The Billionaire Divorcee's Return

Chapter 3[GoodNews!]

Riley was left alone in there, left with her feelings. It still hurt, and she wished someone would pinch her to wake her up from her nightmare. But staying alone in the apartment with Toby instead of Henry was enough proof to remind her she was not dreaming.

"Hey sis," Toby called. " I know you're still worried and all, but what's for dinner? It's like nine pm already, and I'm starving. "

Riley looked at her younger brother from head to toe and shook her head. A tear dropped from her eyes as she turned her back. He was a grown man, and he still bothered her for dinner? What if she wasn't with him? Would he not eat!

Riley decided to keep her temper at bay. What she needed was a plan. She would not waste her three years of marriage to remain living this pathetic life! After all of her sacrifices? It pays to be good, they say. The only thing being good had ever done for her was to turn her into a wreck. Lola would not have landed her perfect job if Riley had not sacrificed her life's savings for her to send her to college for a year's degree program. She should have gone, but she thought her friend deserved everything good.

Sure, Riley later went to college for her masters program after landing a scholarship two years later. Still, Lola had gotten lucky with her perfect job while Riley became stuck as an intern for a year now without any hope of ever being retained.

Her phone rang, and she saw it was from an unknown number. That was when Riley realized she had been idle, sitting on the ground like a wheelchair user ever since she watched Henry walk out of her life. She had not even stood up to eat, or do anything. How long had she been crying? She noticed Toby had found the leftovers and was helping him to dinner.

"Should I take this call?" Riley thought to herself. What if it was from Henry? Heaving in a deep sigh, she picked up. Part of her was hoping that it would be Henry calling if he was still the loving husband she thought he was.

"Hello? Is this Miss Dawn? " The voice said, a charming bold voice with a soothing English accent.

Riley frowned. " Um, yes. Speaking please? "

There was a soft sigh at the other end. Like he was relieved. " I know this might sound startling, but I wish to leave this call. I wouldn't want to miss this opportunity. We have emailed you regarding the internal job opening that you applied for? "

Internal job opening...what! There was a job opening for a new director at her firm. And she just thought about applying, since she was a fresh graduate who met all the requirements. It was a long shot, so she wasn't even expecting a positive reply!

" Are you there, miss? I would like you to consider this offer. That is why I might sound like a disturbance right now. Nighttime is the only time I am really most active. Besides, the company already sent you your application letter, but we have yet to receive any response. I am Richard Parker. "

Riley gasped. " I accept sir. With all of my heart, I accept! And I am so grateful you considered sending this call. I am so grateful sir! " She cried out, literally crying! This was the greatest news ever for her, especially after her terrible day. If she was being recommended by the CEO himself! Then that would mean that the job was really hers! More money and great opportunities.

"Great! We look forward to working with you then. See you on Monday, Miss Dawn. I am grateful you are not offended by my rude way of calling at this time of the night. Forgive me once again. "

"No. Please. Don't say that. I am glad you called by this time! Thank you so much sir. Thank you so much!" By this time, Toby had already fallen on his knees before her, eavesdropping on the phone.

After she hung up, she broke the news to her brother and Toby literally jumped up and began to dance. Funny steps that caused Riley to burst out in laughter, nearly dancing with him too out of joy. This truly was the best news ever.

***

Richard hung up and knew his secretary, Dan, would be waiting to say something. " What? She has gotten the offer now, which means she'll get a new salary breakdown list, a suitable apartment, maybe a car, since we are an automobile company and that's why we give our high-level staff a car, for promotion. Besides, she is smart. Now everyone who has been looking down on her will respect her. She is more than qualified, so, you can't prove me wrong, Dan. " He ended his protest with a satisfying grin.

Dan rolled his eyes. He was his secretary, but they had come a long way and were already like brothers. "Still, it is off protocol for the CEO of the company to remind his staff of an offer, via a phone call." He said, " at nine o'clock, in the night. Sir."

"It was necessary. She was happy. That's all that matters. " He defended.

Dan opened his mouth to talk again, but a slender woman with bright beautiful eyes walked in. She was Richard's mother, Queen Cara. The woman was famous on this earth and even outside the planet for her riches from cosmetics and beauty products. Cara herself was a divine angel with a pretty smile. Richard got all of his good looks from her.

"Madam. Good evening, I didn't know-- " Dan started to say, but the woman waved him off.

Richard sighed. He was tired of the woman. "Did I not tell you that I would be working tonight?" He said to his mother with an angry stare.

"As long as you still live under my roof, I don't care," Cara said.

"Like you want me to leave this roof of yours anyway." Richard rolled his eyes. Truly, he was a twenty-eight-year-old successful man. But the moment he clocked twenty-five and wanted to move out, his mother had fallen ill for weeks, just because the idea of her son leaving her was overwhelming. He remained with her since the house was a mansion. He could remain indoors without seeing her for a month if he wished to, with all of its space.

"You won't change, will you?" Cara asked. " You just returned from the states last night, and here you are working overtime even in your damn house. Using this poor boy! " She turned to face Dan.

Dan gazed at the floor. He dared not say anything.

"We are working, and you're distracting, madam Cara. Please leave."

"Madam Cara? That should be ''mom' to you! What kind of son do I have? " Cara cried out.

Richard and his mother were a cat and a rat, a big-time word and the opposite. She thinks of him as 'too serious,' while he likes to tag her as 'too playful'.

" If you continue like this, you might really become single for life! Among all the grandchildren, grandpa teases you to be the oldest bachelor!"

"If you leave out Mary, Sam, Chris, uncle Mathew--"

" Oh come on, at least they've all found a date for your uncle's retirement party. What about you, huh? Single for life! Too serious to ever find love. "

"And what about you? After all of your coolness, why are you still single? I don't see a ring on your finger yet. " Richard said, suddenly realizing he'd dropped a huge bomb.

Cara grunted and stormed out the room with Dan's judging eyes glaring at him. " What! She started it! " Richard said in defense, but Dan did not have it. He frowned at his secretary. "Let's just get back to work now."

"Even that was too much from you," Dan muttered, but Richard could hear him well. " Also, Richard. Remember, you should respect your boundaries. "

Richard's face darkened. He knew what Dan was talking about. " I know. She's married now. I haven't forgotten. " He lowered his gaze and his frown deepened. " Work is canceled. I need to be alone. "