CHAPTER FIFTY

"Good morning, Sir," I greeted, as I placed the steaming mug of coffee on Daniel's side table. I stood tall, my skirt falling just below my knees, my white blouse crisp and my blazer tailored to perfection. My name tag gleamed on my lapel. Despite how professional I looked, my eyes told a different story - heavy, swollen, and red from a sleepless night, haunted by the ominous words of Aunt Kim and the weight of my mother's illness.

Daniel, lost in his own thoughts, didn't notice my distress at first, too focused on preparing for his meeting with his father.

"Khloe, I have a meeting with my dad this morning. By 6:30pm, the both of us will be heading to my usual club," he said, his sleeves rolled up in preparation. But then, his gaze met mine. "What's wrong?" he asked, his concern unexpected.

I hesitated, taken aback by his sudden concern, "My mom is really sick," I revealed, my voice barely above a whisper. "I need to be with her." The words felt like a dam breaking, releasing a torre