AFTER ONE NIGHT

CHAPTER 6

• HOPE •

Sunlight filtered softly through the thin curtains, casting a gentle glow across the walls of Ashley's hotel room. She opened her eyes and took in the familiar ceiling. For a brief moment, she forgot the weight in her chest until her gaze fell on the small paper bag on her bedside table. It held the five test kits from yesterday, a painful reminder of her reality. It was another day, and she was pregnant. With great effort, she lifted her tired body off the bed and rubbed her stomach gently.

She didn’t know how far along she was at that point, but it didn’t matter. What she did know was that she had to do something—anything—besides wallow in self-pity and regret, especially now that a little human was growing inside her.

Like many girls, she had always dreamed of having her own family—a loving husband and at least two kids, a cute boy and a pretty girl, living in a cozy, peaceful apartment. But at that moment, that dream felt far from reach.

Regaining her composure, Ashley washed her face, glancing at her pale reflection in the mirror. She brushed her teeth and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She forced herself to eat a slice of stale bread from the night before, barely touching it. Quickly, she grabbed her phone and opened the job search app, scrolling endlessly through available listings.

• Receptionist

• Administrative Assistant

• Customer Care Representative

• Data Entry Clerk

One by one, she clicked through each description, only to face rejection before she could even think about applying. The requirements were discouraging. “Must be physically fit,” “Works flexible hours and may require occasional travel,” “Not suitable for applicants with current medical restrictions,” and most frustrating of all, “At least one year of work experience.” She sighed and bit her lower lip. It felt like every job requirement was designed to rule her out. What could she do?

Hours went by, the sounds around her limited to the occasional honking of cars, the soft hum of the air conditioner, and her fingers scrolling and tapping aimlessly on her phone. She felt like a recent college graduate again, searching for a decent job, and so far, she had found nothing.

As the day turned into evening without success, her frustration grew within her like a heavy lump. She paused, then resumed her search, but by nightfall, she finally gave up. Pulling her knees to her chest, she sat by the window, watching the city lights flicker and remembering Houston. If only she had never accepted Elliott's sinister proposal, allowing him to ruin her life. A tear rolled down her cheek, and this time, she didn’t wipe it away. Tears fell freely.

Suddenly, she felt the urge to call Elliott's office; he would likely still be there unless he was on his honeymoon. A part of her wanted to yell at him until she felt lighter, to tell him how he had ruined her life. But deep down, she knew it wouldn’t change anything. She wanted nothing to do with him. He had made his choice and discarded her like trash. Now, she had a choice to make—to move on, but not as if she were worthless.

Four days later, Ashley packed her things and checked out of the hotel. She grabbed her suitcase and headed toward the cab she had ordered.

Her new home was a medium-sized bungalow apartment in Santa Monica, and it smelled of old wood. A tiny wooden fence framed the front yard, with a few dry weeds poking through the cracks in the concrete path to the front porch. The windows were somewhat old-fashioned, with faded white curtains that fluttered softly in the breeze.

To Ashley, the apartment was perfect. It was the only place she could afford without depleting her remaining savings. The rent was low, and most importantly, it felt safe and comfortable for her and her child.

After unpacking and cleaning up a bit, Ashley sat on the narrow bed and scrolled through her phone once more. This time, an ad caught her eye: “Temporary Administrative Assistant Needed - Cole & Steele Enterprises. Immediate employment. Good pay. Open to all.”

Her heart raced. Something about the name sounded powerful, and no restrictions? It seemed too good to be true. Yet, she hoped it wasn’t one of those scams. For the first time in weeks, she felt a flicker of hope.

Without hesitation, she clicked 'Apply', filled out the application, attached her resume, and stared at the 'submit' button, her fingers fidgeting. “Lord, please,” she whispered as she clicked it. “Please, just let this be the one.”

That night, she struggled to sleep, caught between fear and fragile hope. “Maybe this job will change everything,” a small voice echoed in her mind. But how? All she needed to do was wait for the interview the next day and hope that luck was on her side.