Chapter 2 2

Evy.

"She's asleep now," Mary speaks as soon as I drop my bag on the sofa.

"Thank you, Mary! You don't know how worried I've been about her today," I whisper, feeling tired.

"I knew you had gone job hunting, and when I realized you hadn't come back home, I assumed you'd found something." I smile.

"Yes. It's not much, but it'll help us."

"That's good, dear. And what about her?" I let out an audible sigh.

"I still don't know, Mary. Could you look after her while I go back home?"

"I can do that for a few days, dear, but you know Judy needs special care."

"Yeah, I know. But with what I'll earn, it'll barely cover the bills and food for us. How will I afford a clinic?" I grumble disheartened.

"Dear, you could place her in a nursing home. Just... until things improve." I feel suffocated just hearing that suggestion, but I know I won't have another choice.

"I promise I'll consider it carefully, Mary." The sweet lady forces a smile at me.

"Alright, dear! I left some macaroni in the fridge for you. Take a shower, eat something, and rest. Tomorrow is another day."

"Yes. Thank you again, Mary!" She nods and leaves. After a long shower, I wear a short flannel pajama set and before heading to my room, I take a moment to look at her. Mom sleeps peacefully under the effect of medication, and tears well up as I sit on the small armchair, observing her for long minutes. "I'm so sorry, Mom!" I whisper. "I didn't want to have to take you away from me, much less force you to live with strangers. However, I don't see another way out. I promise... it'll only be for a while," I softly mutter, wiping away the tears. I stand up and before leaving the room, I gently kiss her forehead.

The next day...

"Good morning, Evy! Ready for another day?" My boss asks me with an enthusiasm I can't quite understand. Maybe that's just his overly enthusiastic manner, or perhaps he wants to cheer us up for another hectic day. With a smile, I grab my uniform and go to change for another day of work. D'Angelo is a business building, but the vast majority of the commercial spaces are law firms and administration offices. It hosts renowned and large companies. From what I've heard the girls comment, Mr. Gael D'Angelo, the owner, maintains one of his companies here, even on the top floor. Rumors also say that none of our maids have served that floor. Seems like the man has grandiose habits or a king-sized ego. Well, even working in the building's pantry won't get me to that top floor. "Let's go, ladies! Anne, third, fifth, and sixth floor. Wendy, twentieth, twenty-third, and thirty-first. Evy, the entrepreneurship floor."

"Look, she just arrived and is already near the sky!" Anne jokes, pulling my attention away from our boss's announcement, making me look at her curiously.

"Near the sky?" She nods, sporting a broad smile.

"It's the floor closest to D'Angelo and where you get the best tips too," Wendy whispers, and I glance at my boss who continues reading the long list of tasks, assigning them to the respective employees. While he reads, he throws me an unreadable glance, and I smile back at the man who smirks suggestively at me. I pretend indifference and leave the small meeting room with the other employees.

"I think Dylan's taking a shine to you, Evy," Anne comments in a secretive tone while arranging her cart.

"Oh, of course not! Why do you think that?" She shrugs.

"No one goes to that department on their second day of work. They're usually very particular about that, and Dylan always tries to keep everything in perfect order. You're making progress with our boss, girl!" The girl winks and pushes her cart. Inevitably, I glance at the glass walls that separate the office of my boss from the pantry and once again, I find him looking at me. I sigh and try to focus on my cart.

Nervous? I can say that at this moment, that word is an understatement for me. I'm trembling like crazy! Knowing that Maden Accounting is the most sought-after accounting firm in the country and the world has shaken me to my core. And you might be wondering, why so much stress? Because accounting is my world. I studied for it, dreamed about it my whole life, and above all, I dreamed of working in this company, but look where I am now! Exactly in a meeting room of the top accountants, staring at each padded chair around the rectangular table. Only, I'm on the wrong side and not seated in any of those chairs. Anxiously, I run my hand over the thick, bluish fabric of one of them and let out a deep sigh. You need to leave, Ivy. My subconscious alerts me, and nervously, I press my lips, stepping away from the table, but without turning my back to head for the exit door. At that moment, someone opens it abruptly, and I'm violently pushed forward, falling on all fours onto the polished wooden floor.

"Damn it!" I curse softly, but I'm exasperated because I know I stayed longer than I should have. I just had to leave the damn cart in the room and exit right away. Why didn't I say that, damn it?

"What are you doing here?!" A female voice questions irritably, making me raise my head and awkwardly stand up, murmuring an apology.

"I just... I just came to bring breakfast for the meeting," I explain, running my hands over my uniform, trying to fix it as best as possible.

"You're new?!" There's a clear dissatisfaction in the woman's tone. Damn, I'm in big trouble!

"Y-yes, ma'am!"

"Dylan knows our requirements, how dare he?!" I gulp and realize I can't afford to lose this job.

"T-this won't happen again, ma'am," I assure nervously and agitatedly.

"No, it won't! Now get out of here!"

"Of course, Ma'am, and I apologize for the trouble!" I take two hurried steps to leave as quickly as possible, but I collide too forcefully with a tall figure and feel myself being thrown to the ground once again. However, before I feel the impact, a pair of hands firmly grasp my waist, and I immediately meet a pair of honey-colored eyes looking at me. A sideways smile emerges amidst a neatly trimmed beard.

"Just what I needed now!" The woman grumbles, still irritated, prompting me to immediately move away from the man, trembling, and readjust my uniform.

"I'm sorry for this, Sir!" I apologize, embarrassed, but I dare not look into the eyes of everyone gathered behind him due to the darn incident.

"I'll ensure this doesn't happen again, don't worry!" The woman scolds furiously, and I push my way out among the businessmen.

Here's the revised translation, aiming to align more closely with the original text and addressing the pointed inconsistencies and discrepancies.