Chapter 5 Tears and Laughter

Bernard was taken aback. "You know my wife?" he asked, disbelief etched across his face.

Hadassah took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she dropped her bag on the floor. "Eliana was a good person to me," she began, her voice quivering.

"Five years ago, when my father was sick, he was diagnosed with cancer. We were asked to raise $20,000." Tears welled in her eyes as she continued, "My mom and I managed to scrape together $8,000. I applied for part-time jobs everywhere. I worked round the clock." Her voice broke, and she wiped her cheek with the back of her hand.

"We sold almost all our belongings. It was hell! My mom worked at fast food places just to make ends meet." She looked down, her shoulders curling inward as the memories flooded back.

"Then one fateful day, the doctor called us in. He told us someone had paid my dad's hospital bills." Her breath hitched as she recalled that moment. "We met the lady. It was Eliana. She was my angel. I can never forget her."

As she spoke, her expression turned somber. "We felt so happy, but then we lost him." A sob escaped her lips, and she clutched her stomach as if the pain were physical. "I searched for her after my father died, wanting to thank her and tell her about his passing. But I couldn't find her."

Her heart sank further as she whispered, "I didn't know she's gone." She pressed her palms to her face, tears streaming down, the weight of loss crashing down on her.

Bernard's heart ached for her. He felt a pang of nostalgia for his late wife, memories flooding back. Clearing his throat, he said gently, "It's okay. Life... it happens." He extended a hand to her. "Pick up your bag. Let me show you to your room."

As they walked, Hadassah's mind was still tangled in memories of Eliana, the warmth of her kindness contrasting sharply with the chill of her absence. "Oh, my helper," she whispered to herself, sinking onto the bed as exhaustion overwhelmed her. "I promise to take care of your daughter with my last breath."

She pulled out her phone and dialed Sharon, her fingers shaking slightly. "Bestie, how are you?" Her voice was heavy with sorrow.

Sharon's voice came through, teasing yet warm. "I thought you forgot about me! What's up?"

Hadassah poured out the story, her words tumbling out as she recounted the mansion, the lavish surroundings, and the shocking revelation that Eliana was Bernard's wife.

Sharon gasped. "Wait, the Eliana that helped your dad? Oh no... she's gone and she's Bernard's wife? This life..." Her voice trailed off, filled with disbelief and sympathy. "Please take heart, Hadassah. You'll repay her kindness by taking care of her daughter."

"Yes," Hadassah replied softly, her heart aching. "I need to sleep now." They hung up, and she lay in bed, the memories of Eliana swirling in her mind. Each thought felt like a dagger, making it hard to breathe.

As fatigue finally overcame her, she closed her eyes, drifting into a restless sleep, haunted by the echoes of gratitude and grief.

---

It was 6:00 AM on Monday morning, and Hadassah awoke to soft light filtering through the curtains, welcoming her into Bernard's world. She took a moment to gather herself, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

A knock at the door startled her. She hurried to open it, revealing Bernard, half-dressed for work, his expression focused yet kind. "Good morning," he greeted, his tone brisk. "Lily will be going to preschool today. Please prepare her and drop her off."

Hadassah blinked, surprised by his urgency. "Are you ready for work?" she asked, hoping for some connection.

Bernard ignored her question, handing her Lily's parent card. "Give this to the security at her school. They'll let you in. My driver will stop at a restaurant so you can pick up food for her."

"Okay," she replied, attempting to veil her apprehension with a smile.

"She's still asleep. Please come and carry her," Bernard said, his voice softer now.

Hadassah entered Bernard's room, her breath catching in her throat. The space felt like a five-star hotel-tastefully decorated with plush furnishings, warm colors, and sunlight streaming through large windows. It was a world away from her own.

She approached the sleeping Lily, her heart swelling with affection. Gently, she scooped the little girl into her arms, feeling the warmth of her small body. "Time to wake up, sweet girl," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from Lily's face.

As Hadassah prepared Lily for school, she played and sang softly, her voice light and cheerful. Lily's laughter filled the room, a sweet, innocent sound that made Hadassah's heart flutter. She felt a connection forming, a bond shaping between them.

After a quick breakfast, they headed out to meet the driver. Hadassah felt a wave of nerves as they arrived at the restaurant, but the driver's reassuring smile helped ease her tension. She ordered food for Lily, feeling a sense of responsibility settle over her.

Once at the preschool, Hadassah handed over the parent card. As she watched Lily skip excitedly toward the entrance, she felt a mix of pride and joy. This was the beginning of something new, and Hadassah was ready to embrace it.

Chapter 6

Title:

~~~~~

Charles settled into the driver's seat of his car, adjusting the rearview mirror as he prepared for a conference call.

As a financial consultant, he specialized in offering financial planning, investment management, and accounting services to businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Today, he was on the line with Mr. Gonzalez, a Spanish businessman planning to build a large auto parts facility in the state.

Taking a deep breath, Charles connected the call and pressed the speaker button. He straightened his posture, a small smile on his face as he greeted the man on the other end.

"Good morning, Mr. Gonzalez. Can you hear me?"

"Good morning, Charles! Yes, I can hear you perfectly. How are things on your end?"

"Everything's going well, thanks! Just wrapped up some meetings. I'm excited to discuss your plans for the new spare parts facility."

"Excellent! We're eager to get started. I believe this project could make a significant impact in the market here."

Charles nodded, even though Mr. Gonzalez couldn't see him. He leaned slightly forward, his hands resting on the steering wheel as if he were driving the conversation. "Absolutely. I've been looking into the financial aspects, and I think we can structure the investment to maximize your returns. Have you finalized the location?"

"Yes, we've identified a site in the industrial district. It has great access to highways and a nearby logistics center."

"That sounds ideal," Charles replied, his eyes glancing out the window. "Accessibility is key for distribution. Have you assessed the local labor market?"

"We've done some preliminary research. There's a skilled workforce available, but we'll need to offer competitive wages to attract the best talent."

Charles shifted in his seat, feeling the weight of the discussion. "That's true. I can help you with a financial plan that includes projected labor costs. It's important to factor that into your budget from the start."

"Agreed. I also want to ensure we have enough capital for initial operations. What funding options do you recommend?"

"We can explore a mix of equity financing and loans. I can connect you with some local investors who might be interested in backing the project."

Mr. Gonzalez's enthusiasm was evident. "That would be very helpful. I want to present a solid proposal to them when I visit next month."

"Let's set up a detailed plan we can share during your meetings. I'll prepare some financial forecasts to illustrate the potential growth."

"Perfect. I appreciate your support, Charles. It's reassuring to have someone with your expertise on board."

Charles relaxed a little, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "My pleasure, Mr. Gonzalez. I'm excited to see this project come to life. Let's touch base later this week to finalize our strategy."

"Absolutely. I'll send over the details of the site and any additional information you need."

"Sounds good. Looking forward to it!" Charles said, glancing at the dashboard.

"Thank you, Charles. Talk soon!"

As he ended the call, Charles leaned back in his seat, a satisfied smile on his face. With a sense of purpose, he turned off the ignition and stepped out of the car.

As Charles walked into the store, the familiar scent of fresh produce filled the air. He moved through the aisles, picking up groceries and vegetables, enjoying the simple task. After filling his cart, he approached the checkout counter, where he spotted a familiar face.

"Hi, Charles! Remember me?" Sharon said, looking up from her computer with a bright smile.

"Of course, You're Hadassah's friend from the mall, right?" he replied, his own grin spreading across his face.

"Exactly!" Sharon laughed, her expression warm. "How have you been?"

"I've been good, just keeping busy with work. How about you?"

"Same here! I work part-time at the store and do hairstyling services at home," she explained, her tone upbeat.

"Wow, that's impressive! So you're balancing this and your styling gigs? That's a lot of work for a beautiful woman like you. Your man should be doing that instead!" Charles teased, leaning casually against the counter.

Sharon chuckled, her laughter light and genuine. "Man? I can't remember what that means these days!"

"Seriously? A stunning woman like you without a man? That's a crime against nature! You must be breaking hearts everywhere."

She shook her head, smiling. "I think it's just a matter of bad timing. I've been too busy for distractions right now."

Charles pretended to be shocked, placing a hand over his heart. "Busy? But how will you ever find that elusive 'man' if you're always working? I could help with that over coffee sometime!"

Sharon raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. "Coffee sounds nice, but my schedule is pretty packed these days. I'm not sure when I could fit it in."

"Ah, playing hard to get, are we?" he teased, leaning in slightly. "But let's be real-you deserve to take a break. How about I just text you, and we can find a time when you're free?"

"That sounds more reasonable," she replied, chuckling softly. "I promise I'm not ignoring you. I just have a lot on my plate."

"Fair enough! Just know I'm here, ready to charm you whenever you need a breather," he said with a wink.

Sharon handed him a slip of paper with her number, her smile warm. "I'll hold you to that. Just remember, I'm a busy woman!"

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of forgetting," he said, grinning as she scanned his groceries. "But if you ever need someone to help lighten the load, I'm your guy!"

"Sure, right after you get your hairstyling license," she shot back with a laugh, her eyes sparkling.

"Deal!" he said, his excitement evident. As he turned to leave, he glanced back at her, feeling a flutter of anticipation. "I'll text you, and don't worry-I promise to make time for when you're free!"

"Looking forward to it, Charles!" she called after him, her voice bright.

With a playful wave, he stepped out of the store, the encounter leaving him feeling light and cheerful.

As Charles settled into the driver's seat and prepared to leave, his phone buzzed on the passenger seat.

He glanced over and saw a message from Bernard. The moment he read it, his heart pounded in his chest.