Chapter 3- The Secret At Home
1119 Words
Krystal's POV
The elevator ride down from the penthouse felt like it took forever. My legs were heavy, and my head was throbbing from the bright office lights. Alex had stayed in his office until the last second, acting like I was just a piece of furniture.
"Don't forget the breakfast, Krystal," he had barked at me as I was walking out. "And if the eggs are cold, I’m sending them back."
I didn’t answer him. I just nodded and left.
The subway was crowded with people going home after a long day. I stood in the corner of the train car, holding onto a metal pole. I looked at my reflection in the window. I looked like I hadn't slept in a week. My suit was wrinkled, and my hair was a mess. I looked exactly like what Alex called me—someone who had "sunk low."
When the train finally reached my stop in Queens, I practically ran up the stairs. The air outside was humid and smelled like trash and car exhaust, but it was better than the recycled air in the Valerius Tower. I walked two blocks to my building. The front door didn't lock properly, so I just pushed it open and headed up the stairs.
I could hear Mrs. Gable’s radio playing through the door. I unlocked it quietly.
"I'm home," I whispered as I walked in.
Mrs. Gable was sitting in my only armchair. She looked tired. "It’s about time, Krystal. I have a life too, you know."
"I am so sorry, Mrs. Gable," I said, putting my bag on the kitchen table. "My boss... he’s not an easy man. He made me finish three days of work in one afternoon."
"Well, he sounds like a real piece of work," she said, standing up and stretching her back. "The boy was asking for you. He wouldn't eat his toast at first, said he wanted Mommy to make it."
"Did he have his medicine?" I asked. I went to the fridge to check the milk. There was barely a cup left.
"I gave him a spoonful after dinner. His cough isn't bad, but he was fussy. He’s been asleep for about an hour."
I reached into my purse and pulled out twenty dollars. It was a lot of money for me right now, but she was the only person I trusted with my son. "Here. For the extra hours. I really appreciate it."
She took the bill and tucked it into her pocket. "You're a good mother, Krystal. But you look exhausted. You should eat something."
"I will. Thank you. See you tomorrow at 6:15?"
Mrs. Gable paused at the door. "6:15? That’s early, even for you."
"I know. I have to be at the office by seven. My boss is... demanding."
"Alright. I'll be here. Goodnight, dear."
Once she was gone, the apartment was silent. It was a small place. The wallpaper was peeling in the corners, and the heater made a loud clanking noise, but it was home. I walked into the bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed.
Lysander was spread out across the mattress. He had kicked his blanket off. I reached out and touched his cheek. It was soft and warm. He looked so much like Alex that it hurt to look at him sometimes. He had the same dark eyelashes and the same stubborn set to his jaw, even while he was dreaming.
His eyes opened slowly. He blinked at me and then a big smile spread across his face. "Mommy! You're back."
"I'm back, baby," I said, leaning down to hug him. He smelled like baby shampoo and sleep. "Did you have fun with Mrs. Gable?"
"We drew pictures," he said, sitting up. "I drew a big blue car. Can we get a big blue car?"
"Maybe one day, Lysander. For now, we have to stick to the bus."
He leaned his head against my shoulder. "Why do you have to work so much? I missed you."
"I know. I missed you too. But Mommy has to work so we can have this house and your toys. My new boss is very busy, so I have to help him."
"Is he nice?" Lysander asked.
I thought about Alex’s face when he told me I was a gold digger. I thought about how he tried to humiliate me today. "No, baby. He’s not very nice. But he’s paying us, and that’s what matters."
"I don't like him if he's mean to you," Lysander said, his little voice sounding serious.
"It's okay. I'm tough," I said, tickling his tummy. He giggled, and for a second, I forgot about the blacklist and the billionaire in the penthouse.
"Can I have some water, Mommy? My throat feels scratchy."
I went to the kitchen and got him his water. As I watched him drink, the fear came back. I knew how Alex’s family worked. His father, Mr. Valerius, was a man who cared about "bloodlines" and "legacy." If he ever found out that a "poor scholarship girl" had the Valerius heir, he would take me to court. He would hire the best lawyers and prove that I couldn't provide for my son. He would take Lysander away and I would never see him again.
And Alex? Alex hated me. He would probably think I had the baby just to get more money out of him. He wouldn't believe that I loved him. He wouldn't believe that I left to save my mother's life.
"Mommy? Why are you staring?" Lysander asked, handing me the cup.
"Just thinking, baby. Come on, let's get you back to sleep. I have to get up very early."
I lay down beside him and pulled the blanket over both of us. He snuggled into my side, and soon, his breathing was deep and steady. I stayed awake for a long time, staring at the ceiling.
I was walking a tightrope. On one side was Alex and the money I needed to survive. On the other side was my secret and the risk of losing my son. I had to be careful. I had to be the perfect assistant, and I had to make sure Alex never, ever came to this apartment.
The sun wasn't even up when my alarm went off. I felt like I had just closed my eyes. I kissed Lysander’s forehead while he was still sleeping, grabbed my bag, and headed back to the tower.
- Writer
