Lahat ng Kabanata ng My Boss is My Daughter's Father : Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 20

NATALIE’S POVI was halfway through reviewing a contract when my phone vibrated.At first, I ignored it. The entire morning had been busy, and I was still trying to prove to myself that I deserved to be here. Between organizing Lucas’s schedule, responding to emails, and preparing documents for a conference call later in the afternoon, I barely had enough time to think about anything else.The phone vibrated again.I glanced at the screen and immediately felt my stomach tighten.Unknown Number.Ever since Jason reappeared, those two words had become enough to ruin my day.Slowly, I picked up the phone and unlocked it.For several seconds, I couldn’t understand what I was looking at.Then my blood ran cold.It was me and Ava.The picture had clearly been taken outside Carla’s apartment building the previous morning. I recognized me and Ava’s outfits immediately. I even remembered what she had been complaining about when we were walking toward the entrance.Someone had taken that photo

NATALIE’S POVMia decided she was going to follow me to Carla’s house since she had to leave the office early.But by the time we got to Carla’s apartment, Ava looked perfectly fine.She was curled up beneath one of Carla’s knitted blankets, watching cartoons with a mug of warm tea sitting untouched on the coffee table. The second she spotted me, her entire face lit up.“Mommy!”She climbed off the couch before Carla could stop her and wrapped both arms around my waist.I laughed, brushing the curls away from her forehead.“I heard someone wasn’t feeling well.”She frowned dramatically.“I wasn’t.”I raised an eyebrow.“But I’m better now.”“So that’s it? Just like that?”She nodded proudly.“Carla made soup.”Carla appeared from the kitchen carrying a dish towel over her shoulder.“Don’t let her fool you,” she said with a laugh. “She only ate three spoons before jumping up and down again saying she was cured.”“I was!” Ava yelled.“You were not.”“I was.”I couldn’t help laughing as

NATALIE’S POVThe automatic doors slid open, and Ava was out of my reach before I could remind her not to run.“Slow down!” I called after her, laughing despite being nervous about the looks everyone gave. She stopped just a few feet away and turned around with an exaggerated sigh.“I’m walking.”“You were running,” I said, grabbing her hands. “I was speed walking.”I shook my head.“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”She grinned before skipping toward a display of colorful backpacks lined up against the wall.The store was busier than I expected, but considering schools were opening soon, I wasn’t too surprised. Parents wandered through the aisles with shopping baskets, children argued over lunchboxes and pencil cases, and every parent there looked stressed.“Mommy!” Ava waved me over. “Look!”She held up a bright purple backpack covered in tiny butterflies.“It’s pretty,” I said.“I love it.”I reached for the price tag.My shook for just a second.One hundred and twenty dollars.

NATALIE’S POVI was halfway through updating the itinerary when my office phone rang.I reached for it without looking up.“Natalie Hart speaking.”“Natalie, could you come to my office for a minute?”It was Lucas.“I’ll be right there.”I grabbed my tablet and notebook before making my way out of the office and into his. Lucas was standing beside his desk when I walked in, jacket draped over one arm.“You wanted to see me?”“I need you to come with me this morning.”I blinked.“…Sorry?”“The Harrington meeting.”I gave a half smile, even though my heart was literally in my stomach.“I thought it was just you and Tom.”“It was until I decided it wasn’t.” I frowned. “Meaning?” “You’re my assistant. It’s mandatory for you to be there. Of course with Tom.” “Oh, but I wasn’t informed of this earlier.” For some reason he looked more confused than I was. “You’re my assistant. I figured you’d have it at the back of your mind that escorting me was compulsory.” I took a step back in my

NATALIE'S POV "Morning.”I turned around. “Oh morning Emily,” I smiled.She dropped a heap of folders onto my desk before letting out a dramatic sigh.“I swear these documents multiply overnight.”I laughed. “That’s what i’ve been saying.”“Everytime I get the urge to just hang myself, I remember how much work you do and realize my life isn’t so bad.”I laughed again. “Very funny Emily.” I shook my head, reaching for the first folder while she remained standing where she was.“You need something?”“Hm?”“You look like you’re waiting to tell me something.”Emily smiled sheepishly.“I forgot.”“What?”“I don’t mean to pry, but are you okay?”“What do you mean?” “Ethan was asking about you earlier.” The pen in my hand paused. “…About me?”She nodded. “It wasn’t anything strange though. I think he just wanted to know how you were doing, as well as literally everyone here.” I hesitated to answer. “What did he ask?”“He asked if you always stayed this late after work… if you’ve always