Chapter 3

Desdemona

I shut my eyes tightly,my hands remained clasped as I murmered my third Hail Mary. That was followed by a direct statement of my prayer.

Prayer works. It always does. I let out a low breathe and flutter my eyes open.

Prayer always works,except for this time and the other time.

The results slapped me on the face for being reckless.

I stared at the kit in my hand. It stared back.

Positive. It's the fourth one this week and it still reads positive.

I had plans on taking seven tests just to confirm but I think I have had enough proof to know I am pregnant.

I drop my body to the floor and bring my knees to my chest, hugging them.

If only I had stayed at the countryside then this would have never happened. A night with my boss would have never occured and his seed would not be growing inside of me.

A knock comes. "Princess,your phone."

I groan and hide the kit behind my back. "Come in,mother."

I had zero energy to argue about the name at the moment.

"Hello." I pick up without checking the callers ID.

"I just realized that your name is Ariel." The familiar voice came from the other side but I still pulled the gadget from my ear to check.

Yap! My boss.

I burry my face into my hands.

"Yes." I reply not knowing what else I was supposed to say.

"Like princess Ariel?"

"What? No. I…" why did he even call me to discuss my name.

"Okay." And the line went silent.

My hands curl around my stomach as I shut my eyes again and allow the memories off my mistake wash over me.

__________

One month ago

Talk about the worst timing,his death was that.

Out of all the days my father's soul decided to leave his body,it choose two days before the day I was to report to work. Hence the man's funeral was rushed and we postponed our mourning.

Mother did not cry,not in front of me at least. But I knew she would do it sooner or later.

I on the other hand was furious about his departure because how dare he. How dare he leave us before I got a job to be able to work on his funeral.

Now,it's the day I am supposed to be reporting to work and everything is moving so slow.

The car we hired seemed to be fighting itself. Occasionally it would stop and after much begging it would start again.

Till it decided not to. Now here we yare,stuck in the middle of a road I only treaded once per year as I accompanied my father to his work.

Never did I ever dream of moving from the serene countryside to the loud city,but,life happens. And after it happens,the next role is ours to play.

I breathe in deeply and huff air through my mouth.

"Fix it." I get off and push my hair back. "You have to fix it."

The driver whose name I was not familiar with got off. My mother followed.

"It will take hours to…"

No. No. No.

If I fail to report on time and it's the first day,I'd be messed up. I might even loose the job.

This is bad. Real bad.

I got to the other side of the road. My hand outstretched infront of me whenever a car came into sight.

Four cars passed without any of them stopping. An hour has gone just like that. I glance at my wrist watch and start pacing up and down.

Half an hour remaining for me to get to work. Half an hour with no car in sight.

I squat and burry my face in my hands.

I'm done for it.

I hear honking from afar but don't bother to stand.

Next thing I knew was my mother yanking me up while screaming in my ears.

"Okay. Okay." I push against her grip.

"Hello ladies."

My mom tucked hair behind her ear. "Hello good sir."

And just Iike that we got oursellvea lift to the city. I was dropped off at the company where the man was also going.I bid mother and rushed inside.

Getting to the glass door,I stopped for a minute to level my breathe.

In and out. I pushed the door and walked over to the reception area.

"Hello,I'm Desdemona Ariel…"

The lady on the other side stood in a rush wthheer palm held out to me. "You're late." She snapped already on her feet.

I followed her without a word. Shee took two lefts and came to a stop. The room was packed with men only. They were all in suits. A man approached us with a card,he handed it to me.

I thanked him and we were off again.

At the elevator,she pressed on 20.

Great. I have a fear of heights and I'll be working on the twentieth floor.

Amazing.

"You know what is expected of you,right?"

It was all in the description and the last email I had received. "Yes."

"Good." She walked out and I followed. She slid the white door open.

Making sure her eyes were not on me, dusted off my feet and rushed after her in the modest way possible.

"Mr. Raven will be here in.." she looks at her watch. "A few minutes." With that,she walks out.

I let out a sigh as I watched the door close.

I don't think a manager should be here at this moment but, different companies, different rules.

Maybe he wants to welcome me and tell me how he expects the best and nothing less.

I take the time to examine the office that was fitted for me and my mother perfectly. The space is larger than the apartment we just rented. Books rested on the shelves and I wondered if he read them or kept them there for the sake.

Glancing at the street through the glass, someone cleared his throat behind me.

I turned and swallowed.

"Sir?" Shit. I did not mean to squeak.

"I see you've made yourself at home,lady Golding."

I swallowed. "Um," I outstretched my arm to greet him.

Not a professional move but it couldn't be unddone.

He gave my hand a nasty stare and I dropped it by my side.

He went behind his desk. "The keys are at the front office."

My heart started beating faster. So this work comes with a car. I could use one because I've never owned any.

I bowed. "Thank you,sir."

He blinked. "For what?"

"The keys…" I laughed. "You're a generous man. I promise to do my best."

He frowned. Then his muscles relaxed. "The keys to my car."

My face went blank.

There must be some misunderstanding. "Why would I need your car keys." And as an afterthought I added, "sir?"

"You do know what you were hired to do,right?"

"Yes. The manager of the…"

"My personal assistant. You do what I tell you to do."

_______________

And that is how I ended up working for my asshole of a boss whom I'm now carrying his child.