Making plans

FIVE YEARS LATER

Jocelyn’s POV

“Good morning, Miss Roswell,” My secretary, Amelia, greeted as she placed a cup of piping hot coffee on my desk.

“Morning, Amelia,” I responded, inhaling lungfuls of the rich coffee scent. “Have I ever told you how much of a sweetheart you are?”

“Many times, Miss Roswell,” Amelia said. “But that doesn't compare to how much of a darling and an angel you are. I mean, you brought me from the gutter and molded me into a woman of affluence. I owe my entire self to you.”

“Let's not get sentimental,” I fondly huffed. “It's been three years and you still don't want to let go.”

“How could I possibly do that? I was really contemplating dropping out of college to become either an onlyfans model or an escort to take care of my mother's bills,” Amelia uttered. “And you came like the angel that you are and shouldered my whole responsibility. You are truly a gem.”

Five years ago after my divorce and my mum's subsequent death, I had decided to start all over. And by doing so, I had enrolled in business school upon my discharge from the hospital, to learn the ropes of my family business.

I had also successfully established five branches of my family's household appliance business in several countries. It was three years ago on one of my humanitarian visits to my Alma mater, University of Australia, that I met Amelia.

According to the dean of the university, she was a very bright student who had even managed to get a fully-funded scholarship. However, she had failed three of her courses in her final year, and was asked to drop out.

I had felt immense sympathy toward her and had decided to help her in any way I could. I had pleaded with the dean to give her a second chance to retake her exams, which she passed with flying colours.

It was after then that Amelia told me about herself and her family; she came from a family of three, herself, her mother and her deceased father.

Her mother had been battling stomach and ovarian cancer for the past five months, and she had been taking care of the medical bills with the peanuts she earned from her part-time job, which had caused her to lose focus in her studies.

Thankfully, her mother was now cancer free and doing very well.

“Cut it out, Amelia and let's get down to today's schedule,” I chuckled. “What meetings do I have today?”

After she finished college, Amelia had interned at my company. After seeing how good of a worker she was, I had decided to retain her and make her my secretary.

Apart from Nancy, she was the only person I could trust.

“Alright, ma'am. You have a meeting with a representative of Shelford group. After that, you are to have lunch with Mr Clark, the CEO of Austen petroleum,” Amelia read out of the iPad in her hold. “By the way, an opportunity has opened.”

“Where?”

“Apparently, LZ group of companies is seeking for a reputable company to partner with for a joint venture,” Amelia said, and the ambience of the room instantly became tense. “What do you think, ma'am?”

“LZ, huh?” I scoffed. “Has Eduardo finally gone broke that he's looking for a joint venture?”

“No, ma,” Amelia responded to my utter disappointment. “He still sits at the top of the list of the wealthiest men in America.”

Just like Nancy, Amelia knew everything about Eduardo and also hated him.

For the past five years, I had been pondering on how I could make Eduardo pay for his evil but nothing crafty and creative had really struck me.

Time was going by and I had to do something as soon as possible but I had no idea what ex-

“Wait.” I said, as an absurd idea struck my mind. “Let's do it.”

“What are we doing, ma'am?” Amelia raised a brow. “Don't tell me-”

“Make an offer to them,” I said, and she gasped, eyes widening comically. “Now.”

“But that's insane, Miss Roswell,” Amelia argued. “You don't want to be business partners with an asshole like Eduardo Lopez.”

“I know what I'm doing, Amelia and I'll be fine,” I smiled but she didn't seem to believe me which made me sigh. “I have to get close to him to carry out my revenge.”

“Oh.”

“Yes,” I said. “So draft an offer and send it to me. I'll review it and send you the final copy tomorrow.”

“Alright, ma'am. I just hope it works out.”

Smiling, I responded. “It will.”

+

“Hi, Miss Tina,” I greeted the woman at the reception desk.

“Hello, Miss Roswell,” She beamed. “You came early today.”

“Yes, I finished work earlier than usual,” I explained just as my son, Henry, came out, clasping his lunch box with his little school bag secured to his back.

On seeing me, Henry's face lit up with a smile as he ran up to me and clutched my legs in a tight hug. “Mummy!” He yelled against my skirt. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too, my baby,” I said, crouching to his height. “How was school today?”

“It was nice. We watched a movie and drawed.” Henry narrated, eyes glimmering with childlike excitement.

“It's drew, honey,” I corrected him. “You drew and that's good. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.”

Contrary to my initial plan of getting rid of my pregnancy, I kept it and had my adorable baby boy, Henry. I was supposed to have triplets but sadly, I had lost two of my babies, both girls, during childbirth.

Due to the impact of the accident, I had several complications during my pregnancy. It was through a stroke of luck that Henry had even managed to survive.

“What do you want to eat tonight, baby?” I asked Henry as we stepped into my condo.

Henry had my entire face with his black hair and grey eyes. He also loved to swim just like his sperm donor, and had even won a silver medal at the swimming competition that his school organized last month.

“Mac and cheese!” He grinned, and I smiled, ignoring the ache in my heart.

Eduardo also liked Mac and cheese.