Cheated On, Claimed by A Billionaire

Chapter Nine: Working for My Enemy

*Nina's POV*

It was already 1:45 p.m., and I still hadn't found a job. I was exhausted and frustrated.

Every interview ended the same way. Either they said I was overqualified for the position and they couldn't afford to pay me, or they claimed they weren't hiring anymore.

Five rejections in one day.

I was already on the verge of giving up.

Then I remembered Finn.

He needed his medication, and I needed money to keep paying for his treatment while I searched for his father.

I wasn't the only one responsible for bringing those children into this world, yet I was the only one carrying the burden.

Sometimes I regretted that night more than anything.

If it had never happened, Finn wouldn't be suffering.

I quickly wiped away my tears and turned to leave when a signboard caught my attention.

CLEANER WANTED

Salary: $30,000 per month

My eyes widened.

Thirty thousand dollars?

At this point, the position didn't matter anymore.

What was wrong with working as a cleaner? Honest work was still work.

That money would go a long way toward helping Finn.

I looked up at the company name.

Carter's Global Holdings.

No wonder the salary was so high.

Without wasting another second, I dialed the number on the signboard. The receptionist instructed me to send my CV to a specific email address, which I did immediately.

To my surprise, only a few minutes later, I received an employment offer.

I was to resume work the next morning. I didn't even hesitate.

As I walked home, humming softly to myself, a flashy black car sped past and splashed muddy water all over my clothes.

My smile disappeared instantly.

At first, I wanted to ignore it. Then I recognized the car.

It was the same one from yesterday. Anger flared inside me.

The car slowed to a stop.

Without thinking, I marched toward the passenger's window.

"Do you always go around splashing dirty water on people?" I snapped. "Is that how your mother raised you?"

The tinted window rolled down.

His sharp jaw tightened the moment he saw me. That familiar cologne drifted into my nose again.

The scent stirred something inside me, but I was far too angry to think about it.

"You again?" he asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

"Yes. Me again. So what?"

His expression darkened.

"You know what?" he said coldly. "I don't have time to waste on a loose woman."

He tossed several hundred-dollar bills out of the window before the car sped away.

I stared after it in disbelief. Did he just call me loose?

One day... I would make him regret every single word he'd said to me.

I muttered under my breath as I bent down to gather the money scattered across the pavement.

Thankfully, no one was around to witness the embarrassing scene.

***********************

*Alexander's POV*

"Oops... it looks like we splashed water on someone," Fred said, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Then stop the car and apologize," I replied.

The car came to a halt. A familiar woman stormed toward my window.

"Do you always go around splashing dirty water on people?" she barked the moment I rolled down the window. "Is that how your mother raised you?"

Her voice hit me before I fully recognized her.

It was her. Again.

Was she following me?

"You again?" I blurted out before I could stop myself.

"Yes. Me again. So what?"

She folded her arms across her chest, glaring at me as though she wanted to fight. There was a stack of documents tucked beneath one arm.

She had probably been job hunting.

Typical.

Another single mother looking for someone to save her.

I glanced at my watch. I was already running late.

I didn't have time for another argument.

"You know what?" I said impatiently. "I don't have time to waste on a loose woman."

I threw a handful of bills toward her.

"Drive."

Fred immediately stepped on the accelerator.

As we pulled away, I leaned back against my seat.

Why did she always manage to ruin my mood every time we met?

**********************

*Nina's POV*

When I got home, the children were taking their afternoon nap. I had made it a routine for them ever since they were toddlers.

Zoe hadn't returned from work yet, so I freshened up and lay down beside the kids.

Their cheerful voices woke me up later that evening.

They were already playing in the living room. I smiled and joined them.

A few minutes later, Zoe arrived.

After she had settled in, I went to her room and told her everything that had happened.

"The salary is really good," she admitted. "But are you sure you want to work as a cleaner? I told you I could help you find a better job."

"I don't mind cleaning," I replied. "Besides, it's Carter's Global Holdings. Working there will look good on my résumé."

She looked unconvinced.

"Fine. But don't let pride stop you from asking me for help."

I smiled.

"I won't."

After chatting for a while, I asked about her boyfriend.

"We broke up," she replied casually.

I blinked in surprise.

It was her first serious relationship, yet she sounded completely unaffected.

"I'm sorry."

She simply shrugged.

"It wasn't meant to be."

I didn't ask any more questions. She already had enough problems to deal with.

The next morning, I got ready for my first day at work. Just as I was about to leave, Mia rubbed her sleepy eyes and sat up.

"Mummy, where are you going?"

"Mummy is going to work."

She frowned.

"What about us?"

"Aunt Sarah will stay with you until mummy comes home."

She smiled sleepily.

"Okay. Goodbye, Mummy." I kissed her forehead.

"Goodbye, sweetheart."

When I arrived at Carter's Global Holdings, I was given a uniform and shown around the building.

My shift was from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The schedule suited me perfectly.

I'd still have plenty of time to spend with my children.

As I cleaned one of the executive hallways, I overheard two cleaners gossiping.

"They fired the last cleaner because she kept staring at the boss."

"Seriously?"

"He hates women throwing themselves at him."

I frowned. Was that really enough reason to fire someone?

Well...

I didn't come here to make friends. I came here to earn money.

"The boss is here!" someone suddenly whispered.

Everyone immediately scattered back to work.

The boss? Was he really that scary?

I hurriedly grabbed my mop and bucket, intending to get out of the hallway before I accidentally crossed paths with him.

Instead...

I bumped straight into someone. The bucket tipped over. Dirty water splashed across a pair of polished leather shoes.

Silence followed.

Then came a familiar voice.

"Who is this clumsy janitor?"

My heart nearly stopped. I slowly looked up.

It was him. Again.

Seriously?

Did fate have nothing better to do?

"You again?" I blurted out. "Must you always appear everywhere I go?"

Gasps echoed around the hallway.

"She just yelled at the boss..."

"She's definitely getting fired..."

Boss? Is he the CEO?

I am doomed.

"What is this madwoman doing in my company?" he demanded coldly.

Madwoman? I clenched my fists.

"Fire her immediately," he ordered Fred.

Fred leaned over and whispered something into his ear. Alexander's face darkened even further.

"I don't care!" he snapped. "I don't want to see her in my company again."

Then he stormed away. Panic flooded me. I couldn't lose this job, especially now when Finn needed me.

Without thinking twice, I hurried after him.

***************************

I knocked softly on the office door.

"Come in." His voice was as cold as ice.

The moment I entered, I dropped to my knees.

"I'm sorry," I said sincerely. "I'm sorry about today... and about every unpleasant encounter we've had before this."

My voice trembled.

"But I can't lose this job."

"My son, Finn, is seriously ill. I need this salary to pay for his treatment."

"Please..."

"Give me another chance."

Silence followed.

I kept my head lowered. Seconds passed, and nothing came out of his mouth. Then he finally spoke.

"On one condition."

I had a hint of hope

"You'll pay for my shoes."

"They only cost fifty thousand dollars."

"What?" The word escaped before I could stop it. He raised an eyebrow.

"Too expensive?"

I nodded weakly.

"Then get out."

My heart dropped.

"I'll pay for them," I said quickly. "But I'll need some time." I smiled nervously.

He studied me for a long moment.

"Two months." I nodded immediately.

"Thank you."

Two months' salary would barely cover the cost. That meant I'd have to depend on Zoe a little longer.

At least Finn's medication would last another month. I'd find a solution before then.

"You may leave."

I bowed gratefully before hurrying out of the office.

Only after the door closed behind me did I finally release the breath I'd been holding.

For today... I still had a job.