Chapter 3

Shit!

Fuck me!

It's Monday morning and am still in bed? What the hell?

My alarm turned – damn me! I didn't remember turning it on last night.

Last night….last night….what really…? Holy shit!

Nadia and I were busy talking and having wine at the balcony after dinner. I slept off feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

What says the time now?

I checked my phone watch, it was 7:02am.

I'm so down for.

I jumped off my bed and ran to the bathroom for a two minutes bath. I rushed out naked and hop into my closet.

So many clothes hanging everywhere. I haven't thought of my son yet. I'm supposed to bath him, dress him up for school, prepare his breakfast and lunch kit and take him to school before I stop at work.

How the hell am I gonna do all of that when am so fucking late?

No much time to talk. No much time to talk.

I hurriedly picked a green cooperative business dress. Yes, it'll go well with green stilettos too. I love to matches.

I got a green purse too. Let anyone think what they want.

Even if they think green is my favorite color. Well, it's not.

I'm very good without make-up. Am not usually the bitchy type of girl that spends thirty minutes wearing makeup and end up using two hours for dressing up.

But still...I always keep my red lipstick posted on my lips.

I tied my blonde hair into a neat ponytail – leaving two strands to dangle at the side of my face.

Oops. Hope my cleavage is not too showing on my chest.

I have big boobs and that's too much to handle.

I ran downstairs and went back upstairs when I remembered my laptop's case. I got it and rush downstairs again.

Shit! I almost forgot my son and Nadia.

I went to Corey's room first. I heaved a sigh of relief when I saw my mother, Loretta Stewart, bathing him. "Whew! Mom, you're a time saver." Corey greeted me 'Good morning' by throwing some bubbles at me. I giggled and blew flying kisses to him. "Good morning, my prince."

Mom chuckled as she rinse the soap off Corey's face. "Have you had breakfast yet?"

Breakfast at this time?

Babe, am late!

I smile like a good kid. My hands clasping my green purse together. "Breakfast can wait, mom. But you see time? It doesn't wait for anyone."

"Ah," Her brows rose and she carried Corey out of the tub. "I've set your kit. Eat when you're free at work. Okay?"

Gross. I hate it when she keeps treating me like a child.

Corey kept bouncing on the bed with a bright smile like it's a trampoline. His naked figure made me laugh. Mom was wiping his wet body with a clean white towel. His school uniform was already lying on the bed, well ironed.

I'm such a busy mother. In fact, I sometimes think am not worth my son. Just look at him. He deserves my attention every time and he only gets less of it.

I couldn't wake up to dress him for school. Since the beginning of his term in school this year, mom has been the one handling his stuff.

What I know am supposed to be doing.

She makes his breakfast, set his lunch kit and takes him to school. Then what am I his mother for?

"I didn't even remember doing his homework. I'm so….ugh." I walked to the bed to carry my little boy.

He wrap his little arms around me. His dark brown hair is still wet from the shower and his chins are turning fatter because he ate too much waffles and mayo lately.

While he played with my hair, he placed his head on my shoulder and said, "Mommy?"

"Yes, my love."

"Will you pick me from school later?"

I was about to say 'Maybe' but then, the door opened and Nadia barged in wearing an all white business dress.

"Shit!" She cursed when she saw my outfit. "If I had knew you'll be wearing green, I would have wore the same."

That's how she is. A copycat.

Last week, everyone in my department asked me if we were twins.

"Time is 7:20." Mom reminded us.

"FUCK!" We snapped in unison. We're to report at 8 sharp.

Nadia was so in a hurry to go, leaving me in the room. I kiss Corey's forehead and mom's before waving 'See you later.'

"Get your kit on the kitchen counter before leaving!" Mom shouted as I shut the door.

In less than twenty minutes, the cab dropped us outside the big glassy building. THE LOGISTICS. Boldly written at the top.

Nadia always prefers to pay for the T-fares.

We hopped out and zoomed into the first elevator at the reception. A lot of people here already recognize us as late comers and that was the moment Nadia knew she'll drool over a frugal guy that wears one particular suit in a week.

"Shush! We don't have time, Mrs. Patricks is waiting." I pull her head into the elevator before the door clip her head off her shoulders.

"That dude is handsome."

I can't stand her squealing in my ears over one guy she barely know.

"And might be stingy too." I chuckled nastily and her face turned serious. "Not everyone you like, Nadia. You see that guy? He is frugal."

"And how did you know, Ms. Omni-knowest?" She crossed her arms.

I rolled my eyes and sighed in frustration. She have eyes but can't see. "That suit. Study it very well, Nadia. He has been wearing that charcoal black business suit with a particular tie since we started working here." Yes! "I don't think if he has a girlfriend, he'd spend on her when he can't afford two coats."

As I expected. Nadia rolled her eyes like 'Hmph'

I don't want her to make one mistake twice. Her past relationship was horrible and terrifying. She almost died of heartbreak especially when she caught her Ex-boyfriend, Xander Berkeley, cheating on her with her best friend.

I don't want to drive into that or else….. I'll get affected by remembering my past and that….that….. divorcement!

As soon as we got to our floor, we went to our separate offices. I quickly print out my reports and staple them. Then, I sprayer bind them in blue background covers and took some other credentials to the shredding room.

Three guys in black suits kept staring at me. I don't like how they glare at me from my back, from head to toe.

I feel like they're flirting with me.

If a man's eye could strip someone, their eyes would have undressed me by now.

I was waiting impatiently for the shredder guy to shred my work so I could get out of here. The frugal guy was amongst the men in suit.

They were murmuring something and chuckling as they keep their eyes on me.

I couldn't take it any longer. I turned around abruptly and lashed out at them. "Don't you guys have something important to do with your lives other than gossiping about a woman's body?"

Even the shredder guy startled at the pitch of my voice.

The three boys expression suddenly turned into a dangerous one. I believe no woman has ever boldly taunt them the way I just did.

The shredder guy told me my work was done. I thanked him and left. I could see with the corner of my eyes that the three guys are still not happy.

I know if it was outdoor, I wouldn't have tried this because messing with men could be very dangerous for women.

Mom usually say that.

I gave Mrs. Patricks my work and went back to my office. A lot of work were already waiting on my desk. I got new data to discuss for the meeting after lunch today.

I had no time to eat mom's delicious breakfast in my kit. And it was still hot in the steel flask. I looked at the flask, it was big and the meal was purposely doubled for Nadia and I.

I knew she'll come sooner to ask about the flask.

I took my laptop out of the laptop's case and started working. I focused on the data I was preparing for the meeting later. There were so much work and article to make for it.

Then my door opened.

I knew I was right when I said …..

"Tell me you haven't dig it without me or I'll shoot your big ass."

Nadia sat on the chair across my desk and started rummaging the kit for the steel flask. I just ignored her by shaking my head and focusing on what I was doing.

She answered her own question when she opened the flask. The delicious smell that rose from it made my stomach growl in hunger.

"Damn, Nadia. You know am working."

"Sorry, baby." She grinned as she grab a spoon from the kit. "I can't afford to miss Aunt Loretta's cuisine." She selfishly dig in without me.

My taste buds couldn't hold it any longer. I left what I was doing and grabbed my own spoon too. We ate together until nothing was left in the flask. Since we were kids, we barely eat separately. We even fought for the last drop of oil on the plate.

Mrs. Patricks entered my office when I was getting ready to leave for the meeting after lunch. "The CEO was in the building a while ago."

I heard that the CEO of this company barely check-in. They say he only comes in a while because he has other businesses and branches all over the world.

I haven't met him yet. Nadia haven't too. Though, we don't have problem not seeing him around. We just wish to get to know him as our Boss.

"Really?" I packed up the important credentials and went to meet her at the door. "How does he looks like?" Oops. I'm supposed to say that inwardly.

Mrs. Patricks understood. She chuckled softly at my childish question. "The CEO is handsome and flawless when you see him." She smiled. I can see her cheek burning red for flushing.

God. This can't be my sheepish behavior.

I'm having a yearning feeling. Very eager to meet him. I wonder how handsome he could be but...when I remembered my past lovelife, I back out my delusional thoughts.

"His twin brother, Sir Gregory, runs this place when he's out of the country for other businesses." Mrs. Patricks explained further.

"Ah, I see." I glance at my wristwatch then faced Mrs. Patricks with a smile. "I have a meeting with some officials. Let's talk later."

She nodded and followed me out. "I'll just be on my way to my cabin."

....

It was already 6:38 in the evening when Nadia and I got back home.

Geez, I look so stressed out.

Everyone was seated in the living room, watching a PG family movie. Corey was seated on my paternal grandfather's lap, his focus was planted on the movie like he was gonna zoom into the TV soon.

When he saw me, he jumped off grandpa's lap and ran to hug my legs. "Mommy!"

I giggled and carried him to my side. "Hello love. Miss me?"

He shook his head vigorously and I planted a sweet kiss on his chubby cheek. His eyes went to Nadia who lazily crashed on the couch next to her mom. He laughed at her grumpy expression.

"Huh. Laugh at Aunt Nadia." Nadia stood up and tickled him. "Uh huh, look at those little set of milky teeth. Show it to me. Go on, I love to see 'em." He spread his arms for her to carry him and I became free.

I crashed next to Trey. He wasn't watching TV, he was engrossed in his phone. Porching it every now and then. I knew he was chatting with a girl. He kept grinning without knowing I was watching.

I rolled my eyes away and leaned very well on the couch. Corey left Nadia and came to me. I giggled when he climbed my stomach and settled on my lap. He placed his head on my stomach like my pulse was there. While he kept his focus on the TV.

I knew he was gonna sleep off soon. Especially now that he had seen me. I caress his little smooth back and dark brown messy hair. My attention wasn't on the movie, it was on my little boy.

"How was work today, dear?" Mom drew my attention. She was seated next to me and Dad was at her other side watching the movie.

I let out a deep breath. "Fine as usual." That's all I could say.

She just smiled at me and said after a while. "You really look tired, sweetheart. You should go upstairs, freshen up. Your dinner is in the kitchen. Don't worry about Corey's assignment, he already done it."

My mom is such a darling.

"Thanks, mom. You're the best." I whispered.

Her eyes drifted down at Corey, "Oh, my grandson is already fast asleep." She kissed his forehead.

I knew he won't stay awake for too long. But the problem is how am gonna carry him to his room. He has so much weight.

I looked at Trey still sucked up with his phone, "Trey? Do you mind taking Corey to his room? He's fast asleep."

"Of course." That is one reason why I liked him. He never declined helping me.

When he left with sleeping Corey on his shoulder, Mom adjusted nearer to me and asked something in a low tone. "I saw an attorney here yesterday morning and evening. And I saw you giving him something like a brown envelope, what was that, Diamond?"

Oh meh.

I've been battling hard to get over with the thought of what's written in that paper yesterday and she's just gonna ring a reminder in my head.

I made sure not to wet my eyeballs as I tell her. "George sent him to deliver a divorcement."

Mom threw her hands in her mouth, almost screaming. Then she looked back at dad and the others still focused on TV before facing me. "He wants a divorce?"

I shrugged and let out a deep sigh. "He already got it. I signed the paper yesterday and gave it to the attorney. But you know one thing, mom." I sat upright, bringing my voice down as I control my anger. "If George could post an attorney to my place despite I never brought him here once, then why didn't he come to see his son?"

"How sure are you that he knows about Corey?" Mom doubt. "I don't think so."

"Huh? That guy sent an attorney here. He is fucking rich to hire an investigator about my whereabouts. How could he not know about Corey?" I chuckled nastily and shook my head. "He left me because of that Italian bitch!"

I wish I could go back there and burn the both of them alive like an Asian pig in a grill.

Mom let out a frustrated sigh and patted my shoulder, "Relax. One day, he'll come to see his son. Corey is his blood, he can't deny it. Blood is thicker than water, it won't take long, he'll come for him."

I gritted my teeth. The thought of George taking Corey away from me fueled anger in my veins. "Never, mother! I refuse to accept what you just said. I won't allow that bastard come anywhere close to my son. I don't care if he's rich and might win me in court. My words still stand firm, he'll have no access to my child."

I'll break him into two pieces if he dares it.

"He is the father of your son, Diamond." Mom was already getting tired coaxing me with lectures. "You can't keep Corey away from him forever. There'll definitely be a time according to the time of life where he'll come to know him."

"Ah," I scoffed. "Just like the movies and contemporary novels and fictionalized books? Mark my word, mom. If George tries anything stupid or dares to come close to my son, I'll murder him cold-blooded." I swear on it. I mean it, quote me anywhere.

I stood up and went to my room.

I hate nonsense.