Chapter 5 UNDERSTANDING SHAWN

TIFFANY'S POV

I exhaled deeply, snapping back to the moment.

It had been years but moments like this triggered those memories. Memories I had forced into the deepest part of me.

I was grateful that I finally left after so many fears.

Now I have Shawn.

Of course It hadn't been easy, I knew it wasn't going to be.

I worked harder than I wanted. It was my only way to get the validations I needed to go on.

Was it taking a toll on me? Yes.

Was I going to stop? No.

I would rather work my butts off than be with an asshole for a husband.

I saw the two women that was talking ill of the single mother earlier get into the elevator.

I rushed and equally got in.

"You know, people who talk behind people's backs are cowards?"

"What? Did you just say something?" One of the women asked.

"No, I'm just saying people should learn to mind their business. Especially some loud mouth cowards who know nothing about being a single mother and the struggles. "

"What? Are you talking to us? Is she talking to us?" The first woman looked at the other one.

"Why? Are you guilty?"

They exchanged looks and kept shut.

The elevator whirled and stopped. Then creaked open. I started out but stopped after a few steps.

"Ah, I forgot."

I started back towards the women.

"Watch your backs, you never know when someone else will be speaking ill behind you too. Let's be nice."

"That....that crazy woman! Who is she?"

I heard them groan and cuss as I left.

But I didn't care nor did I bother glancing behind me.

"Miss Tiffany? Weren't you showing the new director around the office?" Miss Medline asked when I walked into the office.

"Sam is doing that."

"Sam? And he agreed to it?"

"Sure."

Who cared if he agreed to it or not? I hissed inwardly. All that mattered was that I was away from that flirtatious arrogant prat.

She shrugged and continued working.

"Wait, he really agreed to have Sam show him around?" Mr Bradpit, the information technology manager asked in surprise.

"Yes, why?"

"I mean, he acted as if he wouldn't bulge if it wasn't you showing him around. For a moment back there we thought you both...are already having the hots for each other..."

He smirked, lowering his voice at the last part of his words.

I looked at Mr Jackson, the operations manager and he was equally grinning with mischief.

"Exactly! He seems to fancy you Miss Tiffany. Do you both know from somewhere?" Miss Clara, the accountant, asked and peered suspiciously at me.

"Yes, he had his eyes all over you the whole time," Miss Joke added cheekily. She was the customer service representative.

My mouth dropped open in disbelief.

"Heck! What are you all thinking?"

I shook my head and quickly delved into work, grateful to Sam for showing up at the right time.

Even though I shut my ears to their inquisitive questions, I still felt their suspicious eyes on me for some time. But they soon all got busy with work moments later.

***************************

"Miss Tiffany, aren't you leaving?" Miss Medline asked me.

I looked up from my laptop and saw her slinging her bag across her shoulder. Miss Clara and the others equally stood, looking all ready to leave.

My eyes darted to the clock and I realised it was already evening. The pile of files I still had to look through stared at me. It felt like I had barely gotten anything done.

"I will finish up these before I go. You guys should go on without me."

"Make sure to lock up," Mr Jackson called behind before they all zoomed off.

I yawned tiredly and went back to work as soon as they left.

I worked and didn't realise the evening was far spent.

At some point it felt like I was missing something.

"Shit!" I shouted as I grabbed my bag and dashed out of the office.

"Oh, Shawn..." I groaned. I had forgotten to pick her up from school yet again.

I booked a ride straight to her school.

I saw Shawn sitting with her classroom teacher in the security office when I got there.

"I'm so sorry baby. Mummy is sorry."

I turned to her teacher.

"I'm sorry Ms Rose. I am really sorry for keeping you here till now."

"What happened, Miss Tiffany? You could have had your mother come pick her if you were going to be late. Shawn has had a rough day at school today. She has been waiting for you for a long time now."

"Oh, my sweet pea." I carried her into my arms and hugged her tight. P

"I really apologise, Miss Rose. This won't happen again."

Of course I had said the same thing before.

"It's alright Miss Tiffany. I hope you keep to your word this time. For the sake of Shawn. She can't be in school during the hour of her rest time."

"Thank you. I will be sure to keep my word this time. Have a nice night sleep Miss Rose."

"Bye, Shawn. See you at school tomorrow."

"Bye, Miss Rose." Shawn waved Miss Rose goodbye.

"Come on, sweet pea, let's go."

"Mummy, you forgot to come pick me because of work, right? You could have let Grandma come pick me. " Shawn asked, more like saying. She was always a smart kid.

I stopped, lowered her to the ground and bent to match her height.

"I'm sorry Shawn. Mummy was so busy with work that it slipped my mind that I forgot I had asked your grandma to let me pick you up today."

"It's alright mummy. I understand."

I felt a whirlwind of emotions surge within me. My Shawn was all grown up. My little baby was all grown up. She really grew way too fast. I couldn't believe it myself. My little Shawn of yesterday.

It was so hard to accept yet with each of her words and actions and the way she easily grasped situations had me feeling an overwhelming sense of validation.

"Oh baby...come here."

I pulled her in and hugged her.

"Mummy, you are gonna choke me," she groaned under my tight embrace.

"Oh, I'm sorry sweet pea. Mummy got a little bit emotional there." I laughed.

Then I took her hand and we started home.

"You think Grandma would be waiting for us with a sumptuous meal ready, Mummy?"

"Yes. I'm sure she will be waiting for us."

My mother, Mrs Grace Gunner, had been my biggest backbone the last few years. She was there for me. She had been my mother and my father. In the midst of it all, she hadn't left my side the whole time, holding my hand and walking with me all the way.

When Albert's family tried to take Shawn away from me, Mother stepped up and took it up with them. It had cost her almost all she owned.

But she didn't mind and still stood by me.

She left Canberra with me and together we came to Sydney.

With her and Shawn beside me, I was completely alright with it and I was never going to let any man come between us.