Chapter Five : What’s that thing?

There were times in life that you wished you could change some part of your life easily.

Like erase them completely.

That part of my life was related to Melissa.

I didn't know how she somehow knew that I worked for a good company now. At least, she didn't know it was Bianchi Inc.

She called it a hunch.

I call it witchcraft.

I wouldn't be supposed if she sold her soul to the devil.

Or maybe not.

She told me to increase her monthly pay because I was earning more.

She's a thorn in my flesh.

I was happy when I collected my first salary. It's short-lived when she called to ask for money.

The waitresing job was good too. I got huge tips almost every night.

I was saving a lot these days.

If I was going to get Lily, I would need to get a safer apartment.

"Miss Walker!" I jumped lightly while snapping out of my trance.

I stared around my surroundings.

I was at a dinner meeting with my boss. I was here to take notes.

"Sorry, sir. Did you say something?" I asked.

He didn't look happy. "You are meant to take notes."

I nodded. "So sorry, sir."

The other man stared blankly at me. They continued discussing, and I took the required notes.

It has been a month of working with Nicholas Bianchi.

It has been uneventful. Our paths only crossed whenever it's work related.

He wasn't joking when he said he didn't sleep with his workers. Yet, there were scandals about him outside every week.

Even Anna had a crush on him. "I would quit this job if I didn't have so many responsibilities. That way, I wouldn't be his worker anymore."

I always rolled my eyes at her when she said it.

The absurdity of the words.

I could almost swore that there's this electric spark I felt anytime our eyes locked.

"Nice doing business with you, Mr. Linc." His voice came up as I wrote the last thing they said.

They shook hands, and the man left. I packed my things, knowing that was my cue to leave.

Thank goodness I didn't have to wait tables at the restaurant today. I was tired and hungry.

I got up, ready to say my goodbyes.

"Have dinner with me." My eyes almost bulged out of my sockets as his words reached my ears.

Dinner... like a date?!

"Sir, I don't think_"

"It’s the least I could do. I would still need you to take notes for the meeting I have with that China company. Did you forget?"

I almost groaned in response.

The meeting was going to be midnight here because of the different time zones.

Just my luck.

Just when I thought I could enjoy my day off by binge-watching a movie series.

I settled back down as he called the waiter over.

I looked up at him as a thought went through my head. "Where’s the meeting going to take place?"

He gave me a pointed look. "My house. You could take one of the guest rooms when we are done."

What?!

Second shock of the day.

I was going to sleep in his house.

With him!

What was wrong with me?

He didn't ask me to sleep with him.

I absentmindedly ordered something for myself.

He stared intently at me, and I fiddled with my hands under the table. "Are you okay?"

I blew out my hair from my face. "Why wouldn't I be? All this is completely normal."

"You’re freaking out. Everything about this is professional," he started. "I am not your type, remember?" He smirked, and I forced myself to smile.

I was starting to doubt myself about that.

The waiter came back with our food. I waited for him to start eating before I did.

"Tell me about you."

I was stunned at his question.

This wasn't a date, right?

I cleared my throat, not knowing what to talk about. "Just a regular girl."

"I doubt that."

His words did something to my stomach.

"I went to NYU. Studied business administration."

"I read your resumé, Miss Walker." He gave me a lopsided grin.

Of course he did.

"I don't know what to talk about."

I turned back to my food and shoved food into my mouth.

I was hoping that would stop him from saying anything further.

This's the most we have said to each other in a month.

"What do you do for fun?" He asked as the waiter cleared the plate.

"Binge-watch movies? You?" I asked, testing the waters.

He smirked. "Do you really need me to answer that?"

I was confused for a second before the realization dawned on me.

I shook my head at him amused. "That’s all you do for fun."

He chuckled. It's a beautiful sound. "I could ask you the same."

"STDs are real," I blurted out before I could stop myself.

He didn't reply for a while, just kept staring at me.

Did I go too far? He's my boss for crying out loud.

He leaned in across the table. "Condoms are a thing."

I choked on air and coughed profusely.

He handed me his glass of water, and I gulped it down.

I finally calmed myself down and thanked him.

"That wasn't... I... we should.." I stopped when I realized I wasn't making any sense. "Let’s just go."

He crossed his hands over his chest, and I almost stared at his bulging muscles.

Keyword, almost.

"So eager to get to my house, Miss Walker."

I almost choked again. I flushed instead.

This wasn't professional at all.

"I was joking, relax."

I took deep breaths and nodded at him. He paid the bill, and we headed out of the restaurant.

I fiddled with my fingers, just wanting to get today over with.

We got into the back seat after the driver opened the door.

I marvelled at the interior of the car and the plush leather seats. I didn't know much about cars but it's expensive.

"I sent my pitch to you via email. Check for mistakes," he said, switching back to work mode effortlessly.

My stomach twisted at that.

I did as instructed, forcing the weird feelings to the back of my head.

The driver drove into the expensive estate I have only seen online.

I didn't belong here.

The driver stopped in front of a gate.

We stepped out of his car after we spotted a basket in front of the gate.

As we approached, I heard a sound. I walked closer and gasped.

“What’s that thing?” he asked.

“This isn’t a ‘thing.’ It’s a baby,” I deadpanned.

I picked up the child. A baby girl. My eyes widened. she had every feature of my boss. Almost like they were related. A note hung from her necklace.

“How the hell did she get here?” he asked, coming closer.

I shrugged. Slowly, I opened the note and read it aloud:

Dear Nick,

You probably don’t remember me. We met at a party almost two years ago. We had a one-night stand. Too drunk to use protection. Luciana is the result of that reckless night. I’ve cared for her for a year, putting my life on hold. Now it’s your turn. I don’t want anything from you. Just take care of your child.

Xoxo.

I watched him run a finger through his hair. Even stressed, the gesture was hypnotic. He’s that beautiful. I couldn’t deny it.

“What the fuck? Set up an appointment with my doctor immediately. I’m going to conduct a DNA test for this…thing."

I snorted internally.

“Her name is Luciana,” I replied, and he rolled his eyes.

I stared down at the baby. She didn’t deserve any of this. How could a mother leave her own child? And what if someone had taken her before we arrived?

Luciana. At least she had a name.