SOME THINGS ARE MEANT TO BE

CHAPTER 81

Embarrassment showed on Julianna’s face, and she apologized in a hurry. “I am sorry. It won’t happen again.” She looked down at her sleeping daughter and held her tight as she gave a small smile. It’s alright. She was used to mockery and people rebuffing her. Had she been lacking self-confidence, she would die from the embarrassment.

She turned around and walked in the direction that the woman had pointed. Raya decided to open her eyes at this moment and stare at the woman behind her.

The purity in those beautiful eyes made one feel inferior, and her look shamed the woman. She kept staring, and the woman looked at her overly pretty face and found that she could not look away. She felt her face flush.

Being able to work was not something to be ashamed of; neither was it improper. They were merely earning a living for themselves with their own hands.

Julianna went to the place where the woman had directed her, and she entered. She was the only woman among the many men present.

“Are you here for a job?” A man, who looked to be the supervisor, began sizing Julianna up. Indeed, the greatly despised Julianna had long been forgotten. Many new things and old things could happen in that one year. It would gradually fade in time. Moreover, humans were forgetful by nature. Even a celebrity can be forgotten at times, not to mention an ordinary man.

Julianna nodded, but she did not know why he was looking at her in a peculiar way. She held her child carefully, slightly unsettled. Could it be that she was being rejected again?

“I can do anything, and I am not afraid of hardships.” She took a step forward hastily. If this was unsuccessful, she would have to go home with nothing. She would have to eat preserved vegetables and drink plain water.

“But this job is not for you.” The man slanted his head and explained, “We are looking for a warehouse clerk for the mall. To put it simply, it would be a mover. Are you sure you can do it?

“Besides, you have a...” He pointed at the infant in Julianna’s arms, wondering if she would be bringing the little one to work.

“She is very well-behaved. She’s not noisy at all. We really need this job.” Julianna looked at Raya and caressed her face. She had really been a good girl, and she had not cried at all.

The man hesitated for a while. It wasn’t because he was not sympathetic; just that the job description involved heavy lifting which was too much for a woman to handle.

“I can do it.” Julianna nodded her head, harder. She was willing to do anything as long as they could pay her and give her the money to buy milk powder for her daughter.

Her tone was almost pleading, and the man hesitated once more. It would be a sin to reject a woman like her.

The child in Julianna’s arms opened her eyes wide. Both mother and daughter had the same pleading look, and the man was speechless for a long time.

“Okay, you could try. If it really doesn’t work out, you have to leave.” He stood up. It all depended on whether she could keep the job or not. They had recruited women but not for long. The difference in strength between a man and a woman was huge. To compete with a man for a job was looking for trouble.

“Thank you.” Julianna practically cried. She had finally found a job. The future might be tough; however, she could already see the shadow of bliss.

She smiled and carried her daughter while Raya simply grabbed at her mother’s hair again with a smile on her tiny lips.

Soon, they would have a house.

Julianna tied Raya in front of her. True to her word, the child was indeed very well-behaved. Now, sweat began to gather on her forehead as she carried a big bag of goods over her shoulder. There was a tingling pain in her left arm. It was heavy, but whenever she met her daughter’s eyes, she couldn’t help smiling.

During her break, she would sometimes touch her daughter’s face with her fingers or feed her water. It was not easy for a woman to survive like this. Many a time, everyone would leave the lighter work for her to do.

Who had said that there were no kind souls in the world? There were many, and she had met them.

She leaned against a cabinet at the side. With the milk bottle in one hand, she began feeding her daughter carefully. Her shoulders hurt, and she couldn’t lift her hands up. When it came to her daughter, she would always be very cautious. Once Raya was full, she sprawled against her mother quietly without a sound.

She carried her daughter with her right hand and exited through the side door. The woman’s words were etched in her mind. The main entrance was reserved for customers’ use. So she used the side door.

“Raya, we’re home.” She kissed her daughter’s face. Raya seemed to be conversing with her in her baby's language which she did not understand. All the while, gesturing with her hands.

Julianna put her tiny hands in her coat to keep her warm.

Unknown to her, a black Lamborghini had parked not too far away from her. She was familiar with the car, the number plate, and even the people in it.

“Diego, what are you looking at?” Ruby hugged his waist and followed the direction of his eyes curiously. There was no one.

“Nothing.” Diego simply turned his attention back to her, allowing Ruby to lean on his shoulders smoothly. Something flickered in his dark eyes.

As he ran his fingers in Ruby’s hair, his expression was vaguely distracted. The back view of that woman resembled her.

That woman.

Julianna returned to the small warehouse where she had previously stayed and put her daughter down. She had fallen asleep with the rocking. Then, she made her way to collect the clothing to be washed. In the day, she was a mover; and at night, she had to do other people’s laundry. The condition of her health has greatly deteriorated under the heavy workload. However, at the thought of her daughter being able to drink milk and the prospect of them having a new place to stay, she was filled with unlimited strength.

She would bring her daughter to work every day, and it became her routine in life.

“Ruoxin, you need to run an errand. A customer wanted some formal wear which was not supposed to be delivered by us, but the instruction came from top management. We had to obey.” A man put formal wear into Julianna’s hands and instructed the job to be done, “Hurry. The customer needs them urgently.”

At the sight of a baby bundled in front of Julianna, the man hesitated. “Julianna, I’m sorry. It’s just that everyone is so busy, and you’re the only one who can go. It’s just outside...”

Julianna held the box tightly in her hands. She pressed her lips and smiled at the man. “It’s okay, I will be right back.”

She left with one arm holding Raya tightly against her. It was pouring outside. She looked at her child and wrapped her in her coat.