HIS PERSONAL ASSISTANT

chapter five

Alicia’s POV – Continued

I was still in my train of thought when my phone rang. I checked the screen and saw Camille’s name flashing.

With a small sigh, I swiped to answer. “Hey, troublemaker.”

“Wow, look who finally picked up,” Camille said dramatically. “Madam Alicia, are you ignoring your best girl now?”

A tiny smile tugged at my lips. “Relax. I was in a taxi. What’s up?”

“I just called to remind you about the hospital. Don’t tell me you forgot again.”

My chest tightened a little. The hospital. Right. “I’m on my way home to freshen up first, then I’ll head there,” I replied softly.

There was a brief pause on the line, then her voice came out gentler. “How was job hunting today?”

I stared out the taxi window, watching the blurry buildings rush by. “Same old story. Either ‘we just filled the position’ or they suddenly remember some random excuse. You know why.”

She clicked her tongue. “Those people are blind. If anything, your eyes are your superpower.”

I let out a small laugh. “Tell that to the managers who look at me like I’m a walking curse.”

“Forget them,” she said firmly. “Your time will come. And when it does, they’ll regret it.”

I hummed in response, not trusting my voice for a second.

“Anyway,” she continued, switching the mood, “I bought those snacks you like. I’ll bring them later when I’m done with work. You’ll need energy after the hospital.”

“Thanks, Cam. You’re a lifesaver.”

“You’re welcome. Now go and get ready. And don’t overthink. Call me when you reach, okay?”

“Okay. Talk later.”

I hung up and took a deep breath. The taxi turned into my street, and the familiar worn buildings came into view. Not much to look at, but at least it was home.

“Miss, we’re here,” the driver said.

I paid him, stepped out, and the evening breeze brushed against my skin. The sun was almost gone, leaving an orange and purple stain across the sky. For a moment, I just stood there, hugging myself, trying to pull my scattered thoughts together.

“Hospital first,” I whispered to myself. “Then… I’ll think about tomorrow.”

I headed into my building, climbed the stairs, and opened the door to my small apartment. As soon as I stepped inside, the quiet wrapped around me. I dropped my bag on the chair, went straight to the bathroom to wash my face, trying to rinse away the stress of the day.

But no matter how much water I splashed, my reflection still stared back at me with those same eyes—one normal, one different. The same eyes everyone judged. The same eyes that man three years ago—

I shut my eyes tightly and gripped the edge of the sink.

“Not now, Alicia,” I whispered. “You don’t have time to fall apart.”

My phone buzzed with a message. I wiped my hands and checked it.

Camille: Don’t be late, penguin. And don’t cry. Your eyeliner won’t survive 😂

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Trust her.

I grabbed a simple outfit, changed quickly, tied my hair up, and picked up my bag again.

Time to go to the hospital.

Whatever awaited me there, I just hoped it wouldn’t be more bad news.