Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Bella 

Six years had passed, and luckily, I was able to stand on my own. I managed to graduate from college despite having to study while pregnant, and I’m now working as a journalist. I've become someone that many companies would love to hire, thanks to my determination, the skill that took me a lot of hard work to sharpen, and the strength that my family gives me.

A typical day is about to start again. My grandparents are both watching the morning news with my daughter, Alliah, who, unexpectedly, is into this kind of stuff even though she’s only five years old.

“Mom!” my daughter called me. “You know the guy I told you about the other day?” she suddenly asked. I could clearly hear her voice since the room I’m currently in is close to the living room where they are watching.

“The what?” I asked as I fixed my top. “You mean the one you said was your idol for being rich?”

“Yes, Mom. That’s it! He’s on TV!” She sounded really excited, which made me curious about who that person was. As soon as I got properly dressed, I went out to see for myself. I almost dropped my phone when I saw the TV, which I had picked up because Kristof was calling.

It was Alex, being interviewed on a morning show.

“Are you okay, Bella?” Nana asked me. “Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.” She added.

Nana wasn’t watching anymore at that moment. She knew Alex, but due to her blurry memories, it seems she couldn’t recognize him anymore.

“Nana, would you please turn the volume up?” I asked, still keeping my eyes locked on the screen.

I knew a time like this would come, that our worlds would be this close once again. I never once had any hatred for him, since I fully understand his condition, and I believe that he didn’t want to forget me or even leave me for that long if it wasn’t for his memory loss.

Nana turned the volume up. I could see Kristof coming near me in my peripheral vision, but I couldn’t lose my focus on the television.

“Apologies for this question, Mr. Hayes, but we heard that you once got into an accident and even suffered from memory loss before leaving this country. Are you coming back to regain your memories, or is it just for business?” the interviewer asked him.

“Honestly, I regained my memories just a few months after staying in the US. So, yeah, it’s just for business.” He responded without even blinking.

I couldn’t believe what I just heard. Those words stuck in my mind. I was completely lost and couldn’t speak; I just replayed them in my mind over and over again.

By the time we reached our destination, my workplace, I said goodbye to Kristof and headed inside.

Yes, it happens that Kristof was transferred to the main office. I’ve received a couple of transfer requests from them as well, but I just don’t feel like lurking around the main office. Do I have any other reasons aside from that? Yes, of course. I’m fully aware that Alex’s family runs this company, but strangely, this company also granted me a scholarship back then, which is why I chose to be loyal and just forget about the bad memories I had with them. His mother often visited, checking this and that, which is why I chose to lie low.

But after what I’ve learned?

I don’t think I should stop myself from stepping into the spotlight. I mean, I was only holding back and not growing my career because of them, because I somehow believed that giving them enough time without my presence would result in a miracle—that they would accept my child into their family.

“Bella, have you already thought—”

“Yes, I’m going to the HQ and will be working there from now on.” I paused, seeing how surprised my boss was by what I just said, then quickly added, “Sir.” Since I had forgotten to address him.

Before we got dismissed from work, my boss informed me that he had already sent the transfer letter to the HQ via email, and the effective date would be tomorrow. I guess it’s now or never. If he could choose his path without me, then I should stop walking on eggshells around them and pursue my dream. Not to let them see what I’m capable of, but for the sake of my daughter.

The moment I saw him on TV and heard those words, it made me realize that he’s not worth it to be Alexia’s father. I wouldn’t let him meet her. Not over my dead body.