Chapter 3

TERA.

I could have died if I hadn't found a place to eat and sleep.

I roamed around the city, thinking of where best to go when it finally clicked.

"Here, child. Drink this," The kind old man said, handing me a glass of hot milk on the bed.

His wife had prepared the best meal I had ever eaten in three years, and I devoured it all in one go.

Mr. Kingsley Raymond. A Reverend. He lives in a moderate home. Not too large and exquisite, not small either.

He visited prison often, and we always had fellowship together. He treated me just like a father would a daughter, and we had a good relationship throughout my stay there.

He had given me his card to call him whenever I needed his help, and thank God, it came in handy just at the right time.

"What are your plans now, my dear?" Mrs. Marilyn, Kingsley's wife, asked as she handed me an apple.

They know all that had happened to me and how miserable I have become.

"I do not know, Marilyn. I have nowhere to go and no one to turn to," I fought the tears that threatened to spill.

There was silence before Kingsley spoke.

"Our son runs our company. He had taken over from me when I decided to do the Lord'd work. But the company is in the UK. Although he will be visiting home in a week. He plans to open a business branch here in the United States. But before all that happens, it might all take a long time. You need something to keep you busy and productive at the moment," He explained.

I sighed sadly. That would have been nice. A good start. Since I lost my licence, I can't work in any hospital again. And I know a lot of people would have seen the news, heard the rumors, and even sided with my ex-husband's family, accusing me of being a home wrecker, just the way most women in prison did to me.

"How about Ryan?" I heard Marilyn speak, and I felt my hope come alive again.

Whoever this Ryan is, I hope it works out. I don't want to be a liability to anyone. Not even to the kind couple here.

"Yes. Ryan. That's perfect. I'll give him a call about it," He said to his wife before turning to me, "Get some rest, dear. Everything will be fine."

***

It's a beautiful Monday morning, and I feel more alive than I had felt three days ago when I showed up at Mr. And Mrs. Kingsley's door.

The couple had filled me with encouragement and a little happiness - just enough to get me through some hours of the day... But every night, when I am alone, the real torment returns... How I lost my once happy home and the life I worked so hard to get... In the most humiliating way ever.

"Fourth floor, make a left. The second office to your right," The secretary sounded really friendly, but it did nothing to calm my nerves. I could swear she heard the loud beating of my panicked heart.

LuxeLiving Holdings looked like nothing I had ever seen in my life. I almost felt out of place.

I tugged at the sleeves of the new jacket Mrs. Kingsley had bought for me, wiping my sweaty palms discreetly, trying to calm the anxiety twisting inside me.

'You've got this. It's just an interview. Just breathe.' I tried to encourage myself, but my nerves didn't listen.

What if Mr. Ryan doesn't like me? What if I can't impress him? I've never worked in a place like this before. I'm only used to being a doctor. No clue on how to be a realtor.

'Fourth floor. Second door to the right,' I reminded myself as I stepped out of the elevator.

As I opened the door, it was like a whole new world altogether. The door led to a different reception hall, almost the size of the one downstairs.

I approached the receptionist, "Good morning. I… I'm here to see Mr. Ryan. I have an appointment," I managed to say, my voice quieter than I intended. I hated how shaky I sounded.

She nodded, made a quick call, then smiled back at me. "Mr. Ryan is expecting you. Please follow me."

I followed her through a set of doors. My eyes darted around, trying to take every detail in without looking too awestruck. The hallway was smaller, more private, and the light softer.

We stopped in front of a door, and the lady knocked before twisting the doorknob and pushing it open.

My heart rate increased.

I followed behind her as we stepped into the large office. I was immediately struck by the sheer beauty of the space before me. The office was spacious, drenched in soft, natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

Everything looked really expensive, from the furniture to the minimal decorations on the wall... Everything.

The office was divided in two, separated by a transparent glass partition with a glass door connecting both offices.

God, this place looks perfect! Almost too perfect to be real!

"Mr. Ryan, your appointment is here," I heard the lady announce.

I was so caught up in taking it all in that I didn't even realize I had been staring for a second too long until the secretary gently nudged me. Embarrassment flushed through me as I stammered out a quiet apology to her. She walked out of the office with a small, understanding smile.

'Focus, Tera. You're here for an interview, not to admire the office.' I scolded myself.

But before I could even fully gather myself, my gaze fell on the man behind the desk.

Ryan Archer.

The man I have been praying I could impress today. The man who held my future in his hands. And that's when everything inside me screeched to a halt.

My heart felt like it had skipped several beats, then came roaring back to life, pounding against my chest with a force that made my knees weak.

No. No. It can't be.