Chapter 1: Introduction

"Ms. Montalvo." 

Ramina looked up when she heard a voice behind the door of her office. Thinking that it might be her officemate, she told her to come in. 

"What's up?" Ramina uttered when she saw Danielle, one of her friends in the small company she works at. 

Danielle looked unhappy so Ramina immediately worry over her. "Are you okay?" Ramina asked. 

Danielle sighed and slowly walked towards her. She put a document on Ramina's table and motioned her to read it. 

Ramina on the other hand was so confused at first until she read what was in the document. "W-What is this?" Ramina stuttered after reading the paper. Her heartbeat is getting faster every moment and she feels like her chest is drowning.

Danielle shook her head, getting frustrated. "I don't understand anything either. This matter will be discussed later before we leave," Danielle told her.

Ramina's shoulders fell while looking at the paper in her hand. It states there that the company she's working at will be firing out some employees due to financial problems. They can't provide for everyone's salary sooner or later because of the company's debts.

And if ever this will happen, she wouldn't secure her finances anymore. What will happen to her if she loses this job? What will happen to her daughter if she gets fired out from work? 

When Danielle noticed Ramina's face, she sighed. "Stop thinking anything, dear. We are not yet so sure that one of us will be fired out from this company," Danielle told her. 

Ramina massaged her temple. "Damn it, I'm getting stressed out," she whispered to herself. 

Danielle tried to lift the atmosphere but Ramina was too focused on what will happen later. When Danielle left to go to her office, Ramina didn't help but be in tears. 

She wasn't sure that she will be fired out but she feels bad about this. "Oh, God. Please, have mercy on me and my daughter. It's hard to look for a stable job to feed her needs. I need this work for my daughter. So please, don't take it away from me."

As time passes by, Ramina couldn't help but feel anxious. She was so sure as hell that her face is as pale as paper as of the moment. And when the clock strikes at 3, everyone was called to gather for a meeting.

Ramina's heart is beating so fast and hard inside her chest while listening to her boss's announcement.

"I gathered all of you this afternoon to announce something. I know that after this, most of you will be mad but I don't have any choice, this is also for the good of the company," their manager began speaking. 

The employees started to make noises with their whispers so their manager signaled them to shut up their mouths. 

"For the past months, our company had failed some of its investments with the other companies. And this results in us being in debt. Sooner or later, we can't assure your salaries anymore so we needed to lessen our employees, especially on the marketing team," their manager added. 

"Sir! That's unfair!" 

"Sir! This is the only job we got!" 

"Sir! I am willing to receive a small amount of salary! Just don't make me leave my job, sir!" 

Other employees started to complain about the sudden announcement of their manager. Everyone started to panic and desperate just to stay at their jobs. 

"I will call names on the marketing team. And I'm so sorry in advance but I need to do this for the sake of you and our company. I don't want to disappoint all of you once you get your salary because I know that you deserve more," their manager said in a monotone. 

Ramina's heart is thumping wilder and wilder every second. She feels like she's going to pass out in a moment from now! 

"I'm so sorry, Ms. Montalvo, Mr. Matteo, Ms. Curtis..."

Right after Ramina heard her surname, her mind went black and everything became mute for her. Ramina's lips parted while looking into nothing. She can hear nothing but her fast heartbeat as worry and disappointment consumed her system.

"Ramina!" Danielle tried to call her friend but she failed. Ramina already left to go to her office.

Danielle shook her head and sighed. She knows how important this job is for Ramina. But she can't do anything to change their manager's decision. If she can do something to help Ramina, she will. But for now, she should not meddle with the company's decision because it could also affect her job. 

When Ramina entered her office, tears immediately pooled in her eyes. It took her a long time before getting a stable job and now, this will happen. It was a difficult ride, she can't measure how many tears she cried while feeling disappointed at herself for reaching nothing. Now, she will experience it again. She will go back to nothing and will try to survive again for their everyday living. 

She spent the remaining time packing and fixing her things in her office. She will miss this place, for sure. 

A moment after, a knock was heard on the door. Ramina was still busy with her things so she won't know who it is.

"Come in!" Ramina uttered. 

"Maxine..." 

When she heard a familiar voice, she immediately turn around to face him. 

"Anton!" Ramina uttered with a smile on her lips. 

Anton is a tall man with tan skin. He is indeed a beautiful man with his hair in a brushed-up style. Anton works in the same company as Ramina. Maybe he heard about the announcement earlier that's why he came to visit Ramina's office. 

Anton walked towards her. "I heard about the meeting earlier. Are you okay?" he worriedly asked. 

Anton touched Ramina's elbow. "Hm? Are you fine?" he asked once again. 

Ramina was already used to Anton's gestures. She thinks that it's just a friendly gesture. "Yes, Anton. I'm okay, there's no need to worry over me," she said with a small smile. 

Anton went closer to her. Ramina tried to distance herself because she was getting uncomfortable but Anton's hold is so tight that she can't move already. "I told you. You can live in my house together with your daughter. You won't need to work anymore because I will provide for your needs," Anton said with conviction.

Anton liked Ramina ever since he saw her. He was pursuing her for a month now but Ramina kept on rejecting him. 

Ramina sighed before meeting his eyes. "And I already told you that I can provide for my daughter's needs. I don't need your pity so please, stop already. I will never rely upon someone no matter what happens, Anton. You should know that because you're my friend," Ramina told him. 

Irritation filled Anton's system when he heard the word 'friend' from Ramina. He doesn't want to be just her friend. He wanted more. 

Anton sighed before stepping backward. "Okay, I understand. I'm so sorry for mentioning it," he calmly said. 

Ramina just smiled as she tapped his shoulders. "Thanks for worrying over me and my daughter, Anton. You're a good friend and I'm thankful for that," she genuinely uttered.

Anton just smiled and talked to her about random things. When it was time to leave, Anton offered to drive her home. Ramina did not budge anymore because she also wanted to save money. 

"Thanks, Anton," she said when they arrive in front of her house. 

Anton smiled and reached for her face to touch it. "Call me if you need anything," he whispered as he lean towards her to kiss her forehead. 

Ramina's forehead ceased at the sudden move of her friend. When Anton left, Ramina couldn't help but sigh. She don't want to assume anything but Anton's actions were already confusing her. 

She just cleared those thoughts away before plastering a smile on her face. She needed to be okay for her daughter. She doesn't want her daughter to worry over her. 

"Prescelle!" Ramina instantly called her daughter when she entered their house.

"Mommy?" 

A genuine smile immediately formed on Ramina's face when she heard the tiny pitched voice of her daughter. 

"Mommy's here, baby..." she announced while taking off her sandals and placing them on the side.

In an instant, she just saw Prescelle running out from her room wearing her pair of pink pajamas and a doll in her small hand. 

"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" she chanted joyfully as she spread her small arms, ready to hug her mother. 

"Prescelle!" her babysitter worriedly called her because the kid is running, she might fall. 

"I got her, Yaya!" Ramina told her. 

Ramina can't help but melt as she welcomes her daughter with wide-open arms. "Mommy! I miss you!" Prescelle giggled and immediately jumped to hug her mom who is now squatting on the floor to reach her lever. 

"My baby..." Ramina softly uttered as she caressed her daughter's hair. 

"Are you tired, mommy? Your voice sounded tired," Prescelle said in a small voice. 

"I was tired but not already, baby. You regain my energy." Ramina giggled as she pinch the cheek of her daughter. 

"Love you, Mommy!" Prescelle giggled and it is music to Ramina's ears. 

The worry Ramina got from her work temporarily vanished because of her daughter. Prescelle seemed to notice that her mother is having a hard time that's why she made her happy as much as she can. 

"Good night, baby..." Ramina whispered when they lay to sleep. 

That night as they sleep, Ramina dreamed of her wild night on a bar. It was Cristal Haze's birthday when they decided to celebrate it at the bar. They drank their ass off, dance their hearts out, and enjoyed the remaining hours of the night.

"Ouch!" Ramina uttered when she bumped into someone while they were dancing on the dancefloor. 

She did not completely see the face of the guy but she was sure as hell that he is indeed a beautiful man. His built was on place, he is tall, and smelled manly as hell! 

"Hey, gorgeous," the unknown man whispered. 

Ramina's system burned like fire after hearing his voice. "Hey..." she sexily chuckled as she enveloped her arm on the man's neck. 

The man did not complain. He also put his hands on Ramina's waist and guided her as they dance sexily with the music. 

The man's lips traveled on Ramina's neck which earned a sound from her. 

Maybe it was the alcohol that reigns through their system because they don't know what they were doing! After a few minutes, they were already on the dark side of the bar, kissing each other like wild animals. 

"Mommy!" 

Ramina immediately opened her eyes when she heard her daughter's voice. She's gasping for air when she woke up! 

She can still feel the touch of that unknown guy. It was always her dream whenever she sleep at night! She wanted so bad to forget about it but her mind wouldn't let her. It feels illegal to forget the unknown guy who is also the father of her daughter.

"Oh, my God..." she just uttered in disappointment.