Chapter one

ARIA 

" Red c'mon you have to get ready for school mommy needs to go to work early " I said to my son as I tried to wake him up .

" Ten minutes mom " he groaned as he snuggled closer to his pillow .

" Red ...! I screamed and he sat up immediately .

'" mom " he whinned with a crying face as I pulled the bed sheets off his body .

" Now get up little guy ...you need to get ready for school....I refuse to go to work late because of your Stubbornness ! I said pointing at him and his mouth opened and closed like a fish as he gave me an evil look .

" You don't scare me little guy ...now get up " I said and he got up sluggishly .

" This is not fair ...why do we have to go to school ? He asked staring at me with his preety Hazel eyes , something he inherited from his father .

I stopped my trail of thoughts as I stared at him .

" Momma ! He yelled from the bathroom and I chuckled softly.

I helped Red get ready for school ...then Quickly got ready for the office .

We Walked out together as I dropped some pancakes and tea in front of me ...he Dug in immediately and I just watched him eat .

I looked around the house sadly then rubbed my face .

I needed Groceries in the kitchen ,I was two months late on my rent already and the bills I owe ..kept piling up every single day .

Thinking of it now I felt sad about everything happening in my life .

I'd done everything to save my mom , but things only got worse at the long run ...She was diagnosed with cancer During my college years .... we'd done everything we could to save her ...

My parents weren't exactly rich people but after Dad died and mom got diagnosed ...I had to start fending for myself ....

And As for how I got red , that's a story I don't wanna think about .

" Mom ... I'm done Already " I heard my son's voice and I smiled . No matter the shit I've  passed through , Red has been my biggest motivation  to keep going , I love my Son till death .

He's currently five and would be turning six soon .

We got out and i board a taxi to his school immediately we got there , I bent to his level .

" Listen here Red danger " I said and he chuckled .

" No fighting okay ,I've told you time in Again that fighting is a very bad habit ...I don't wanna hear any complains from your teacher " I said and he smiled .

" I'm a good boy " he said and I rolled my eyes .

" Allow me to be the judge of that " I said and heard someone call my name .

" Miss Esposito " someone called and I smiled at her , It was Red's Class teacher .

" miss Devon ..how are you ? I asked and she frowned .

" Bye mummy " Red greeted as he ran into the compound .

" I'm not fine ...Miss Esposito your son is late on his tutition fees ,this is not the agreement we had when he started classes here ! " She said and I felt ashamed of myself .

" I know .....I know and I promise to ..." I trailed .

" Please save it miss Esposito ...that's how you've been promising since this school year , what about the child's father ....? She asked with concern .

"..... He's Dead " I said and her eyes soften .

" Oh my Goodness that just so sad dear " she said sadly .

" It's okay' I said and looked away .

" I will pay up Soon I promise " I said and she gave a nod .

I left the school and my heart hurt with each step I took ...

What do I do ? I'm slowly hitting  my back on the wall ....I don't know how to get out of this mess I'm in .

I bit my lower lip as I swallowed down the lump on my throat my eyes stung with Tears .

" I'm not gonna give up Red I promise you , I promise you sweetheart " I said to myself sadly .

" Paaaaaaa! I heard the horn of a car and I jumped off the road .

" Hey you idiot can't you watch where you're going ? If you want to die ...don't die in front of my car ! I heard a taxi  Driver yell Angrily as he cursed under his breath .

" I'm sorry " I managed to voice out stubbornly as he drove passed me .

What was I thinking ? What if I was hit by that car ,I can't imagine what my poor baby would've gone through .

I stopped a taxi and called the company where I work.

He looked at me from head to toes Wondering if I'd called the correct address .

I wondered why and he smiled .

" Sorry ma'am I actually thought you where a model ma'am ...you look very beautiful" he said and I ignored his compliment .

Being beautiful had brought me more trouble than luck anyways .

Immediately he got to my stop I got down from his car and paid him .

I turned to the huge storey  building and straightened my suit jacket .

" Hey Aria ...' my colleagues greeted immediately I walked in .

" Hey Guys' I greeted back as I walked towards the Reception table to sign my name .

" You're late Again "Madame Rosa  said and I bit my lower lip .

"  I had to drop Red off at school " I said and she sighed .

" The Boss was really Angry ...Aria you're supposed to be here before he arrives ,which personal assistant comes an hour late ? ...you're supposed to be here before him " she said and I sighed frustratedly.

" I know I just ..." I trailed .

" I feel bad for you Aria ... especially your son Red If only you'd not lost his father ....may his soul rest in peace " she said and made the sign of the cross .

Jeez ....I felt so bad at that moment because His Dad was very much alife ...the only thing was the man knows nothing absolutely nothing about his existence ...I never told him I was pregnant....

He didn't even know when I left him , I ran ...I ran away from him and didn't even look back for once .

I've been surviving without Frederico ..and I want things to remain this way ...I'm never Going back to Italy ....I'm never going back to that man who ruined my life ! 

" Miss Esposito " my Boss said the moment I walked into the office .

I swallowed down nothing as I stared from his Dark office designs to the angry look he gave me .

" I'm sorry sir I ..." 

" Save it ...just pick up your salary from the receptionist ....and walk your way out of my company " He said and my jaws literally dropped .

" Sir you can't do this please ...I ...oh my God ! Sir ...my life depends on this job ....my son's life depends on this job ..." I said and I didn't know when I'd already burst out crying .

I was trying to be strong all this while but the thought of having no where to run to ...just broke me crazily .

I currently have no one ...I'd even cut ties with my best friend back in Italy because I was scared ....I was scared Frederico would link her and get me ....

It's been Five almost six years ....I can't call her for help .

" Please sir ....I'd stop the late comings ..." I said and watched him stare at me with lust .

" Beautiful Aria ....we can always solve this problem ... you're willing honey" he said and I cringed .

Did he just call me his honey ? Please don't tell me he's about to hit on me ?

He's old enough to be my father .

" Aria ....Let's make a deal , you can keep your job ...I'd increase your pay , give you a promotion with big benefits ... hehehehe your son would be under my scholarship I'd make life comfortable for the both of you .....if you'd be my mistress " he said and I looked at him with nothing but disgust and hate .

What did he take me for ? I can't believe he thinks I'd take such an offer because I'm helpless .

Of course I'm helpless but I'd never sleep with a man as old as he is for money ....

I picked the envelope from the table and turned to him .

" You can eat your job ...! I spat at his face as I left the office Angrily .

I stopped a taxi and went back to my house and the moment I got in through the gate I saw the sign ...

Vacate the house notice on the door , to make matters worse ,all my stuffs where outside .

" No ...she can't do this ,I asked for time " I said under my breath in pannick .

" Miss Aria , is everything okay ? She asked with concern .

' The landlady ...She can't do this to me ...I just don't know what to do " I said and she looked at me.

" And to think she threw my things out ... this is just unfair....this is uncalled for where does she want me to go ...." I asked and the woman looked at me in pity .

" Why is this happening to me ? I just lost my job ,I owe lots of depts ...plus now this ! ....where do I start from ...who do I run to ? I Asked myself mentally as I hugged myself close .

How do I face my innocent son ...what do I say to him ? I felt so ashamed of myself 🥺

" Miss Aria I think you should call up a family member or something , maybe a friend you can't sleep outside tonight ..." She said and I smiled sadly .

I couldn't just tell her I had no one ....

" Huh ....can I stay here tonight with Red ? I promise we would live by tommorow morning " I said and she shook her head .

" I'm really sorry Aria ...My fiancee is coming over tonight ...I don't think he'd appreciate it " she said and I gave a nod .

" I understand" I said and bit my lower lip .

" Thanks by the way " I said and got up ..I couldn't just sit there ...I pulled my things out of the compound .

Right there and then I knew I only had one option left to return to Italy ....

I knew returning would bring back old memories ....or worse 

I might end up meeting him again ! 

Frederico Deluca !

TBC