Chapter 4

Foria’s POV.

"Are you going to work, Maxine?" I stopped walking on the stars when I heard my mother.

I saw her downstairs while holding a lunch box, probably my lunch for today. She always packed me lunch when I was going to work, which is seven days a week. Since I don't have work on Sunday because my boss has chosen to close it so we can have our rest day.

My mother was so sweet, she’s still never changed. She always took care of me even if I was old enough to handle myself. She was there when I was at my worst.

I smiled and continued walking down the stairs. "Yes, Mom. But my shift will be one in the afternoon. I'm going to a company. I want to apply there. After that, I'll go straight to the restaurant," I answered when I got down.

She looked at me softly. "You are going to apply to a company?"

I nodded while still smiling. "Yes, Mom. I have thought that I need to use my degree. Even though I want to be a model, I am still graduated in Business administration. I think I should give it a chance.”

I've been thinking about it for a long time and I've decided that I need to apply to a company. Not for me, but for my son. I need to earn a lot of money. I was thinking about his future; I want him to have a better future.

She sighed. "Maxine... Why there if you have your brother’s company? I told you that you can work there. You can have a better position, but if you don't want it, you can still start from the lowest. You can earn a better and higher salary. If you don't want to, you can manage our other businesses or help me in my flower shop. Honey, why are you making everything hard on yourself?” she held my hand with her free hand.  "Daughter, listen to me. You know what's your condition right now, right? You are not fully healed. I'm afraid that what we fear might be triggered and come back. I just want to make sure you're okay. I wanted you away from stress.”

I held her hand softly. "Mom, I may not be fully okay but I can handle myself. It doesn't mean that I'm sick, I can't work, right?" I sighed. "Mom, I don't want to get used to asking you for everything. I want to work hard to build my career. I have to work because I want to. I have my son and I want a brighter future for him. I need to suffer because I want to do it fairly.” I don't want to give all of my responsibility to them. I am not a kid anymore, I need to make money with my own hands.

It was eight months since I gave birth and it wasn't easy for me. It was difficult for me to handle the motherly responsibility because it was my first time. I kept on making mistakes and it led me to have my mental breakdown. Sometimes I hardly eat anymore because my son needs me. I don't get enough sleep either. Add to that my work in a restaurant.

I decided to work as a waitress in a restaurant when I felt that I needed to sustain my son with my own money. Yes, my older brother and Mama are there to support and help me but I'm embarrassed of them. I don't have a job, I just graduated one year and a half ago, yet I am a burden to them? No.

I am not the kind of a person who will just let my family take care of me and my son without any help from me.  I'm not the type to spend money on my family even though it is my responsibility. It weighs me down you know.

My Mom and older brother said that I should only work in our businesses but I politely declined. I want to work hard to get what I want instead of straight money. Even though a lot of people told me that I have a perfect life, it doesn't mean that my life will go easy forever. I've realized that there will always be struggles and battles in our lives. You cannot avoid it, but you can fight it and win.

That's why I applied to be a waitress, I need to experience life like others.  On how they struggled to look for money to have food every day and buy their needs. And besides, being a waitress is not that hard. It teaches me to be patient with different kinds of people. The salary is not that big though, not like my everyday allowance before

After that conversation, Mom didn’t force me anymore. I understand that they were worried about me and they wanted me to have a good life. I can't blame them, I am after all the princess in our family. But I will not learn from being a princess. Nope. I do not want to.

I am now inside the company. I lined up with a lot of people. I didn't think many people would apply. Well, I can't deny that the company was big and famous—wait, no. It wasn't just famous, it was famous-famous. It is owned by a billionaire. I didn't know his name, I didn't even see his face. But he's famous to a lot of ladies, I'm one of those who aren't.

If I'm not mistaken, everyone here is talking about him. They said that he was handsome and also one of the richest people in the world at a young age.

That’s amazing!

It took an hour to finally my turn to pass my papers. The secretary assisted me to the front of the door where we could pass our papers and answer a few questions from the Interviewer.

I took a deep breath before knocking.  It took a few seconds before someone from inside let me in. I smiled and straightened myself. I took a deep breath before opening the door.

When I entered, I saw three guys; one was wearing glasses while writing on per, the other one next to him was focused on the laptop and was constantly typing, and the other one was standing near the window, facing it while talking on the phone.

“Good morning," I greeted with a small voice, causing the two men sitting at the table to look at me at the same time. I saw the man who was standing, froze.

"Oh, hi," said the man facing the laptop. "Come and sit down." He pointed to the chair in front of them.

I smiled and followed what he said.  I adjusted my seat before facing them.

"Your paper, please," said the man wearing glasses.

I was confused. "Oh, sorry, here." I gave him my papers. He smiled a little before taking my papers.

While he was reading it, I was busy looking at my feet. I played on my hands to take away my fair. I'm nervous that I'll be rejected right away.

"You look familiar." I looked up when the man facing the laptop spoke.

"Yes?" me? Familiar?

"Yes. I seem to have seen you somewhere. I just don't know where," he answered while still staring at me. I felt a little uncomfortable with his stares.

Who doesn't? The man you just saw staring at me. I usually don't talk too much with a stranger.

“You are Foria Maxine Lux?” I looked at the man with glasses when he mentioned my name.

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

He frowned then looked at the person next to him who was also looking at him with a frown. It looks like they are talking using their eyes.  Their eyes indicate something.

The man with glasses looked at the paper again. “You are Foria Maxine Lux. Graduated as Magna Cum Laude from Mantegro University. You took Business Administration,” he read.

I nodded. "Not even that. I am also one of the representatives of the school for the competition for quiz bee in different Universities. So I can assure you that I can ace my job here if I get hired. You also don't have to worry because I experience any job inside a company. I am okay with anything that suits my ability.”

What I said was true. I worked at my brother's company as an intern when I was in college. My brother let me be experienced in any department. I also liked it because it enhances the ability. I know that it will be useful in the future.

The man next to him approached and whispered. "Isn't that her? The Foria Maxine Lux in the university?” I still heard it.

"She is," he answered without whispering.

Together, they looked at the man who was in front of the window, still not facing us. He’s not holding a phone now. It was as if he was nailed to where he was standing, not moving. What's wrong with him?

“Darren—”

"You may go now." I swallowed hard and froze in my seat for a moment when I heard his voice. It was cold but the most beautiful voice that I have ever heard. I felt my heart beat fast.

Before I lost my sense I stood up. Even though my knees were shaking, I tried to stand up straight. "I-I'll take my leave."

The two suddenly stood up and looked at me. "Thank you for coming here. We'll call you for the interview," the man with glasses answered.

I nodded with a smile. I glanced at the man again before starting to walk out. Who's he?

"I am right, aren’t I?  She’s the Foria Maxine Lux who—”

That was the last thing I heard when I got out. I just ignored what happened earlier and completely left the company.

I glanced at it entirety before deciding to leave to go to the restaurant where I work.

I hope that this day will end softly.