Chapter 3 Second Chapter

Without saying a word, Siel threw her arms around her friend, who wrapped her in a hearty hug as well. Diwa knew that her co-worker and best friend will not accept any other kind of financial help. Siel wasn't proud, but Di knew how difficult it was to make money, so she didn't even think of offering a loan to help her friend.

That would definitely be viewed as an insult by Siel, and that is the last thing the poor single mom needed to deal with at this time.

Other than another verbal attack by her tall and thin boss...

The screaming man came stomping back into his office, grabbed a few printed documents from his desk then walked over to Siel's desk.

"You'd better have the two contracts checked and ready to be signed in two hours, Siel! If we don't have them on time, the client will look for another outsourcing company. You know how much money we would lose between the support, maintenance, and computer parts if we don't sign?"

"Yes, sir, I know how much the contract brings in," the flustered woman answered, almost mumbling to herself.

"Then get it done!" Wright hissed/yelled at her, noticing that their CEO was still looking his way. Or he thought it was his way...

Maybe it was someone else he was looking at. Shit, better get out there and start the meeting or I'm dead.

Meanwhile, Di saw the way Roderick didn't fully yell at her friend and followed his line of sight, noticing that Vincent was still looking their way. She smirked and raised an eyebrow at the CEO. In response, Vince slightly blushed, and she could see it clearly, even from a good distance away.

Eventually, the flushed man finally looked away because he was already being invited by the Wright, along with the other suited executives, to enter the meeting room.

Still smiling, Diwa turned again to her friend.

"Just think about it, OK? While you do, just imagine how your kids' faces are gonna light up like the sparkly lights on a Christmas tree when they get their wishes. Promise me you will, OK?"

"Alright Di, I will," Siel sighed, right before immersing herself in her work.

One call with an on-floor technician, one phone meeting with their warehouse, a few trips to the Legal Department, and a few contracts in the works later, and it was past her supposed shift's end. For some reason, she couldn't help but glance at the meeting room whenever she would go past it. And she would find her eyes automatically drawn to a certain lightly-bearded man in a black suit...

After a few more hours, she was now sitting at her desk, alone in the office, tired and worried because she's still rechecking the contract details before leaving it on her boss's desk. She took a break by drinking her favorite cinnamon coffee brew, which she always had on hand in one of her desk drawers.

Stopping for a minute, she looked at the angel-shaped pieces of paper that her friend put in her hand which were now on her table. A small smile lit up her face, right before her mobile phone rang...

"Hey Siel, you might want to come home soon, not that I'm rushing you... But your ex-husband is here... and he wants to play with the kids."

"OK, I'm going. Just stay there until I get home," she replied as she picked up the documents which she was still studying. Finally satisfied, she entered her boss' e private office and placed them neatly on top of her his desk, her mobile still stuck between her cheek and shoulder.

"Hell, I'm staying until he leaves, girl."

"You don't need to, Nella. I can't pay you for the extra hours."

"Then don't pay me for that. It's a favor. Besides, I get to use your internet for free, and I need that for my thesis. That's why I gave you dirt-cheap rates, remember?"

"But..."

"No, buts. I still need to finish a chapter, so I'm staying. Will be waiting for you."

And the call ends...

At this point, Siel had already mindlessly stuffed random items on her desk into her bag, had put on her coat, and was now rushing out the door and into the elevator. Soon, she was already at home, parking her car in the garage.

Maybe because she was a little too panicky, Siel was totally unaware of another vehicle following her all throughout her journey. It slowed down as she parked and then zoomed away as her home's garage door started to close.

"Hello there, Jonah. Good of you to see your children, but I really can't keep them up for too long."

"And yes, Siel good evening to you, too. You really have quite a way with words. Is that how you should talk to me when we're in front of our kids?"

The worn-out woman sighed at the slim man who has now stood and crossed his arms over his slender chest as he started to walk towards her slowly. She really didn't need this right now...

"I hope this means you plan to send your children gifts this Christmas, at the very least."

"My time is already a gift, Siel. You know how busy I am with my business and all."

Busy at what? Every time you close a deal in your parent's construction company, you go straight and spend it in Vegas. Good lord, am I glad I'm no longer with you...

"What did you say?"

Oh God, did I just say that aloud? I must really be tired.

"Nothing... anyway, I'm sincerely apologizing but you really can't stay too long, Jonah. Feel free to come back on another day. Possibly even a weekend..."

"I've got all my weekends booked, so, no thanks. Will just make do with a few more minutes, and then I'll be gone."

Nella, who was about a few feet behind Jonah, put her finger under her chin and did a slicing movement across her neck while looking at the man in front of her. Siel tried to hide a giggle since she felt the same way.

He didn't even bother to call or even text me of his plans to visit. Damn it, he's just so insensitive and irresponsible! OK, fine, even if he is being mean to me, he isn't as bad with our babies. I just gotta accept that he will be a problem for me for the rest of my life if I intend to keep my children with me. What is the path of less resistance, right?

She didn't want anything for free, even from her difficult ex. All she wanted was an opportunity to make her babies and her lives better...

Just that one single chance is all she's asking.

++++++++++++

Meanwhile, the mysterious car, which happened to be the latest Aston Martin Vantage in Lunar Eclipse ebony blue, eventually arrived at a high-end sector of the city's Industrial Estates.

The driver zoomed through the valet entrances of one of the most modern skyscrapers in the area. He left left his keys with an attendant and finally walked out of his classy ride and into one of the nearby private elevator.

A few minutes later, he's already settled in at one of the private booths of an exclusive club that that was the very pinnacle of contemporary elegance, richness, and luxury. Familiar with his taste and selection, the bartender immediately sent over a highball with a small crystal platter of nuts.

The handsome man in the black suit gave the barkeep a small gesture of approval then sipped his drink while waiting.

In just a few minutes, in came two other good-looking men who can be mistaken for twins upon initial observation. They both walked tall with long steady strides, were both broad-shouldered, very much the same height, and their muscled torsos stretched their dark suits slightly in just the right places.

Other than that, upon closer inspection, you can see that one had longer, more tousled midnight black hair and dark brown eyes while the other had dark brown highlights to his strands and an amber tinge to his pupils. Also, the darker-haired one seemed to reflect his physical looks with his calm seriousness while the other was obviously a charmer, complete with the small smile that hardly left his face.

"Good to see you again, guys. And thanks for taking the time to travel out here just to meet me," said the first comer as the other two took their seats opposite him.