CHAPTER 3

AUDREY’S POV

It's been five years… Five years since I found out I was pregnant and that the father of my child was nowhere to be found. Five years since my parents disowned me and threw me out to the streets.

What would I have done if Claire hadn't taken me in? Maybe I would have been dead by now-

Stop thinking about the past, Rey. The past is in the past. Right now, I was worried about my present and future.

“Claire, help me,” I whispered into the phone as I looked around to make sure no one saw me.

“What's going on? Who's bullying you? Is Aiden alright?” She whispered and I let out a sigh as I sat on the restroom floor in the company I worked at.

“What do we always say happens before nine in the morning at work?” I asked and I heard her yawn before she spoke up

“Well, nothing but trouble comes before nine,” She replied and I almost burst into tears.

“This definitely wouldn't be good. I have just been summoned by the scary boss.”

“You exaggerate everything, Rey. What if he's calling you for a promotion?”

“I don't know, I'm scared!” I confessed and she sighed in response as she let out a yawn again. I must have woken her from her sleep.

“Listen, Claire, everyone's contracts have been getting terminated since last week! The office is almost empty! I don't want to get fired, I still have Aiden's tuition fees to pay!” I said nervously, my heart racing with fear and anxiety and I wished she was here to hold my hand.

“Rey, take a deep breath and listen to me. I'm sure it isn't that bad. Nothing's really that bad, you know. Even if you get fired, you'll get a better one somewhere else. Do you remember how you thought your life would be over five years ago when your parents threw you out? Look at you now. It wasn't that bad, was it?” She said, her voice soft and comforting and I found myself smiling.

She was like my mother figure now even though she was just a few years older than me. When I had nowhere else to go and I was too much of a coward to kill myself, I could only run to her and she happily took me in.

“I guess it wasn't that bad. I have a sweet son and a lovely friend like you.”

“See? That's what I'm talking about. Listen, if you do get fired, become a freelancer like me. We'll explore the world together with Aiden, sounds good right?” She said with a laugh and I laughed too as I got up and straightened my dress in front of the mirror.

“In your dreams, you unemployed baby,” I replied and she cackled loudly before hanging up and I took a deep breath as I walked out of the restroom.

I stared at the elevator as my heart pounded loudly in my chest while my stomach tightened into knots. It felt like I was being summoned to the principal’s office for doing nothing but breathing.

I turned away from the elevator as I made my way towards the stairs. I know it was a cowardly move, but I needed time to think and get myself back together.

“I am here to see Mr Ford,” I said to the secretary that sat by his office as soon as I got there and Kendall’s eyes barely lifted from the screen at the sound of my voice.

“You are late,” She said in a snarky tone, pointing to the clock on the wall.

“Audrey Jackson.” Mr Ford called from the door and I nearly yelped as I turned away from Kendall and walked into his office.

“Sit,” Mr Ford said, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk and I sat down, my hands clammy from tension and anxiety.

“You're not getting fired. Relax and take a deep breath.” My eyes widened at his words and I let out a nervous laughter as I tried to relax. Yay.

“You have been one of my most hardworking and loyal staff and I want you to be the one to handle this transfer of power.” He said and my brows furrowed in confusion as I looked up at him.

“Transfer of power?”

“The company is getting a new CEO. I am retiring. I want you to be the one who'll process this transfer of power. Can you do that?” He asked and I was frozen for a minute, not knowing what to say. It's not like I can say no anyway.

“Yes Sir. I'll do my utmost best.” I replied softly and he smiled at me, a sight that I had never seen in my life. Mr. Ford could smile?? Who would have thought that I would ever see this evil CEO smile like a ball of sunshine?

The door suddenly barged open and Kendall walked in, her face looking like she had applied a whole shade of makeup on her face. What was the use? It's not like she wasn't already pretty.

“Remember, Audrey, I need the transfer of power to be as seamless and perfect as it could be,” Mr Ford added and I nodded quickly as we both stood up.

“Mr Ford, He is here,” Kendall announced with an extra sweet tone and I found myself raising an eyebrow at how stupid she sounded. Was this because of the new CEO?

I was nervous to see the new CEO. Was he as harsh as Mr Ford or was he even worse? The soft clink of shoes on the cold tiled floor caused my heartbeat to drum loudly as the person approached us.

I was too nervous to turn around so I just stood there, playing with my hands, and a smile formed on Mr Ford's face as he moved away from his chair to shake hands with him.

“Allow me to introduce you to Audrey Jackson,” Mr Ford said and I took a deep breath as I turned around with a smile to greet my new boss only for me to stop in my tracks when I saw his face.

“Audrey?” Mr Ford called out but I wasn't listening. My stomach suddenly churned inside of me and I rushed out of the office and headed for the restroom. I almost bumped into a lady but was able to miss her by an inch as I burst into the restroom.

I threw up everything that I had that morning and I groaned in pain as I tried to sit up, tears running down my face like a stream.

My shaky hands moved to grab my phone and I dialed the only emergency contact I had: Claire.

“Well, look who it is. The employed baby. So, how did it go?”

“H-he’s back.” I was able to mumble and she paused before she spoke again with worry and concern in her voice as she heard me cry.

“What's wrong? Who's back? Why are you crying?”

“Lucas… Lucas Kent.”