice bright and loud, completely out of place in the chaos around me. “Ms Patel said I can talk to you because today is your big day.”

“Really did she?” I laughed.

“Yes. She said if you don’t get the job, we are going to have serious problems.”

I huff a laugh. “Ms Patel needs to relax.”

“I’m not relaxed,” Mia says seriously. “I am concerned.”

“Concerned? Wow that is a big word for a four year old baby, my darling.”

“I'm not a baby mama, Mia is concerned. Because she doesn't want mama to be sad again.” She purred innocently.

The words hit softer than anything else today. I leaned against a wall, closing my eyes for a second. “Hey baby… mama Isn't going to be sad okay.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

There’s a pause, then a change in tone. “Mama?”

“Yes, baby?”

“You’re the best.” She says, like it’s obvious. “You always fix everything.”

A quiet laugh slips out of me. “That’s a lot of pressure.”

“You can do it,” she insists. “Even when things are bad, you still win.”

I swallow. “I’ll try, Mia, so state your wish.”

“Mummy… come home early today, okay?” She asked softly.

My eyes watered, as I nervously swallowed back the lump in my throat. “I’ll try, Mia.”

“And…” She hesitates, then rushes it out, “I think you can also find me a daddy there.”

I choke on air. “Mia…..!”

“Okay bye Mama. Ms Patel is calling me.” She laughed childish. "Mia loves you.”

“Mia, wait…..” The line goes dead. I stare at my phone. Then I exhale slowly, pressing it against my forehead.

“A daddy.” I mutter. “Seems like we’re adding that to the list now?”

Job. Rent. Survival. And apparently…..a daddy for Mia. “Focus,” I tell myself, pushing away from the wall. “One disaster at a time.”

………………..

The building was right in front of me like it owns the sky. “…This is it?” I nodded admiring it's splendor, everything about it screams money.

“Miss Thompson?” Greg approached me. ‘You’re right on time and very properly dressed.” He sneered, scanning me head to toe.

“You know Greg, traffic and…..” 

“It's okay Sarah, I just got a call…..you are the last slot and you have only five minutes left, so if i were you, i would be inside right now.”

“But Greg…..”

“Gracias Sarah, I wish you all the luck you can get.” Greg cut through my speech and ran off.

“What a very impossible friend.” I growled softly.

With a deep heave, I walked through revolving doors into a lobby that screamed money and opulence. The receptionist looked at my clothes like she was calculating how much I didn't belong.

“Good morning miss, how can I be of help to you?” She asked politely despite her condescending look.

“I'm for the interveiw.” I replied, locking eyes with her.

“Fifty-second floor up, you will see the others there.” She directed, and returned her concentration to her duties.

“Thank you.” I appreciated turning to find my way up.

The waiting room was packed with women and men all dressed properly for an interveiw, making me look out of place. Everyone attention was focused at the door like it might open any second and change their lives.

I sat in the corner, watching everyone. “Did you hear?” The woman beside me leaned toward her companion. “Damon Blackwood is in there.”

“The CEO himself, I heard he never does interviews?” Her companion asked.

“You're right, but I heard he showed up today for the last round.” She replied shaking her head pitifully.

Her companion’s eyes widened. “I pity whosoever the last person would be, Damon is a demon ice-king.”

“But the salary is really attractive, it's more than six figures.” They laugh happily.

No it can't be him…..there are many Damon Blackwood in NY. I looked down at my resume, praying desperately that it's not Damon because I really need this job. 

The door to the interview room opened, and a woman stepped out in tears, she hurried walked out without looking at anyone.

“This is the seventh one that has come out in tears.” Another woman beside me muttered, shrugging her shoulder. “The employees are colder than the ice king.”

A man with a clipboard appeared in the doorway. “Sarah Thompson?”

I stood up. “You’re next.” He said, pointing to the room.

I walked toward the door, the woman beside me grabbed my arm. “Good luck, my dear the ice-king is in there.”

I pulled free. “There are a thousand ice-kings in the city.”

“Not this one.” She laughed, as I stepped through the door.

The room was large, there was a long table at the center. Three people sitting behind it, a woman with glasses, a man in a gray suit and another woman with a notepad.

There was a fourth chair, but it was empty. The woman with glasses looked up. “Miss Thompson, please sit.”

I sat as instructed, gently rubbing my damp palm on my skirt. “You applied for the executive assistant position to the CEO?” The woman asked

“Yes I did Ma.” I replied professionally.

“But as stated in your file, Miss Thompson you have no corporate experience.” She stated adjusting her glasses. 

“So tell me, how do you plan to handle the CEO corporate affairs?” She asked calmly.

“I might not have any corporate experience, but I have experience running a business. Managing clients, preparing budgets, schedules and I learn fast, so I believe I can handle the CEO corporate affairs seamlessly Ma.”

The man in the gray suit nodded and leaned forward. “Your gallery had been open for four years?”

“Yes sir.” I replied, trying to hide my sweaty plams.

“Then why is the CEO of a gallery here looking for an assistant job.” He asked, with a smile.

Those words poked my sore-points, I lifted my face and met his eyes. “My gallery is struggling, that’s why I’m here.”

“You’re here because you need money.” He mocked, almost pissing me off.

“I’m here because I’m qualified for the position Mr.” I answered confidently.

The woman with the notepad looked up. “Why do you think we should hire you?”

“Because I'm worth it. I built something from nothing, I kept it running with no help, no investors, no safety net. I know how to work and I don’t quit no matter the threat.

The door at the side of the room opened, the interviewers turned and they instantly looked tense. 

I also turned to stare at the newcomer, and I saw him walk in, just as neat and handsome as I remembered him. Dark hair, sharp jaw and blue eyes.

“Damon.” I muttered, frozen with shock

“Tell me Serah Why?” He asked as he sat on the empty chair, his voice low, his focus trained on me.

“Why should I hire someone who disappears when it matters most?”