Chapter 2

“What are you doing, so late at night.” I turn my back to see a sleepy-looking Jessy moving towards me in the living room.

I have a duvet draped over my body and a laptop on my lap as I scroll through the web.

I force it shut, removing the speck that adorns my face.

“Nothing, just searching for a job online.” I take the laptop, dropping it on the seat as she comes over.

She sighed before dropping herself beside me and then dragging her body closer until she was now hip to hip attached to me.

She sighed again, dropping her head on my shoulder. With her hand, she drags the duvet across her body until she and I are now covered by the same duvet.

“I know what you are doing, Clarissa, and it wasn't job hunting,” she said.

I rolled my eyes, looking away from her face, of course, she knew I wasn't job hunting. Even though I am seriously in need of an occupation right now in this new city, I cannot sacrifice my sleep just for that, not yet anyway.

Already caught doing what I had promised her I wouldn't, I dragged the laptop from the seat and brought it down to our level.

Opening it, I turned it on and then restored the setting to what I had been on before.

"Oh Rissa" she gave me a scorching look before her eyes came back to my recent search on-screen, “You think it's Jaime??” She gave me accusing eyes.

“Please Jessy, I can think of whomever I want to as I am desperate with every minute that counts, and now my whole eyes are on him” I point to the screen, making sure my fingers are directed to the face of Adriel Jaime, my number one suspect.

This picture was taken two nights ago at the event, his dark Armani luxurious suit with the Rolex watch that perks to his wrist and speaks of more wealth than I have ever seen in my entire life.

He is handsome, they are all handsome and have half the women in the world throwing themselves to their feet. I don't know what appeals to them. I am looking at the picture, and it feels like I am seeing more, but I'm not.

“I work for Jaime Rissa, he is the most discreet when it comes to his dating life,” She said.

“Oh really??” I answered her with the most amused face I could gather. I browse through the net and there on different pages are so many women who have been linked with him.

“On Tuesday, the CEO of A. J Spins and Scent Jaime Adriel is seen with the art personality Moe Devan after a day being seen with the New York Times reporter Jessica Simpson. On.....”

“Yeah I get the picture” She waved her hands around to show me just that, “something tells me that is precisely what he wants people to see.” Her eyes were on the screen much as mine, but she had disbelief splashed across her face.

“Okay I get you, you work for him as a marketer and don't believe in any of this shit going around, and I get it, but he could still be the one.”

“Or any of his brothers Rissa, we don't even know anything yet,” She said

God, she was right, if only Laura had made this easier for me, I wouldn't be here right now finding Zoey's father.

“I just need to get closer to them, then somehow I can gauge who the real father is,” I said looking at Jessy.

“You are crazy, you know that, right??” She asked, and I nodded firmly, “How are you going to do that??” She asked and I shrugged.

“I don't know the answer to that question, but I know I am going to get closer in some way and I will find out the truth,” I assured her, more determined than I have been the whole time I am here.

“Okay great, whatever you choose.” She slams the laptop hard, closing it

I tried to protest, but she glared at me standing up with the laptop on her arm.

“Tomorrow is another day for job hunting, Clarissa, you can't waste this entire night looking for what isn't there.” She blew a kiss my way before disappearing with the laptop.

I feel like this heavy stone has been draped on my shoulder, losing my sister has been one of the biggest things to have happened to me, and taking responsibility for her daughter has been what I adored most.

But now it comes more than that, she needs me now, and I need to make sure things go well, at least I need to make sure she is alright.

Half determined to start the day by sleeping off with this thought, I stood up from the floor, dragging the duvet with me as I walked out of the living room.

* * *

The sun is heavy in the sky, scorching hot, and a drip of sweat is rolling all over my white shirt.

“Dammit,” I swore so hard, untucking the shirt of the trouser I had worn over it as I walked faster to get off the hot sun.

After a day of wandering from one office to another, I require an evening to cool my head and just rest the day off.

I knew getting a taxi from that place to home was the best option, but opening my purse I found nothing. No money.

I have spent the entire dollars I took out with me today from hopping from one bus to another, and now I have to trek the last step home.

From where I'm standing I can see home, but it seems so far away, and I want to lay down here and cry as my heart feels so heavy.

I was doing well back home in Decorah, the small library I have been working at paid enough money for the both of us.

Suddenly, fire from God knows where to raze the whole place down, leaving me with absolutely no money or any option for an income.

After three months and doing little jobs in Decorah, I knew the sort of life I was living wasn't meant for Zoey, so I started looking for her father.

It was easy at first, I memorized the description Laura had told me. Not until I went on the internet and found out it wasn't easy at all.

Instead of standing here and having a field day of pity, I went back into the sun, using my bag on my head as my shield, and ran very fast.

I turned the lock on the door and it opened.

“Oh, you are already home,” I shouted into the house, and seconds later Jessy pierced her eyes out from the bathroom door.

“Don't tell me I left the door open again,” she said dejectedly, then came out of the bathroom.

“It seems so.” I went after her into the bathroom and dragged out all the pieces of clothing I was wearing.

Everything feels so wet like I have run a marathon and won or something.

“I have news for you,” she shouted from the other side, seeming happy.

“Really?? What could this news be?” The bathroom has both the toilet and the shower tub inside.

It was small, and hardly fit two persons inside, but in a big city like NYC, this should be expected.

“Well when you come out from there I will tell you.” She shouted back.

I turned the shower on and had a quick bath. The water is warm, exactly what I needed after the whole sunburning that happened to me.

Tying the towel all around my waist, I walk out of the bathroom and see her over the small table in the kitchen with her laptop as she is focused on it.

“What is this news??” I ask her to come closer until I'm standing beside her.

“Oh well,” She smiled and then shifted the laptop off her face to my way.

I squinted my eyes, lowered my body to the level of the laptop, and read it out.

“This is to inform interested candidates that A. J Spins and Scent is looking for a personal assistant, and the categories are as follows..... Holy shit, did I just read this out??” I turn my eyes away from the laptop, almost jumping off myself with excitement.

“You said you wanted to get closer, I think this is the opportunity you need.” she winked at me, looking as excited as I was.

I cover my mouth as happiness blooms deep in there. I cannot believe my luck, although their requirements have already made me underqualified for this job. I think this is the universe's way of speaking to me.

“When is this??” I ask her with excitement that doesn't want to die down.

“I think in two days, I am super excited right now, and I can't wait for you to crush it,” she said, giving me a high five.

I hope so too, I sincerely hope so too.