Unforseen Destiny

CHAPTER VI

NIKKI

As I unboxed both packages, I had mixed emotions. I kept staring at both, exchanging glances from one to the other. I decided to open the one that looked formal to lighten my mood a little. I was hoping it would be of help. My joy knew no bounds when I found out what was inside. I had received my acceptance letter.

The letter read:

"Dear Mrs. Anderson,

You have been accepted, and we are willing to work with you. From your qualifications, we see that you are of high standards and highly educated. We hope you can work together with us to achieve greater success. Please resume work as the CEO's secretary this upcoming week. We hope you never disappoint us and work really hard to bring success.

We shall email the company rules to you. Breaking any of the rules shall bring about severe consequences, as mentioned in the email sent.

Yours faithfully,

James Harrison."

As I read the letter, I kept beaming with joy. I had to call Ruby and my mum to give them the news. It called for a celebration. I decided to check the email sent. As I read through the rules and regulations, it looked normal and ordinary, with a bit of strictness.

But the punishments were a nightmare. Looking at the punishment for rule-breakers made matters worse. As I read through it, it sent shivers through my spine.

Some of the rules and punishments included:

Article 1: Confidentiality Breach

- Disclosure of company secrets: $10 million fine and 10 years' imprisonment

- Unauthorized sharing of sensitive information: $5 million fine and 5 years' imprisonment

Article 2: Disloyalty

- Engaging in activities detrimental to the company: $15 million fine and lifetime ban from employment in the industry

- Collaborating with competitors: $20 million fine and 15 years' imprisonment

Article 3: Professional Conduct

- Misrepresentation of company interests: $8 million fine and 7 years' imprisonment

- Failure to report misconduct: $3 million fine and 3 years' probation

Other rules

- Attendance and punctuality: Strict adherence to working hours; repeated tardiness would result in $1,000 fines per instance.

- Code of Conduct: Maintaining professional demeanor; breach would result in $5,000 fines and mandatory counseling.

I wondered how such rules could be approved by the government. Any employee in their right senses wouldn't even think about going against the rules, talk less of breaking them. The thing is, if I ever came across such a huge amount of money, my life and that of my family would make a big revolution.

Even my mum never made such an amount, or my dad when he was still alive. After we lost dad, my mum has been struggling to cater for both me and my sister. She kept working hard, day and night, just to provide for us. I made a promise to myself that when I grew up, I would get a job to take care of myself, my sister, and my mom. Here I was today.

I had to give my mum and Ruby a call later to break the news to them. Now, back to my packages. My mood changed swiftly when I looked at the other package. I checked the sender's name, and my worst nightmare came through. It was a package from my ex! OMG!

This is bad. Can there not be any other thing than this! I was reluctant to open it, and when I finally did, what I saw took me aback. It contained flowers, which were lilies, my favorite. It also contained a card and a little box wrapped like a present.

I opened the card to read, and the content took me by surprise.

"Dear Nikki,

I know you are surprised that I'm sending you this. I would like to congratulate you on your acceptance. Congratulations. Good luck with it, and I'm happy for you.

With love,

Rowan."

I was taken aback. How the f*** did he know? Now I have to be worried about my safety. Why is he contacting me again? We are over. I decided to open the little box, and what I saw took me aback. It was a beautiful teddy with a note attached to it.

"I'm really sorry, Nikki. Please forgive me. Can we get back together?" It says.

I felt disgusted and irritated. The pain of what he did to me in the past sipped through me little by little, like I was being injected. What was he trying to do? Why does he want us back together? I'm sure he has nothing but bad intentions.

After all he had done. Wow so much for wanting a cheater back in my life. That's a story for another time.

Why does he want us back together after all these years? I aren't gonna fall for his tricks again. I'm so done with it. I had to resist the urge to dispose of the teddy. But I need it as evidence to show Ruby. What does this cheater want. I won't let you ruin my moment.

I rang Mom to break the news. "Hello, Mom. How are you?"

"I'm fine. How are you doing? Any news about the interview?"

"I'm fine, Mom. That's why I called. I was accepted and given the post I wanted. I'm so happy, Mom."

"That's my daughter. I'm proud of you. Be good and dedicated. Follow the rules and never break them. Be a good girl, okay?"

"Yes, Mom. My regards to Bella. I hope she's not causing trouble?"

"She isn't. Your little sister is a good girl."

" I'll come see you this weekend, hopefully i'll be free. Mom, for celebration. I'll be resuming work this upcoming week."

"Okay, dear. I have a meeting now. See you then. Bye and take care of yourself."

"You too, Mom. Bye."

I fought the urge to tell her about the package from my ex. She already had a lot on her plate; I didn't want her to worry about me. I decided to call Ruby to share the news.

I glanced at the clock; it was already 8 o'clock. I had promised to call her back.

"Hey Ruby, who was the visitor?"

"It was the mailman. I received two packages. One was formal, and the other wasn't."

"Looks like the company contacted you. So, how was it? Who on Earth would send you a package? You don't even have friends."

"The first package was from the company. I received my job. This calls for celebration! Yay."

"It does. When are you resuming work?"

"This upcoming week. How about we meet up this coming weekend to celebrate?"

"Sure thing. We can discuss other things too."

"Ruby, the company rules are simple, strict, and straightforward. But the punishment for breaking them is insane. I'll email it to you."

"It ought to be. I'll check it later. For a large company like theirs to survive, all you need to do is NEVER BREAK THEIR RULES! Don't even think about breaking it, talk less of performing the act. Did you call your mom to break the news?"

"Yes, I did. We'll celebrate this weekend too. But I'll celebrate with my family first, then with you. How's that?"

"Fine by me. We need privacy to talk too. So your dream is coming through. You'll finally be beside your crush."

"He's not my crush. I can't crush on my boss!"

"Says who?"

"Me!"

"Better use this chance. Opportunity comes but once. Good luck. I'm rooting for you. Hehehehe."

"Whatever. When we meet up, we'll talk more."

"Sure. I see you don't want to talk about the other package. Don't tell me it's from your ex."

"Who else then? Surprising, right. I'll bring the package along on weekend when we meet. I don't want to talk about it."

"I understand. I'm sure you're trying to figure out why the f*** he sent the package. Take care and don't let this mess up your emotions."

"Okay. Later then. Bye."

"Bye, Nikki. Goodnight."

She was right; I didn't want to talk about the package. And about me not allowing it to mess up my emotions, it eventually did, but after I had a wonderful celebration.

I scooped it out of my mind and got my celebration mood on. I had a wonderful evening, partying by myself till midnight. Everywhere was a mess, but I didn't clean up.

Then, suddenly, memories I had with my ex came rushing back. I remembered all the time we spent together until that day when he... OMG! Thinking about it made me break down. I slumped into the couch and cried my heart out, hugging my pillow.

I had never loved someone, and when I did, I only got heartbroken. Since then, I shut my heart back to where it belongs. It only opened again when I met my boss-to-be.

My heart ached, thinking about my ex. I cried for an hour or so, which I didn't even understand why. Why the f*** was I wasting my precious tears on that cheater?

I eventually fell asleep, and to my surprise, I slept peacefully without nightmares. I woke up the next morning with tears staining my face.

I rushed to my dressing mirror and was taken aback by my reflection; I looked horrible. Anyone who saw me in this state would be horrified.

It was Sunday, and I had the day all to myself. I decided to keep my mind occupied by planning a busy day: shopping for work essentials, followed by a relaxing trip to the beach, a spa session, and ending with a movie night at the cinema.

I got up, cleared the mess from the previous night, and headed to the bathroom after writing down my schedule. After breakfast, I got ready and headed out.

The day turned out wonderfully. I returned home exhausted but content. After a quick shower and light dinner, I retreated to my room and collapsed onto my bed. I fell asleep immediately, worry-free.

My dreams were filled with visions of my first day at work, and it felt lovely.