MY EX-LOVER IS NOW A BILLIONAIRE CEO

Episode 1

Isabel’s POV

“Walton group?” My voice came out in a hushed whisper. “How do you expect someone like me to be accepted in a place like that?”

Pricilla just smiled at my reaction, before she drank from my mug.

I never expected my life in New York to be easy after seven years of cutting all my ties with this place. My tedious job as a bartender barely paid my rent without accumulating more debt for me. However, this old woman, who had somehow grown fond of me, was trying to talk me into quitting this job for a position in one of the top five companies in the whole of New York.

“You’re young and… good looking… even very hardworking, my dear. What do you think is holding you back from taking the chance?” She shrugged, looking anywhere but me.

I fumbled with the hem of my apron feeling cold sweat run down the side of my neck.

“I know I admitted that doing my current job is awful, but we both know that I don’t stand a chance in a place like that. Plus, if I quit, my grumpy boss would never let me come back,” I whispered the last part in case someone was eavesdropping.

“Relax, dear,” she looked around as if reading my mind. “Nobody heard you.”

“Right, but we are not outside yet,” I reminded her.

This time she laughed and leaned her back further into her seat.

“What are we even saying now?”

“What?”

“You’re smart too. That’s an added advantage.”

I sighed, not because I didn’t have anything else to say, but because arguing with the old woman was like pouring water on a rock and expecting it to absorb water. For a moment, I thought about how things would be if she was right. Even working as a cleaner there or something worse, I was going to earn far better than I did here.

If that happened, I could start preparing to bring my son back from the orphanage. Gosh! I’d always dreamt of what he’d look like in a few years after I gave him to Rebecca. She had insisted that she could take care of him, but I didn’t want Nathaniel to know about our son yet, especially when he was doing everything in his power to find me.

“I’ll take it that you’re already considering everything I said,” she gave me a motherly smile which reminded me of my mum.

“It still sounds like a bad idea to me,” I admitted, gazing at my pale palms resting on my thigh.

“Here,” she slid a black card against the table. “There are a few positions vacant and I happen to know someone there who would ensure that your application and your acceptance is smooth. Just think about it and give the number there a call,” she rose from her seat.

“What do you get in return?” I asked the only question that could make sense over her wanting to help me.

“I wish you could see all the potential and bright future I see in you. I see a very strong woman who has seen it all yet is still standing,” she took my palm into hers as she leaned closer to me so I could look into her eyes. “This isn’t who you are, dear, and I can only do what I can to make sure you somehow reach your bright future.”

“Thanks,” I muttered, still under the effect of her words.

“It’s fine, and congratulations if you decide to take the opportunity between your fingers.”

I gave her a small smile as there was nothing else I could say. I watched the door at the entrance closed and only after a few seconds did the overwhelming feeling her words brought wear off.

I rushed to change my clothes before heading out, clinging to the card as if it were my new life source. On getting to my old apartment, I pulled out my old phone to do a little research before taking on the gamble to contact the number on the card. The bad network didn’t let me do as much research as I wanted, so I ended up calling the number anyway.

“Hi, there,” a female voice answered from her end. “Are you Isabel Monroe?”

“Y-yes,” I almost chuckled. “H-how?” I rubbed my free palm against the length of my pants.

“Someone spoke in your favour not too long ago, but unfortunately, all top positions are taken now. What’s left is the head cleaner's position. What do you say?”

“S-sure,” my voice broke. “What do I need to apply for the position?”

“There’s no need for that, ma’am. Mrs Pricilla is a trusted relative to the Waltons, if she commended you for top positions, it would only be an insult to question your ability in a position as low as this.”

I gripped my phone tightly, while my fingers dug into my pants.

“You can come over tomorrow to conclude all the formalities and resume as soon as you can,” her voice didn’t miss a single radiance of professionalism and happiness when she added, “Congratulations, Isabel Monroe.”

“Thank you… Thank you so much…” I swallowed the lump I didn't know I had in my throat.

“Alright, then. Have a great day.”

With that, the line went dead, leaving me all to myself… to the nervousness and overwhelming feeling I could barely contain. There was only one way I'd learnt to cope with something as overwhelming as this. I screamed until my lungs gave out.