It was the next day and Aspen sat before the files that Floyd had packed to give her. He must be happy that he gave her. She let out a scoff at the thought. Her kids were busy playing while Sheba had gone to collect the rest of their luggage. She was finally at peace but also under pressure of having to take care of the kids. Her head was not helping at all with the files. She could hardly focus and she let out an annoyed breath and stood up from the desk. Just as she was about to tell the kids to be careful, her doorbell rang and a wave of fear slammed into her in full. Why was she scared? It could be Sheba that was at the door. She shook her head and went to open the door. Her eyes widened in surprise at the person that stood before her.Anna raised her brows. "Think you could get rid of me easily?" She asked and Aspen chuckled."No, I just thought you were busy. I mean... What about you come in." She said and Anna rolled her eyes."Never knew you invite people inside your house,
Anna returned to meet Aspen and she noticed Anna looking around. She followed her gaze but furrowed her brows when she did not see anyone."What are you looking?" she asked her. Anna faced her with a confused look. She had caught her looking."Hmm... Nothing. Can we leave now? I have to resume soon." She said and Aspen nodded her head."The kids are even tired. They also want to leave and not to talk about the fact that I still have some work to do." She said and summoned her kids. They left not long after and Anna bade them goodbye as they entered different cabs."Mommy, your friend is nice." Cora said and Aspen smiled at her."I am happy to know that you like her." she said and Cora smiled sheepishly.They soon got back home and Sheba had already cooked some meal for them.Aspen headed to her room and started working on the files. Her head had cleared already all thanks to the fun she had at the park. She went through them taking in the information. Just as she went through them, s
**Next Day** Aspen hurriedly wore the kids' dress for them and put on the sandals for them."Mommy, how do I look?" Cathy asked as she stared at herself in the mirror. Aspen glanced up to see her posing before the mirror and the thought that Cathy would be an internet type of lady worried her a bit."Beautiful as always." she said and Cathy giggled. Aspen shook her head and turned the rest of them."Are you ready?" She asked them. She had made sure that they are before wearing their clothes and they nodded their heads before stepping out of the room. She turned to Sheba and told her to do some things before she helped the kids out and called an Uber to come and pick her and the kids.The cab soon came and she let them inside. They soon got to their school and Aspen knew she was running late already. She internally cursed and helped them to the class. She bade them goodbye and left for her work. She quickly packed the files together and as soon as they got to her work place. She paid
Aspen gulped down the water and Floyd stood up immediately. He has been watching her eat since he finished before her and his food was brought before hers so her waited for her.As they stepped out of the restaurant, Aspen let out a deep sigh. She was full enough to work for more hours."Thank you." She mumbled to him and he did like he did not hear her by glancing around. She scoffed."Thank you." She said, this time louder than before. He faced her and gave a brief smile."It is not worth mentioning. Since you said you can't afford the food and you don't want my money, I decided to take it out of your salary so don't feel indebted to me." He said and went to the car. She stood there with a shocked expression. He called out for her but then his phone rang and his brows squeezed together at the Caller ID. He was needed.He contemplated ignoring the person and going back to teasing Aspen but then he called her and she snapped out of her haze and started walking towards him. He brought
He was angry. Very angry. He dropped the phone that he was holding. What sort of words were those that he just heard? He needed to pay up what money? Money he knows nothing about. He paced to and fro in his house office. Who did this? He knew he did not owe anyone. He needs to go back to his office and that too now. He pulled his jacket and exited the house. His mother called after him but he ignored her. The driver hurried in and Floyd stepped into the car."The company." he ordered in a cold voice. His eyes hard on the message before him. She was doing this. How dare she do this? The driver ignited the car's engine and drove straight to his company. As soon as they got there, he stepped out and made his way to his office where he knew she would be. The workers all scrambled around and began whispering around. He headed towards the elevator which took no minute before it rang out and the door slid open. Then he got to the entrance of the door. His eyes glared daggers at his 'useless
"Start what again?" Floyd whispered to her and she fought so hard not to roll her eyes at his oblivion. She moved back from him and made a face of apology."Start our story again." She said and he coughed out as a scoff at what she said."Start the story again? Don't you know that the author is almost getting tired of our story already? I don't think starting over is the key. The key is..." he paused and thought of what next to say. Does he want to start over again with her? Wait, start what over again with her? He has nothing with her.He shook his head and turned to her. "I have told you. For as long as you keep your tongue from letting your jealousy slip then you are good. Nicole, teach yourself to be good. You will need when you get married." He said and she stared at him blankly."So... I can come back home?" She hesitated and he gave her a look of irritation. She was going to come home and ruin the peace he has had to himself since she left. He knew he could do nothing."Sure.
"Dad, you requested my presence," Richard spoke up as he stood at the entrance of the office door. His father looked up at him and they locked eye gaze. He noticed the worried lines in his father's forehead.What happened? "Come in." His voice was gruff and hoarse that Richard could not help but dip his hands into his pockets and step into the office."Is anything the problem?" He asked, his eyes fixed on his father's face. Mr. Woods let out a sigh. "We will be making some changes soon." He started out and Richard braced himself up to hear that he was being sent away. He gulped hard and bit his lower lips."Okay?" "We will be cutting the workers' income by half and splitting the total revenue by two." He said and to say Richard was shocked was an understatement as he stared at his father like he was an alien or a stranger. What was he saying? He wants to make the company go bankrupt?"Dad, what are you saying? Our company has managed to remain in the top ten of the best companies
"What?" The words left her lips like she did not just hear Richard tell her that he does not want her living with him. Her brows creased together and she moved towards swiftly."Why? What have I done? Tell me and I will apologize." She said and he let out a harsh breath."You did nothing. Just that I feel suffocated and it is not helping our relationship. As you can see, my father's business is still going through some hard times and I will not be able to focus on you. On us. So... It is better if I am alone and dealing with this instead of dragging your dignity into it." He said and she curled her lips into a sad pout. She knew he was right. That was exactly what her father had told her. Her father must have been a foreteller in his previous life to be able to warn that once things have gone downhill for the Woods Family, she should make her way back to his house. She let out a sigh.What if this was a test from Richard to see if she will leave when things are no longer the same?She