Chapter 3 You're late, Ms. Dick

(Annabelle)

"I got another job."

"Better than the last ones?" My mom almost snorted over the phone.

I sighed, my shoulder sagged as I massaged my temple with my fingers.

I understand my mom's "I told you so" tone, which is her way of showing concern. When I got pregnant, both my parents had advised me to get rid of it.

Why should I keep the baby of someone who broke it off with me without any reason? At 22 years of age, why do I want to become a single mom when I have my whole life planned ahead of me?

They'd said the pregnancy was going to hold me back, and at the end of the day, I'd regret keeping the child of a man who was so cowardly and hated us enough to break up with me over the phone.

Maybe they're right about the first bit. After all, both of them had cast me aside because they couldn't continue taking care of a stupid girl who was stupidly and blindly in love with a heartbreaker.

But I'd not regret keeping the pregnancy...not even for once. Because I had given birth to a girl who is everything to me but never a regret.

Getting pregnant with Mimi might have held me back on my education. Granted, I might have opted for an online course because I couldn't jumble up being pregnant, working part-time, and in college. Even if it was all about money than it been hectic. And Mimi might have had her Dad's eyes, and look like a mini female version of Adrian Armstrong, never for once have I regretted having her.

She's my everything. My joy, and the reason I could still go on with life to achieve my dream of becoming a marketer for some big company.

No! Just because Adrian had abandoned us doesn't mean my kid had to take the brunt. The moment I knew I wanted to keep her, I prepared to give her the best life even if it might be hard.

"It is," I replied. "I'm working in a company now...as a Secretary," I added before my mom got any weird idea.

Mom sighed, and I could imagine the deep frown etched on her face. "Are you sure this company isn't a fraud? And they'd employed you as a secretary?"

Because not many companies will hire someone who'd done a six-month online course instead of going to a real school.

I focused on Mimi's photo that hung primly over my kitchen's top cabinets. It was a picture taken when she won the dance competition at her school. She'd dressed like her favorite celebrity dancer, and have her dark black hair in a ponytail. Mimi looks so excited, her eyes glint, and her lips spread in an infectious smile that always makes me smile too.

And today, I focused on that smile so I could ignore the sting that comes with my mom's doubt.

Never for once had I expected anyone's validations, but I could really do better without them discrediting me, as their ways of looking out for me.

"No, it's not," I said. "And I've truly been hired as a secretary because they seem to need one urgently." I withheld the rest of the information. She needs not know where I work or who has hired me. After all, Adrian was a forbidden subject. He's the "Voldemort" of our time.

"Okay," she didn't believe me. "How's your kid?" And I pretended not to notice her ignored the fact that she wouldn't call my Mimi by her name. At least, she's made an effort by asking of her, she acknowledges her existence. My Dad couldn't even bother.

"She's fine. She's with my friend Julie since her place is closer to her lesson."

"Alright." I waited for her next word, but I got a tiny beep on her end instead.

With a sigh, I dropped my phone. I don't let my parents' nonchalant attitude bother me so much, and today is one of those days where they could do better at the back of my mind.

I officially started at AFH today, and nothing could ruin my mood...not even the fact that my boss is the runaway asshole father of my daughter.

I fixed a simple breakfast for myself, ran a quick bath, and in a few minutes, I'd skittered out of my single-room apartment, taken the morning bus, and found myself standing before the gigantic building of AFH.

I let myself admire the tall building that stood gigantically amid the city, dazzling in the morning sunlight and commanding attention like royalty would.

A smile spread on my face, and my heart stuttered in my chest.

I can do this. I would prove to them that it doesn't matter if I've only taken a six-month course online, I can be as diligent, dedicated, and hardworking as those who'd graduated from those prestigious schools. And if I'm lucky enough, maybe I'd be able to apply to their marketing team too.

With a last glance at the building, I made my way in to take the elevator to the 13th floor.

I know I still have about thirty minutes to admire the building and other workers beautifully dressed in their corporate wear, and their necks adorned with AFH's ID card. After all, it's only 7;30am. But today being my first day, I needed to make a very good impression, and besides, my neck itches to have one of those IDs around it.

As I made my way down the path that led to Adrian's office, I felt my hands shake, and my heart thrummed in my chest... definitely not because I was nervous right, but because I was excited to be the first one to grace the office.

Or maybe not the first.

Because there's Adrian, leaning against the glassy frame of his office door. He was dressed in a white shirt, tux discarded, and his blue strip tie slung around his neck.

I tried not to stare at the expanse of his muscles under his shirt as he crossed his arms over his chest, nor pay attention to the way his brown eyes steeled over my black heels as if he knew I'd gotten them cheap from the knockoff store downtown.

"Good morning," I cleared my throat. "Good morning, Mr. Armstrong."

Adrian's brown eyes met mine, then he glanced down at this watch before he locked gaze with me again. His nose scrunched up then his entire face followed in a deep frown.

"You are late, Ms. Dick."