TEXAS, HOUSTON 2017
~SIERRA~
"Shit, where’s that belt?” I cursed as I started looking for my belt. It’s a challenge for us plus-size women to wear an office skirt without a belt, it makes you look unprofessional.
When I found it, I placed it around my waist. It would also help in case no one wanted to hire a pregnant woman, as my bump was already showing.
“I should register for a yoga class,” I reminded myself as I looked in the mirror. My hands unintentionally reached my bump.
“We need to get this job,” I said out loud, and my eyes caught sight of my hair, it was copper, my natural hair color. Three years ago, I had to dye it to my husband's —well, now my ex-husband’s demand. Lily sent me a copy of the divorce last week.
I’ve been in Houston for two weeks now. I have been looking for a job but with no luck. They all either wanted to be bribed or get into my pants. I was not going to lose my dignity, especially now that I was pregnant.
After I admired my hair in the mirror, I grabbed my qualifications and purse before I ran out. I still didn't know how to get a cab, so I took out my phone and used the GPS to locate the restaurant.
I saw the job opening on social media, and I was confident with this one.
When I spotted the restaurant, which was just a five-minute walk from my small apartment, I breathed in and approached it. There was a lady by the door, so I walked up to her.
“Good morning,” I politely greeted.
“Good morning, ma’am. Welcome to Wine and Dine Restaurant.”
“Thank you, I’m here for the job opening, yes, I saw it on social media.” I smiled.
"Oh, the chef's position?” I could tell she was in shock as she looked at me from head to toe.
“Yes.” I ignored her rude behavior.
“The position is closed. See, that’s the supervisor and right now she’s talking to the new chef,” she said, pointing at the women, and my eyes followed the direction of her finger.
“Please, I desperately need this job,” I begged, but she didn't respond, instead, she looked at me with judgy eyes, like I didn't fit in here. I ignored her, and I approached the supervisor.
“Miss, I understand the position is taken, but I’m willing to do anything, I can even clean. I desperately need this job, please.” I pleaded, and my tears threatened, but I held them back.
“I’m sorry, but we currently don’t have any openings.” She tried to sound sweet, but her tone betrayed her.
“I can do anything —serve, wash plates, please,” I begged, and she started to look uncomfortable.
“Like I said, we don't currently have any job openings, just leave your papers and we’ll call you once we have an opportunity,” she said, faked a smile, and continued to talk to the new chef. I realized nothing I could do would change her made-up mind, so I started to walk away, but she stopped me.
“The CEO’s parking spot is 2B, try to talk to him,” she said and then continued her conversation. I didn't even thank her as I started running. I didn't know where the spot was, but I still ran, as I didn't want to miss the chance.
When I reached outside, I spotted the parking area. I made my way to it even when I didn't know where to start, luckily, I spotted a guard, and I approached him.
“Sir, where's the 2B parking spot?” I asked, but he didn't respond.
"Sir, please help me, it’s urgent.”
“I could help, but your body is not my type, I prefer my ladies to be sexy and slim. Have you heard of the gym?” He teased me.
I felt a cold tear roll down my cheek, and just when I was about to wipe it off, I saw a car reversing my way, and the guard screamed, “Watch out!”
I jumped as I tried to save myself, but I fell to the floor and hit my head, and then everything stopped.
**********
I forced my eyes open, and they wandered to the white ceiling and then the little window. I felt the stinging pain in my head.
“Ouch!” A painful scream escaped my lips, and I touched the spot where the pain was coming from.
“Careful.” I heard a manly voice, and unintentionally, I called Damian’s name.
“Damian?”
“No, I’m Gilbert, the man you collided with at the restaurant, remember?” He asked with worried evidence in his tone. He came to my side and helped me sit up. I nodded, as everything was still fresh in my memory.
“I just hope you’re okay,” he said worriedly, and then the door opened. A middle-aged man walked in.
“Good morning, Ms. Reid,” he greeted me, and I nodded.
“We checked for everything, and you’re perfectly fine.”
“And my baby?” I asked as that was my main concern.
“Oh, they are fine.”
“They? I'm having twins?”
“No, they are triplets. Congratulations, Ms. Reid, you’re expecting triplets,” he said, and once again, fresh tears found their way to my cheeks.
“I’ll be right back,” the doctor said, and he walked out.
“Wow! Triplets, congratulations! I must see the men behind this, I need to learn his trick. Where is he?” Gilbert asked, and I wiped away my tears.
“Dead,” I responded. Yes, Damian died the moment I got on that plane.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” His face changed from that of happiness to that of pity.
“It is okay,” I said, as thoughts of raising three kids stole my mind. How was I going to manage three kids with just a million in my account? I was not going to bother my grandmother with this, but three kids required an assistant.
“You’re not too happy about it?” He asked, bringing me out of my thoughts. I nodded, as I was not able to bring out words.
“Listen, life is tough, especially in such a big city. Everyone is fighting a battle. We’re all here struggling with one or two things, but we just have to face it, the aim is to survive.” Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks as he spoke.
“Take me, for example. People assume that I’m living my best life. As the owner of a successful restaurant, I should be good, right? But if you ask me, I would rather live someone else’s life.”
“Why?” I was now intrigued.
“I’ve been burdened with managing a family restaurant that is now going down. My wife just divorced me, I just want to find an honest buyer, but no one wants to buy it because it's going down,” he said, and then I remembered the reason I collided with him.
“I’m sorry for the divorce. Are you the CEO of Wine and Dine?”
“Yes, and trust me, it is a burden, especially with this divorce and buyers offering nothing for the restaurant.”
“I was going to talk to you. I wanted a job, but since you are thinking of selling, I might have an offer for you.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” I said as a smile found its way to my lips.
“Are you proposing you buy the restaurant from me at a reasonable price?” He asked with a voice full of hope.
“Yes, it’s a good business, right?”
“A very good one if you know how to manage it,” he said.
I used to help Damian manage The Winters Company, even when it was from home. He had a lot on his shoulders —the law and the company. I did almost everything the CEO was required to do for him, he forced me to learn.
“I’m confident,” I said, as my hands were now caressing my bump. Three babies? It was overwhelming.
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2017~SIERRA~“Ms. Reid, we can cancel the event, we still haven’t confirmed with them.”“No, the event will go on.”"But, Ms. Reid, the ingredients will cost more than they are paying,” my supervisor insisted.“I know, but we are trying to make loyal customers, trust me, it is a good business move,” I told her and continued calculating the event budget. We finished with the paperwork yesterday, and now I am the legal owner of Wine and Dine. We agreed on the cost of seven hundred thousand, which left me with enough money to at least build this restaurant. There’s a wedding event taking place, and the budget forced me to use my funds.“I didn't inform you yet, but the chef quit.”“He what? Why?”“He got a better offer, Wine and Dine is broke and couldn't pay him a reasonable salary,” she said, and I nodded.“That's fine, just get all the ingredients we need and ask two of the waitresses to wait for me in the kitchen, I'll do the cooking,” I told her, as I couldn't affor
TEXAS, HOUSTON 2023~SIERRA~“Oh my gosh, Ingrid!” I was frightened as my daughter jumped over the colorful tires.“Don’t worry, Ms. Reid, she's fine,” Beatrice, my assistant, assured me.“Mommy! Mommy! I jumped,” she excitedly screamed."Yes, you did my love, now come to Mommy,” I sweetly said, as I didn't want her to continue jumping over the tires. These activities were fun, but I always got scared whenever I saw them having this much fun. I didn't want them to get hurt or for anything to happen to them."No, Mommy, I still want to jump.” She refused and continued jumping. Ingrid was my copy, she had Damian's brown eyes, but her facial features and hair were mine. She was outspoken, but I loved her dearly because of her confidence.My eyes landed on Nathan, who was on the hopscotch. He was very good at numbers, and he outdid his friends. Nathan was Damian’s copy, with his loose waves, brown eyes, nose, and all his facial features —exactly Damian. He was smart and careful. I smiled,
~SIERRA~“Please tell Lana to pack the kids’ bags, you can pack your bags too, we are going to Georgia,” I told her as she picked up the phone, which fell on the floor and ended the call.“Right away, Miss, should we pack for a month or...”“Just for a few days,” I said and turned to my instructor, who was waiting expectantly. “I'm sorry, but we have to cancel class today. I have to fly to Georgia for an emergency.”"Alright, I understand, Ms. Reid. Just let me know once you come back,” she said as she gathered her things."Yes, of course.” I tried to sound strong, but deep down, I just felt like crying. Nana was the one who raised me, my mother died years ago of stomach cancer. She was the reason I married Damian. My mother needed money for surgery, but my father was not willing to help. Damian was my father's lawyer. The time I went to beg for money, he was with my father, and the next day he showed up at the hospital and offered to pay for my mother's surgery only if I married him
~SIERRA~“Are you sure?”"Yes, Ms. Reid, it is a good financial move,” he said."Oh, are we doing formality again?” I joked as I sipped my glass of wine and sat on the stool."Well, I’m still your employee, and we are talking about business.” Yes, Gilbert was my lawyer and financial advisor. He also helped manage some of my restaurants while balancing his job as a lawyer and financial advisor. He told me he was living his dream life.“So what companies are you suggesting?” I asked as I placed my glass of wine on the table and focused on my laptop."Well, there are a lot of options. The Fosters need shareholders and investors, while The Winters desperately need shareholders.”“Wait, did you say The Winters?” “Yes, they are going bankrupt..”“Bankrupt?” I didn’t let him finish.“Yes, and now it’s easy to get a hold of their shares because their shareholders are selling their shares.”“Interesting,” I said as my mind thought for a second. It would be good to buy shares in Damian’s compa
~DAMIAN~“Are you serious?”"Yes, I’m serious, Cassie. I have a case, and it needs my full attention.”“So you’re indirectly saying I’m a distraction?”"Well, a little. I just need to be alone now, okay? I will catch up with you tomorrow,” I told her, ending the call. She was so annoying, every time she came over, all we did was what she wanted. She was very bossy and selfish. I will literally burn while she’s watching, and she wouldn’t even help. Well, I didn’t feel like cooking today, so I came up with an excuse of work.I poured myself whisky and stood by the glass window as I stared out into the night sky. I couldn’t help but wonder how my life would be if I were with Sierra, she was so sweet and loving. She let me do whatever I wanted. Not that Cassie is bad, I mean, she’s much hotter than Sierra, so I understood the difference. I was still distracted in my thoughts when my phone started ringing, and I realised it was the head of the financial department of my company, Ethan.“
~DAMIAN~“SIERRA?” I absentmindedly gasped as I felt my heartbeat beat faster."Sorry, I'm late,” she said as she sat across from me. I was in the head seat, and she took the second in the command seat.“Wow, she's very pretty,” Ethan whispered, but loud enough for all to hear. His eyes were on her, and shockingly, she had her eyes on him too.
~SIERRA~“You can still choose to back out, and they will refund you in full, or you can sell your shares.”“No, I love the company.”“But it's falling, I just know there's no saving it,” Gilbert insisted.“Trust me, it's perfect,” I told him.
~SIERRA~“Tell us, Mommy, or is our Daddy with the angels?“ curious Ingrid asked.“No darlings.”“Where is he? We want to see him,” Nathan insisted, and Ingrid nodded.“You will understand once you're big, for now, you don't need him, I can be both your mother and father.”“But…”“No buts, now let's eat up, it's already late,” I said, trying to avoid more questions. My kids, being obedient, quietly ate. The rest of the meal went by so quickly that I could tell my kids were bothered, but what could I do? This was for the best.When we finished eating, I took them to their bedroom and helped them brush their teeth before putting them to bed.“Lana will come read the story for you, okay?” I said this after kissing their cheeks.“Why can't Mommy read it?” Ingrid asked.“Because Mommy has to help Nana eat,” I said."Okay, Mommy, goodnight.”“Goodnight to you too, my darlings,” I said as I switched off the lights and walked out. I went to the kitchen to get Nana's food. Beatrice and Lana w