Chapter Two- Book One

Alana (POV)

The moment I saw Gabriel Spencer, I was surprised. I hadn’t expected a young CEO. To be honest I was expecting someone middle-aged. But he is not. He is tall well over six feet, handsome, and well-built like a bodybuilder. This isn’t my idea of how an owner of a multi-Billion-dollar company should look. His looks nearly take my breath away. And his eyes, are so blue and when he looks at me, I can feel my heart beat faster making me breathless.

“Thank you for giving me this opportunity.” I began, “You have no idea how much I need this job.”

“I am happy to finally have a receptionist again.” He smiled at me, and I noticed the dimples on his handsome face, almost giving him a boyish appearance. I find myself smiling back. A real smile this time, which surprises me. I had not felt like smiling for a long time. Not since that night three months ago and especially not since I found out I was pregnant. Of course, I intend to keep the child; after all, it is innocent in all this. So, I don’t have blame for the baby, I blame the man who did this to me. He seems to have fallen off the face of the earth. The police have not been able to find him. And for the last month, I have been having this feeling as if I am being watched. However, I know that must be my nerves playing games with me.

Growing up, my parents had always struggled to stay afloat. My father worked two jobs to support us. He did the best he could, and I loved my parents for showing me so much love. After high school, I worked in a diner to pay my way through college so that I could have a career. And take that burden off my parents. I originally took a business course, but after graduation, I could only find a job as a receptionist. It paid well and it had a great medical and dental plan, and I was able to finally afford a place of my own. Then a couple of years back both my parents died in a fiery car crash. I was devastated. The drunk driver that caused the crash was convicted and sent to prison on manslaughter charges. The company I worked for was great and let me have some time off for grievance time with pay. I stayed with the company for five years until it went bankrupt. So now, I was three months pregnant with no means to support my baby and no emotional support from my parents. Until one day at lunch with my friend Sarah, who happened to tell me of an opening where her brother worked.

Now I am standing here renewed with hope for my future and that of my baby’s future. Things were finally looking up.

Looking up at Gabriel Spencer’s blue eyes made me think of my rescuer that night. I was told he took me to the nearest hospital and disappeared. Then I find my hospital bill was mysteriously paid in full, which makes me believe it was my mystery knight-in-shining-armor. Who else could it have been?

“Well,” Tom began with a sigh, “Since you two seem to be getting along, I will take my leave as I still have work waiting for me on my desk to do.”

“Go ahead.” Gabriel said, “I will show Miss Thomson her desk and help her settle in.”

“You mean I start work today? Right now?” I asked in surprise as I had just had my interview today.

Gabriel smiled at me, “Have anything better to do today? I need you to start today if that is alright with you?”

I gaped at him, mouth open before quickly closing it, “Oh, of course. No, I have nothing planned today. Just surprised.”

He opened the door that Tom walked out of a few moments earlier and ushered me out, with him following behind me.

I walked over to the large desk outside his office door and turned my head to look up at him. “Sit, try it out?” He said, so I did. The chair was wonderfully comfortable and well-cushioned. More so than the last desk chair of the last job I worked.

“Wow,” I said, taking my hands and rubbing the oak desk before me. “This is nice.” I looked over at him and smiled.

He walked to the other side of the desk and opened a flat sliding drawer. Taped to it seems to be what looked like a password. “This is the password to log onto the computer.” He said as I nodded my response. He then pointed at a door close to the main entrance. “That is the restroom. And,” He pointed towards an area on the other side of the cubicles. “That is the breakroom.” Again, I nod. “In the drawers here, you will find everything you will need, pens, notepads, and such. Any questions?”

“I can’t think of a thing.”

He looked earnestly at me a moment before adding, “You can begin with typing out these letters that need to be sent out. The printer is behind you and the copier is in the breakroom.”

“Yes, Sir, Mr. Spencer. Right away.” I may have sounded overly eager, but I wanted to impress this man with my skills.

He glanced at me again before turning and walking back into his office.

I let out the breath I was holding and closed my eyes. After settling my fast-beating heart, I forced myself to relax and turned on the computer. I typed in the password and brought up the document I needed to type out the letters. But just before I could begin, I felt a tightening in my throat and a salty taste, the tell-tale sign I’m about to be ill. Morning sickness is not fun. I ran to the bathroom accidentally slamming the door in the process. I just made it just in time and heaved my guts out.

Well, there went my breakfast.

After rinsing my mouth and composing myself, I take a deep breath and open the door bumping straight into my boss. I nearly fell backward when strong hands caught me, steadying me.

“Are you alright, Miss Thomson?” He looked concerned.

I nod at him, “Yeah, I’m sorry. I guess I should have mentioned my pregnancy.”

He looked shocked, “You are with child?”

I nod and he frowns, “And the baby's father? I mean, I assumed you were not married.”

“One does not have to be married to be pregnant these days.” I snapped at him, then regretted it as he is my boss and could fire me. “I am sorry. It’s just,” I couldn’t finish the sentence. I cleared my throat. “If I overstepped my boundaries I…I will just get my purse. Thank you for your time.” I began to walk to the desk to retrieve my purse.

“Where do you think you are going, Alana?”

I stopped at his mention of my first name and turned to look at him, “Am I not fired?”

“Of course not. I need you and you are the best qualified.”

“And my pregnancy?”

“There is no law against my hiring a woman carrying a child.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you, Mr. Spencer. Thank you.”

“Now if you could stop with the Mister and just call me Gabe, I believe we will work fine together.”

He was saying these words, but I couldn’t help but notice something more in his eyes as he looked intently at me. And it sent a thrill down my spine.