Chapter 5

"Mom! A boy named Karan pulled my clip from my hair..." With the continuous hiccupping Sweety is complaining about how awful her day turned out at her school. "He stole my lunch box and even made me fun infowntt of my fwwnts."  She continued the story and ended up crying very louder. 

Time like this, always make me feel like I'm the worst mother to her, especially when I can't even take her to school on her first day. And to acknowledge that she's more mature than other kids at her age, makes me feel responsible for her emotion as well.

"Sweety, baby. It's okay. He might only want to be your friend and want to taste your lunch." I attempted to give a good reason for her situation. Usually, Sweety never complains if anything happens to her, but here she was wailing like a big disaster happened to her with her friends at school, and I need to find a good excuse for her to be good again. She is always so sweet just like her name, and I want everyone to see that, including all her friends. 

"If he wants your lunch then share with him, baby. Mommy will pack you extra lunch for tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" I wiped her face with my hand and tried to light her mood.

But she pouted her lips and shook her head. "No, mom. I don't like him. He even called me ugly." Sweety still insisted on her complaint about this friend of hers. Sometimes, I feel she is as stubborn as her father, and to deal with her emotion is hard as deal with Kayish when he was in his stubborn mode. 

For a while I was a bit lost in thought, I failed to notice the fresh drop of tears rolling down through Sweety's cheeks and it broke my heart to see her like this. I sighed and kneeled at her level and wiped her tears away by my finger and landed a kiss on her forehead before giving her another explanation in an attempt to make her feel better.

"Sweety, Baby. You are the angel. If he called you ugly that doesn't mean you are ugly, you're never an ugly baby. How many times do I need to remind you that you are my little princess? You will never be ugly even if you try so hard." I pinched her chubby cheeks and gave her my bright smile. Like a grown woman, she managed to give me a tight smile but she backed away pouting her lips once again. 

This, only brought my smile brighter, cause sometimes she's just too adorable when she's pouting this way. I can't help myself to give her another kiss on her nose and I know she will complain about this.

True to my word, she gives more pout to her lips over a silly matter and now she is behaving the same way as folding her tiny arms against her chest, she looked away from me. I knew this gesture, she thinks I made a joke of her situation that made me let out another long sigh. Her eyes became moistened one more time and this time, I will take this situation more seriously. Grabbing her little hand I made her sit on my lap and stroked her smooth brown hair while giving her another kiss on her forehead.

"It's okay, baby. Everything will be fine. I will give you a call and talk to your teacher tomorrow. Is that okay?" I asked her to give her reassurance of her situation. As a response, she nodded her head and laid her head on my chest. "Okay, Mommy. He was just mean to me." She mumbled her words. Eventually, peace occupied our heart and we both stayed in that position for a moment with Sweety still burying her face on my chest. 

After a while, I felt Sweety's steady breath and I know she was tired. "Let's eat something before you fall asleep in my lap. My princess needs more energy to talk to her mean friend tomorrow." I teased her before putting her on the floor.

"I want pizza." Her cheering voice was back, and my heart felt complete again.

"Okay, baby. Now wash your face and hand, and Mommy will order pizza," I said and grabbed my phone to order her favorite pizza.

Thirty minutes later, the pizza arrived and we ate our pizza with a happy face plastering in our moment. "It's so yummy, I will always love pizza," She said while taking another big bite. 'So cute.' I smiled to myself and felt glad that she forgot her problems and enjoyed her pizza.

I don't want her to get into any trouble in her school. Sometimes she was just like me, so easily dragging herself into trouble is not a new thing to her. She is so kind and has a pure heart, she always wants to make people around her be kind and happy, and it's giving me worry. 

If the boy still giving her trouble again, there's a chance she would fight him cause as good as the Angel side she has, she still has Kayish's side in her, and sometimes she's willingly inviting herself into problems to make other people in her life to be happy especially when she thinks it's necessary to fight a "mean" boy as she said.

I don't want my history repeated over her, instead, I want her life to be perfect like any other child. I vowed myself that day that I won't let her taste a cruel fate of mine. A kind and pure heart angel who is fool enough and is not able to see the difference between true and fake love from someone. But she's too little for that as well, and to prevent her from getting into trouble with a boy is always on my agenda. She needs to be herself, to be kind and sweet to everyone as her nature and if this boy gives her trouble, I need to make sure that the teacher can help Sweety avoid any possible trouble ahead.

"Mommy, I am finished." Sweety's voice snapped me out of my own thoughts and I told her to brush her teeth and get ready for bed while I was cleaning up the kitchen.

I read her bedtime story after her bath and she fell into a deep slumber the moment I finished the story.

*

The office was decorated like there was a party is going to start. The wall was decorated with blue Balloons and red ribbons. When I was lost in my admiration of the beautiful decoration, someone from behind engulfed me in a hug. I was slightly alarmed by the unknown embrace but relieved when I realized it was Juliet.

"Hey!" I greeted her once we pulled apart. She gave me a tight smile or to say at least she tried to smile; It looks like she is nervous about something.

And to prove my hypothesis, she didn't speak a word and just tapped her feet on the floor continuously.

"What happened, Julie. Is everything okay?" I asked her noticing her state. She nodded her head and looked back and forth behind me.

"Relax, will you?" I squeezed her hand and dragged her away from the entrance.

Once we reached my office, I made her sit as she hesitantly sat there and again tapped her feet on the floor. Something is wrong, or I thought something unnormal is happening.

"Relax Julie." I tried one more time. "Is it about your sweet boss who's going to come---" Her eyes quickly met mine.  "Seem you are not ready to welcome him, aren't you?" I teased her and she glared at me but I pretended like I didn't see her and arranged all my things on the table.

"How can you tell me to relax! huh?" She threw her hand in the air. "And one more thing he is not just my boss, yours too." She pointed a finger at me, her lips curved upwards. I just gave her a tight smile and attempted another explanation to her.

"Well Juliet my baby, I have no problem until my boss is an alien." I cooed. "I'm here to do my work not to serve his needs so there is no need to be scared of him." I added with all determination in the hope that it can raise her confidence and less her worries.

She sighed and put her elbow on the table and rested her cheek between her palm. "I wish I was in your place so that I don't have to be afraid or worry about anyone. I would have enough money to feed my family and have freedom like yours." Her eyes looked upwards like she was dreaming whatever she just declared.

Giving her a small smile I shook my head for her dream. "Don't ever think to be in my place. It's really harder than you could imagine." My voice cracked as a flash of my past invaded my mind in a second. She noticed the change of situation and tried to illuminate my mood by putting a hand on mine then gave it a squeeze in a gentle way. In return, I only gave her a small smile. 

"Okay, this is it. Your boss will be here anytime now. Anyway, what's your boss's name? I just realized I still don't know his name." I asked in an attempt to distract her nervousness.

"Mr. Warren Miller." She replied.

"Ohh!" Why does the name seem familiar to me? Where did I hear the name before?

"Oops! Warren Miller was our boss' dad's name. Actually our new boss nam......" She was cut off in her midst when the door of my office was opened by one blonde girl.

"Sorry mam, I am here to get Miss. Hamen." I nodded my head at her. Then she glanced towards Juliet who seemed to be in her deep thought.

"Mr. Miller has arrived and soon our new boss will be here. He is asking about the arrangement and looking for you." The blonde informed her.

"Yeah!! Everything okay. Anyway, I will confirm once again." With that, she stood from her place. Nodding her head, the blonde walked out of my office.

"Bye see you later!" She waved and half ran out of my office. She is so sensitive when it comes to working, I can sense it.

Between the rough situations of the appearance of our new boss, I managed a call to Sweety's teacher and told her about Sweety's complaint. It's s good to know that she really cares about the situation and even promised me to take care of everything. Somehow, I feel more relaxed but the worry is still there. Now I wonder why did I grow up like that? If it's not for the genes, Sweety may never have any troubles nor invited herself into trouble.

"Mam! our boss is looking for you." The same blonde girl who came earlier to call Juliet informed me right after I cut the call with Sweety's teacher. "Oh! Has he arrived? Too soon." I said to her and put my phone inside the purse.

She shook her head. "No. Our new boss hadn't arrived yet. It's his dad asking for you." She replied politely.

"Oh, okay." I managed to say a word to her before cursing myself to hell. "Shit!"Juliet told me to attend the ceremony function yesterday.  How did I forget that?

"Ok!... I will come." I told her, with that, we both left my office.

"Here, Mr. Miller." She pointed her finger towards the old man who looked like 'handsome man ever' even at the age of sixty. When he saw me he gestured me to come over. Hesitantly, I walked towards him but his next motion took me off the complete awe. He, the man, who owns this company, hugged me politely as I was related to his blood.

"So, you are Miss. Kader, right?" Mr. Miller asked me and gave me a fatherly look. It makes me warm and feels comfortable.

"Yes, I am." I bestowed him a small answer.

"Hmm... I am glad to see you, my dear. Smith has told me more about you and your arrival here. And I am glad you have taken a good decision by coming here. Like dad like daughter." He praised me that made me furrow my brow. Has he not known that Mr. Smith is not my real father?

"Honggg!!" A heavy peep sound distracted me from my own thoughts.

"Let's go! I think he has arrived." I nodded my head and walked beside him.

Once we reached the entrance, I witnessed that most of the employees were gathering outside; I can tell all of them are very eager to welcome their new boss, that kinda prevented me to see our new boss but his tall figure which stood almost 6.3' fell into my sight.

Payal approached me and handed me a bouquet of red roses. "He is so handsome and you are so lucky to greet him. Try to take a good look at him." She whispered and I raised my brows at her not understanding what she just said.

"Hmph--" She cleared her throat and adjusted her dress. "Everyone is dying to get his attention and here you get the chance to go near him." She flashed me a shy smile, her cheeks flushed with red.

"Payal!" I warned her in a whisper.

"Sorry, mam." She apologized in the same shy tone. God!! Teenagers and their hormones.!! I shook my head.

I heard lots of best wishes and applause from the crowd and It's my turn to give him a bouquet to welcome him to his new office. And when I was about to take a step, a person in front of me bent down that gave me a full view of my boss.

Lab tab... lab tab... lab tab.....I heard the rhythm of my heartbeat which is thumping heavily against my rib cage.

My body froze on the spot; it feels like I'm going to faint any time soon. There, standing with his whole almighty was none other than the person whom I hate with all my passion and never ever wanted to see him in my life who happens to be my new boss.

Kayish Miller.

He was smiling so broadly while I was standing here like a numb. How I am supposed to handle the situation?

No way in the hell I am going to greet him. And why the hell did I fall into this trap? "Mam, they are waiting," Payal whispered in my ears.

"Payal, please do me a favour." without having another thought I handed her a bouquet. For a while, she looked at me confusingly not getting the point behind my sudden mood swing. "I need to use the restroom, so please give him a bouquet and do all the formalities on behalf of me," I told her and rushed away not giving enough time for her to oppose.

Once I reached the restroom, I leaned on the wall and let out a long sigh. When I looked in the mirror I'm seeing my eyes were bloodshot and I don't know when did I start to cry.

I thought I was strong enough to handle him if I happen to meet him in the future and when it knocked on my door I broke down like an eggshell.

I wiped my tears and splashed the water over my face to let go of the tear's stain. Once again I leaned on the door and closed my eyes for a moment.

So, what now? Am I going to work under him as a project manager? My heart squeezes more when I realized there's no escape from this situation. It is a two years contract. Oh, God! I feel so helpless now. I pulled my hair out of frustration.

I tried to compose myself to face him. I will never let him know about Sweety, no matter what. For me, her dad died when she was born.

"Riya, are you there?" I heard Juliet's voice from the door. "Yeah! Wait a minute. I am coming!!" I said and opened the door.

"Hey! Are you okay?" She asked concern is evident in her voice. "Yeah, I am fine. Just a stomach bug." I told her but she was not convinced by my answer.

"Okay! Mr. Miller is looking for you and he is slightly angry when Payal greeted the boss instead of you."

I heard my heartbeat increasing rapidly inside my rib cage. "Shall we go?" She asked.

"Huh." I looked at her not knowing what to say. "Hmm yeah, we-  yes."  I managed the answer and we both headed to Mr. Miller's office. Once he saw us he waved his hand and Juliet left the room. O..oh... I guess I am in trouble now.

"I'm really disappointed with you, Riya. I told you to welcome my son, not a rare receptionist," He said harshly. His sweet moments were gone and he is giving me an angry look, there's no hint of warm acceptance he had given me before.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Miller. Some emergency call, that's why I wasn't able to make it there on time." I struggled to make an excuse.

"What emergency? It won't wait for a minute, huh?" He snapped. I don't know whether to be angry nor be patient with him and when I was about to answer, a door opened and someone entered the room.

"Dad! I didn't expect this from you!" An angry voice roared from behind me and once again I froze on the spot.

*

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