Kellyâs POV
âNext,â I said as I massaged my forehead. I was interviewing applicants, searching for someone whoâs fit to be my secretary.
I grabbed the applicantâs form and my lips formed an O after I recognized two familiar faces. Happiness filled my heart as I anticipated to see them and talk to them again.
I pressed the intercom. âMrs. Taylor let the last two applicants in.â
When the door swung open, I saw Yara and Ana looking at each other with a frown. I chuckled and pulled myself up.
âYara! Ana!â
They both looked at me. I smiled even more and hugged them. They both hugged me back. I even heard Yara sobbing.
âKelly!â
âKelly, I resigned from my work because of you. Please hire me!â Ana was begging and I chuckled at her.
Yara lifted her arm and smiled. âIâm more experienced than her, Kelly. I was your assistant at the shop.â
I smiled at Yara. âThe shop... What happened to the shop?â
She looked down and her eyes showed sadness. âSir Klay closed the shop after you disappeared. I was so worried but he wonât tell me anything.â
âYour things are with me, Kelly. The owner of the apartment threw me out after I failed to pay two months of rent. I had no choice. Iâm sorry.â
I held their hands and looked at them alternately. âI have jobs for the both of you.â
Ana was quick to nod. âI can just be your maid again. Iâll take care of your house. By the way, are you back in your family villa?â
I shook my head and smiled. âIâm living in a company apartment but Iâm moving out today. I donât wanna live in a villa. Itâs lonely to stay there.â
I looked at Yara and smiled at her. âYouâre going to be my assistant again.â
I was relieved and happy after I hired Yara and Ana. At least the people I trust are coming back into my life again to support me. Theyâre friends and I want to keep them.
When I got home, I was shocked after I saw Mary and Mr. Walter in front of my apartment door. Iâm moving out today because this is a company apartment and I resigned from Mr. Walterâs company.
âAre you avoiding me?â Mary was the first one to greet me. Her eyes are sad and sheâs frowning.
I took a deep sigh. âIâm sorry. I just donât know how to face you after everything. I lied to you.â
âBut you treated me as a friend, right?â
I slowly nodded. She smiled and held my hand. âThen, itâs fine. I know you have reasons for doing that.â
I opened the door and invited them in. Itâs kinda awkward to have Mr. Walter as my visitor.
âMommy!â Snow greeted me happily. Sheâs wearing a pink dress and bunny headband again. Emily was sitting on the couch with her, scrolling on her phone.
I kissed Snowâs cheek. âHowâs your day, sweetie?â
She smiled. âAunt Em taught me about girl things.â
âGirl things?â
âYes! Like how to walk like a queen... Like how to speak like a queen... And how to laugh like a queen...â
I chuckled and pinched her nose playfully. âOkay. Weâll talk about your day later. I just need to talk to my visitors for now, pumpkin. Wait in our room, okay?â
She looked at me with her innocent doe eyes. âAunt Em said weâre moving out. Is it true? Are we going to live in a palace like a queen?â
I smiled and caressed her hair. Emily pulled herself up and looked at my visitors with her one eyebrow shot up.
âCome on, love. Letâs go and pack your things.â
I nodded at Snow when she glanced at me before she held Emilyâs hand and they entered the bedroom.
âUh! Please have a seat,â I said to Mr. Walter and Mary.
Mary grinned. âIâm not a visitor, ElleâI mean Kelly. I should just prepare something to drink.â
I watched Mary walk towards the kitchen before I looked at Mr. Walter again.
âI want to apologize for this, Mr. Walter.â
He fixed his eyeglasses and nodded. âJust...call me Caleb. Weâre not boss-employee anymore.â
I bit my bottom lip. âIâm moving out today.â
âI heard.â
The awkward silence is killing me and I think Mary wonât come back here anymore since she believes that Mr. Walter is interested in me.
âI heard youâre rebranding your company. Thatâs a good choice.â
I nodded. âYes. I donât wanna lose my fatherâs hard work so Iâm trying to make this work.â
âI can...â he paused and cleared his throat. âI want to invest in your company.â
My lips parted. âMr. Walter...â
â....or I can fund the promotional and campaign events of your new brand,â he added.
I swallowed hard. I donât wanna believe Maryâs words but this isnât a boss talking anymore.
âMr. Walter, I appreciate that you want to help. Itâs a big help but...why are you doing this?â
He looked away and clenched his jaws. âLosing a promising employee is a loss to me. But I want to support you. So...â
Someone knocked on the door. My forehead creased. I donât remember anyone else whoâd pay a visit today. Could it be Ana?
âExcuse me for a while, Mr. Walter.â
I opened the door and everything seemed to slow down as I saw the person behind the door. He slowly lifted his face and my lips parted when our gazes met.
My mind has been clouded by whatâs happening and I failed to realize that he never crossed my mind. And now that heâs in front of me, I feel like I was robbed of sanity. My heart raced and my breath entangled.
He cleared his throat. âI-Iâve been fighting with myself for the past two days and...I couldnât fight it anymore. So...Iâm here...â
I swallowed hard as I stared into his eyes. Unable to say something because I donât know what to say.
He lifted the box in his hand that I didnât notice a while ago.
âUh... I bought your favorite dessert.â
I cleared my throat after a few seconds and opened the door wide. âCome in.â
I saw happiness cross his eyes after I said that. He entered and followed me to the living area but I saw him freeze after he saw Caleb Walter sitting on the couch.
Pierce looked at me before he slowly walked towards the couch and sat across from Mr. Walter.
Biting my lip hard, I sat on the single couch between them. I donât know but this is so awkward.