The Billionaire Who's My Daughter's Father

Chapter 2 :Fired For A Mere Reason

Chapter 2: Fired For A Mere Reason

For a few seconds, there was silence in the room.

"I am sorry," I apologized again. I bowed my head gently as lots of thoughts ran through my mind. Liam Crawford is not known to be merciful. What if he fires me? I have not even started the job properly.

"This is Ethan Harrington," Liam's words finally brought me back to life.

I lifted my head and gave a pitiful look. He did not point at anyone in particular, but it was obvious he was referring to the guy standing beside him. There were just three of us in the whole room.

"He is my personal assistant," Liam added.

Ethan bowed slightly, and I gave a slight bow as well.

"I will show Miss Wilson around, boss," Ethan said as he led me in another direction.

At least I was not fired. I felt so happy. My heart was beating fast with relief.

Ethan showed me to my desk and explained all I needed to know. Where to keep files, how Liam likes his documents arranged, what time he takes his tea, what not to touch.

"I will take my leave now," he finally said.

I looked around and smiled gently. The pay is so good, and so is the job. If I can just keep this job, Lilly will have a better life.

The telephone rang, and I hurriedly picked it up.

"Hello?"

"Tea in six minutes." Liam's voice sounded on the phone. So cold. Without allowing me to respond, he hung up.

I rushed out to make the tea while constantly checking my wristwatch. I must not exceed the time given. Ethan had earlier explained how to make the boss's tea, and I followed the exact recipe. Hot water, not too hot. One sugar. No milk. I stirred it twice, just like he said.

Knock, knock. I knocked as I walked toward him.

"Here is your tea, boss." I put down the tea on his desk and waited for any further instruction.

"Ava Wilson."

Then came his word. It does not sound like he is pleased. What is it this time?

"Mr. Crawford," I responded as I stood up straight.

"Why are you always late?"

Late? I was shocked. I timed myself well, so how come?

"You are two minutes late," he added.

"I am sorry, Mr. Crawford," I apologized sincerely.

"Oh, sorry!? Ava, sorry will not help the situation right now. You are fired!" He said the last few words with anger.

Fired? My eyes widened instantly. I began to panic. Just because I am two minutes late? When I was hours late, he did not fire me, but for two minutes?

"Mr. Crawford, I am really sorry. I was as fast as possible so as to meet up with the time you gave." I apologized sincerely, with tears dropping from my eyes.

"If I have to repeat myself, you will regret not leaving in the first instance," he finalized his words as he focused on the file right in front of him.

I looked around the office one more time. My heart sank. My phone rang from my jacket, and I hurriedly picked it up. My mother? Oh no, it is probably Lilly who wanted to speak to me. I had promised to call her before leaving for work this morning, but I forgot. I was late even for work.

The phone stopped ringing, and I turned my back to leave when my head suddenly spun. I felt dizzy instantly. I have not taken anything since morning, and this is past 12 in the afternoon.

I tried moving past the office. At least once I get home, I will fix something to eat. But my leg failed me.

Thud. I fell.

"Ava!" That was the last word I heard when I collapsed.

*

"She has been asleep for hours now, are you sure she is really fine?" It was the concerned voice of my boss I first heard when I woke up.

I gently sat up on the bed. Where am I? Hospital? Oh yeah. I collapsed earlier. My head spun a bit as I sat up. The white walls, the smell of medicine, the beeping sound beside me. I was in a hospital ward.

"Are you alright?" My boss came near the moment he noticed I am awake. The words I heard from him earlier and now. Did I hear right? Liam Crawford being concerned about me?

"I am fine, Mr. Crawford. Thank you." I smiled at him, and he held my hand gently. What!

"What happened to me?"

He patted me gently and responded, "The doctor said you fainted as a result of stress and hunger." Adding the word hunger made me embarrassed. My cheeks turned red.

"You did not eat before coming to work?"

Suddenly seeing this soft side of him is very confusing. He was super cold earlier, right? I gently looked away from him in embarrassment.

"I woke up late. I had to rush to work."

He smiled. "It is already noon. Ethan will bring you lunch in a few minutes."

Is Liam Crawford always this gentle? Rumours say otherwise.

We sat motionless for a few seconds. Will he stop staring? He is making me feel slightly shy. My heart was beating in a way it has not beaten for a man in six years.

My phone rang again. My mother? Oh no! Lilly. I have not called her back.

"Why are you not taking your call?" Liam asked me as I quickly put the phone back into my jacket.

Liam must not know I have a child. It is against the rule as his secretary. Before I took the job, it was stated clearly that no married woman is allowed. The reason being not wanting children to interfere with work. They probably do not want to hear words like, "I am sorry boss, my child made me come late."

And yeah, I have been fired, but he must not know in this kind of situation. I lied to work as the secretary.

Click. The ward door opened. It was Ethan. He came in with lunch, as Liam had earlier said.

"How is your health, Miss Wilson?" He asked as he handed the food to me.

"Better, thanks."

Liam stood up from the bed and sat on the chair.

"Boss," Ethan said as he faced Liam. "Your mother asked to see me. I want to..."

"It is fine," Liam cuts in. "Go and see her and do not spout nonsense there. See you tomorrow."

He gently rubbed his palm on his forehead and added, "I will take Ava home after she eats and rests, then I will go home."

Wait? Take Ava home? Which Ava? Me? I widened my eyes on the bed again. The food I was eating nearly choked me.

"Are you okay, Miss Wilson?" Ethan asked as he rushed toward me.

"I am fine," I gave a faint smile.

"Okay. I will take my leave now." With that, Ethan exited the room.

I could not allow him to take me home. "Boss," I said gently. "I appreciate your kindness, I am so grateful, but about taking me home, I do not think it is really necessary."

All my words seemed to fall on deaf ears. His mind is made up already. Fine. Taking me home will not kill me.

After I finished eating, the nurse came in to check my blood pressure. She said I was stable and free to go. Liam signed the discharge papers without even looking at the bill. He helped me stand up slowly, because my legs were still weak. He held my arm as we walked out of the ward, down the long hospital corridor, and into the elevator.

The nurses were staring at us, whispering. The great Liam Crawford carrying a woman's bag like a normal man.

Outside, his black car was already waiting. Liam opened the door for me, and I entered. He went round and sat in the driver's seat. In thirty minutes, we were already out of the hospital building and on our way to my house. Funny, right? The drive home was so silent that I slept off. I was so tired, my body just gave up. The soft car seat, the quiet engine, it was too comfortable.

"Ava," his words woke me. "We are here."

I sat up and looked out of the car window. We are already outside my building. He came down from the driver's seat and came to open the door for me again. I stepped out of the car and looked at him with a faint smile.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Crawford."

"Just Liam?"

Just Liam!? I was shocked. "Whenever we are out of work or alone, just call me Liam," he said gently as he looked at me with tenderness. My heart beat faster.

"Outside work? By saying outside work, you mean?" I asked, surprised. "I thought you fired me earlier?" I asked so as to clear my doubt.

"Take the rest of this week to get yourself together and resume work next week. I will pay you for this week as well, so do not be scared."

"What!?" I was surprised.