Chapter 2
1848 Words
Four years later…
“Jody, can’t we just bring all our things?” shouted Joel, her brother.
They were currently packing because they were moving to a new apartment. If they stayed in this small town, it would be hard for her to find a job, especially since she had just graduated with a degree in Business Management. There were more opportunities in the city, and at least her salary would increase. How much does an assistant earn anyway?
It would be fine if she were just an assistant, but she was an assistant to another assistant! When layoffs happen, she would be the first to go, of course. Especially since it was rumored that the grocery store where she worked was losing money. There were no management positions hiring. She thought about starting a business, but she didn’t have enough money. And what if it failed? She wouldn’t have made any income.
“It’s not possible. We’ll leave some things behind, and the apartment I got is fully furnished. Just bring your personal belongings.”
Jody was also packing their things when Tyler, the result of the night she sold herself, approached her.
“Mom, can I take my toys?” her son said sweetly while hugging his favorite toy, a black teddy bear.
“Of course, baby, you can,” Jody replied and kissed him on the top of his head.
It had been several years since she sold her body for a large sum of money. She couldn’t believe how much she received in just one night. And somehow, she could have saved up and turned her life around if she hadn’t been hit with new problems.
Joel had surgery, and she made sure he had an education plan until college. No matter what happened, they would finish their studies. She also opened a trust fund for both of them, with five hundred thousand each. Even if she were gone, at least she would leave something behind. She knew in her heart that Joel wouldn’t abandon Tyler, just as she took care of him after their parents passed away.
She would have had extra money if her pregnancy with Tyler hadn’t been complicated. She was put on bed rest, and the baby was weak. She had to undergo a cesarean section, and because her child was premature, he had to stay in the NICU for more than two months. The expenses were high, but just one look at Tyler made it all worth it.
She was in her final year of college then. It was the first semester, but problems started pouring in, which led her to sell herself. She didn’t even know the name of the old man who bought her. But there were many questions in her mind that night, and because Rayna had given her some alcohol to drink, she became tipsy. It was supposed to be a confidence booster before she entered the room. Tyler was the beautiful result of that complicated night.
She made a choice, and she had to live with it. She couldn’t regret it because that would mean regretting Tyler’s arrival in her life.
She managed to return to college and gradually took the subjects she had missed until she graduated. Now she had no experience and needed to work hard to find a job in her field.
They had only been in the city for five days, and she had an interview. Their things weren’t completely settled yet, but they were slowly getting organized because they were still tired from the trip.
Joel was now in his second year of college. He had two more years to go and asked if he could work in a coffee shop across from their school. But Jody didn’t allow it because she wanted him to concentrate on his studies. Besides, he needed to get home quickly for Tyler. She hired a housekeeper, and Donna was kind. She was a widow, and her children were already grown. She didn’t stay in, so she would go home in the afternoon once one of them returned.
“You take care of Tyler. Are you sure you don’t have class today?”
“Classes start tomorrow, Ate. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of Tyler,” Joel replied.
“I’ve cooked some dishes. Just heat them up. Tyler might choke if he eats too fast—”
Joel laughed. “Ate, I’ll handle it. Just focus on your interview. Good luck, and I hope you get the job. Take care.”
After hugging her brother and kissing her son on the cheek, she left the house. She didn’t want to be late for her job interview. She was still getting used to their new place. If she could just take a taxi, she would have done it, but she was hesitant to spend every cent.
“Jody?” a sudden call of her name made her turn to see who it was. “It’s you!” the woman added. Jody was surprised to see her former classmate here.
“Corry,” she called out to her. Corry approached Jody and hugged her.
“Long time no see. How have you been?” Corry asked her.
“I’m okay. Are you here for an interview too?”
“Yes. Life is tough. So here I am, hoping to get a job with a decent salary.”
“Oh, tell me about it. That’s why we moved here to the city for the same reason. Life is really hard. But we just have to work hard and endure, and we’ll get ahead.” She looked around. “There are so many people applying here.”
“We can do this. Let’s just do our best.”
“Ms. Corry Wheeler and Ms. Jody Austin,” announced a woman from the HR department.
“We’re here,” they both replied almost in unison.
“Please follow me,” the woman said, so Corry and Jody stood up and followed her.
“By the way, how have you been? Are you okay now?”
Corry knew that Jody’s situation in school hadn’t been good. The news spread that she got pregnant and became disgraced. In the end, Jody dropped out of school and moved to another place to find peace for herself and her brother.
“I’m okay. I managed to finish my studies, at least. Better late than never.”
“I’m glad you didn’t let those gossips get to you. They thought they were so perfect.”
“Let them be. I don’t think about the past anymore. What matters is that my son and I are okay. Joel will graduate in two years.”
“Yeah, I agree. What’s your number? I’ll visit you when I’m free.” They exchanged numbers.
They were surprised when the woman in front of them suddenly stopped walking and turned to face them.
“The CEO will be present during the interview. I know this isn’t the usual process. Usually, the HR manager is the one who meets with you, but I don’t know why the CEO is coming. Maybe he wants to observe.”
Just when they were already nervous, their anxiety increased when they suddenly heard something shatter.
“Get out!” shouted a man.
A woman who was now frightened and crying had knocked over a glass of water on the table, spilling it on her documents.
“I’m sorry, Sir! I didn’t mean to!”
Jody and Corry stood there speechless, feeling like they wanted to back out. Was this the man who would interview them? He was handsome, but he had a bad attitude.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses! Get out! You’re fired!” the man continued to shout. The woman left the room, returning to her desk.
Now the man saw them and briefly glanced in their direction.
“Why are you here?” he asked the HR staff accompanying them.
“S-Sir, they are the applicants for the interview.”
“Okay. Well, Divina will not be joining us. I have something important for her to do, so I will be interviewing you,” the man said.
That meant he was the CEO! Her knees felt weak. Just from his demeanor, it seemed she wouldn’t pass. She felt like she wasted her fare coming here.
“Noted, Sir.”
“And you,” he pointed at her. “You will be my new secretary.”
“Sir?” she asked hesitantly. She hadn’t applied for a secretarial position.
“You’re Jody Austin. I’ve read your file and recognized your face. You just graduated but have a business degree. You can be my secretary and work your way up.”
“But Sir—”
“Are you deaf?” Jody shook her head as the man called her again. “Like I said, you will be replacing this stupid woman. I need you to start working immediately.”
Jody swallowed hard. She didn’t even know the routine. She hadn’t had any training. And she hadn’t even been interviewed?! What a strange life this is.
“And you’re Corry Wheeler. You’re an undergraduate, but you can start in the marketing department. You can leave now.” Just as Jody was about to leave, the man spoke again. “Jody, I need you back here in an hour. Don’t be late.”
“Y-Yes, Sir,” she replied. What was his name?
“That CEO is scary,” Corry said to her. “And now you’re his secretary! My goodness, but he’s handsome!”
“He’s Keaton Cross. Their family is the richest in the country. I’ve been working here for a few years now, and he’s not someone to mess with. Make sure you do your job well, or you will be fired immediately. I’m Ghayle, by the way.”
“Yes, Ma’am Ghayle. I’m thankful for this opportunity,” Corry said.
“And Jody, since you are—” Ghayle furrowed her brow. “Are you okay?”
“Uhm—yes, Ma’am.” She couldn’t help but worry about her new job. What if she didn’t last the day and got fired too?
“Do well in your job. I’ll give you the routine, and IT will set up your access. Make sure Sir Keaton’s schedule is not chaotic and there’s no overlap. Don’t be late. Always arrive fifteen minutes before nine. Don’t leave early. Make sure you’re at your desk until five in the afternoon. You can’t afford to be careless around him. Be careful with every move you make so that what happened to his previous secretary doesn’t happen again.”
“Can we switch places, me and Corry—”
Ghayle laughed while Corry turned pale.
“There’s nothing we can do. Sir Keaton chose you. Just do your best so you can last. The salary is good, so that’s okay. Just ignore it when he gets angry. As long as you do your job right and there are no mistakes, that’s what’s important.”
- Writer
