Second Chance at Forever

UNITED STATE OF KREECE

YELTA STATE

METRO CITY

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"The stepmother of the princess lied to the prince, accusing the princess of stealing the queen's jewelry... Who is the queen?"

A man in his early thirties asked, glancing at the two boys, each sitting next to him on a couch in a large mansion.

His disheveled dirty blonde hair and bored blue eyes betrayed his lack of enthusiasm as he read from the book in his hands.

One of the boys, both younger versions of the man and identical, eagerly raised his hand and answered, "The Prince's mother."

The other boy rolled his eyes, annoyed. "I was going to say that. The queen is the prince's mother."

The man nodded and marked something for them in their books.

"That's right,"

He exhaled deeply, and continued, "But the prince had had enough of the stepmother and banished her from the palace. Why do you think the prince did that?"

He frowned slightly, wondering if his children could figure the answer to the question out.

He looked at the two of them, and they seemed lost in thought. They're only six, after all.

"Let's backtrack," the man said with a smile. "The stepmother lived in the palace with her stepdaughter, the princess. She accused the princess of stealing the queen's necklace, but in the end, she was the one banished. Why did the prince banish the stepmother when she did nothing but report her stepdaughter?"

One of the boys raised his hand excitedly, "I know, I know! I remember! I bet you can't, Jake!" The boy cleared his throat and answered confidently, "Because the prince didn't want anything bad to happen to the princess."

The man gave his son a blank stare. "Oh, is that right?"

"Dad, you know Vik is wrong! He's always wrong!" Jake shouted with a frown, and said, "The answer is plain and simple. The prince and the princess were together so the princess couldn't have stolen it at the time she was accused of having done that."

Vik shook his head, frowning. "That's not plain and simple, Jake. At all."

The man smiled, marking something in their books before moving on. "Alright, now guess what happens after the stepmother is banished."

"They live happily ever after?" Vik answered, still frowning.

"Exactly!" The man nodded with a grin, ruffling Vik's hair proudly. "I think this is the first time you got a question right, son." Vik nodded, looking very proud.

Jake scoffed, shaking his head. "What's he gonna do without me? Dad, next time, let's do our homework separately."

The man sighed. "That would mean reading this twice, and I'd rather not feel like I'm being punished." He added, "Now, you two can play for two hours, but after that, it's off to bed. I'll check in on you then."

They nodded, and he helped them pack their books into their backpacks before heading to his bedroom.

With a deep sigh, he sat on his king-sized bed, his eyes drawn to the picture frame on the vanity. He picked it up, staring at it-mostly at his wife in the photo.

She had died a year after giving birth to their children in a horrific accident. Her body had been so damaged, it was completely unrecognizable.

He remembered how crazy he'd felt then.

How he wanted to believe his wife wasn't the one in that car.

If it hadn't been for his brother-in-law, he might have lost himself completely, forgetting that he had children to care for and a company to manage.

For the sake of his children, he stopped obsessing and tried to move forward.

But deep down, he hasn't. He missed her. She was the best thing that ever happened to him.

Ring, ring...

He set the frame down and answered his ringing phone. It was Nate, his friend and brother-in-law.

"What's up?" he asked, his tone flat.

"Hey, man! Guess what-I've found someone perfect for you!" Nate said, his voice upbeat and excited.

"Someone perfect? You know there's no one perfect..."

"Eieesh! Come on, Zak, don't start with that," Nate scolded. "It's been five years. You need to move on, at least for the boys. Those boys need a mother, and I'm trying to help you out here."

Zak sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. I'm only free at night tomorrow. I have a long day at work. Work's been brutal-no secretary yet, and it's driving me crazy."

There was a short silence before Nate spoke up, "Hey, Zak, this girl isn't the kind of girl you'd sleep with and forget the next day. She's special-a keeper, I assure you of that. She won't even agree to come to your house. She's like an angel... pure and innocent."

"Then why don't you go for her, Nate?" Zak asked. "You're single, and it's about time you settled down."

Nate scoffed, and replied, "She's more your type. Believe me, she is. You won't regret it. Trust me."

"Alright, what's her name?" Zak asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Leanne Millers."

PLEDIS

LORE STATE

APPLE CITY

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"Are you sure you want to move to the United States of Kreece? You know you could easily get a better job here in Pledis, Amy or be promoted at your work place."

Amy kept her eyes on the computer screen, scrolling through images of the United States of Kreece. Something about the place captivated her.

She sighed, glancing at her mother, who sat across from her. "I understand that you don't want me to leave you, Mother, but I have to. You know that I have to find myself. It's not all about getting a job, I need to know who I am too. Going to this country might help me out, and I already have the work experience and recommendation I need to get this job."

Amy's mother, Jenny May, a striking woman in her early forties with hazel eyes and short black hair, looked at her with teary eyes.

Amy, with her long dirty blonde hair, green eyes, and perfectly sculpted face, stood out in any crowd.

One glance, and it was obvious Jenny wasn't her biological mother.

Amy lowered her gaze, unable to face Jenny's tearful expression. "I'm sorry, Mother. I promise to call you every day and keep you updated on my life. And I'll visit whenever I can."

Jenny's voice trembled as she asked, "And what if... what if you find your real mother? You might forget all about me."

As usual, Jenny was always paranoid.

Amy shook her head in disbelief. "Is that what you really think of me, Mother? That hurts," she said, placing her hand over her heart to emphasize her feelings.

Jenny sighed deeply and looked away, with nothing more to say.

Amy's attention shifted back to the image of a towering skyscraper on her phone-Vance Conglomerate.

From what she had gathered online, Vance Conglomerate was the top company in the United States of Kreece and ranked second globally, boasting a net worth exceeding five hundred billion dollars.

According to the news, five years ago, the company had taken a nosedive, but two years later, it had made a remarkable comeback and was now stronger than ever.

She clicked the profile of its President. A young man. Zachary Vance.

The only position currently open at the company was a secretary role, one she had already applied for and interviewed for a few days ago. It had been four days, and she was anxiously waiting for a response.

"I really hope I land this particular job. It would be amazing to work for such a prestigious company," she said, closing her laptop.

Jenny gave an encouraging nod. "You will, Amy. You're more than qualified for the position."

Amy smiled warmly and stood up. "I'll go make us something to eat."

*******

Three hours later, Amy was in her room doing nothing. She was lying on her bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, her arms and legs sprawled across the bed.

The idea of returning to Kreece filled her with a mixture of excitement and fear.

Kreece was the only place that held the answers to who she really was, and the truth terrified her.

The only thing she remembered was... nothing. Just waking up, alone, in an unfamiliar place. It might have been a field, or maybe a road-she wasn't sure.

All she knew was that she stood up, bruised and disoriented, with no idea who she was.

She had wandered for miles before she met Jenny... or rather, was hit by Jenny's car.

Now, the thought of going back to Kreece unsettled her. It had been five years since that day, and though the idea frightened her, she knew it was time. She needed to find the courage.

Her phone buzzed suddenly, snapping her out of her thoughts. She sat up and grabbed it, unlocking the screen.

Her eyes widened in shock as the message that popped up in her screen.

"I got the job."

She let out a shaky breath, a smile spreading across her face. Excitement rushed through her as she jumped off the bed and dashed to her mother's room. She knocked quickly before bursting in, full of energy.

"Mother, I got the job to work in Vance Conglomerate, although they're hoping to assess me once I get there!"

Jenny's eyes widened at the news, though there was a trace of sadness behind them.

She stood up from her chair and approached Amy. "Oh... Wow. Well, anyway, I knew you would."

Amy nodded and said, "I need to pack up the few things I have and head back to Kreece..." She paused, casting a sympathetic glance at her mother. "Mother, I'm sorry, but I have to leave tomorrow to get everything in order. I start work on Monday."

Jenny nodded in understanding. "Of course. I get what you mean."

Amy smiled as she looked at her mother. She was gonna miss her deeply. It was Jenny who gave her a second chance at life.

"If you need any help with anything, just let me know," Jenny said with a warm smile, gently rubbing Amy's arms with a caring expression.

"Of course. You're all I have, Mother."

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UNITED STATE OF KREECE

YELTA STATE

METRO CITY

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As the sun rose on a new day, Zak was already deep into his work, seated at his desk with his focus locked on the computer screen before him.

Suddenly, his phone rang, jolting him momentarily from his concentration.

He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was the head bodyguard he had employed to take his children to school.

Zak answered the call promptly, his tone curt and no-nonsense.

"Are they at school now?" he inquired.

"Yes, Sir," came the straightforward reply.

Zak nodded, feeling satisfied. "When it's time for their recess, you know what to do."

He ended the call and turned his attention back to the screen, his fingers flying over the keyboard as he began typing.

A knock on the office door drew his attention. He looked up and saw through the transparent glass that it was his HR manager.

The glass was treated with a special film that functioned like a one-way mirror, allowing those inside to see out while those outside could not see in.

'I hope I don't have to fire this new secretary,' Zak thought to himself, then called out, "Come in, James!"

The door opened, and James, a matured man cautiously walked past the sofas and approached Zak's desk.

"Good morning, President Vance," James greeted. "I'm here to inform you that we've found three qualified secretaries for you. Two from one of our branches in the city, and another from another company outside the city."

James swiftly handed Zak a file.

Zak accepted it and flipped it open. He flipped again, and the last time.

His eyes immediately drawn to the profile picture inside.

He couldn't help but stare at the image for a long time. It looked oddly familiar. Why?

He frowned as he read the name: Amy May.

Amy was scheduled to start her new job on Monday, and she had already settled into the apartment she had rented in Kreece.

She had secured the apartment for the year during her interview process, even before receiving the job offer.

Even if she hadn't gotten the job, she wanted to stay in Kreece.

She wanted to be in a place where she could probably be recognized while searching for other job opportunities.

Dressed in plain white trousers, an ash-colored shirt, and a white jacket, she left her apartment to tackle her to-do list.

She needed to buy various items, including work clothes, so she headed to the mall.

As she rode in a taxi, she gazed out the window, looking around Metro City, trying to find just anything that could be familiar. Something that could jumpstart that void she was feeling in her.

However, all she saw were unfamiliar streets, people, and billboards. Typical.

The taxi pulled up in front of a massive building with "All-Purpose Metro Mall" emblazoned on it.

She had only seen it before on her laptop screen.

A subsidiary of Vance Conglomerate, this mall alone had a substantial net worth and provided significant benefits to its CEO.

And this mall was a mere tip of the iceberg. Just a small part of a much larger enterprise.

It would be fun to work directly to such a wealthy man.

How does he spend his money?

Amy quickly paid the taxi driver and entered the mall.

The automatic doors slid open as she approached, and she stepped inside. The first thing that greeted her was a blast of cool air. The air conditioner was definitely doing its work.

And there were so many people inside, most of them dressed to the nines.

A young saleswoman approached her with a friendly smile. "Welcome to All-Purpose Mall, where you can find anything you need. How can I assist you today?"

Amy took out the list from her jacket pocket and glanced at it. She had a variety of items to purchase, including groceries, kitchen and home appliances, and suits.

She looked at the salesgirl, her gaze dropping on her name tag. "Gia, right? Do you offer delivery services?"

Gia quickly nodded. "Yes, Ma'am. You can choose whatever you need, and we'll arrange delivery to your address following the necessary process."

Amy nodded, feeling relieved.

She decided to start with kitchen appliances.

"I'd like to begin with kitchen appliances."

"Certainly, Ma'am. Please follow me to the third floor. We have a vast selection of kitchen appliances up there," Gia said respectfully as she led the way to the elevator.

Amy followed her, and they soon arrived at the third floor. The elevator doors opened with a ding, and what met her sight was a world for the kitchen.

Amy's eyes immediately landed on a microwave and a toaster-both items on her list.

Gia, following her closely, said, "We offer top-quality and authentic products, sourced directly from the creators themselves. All-Purpose Mall maintains direct connections with product engineers, fashion designers, and jewelry makers. We're your one-stop shop for just about anything."

Amy just nodded. "Alright, please get me a sturdy cart."

Gia quickly fetched a cart while Amy carefully placed a clean, new microwave carton into it, and Gia followed her with the cart.

Amy continued to load the cart with other essentials: a toaster, a waffle maker, a set of utensils, and various other items.

Once she had gathered all her items, Amy proceeded to the checkout.

She paid for her purchases using her credit card and provided her address and phone number for the delivery.

Gia was looking happy.

Amy had purchased things worth a lot, and that would likely earn her a lot of commission.

The more the customer spends, the higher her earnings. She could already tell she would meet her sales target thanks to this beautiful lady's shopping.

Next, Amy selected home appliances, including a TV, and anything else she needed for her apartment.

After completing her shopping there, she moved to the fashion floor. Gia guided her to the section where she could be measured for a suit.

Amy provided her measurements and requested the suits as soon as possible, specifying her color preferences.

Afterward, Amy began to browse through the boutique section.

She was immediately drawn to a collection of elegant and stylish gowns that caught her eye.

These beautiful dresses looked perfect for various occasions and would be a wonderful addition to her wardrobe, especially since they could come in handy.

As Amy was browsing through the selection, she suddenly heard a piercing scream. "Ahhh!"

Everyone in the vicinity, including Amy, turned in alarm to find a young girl standing paralyzed beside her.

The girl's face was etched with terror as she hastily stepped back, her eyes wide with fear. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get in your way. I'm sorry. Please, don't hurt me," the girl pleaded in a trembling voice.

The girl seemed to be facing Amy.

Amy furrowed her brow in bewilderment. "Why would I want to hurt you? You haven't done anything wrong." Amy's voice was calm and elegant, in contrast to the way the girl knew she normally talked.

The girl's heart raced in her chest. Is she mocking me? she wondered, her anxiety mounting.

"I'm sorry. I'll go out of your hair immediately. P-please, go... go ahead with what you were doing," the girl stammered, and began to scurry away.

"Wait!" Amy called out, halting her.

The girl froze, swallowing hard as her fear intensified.

She turned slowly to face Amy, her face a mask of uneasiness. "Do you... do you need anything from me?" she asked, her voice laced with caution.

Amy noticed the sweat glistening on the girl's forehead. She was scared. But what could possibly be causing such a reaction?

"I'm sorry, but don't understand why you're acting so strangely toward me. Is there a reason for your fear?" Amy asked, maintaining her soft and soothing tone.

The girl stared at Amy, trying her best not to frown.

Did she really just say 'I'm sorry'? No, this must be a test.

Amy tilted her head in confusion as the girl wasn't answering her. There was some kind of recognition in her eyes.

"May I ask you a question?" Amy inquired gently.

Sara's eyes widened in astonishment. She couldn't believe how kind the woman in front of her was being.

This was completely out of character for someone who was a complete bully.

This has to be a test.

Before Amy could continue, a loud voice interrupted, "Sara! Get over here! What are you doing standing there?!"

Sara froze, clearly startled.

The woman calling out was evidently her mother.

"W-what question?" Sara stammered, unable to move from her spot.

The voice called again, more urgently this time. "Sara!" The mother yelled at how Sara stood still without batting an eyelash.

Amy was perplexed. "You should go," Amy said softly, not wanting Sara to keep her mother waiting.

Sara's eyes widened further in shock.

She quickly turned and hurried away, dragging her mother along as they quickly disappeared from view.

"What's wrong with you, Sara?"

The woman was confused at the way Sara dragged her away.

Sara abruptly kissed her mother on the cheek. "You saved me, Mom. Thank you. Let's leave this place, please." Her voice still trembled with fear.

"But I haven't finished..."

"Let's go somewhere else, but not here," she interrupted her mom and began to make her way toward the elevator, with her mother having no choice but to follow behind.

"I thought she was dead," Sara muttered to herself with a frown.