CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 11

Serene

It is my second week at work, and I am liking the company's vibe. I can not believe these dudes are still looking at me like I am 16 when I am growing so old. My birthday is almost approaching, and I recall how alone I felt on that day when I was with Diego. I would have thought that he was staying out late to surprise me, but he was actually doing it to keep me away from him.

Sometimes I feel like I was so blinded by one-sided love that I overlooked the fact that Diego did not love me. Fortunately, things have changed, and I will spend my birthday with the most valuable person in my life, aside from Charlotte and Neina. My child is that person; I am not sure what gender it is, but knowing that I love them intensely even when I can not see them brings me so much joy.

It is 7 a.m Friday, and I have to be at work by 9 a.m. I hurriedly sprang out of bed and rushed to the shower. I could see how lethargic my eyes appeared in the mirror, but I needed to seem good because the boss had told us we were meeting someone extremely important today.

When I stepped out of the shower, I hurriedly grabbed my towel to dry my body. I quickly blew my hair and curled it, dressed for the day, and applied some light makeup since I did not want to overdo it, despite the fact that my coworkers think I am always looking lovely.

Except for Charlotte and Neina, who always made me seem hot, I would never receive such praises from Diego. I applied my lipstick and marveled at how adorable my lips looked. Just as I was ready to go downstairs to start breakfast, my phone rang, and I answered the call from Charlotte.

"Hello," I greeted her.

"How have you been, Serene?" she inquired cheerfully.

"Charlotte, I am OK, I simply miss you; what is the reason for all the excitement?" I inquired.

"I am glad, but I suppose I can not tell you," she said.

"Well, I am not sure, but I hope you did not bother anyone," I responded.

"I said guess Zoey, I am not telling you anything," she said.

"Umm, let us see, you won a challenge," I said, assuming she had won a challenge because she does it regularly.

"Try again, Ms. Brights," she said, laughing at me.

"Tell me immediately, I am running late, before I start presuming you do not want to," I said in a faux serious tone to encourage her to tell me.

"OK, I was accepted as secretary for the Petal empire," she said, causing a tear to fall down my face.

"W—what that is excellent news, I am very glad for you; if you were close by, I would have hugged you," I said, wiping away tears.

"I know right, OK, get going; we will chat later," she stated before hanging up the phone.

I prepare coffee. When I finished breakfast I went upstairs to retrieve my handbag. When my driver came, I grabbed it and went directly to the car. While I was having a quick discussion, my phone was called by an unknown number.

"Hello," someone said on the other end, and I was astonished to hear their voice.

"Yes, and who is this?" I pretended to question the caller.

"Please act, but leave it for later," Nelly remarked, laughing.

"What do you want?" I inquired in a serious tone.

"You are so sleazy, you know, I can not believe you requested Diego's lawyer to transfer the money into your account," she said with anger.

"What does that have to do with you?" I questioned her, asking why she was even phoning.

"How dare you ask me that question? Serene, I have always known you are a gold digger, which is why you requested the money after declining it." She answered with a harsh tone.

"I am not in the mood for your nonsense, I don't even think you are in your right mind, just leave me alone; if you know I am a gold digger, let it be OK," I said.

"Exactly, that is all I needed to establish that you are a gold digger; you should be grateful Diego even offered you that money; without me, you would still be in the dirt," she stated before continuing. I heard Diego call her and I overheard him.

"Honey, is everything all right?" he asked her, kissing her loud enough for me to hear. "Yes, my darling, I am fine just talking to my little niece's landlord; she is busy behaving irresponsibly on the phone," she lied.

I am not sure why I still had the phone in my ear, but I knew my heart was burning when he called her "Honey," something he had never done before, not even when I was sick. I hastily hung up and glanced around to see where we were, only to find we were already at the company.

I leaped out and went into the elevator. I was hunting for my adaptor in my computer bag when I ran into a tall man, possibly in his late 30s. He had a lovely complexion, neatly curled hair, and a charming dimpled smile. When I glanced at him, his aroma was overwhelming, and his garments revealed that power and money slept on him. Everything in his hands dropped, and I raced to assist him pick it up.

"I—I am very sorry, Sir I—"

He cut me off and spoke in a soothing and kind tone. "It is OK; I see you were in a rush," he remarked.

I could not believe what I was hearing and seeing; such honest individuals exist. I recalled how nasty Diego would be if I inadvertently ran into him. "T—Thank Sir," I said after racing through my thoughts.

"You are extremely welcome, you might be the most gorgeous lady I have ever seen in London?" he remarked, making me flush while leaving me wondering what prompted him to say that.