CHAPTER 7

Judith’s POV

“It was really awkward, Vanessa,” I said on a call with my best friend, explaining how strange today had been. The interview had caught me off guard, as I wasn’t expecting it to be so effortless. I had already picked up the children from school, and they were sound asleep.

“How would you rate it on a scale of one to ten?” Vanessa asked, letting out a laugh.

“Vanessa, it breaks that scale!” I screamed excitedly. “He was sweet and even had a conversation with me.”

“The same man that people are scared of?” She asked in disbelief.

“The same man, Vanessa. It was like a dream. He was really handsome too, but his eyes seemed familiar. But then, who do I know in London? It's a whole different continent. I couldn't possibly know him,” I said, munching on crackers. “You want some crackers, Vanessa?” I teased.

“Are you teasing me on purpose?” she asked in an off-tone. “So, about him, from what you’ve said so far, I think I’ve grasped one or two things.”

“Oh, tell me,” I said with a gleeful smile because I knew where she was headed.

“I think he likes you, Judith.” I guessed correctly. Vanessa always had a talent for interpreting situations either through the lens of love or hatred, and now she was leaning towards the ‘love’ angle.

“Oh, Vanessa, stop it,” I refuted, blushing. How true could it be? A man that handsome and influential? He looked like a Greek god. The reason Vanessa said that was because she hadn’t seen him in person. If she had, she would have realized that he's way above my league, and I can never be anything close to his kind of woman. It’s very difficult to believe.

She paused for a while and then elaborated, “Judith, can't you see? He was nice to you, even after the side conversations you heard about him. He offered you a high-paying job without a proper interview. What else could that mean?” She said it in a convincing tone, trying to make me accept her point.

“I don't know, Vanessa,” I said, setting the crackers aside, refusing to believe her. It sounded too good to be true.

“Look, Judith, what was your reason for leaving Rome?” She asked, trying to sound reasonable.

“To start a new life?” I was confused by the question at first.

“Well, then, see this as an opportunity for a new life. Do not reject the chemistry if you find any. You deserve to be happy. Forget what happened years ago. I also have this feeling that he will make you forget it. Don’t waste this opportunity. Who knows what awaits you ahead? Use it to your advantage, but do not abuse it.” She advised, and from her gentle tone, I could tell she meant well for me.

“Wow, you sounded reasonable for a moment there,” I chuckled, picking up the crackers again.

“Funny. I’m more reasonable than you,” she retorted playfully, and I knew she was right—she has been looking out for me since high school.

“But I understand what you mean, and I'll try my best to accept and embrace the new life I've chosen to live.” I assured Vanessa, and I could feel her smile over the phone.

“Tomorrow's a big day for you. Don’t screw it up,” Vanessa said enthusiastically.

I smiled. “I won't, Vanessa.”

“No, really, Judith, you ne—”

“Goodnight, Vanessa,” I said slowly, interrupting her sentence. Vanessa never believed in my will to take things by the horn; she believed that I needed to be talked to over and over again, but I know I need to level up too, and I was going to do just that.

“Goodnight, Judith,” she said softly. The line went dead, and I smiled to myself. I drank some water and headed up to sleep.

********

“Oliver, Olivia!” I hurried down the staircase, trying to put them in order before they headed to school. “We're leaving in ten minutes. If you're not ready by then, I'll have to lock you guys in the house, understand me?” I threatened and ran towards the kitchen to pack up their respective lunch boxes.

Balancing motherhood and my previous flexible job was manageable because I could resume work anytime without being queried. Now that I have a white-collar job, I need to learn to adjust so I don't get into trouble with my new employer.

The kids aren't accustomed to getting ready themselves, but I had to push them, as it would greatly relieve me. I made my way to the living room and found out that they weren't done dressing up. I threatened to leave them behind, even though it wasn’t possible.

After some minutes, we got into the car and left the house. While on the road, they complained and whined about rushing and how stressful it was. I explained to them how I had gotten a new and better job.

Unsatisfied with my explanation, they continued to grumble, pouting several times to show their disapproval and making it known that they preferred my old job that didn't disturb their peaceful sleep and allowed them to get ready at their own pace.

Short of words, I just glanced at them dotingly from the rearview mirror. I'm just so happy I have them in my life—they give my life meaning and purpose.

Reality set in after dropping them off. I was starting work today, and I was late. It was my first day of work, and I was already giving a bad impression. Then I remembered that I had been late for the interview that day too. “Maybe the universe is mad at me for some reason,” I thought as I parked my car in the parking lot, carried my bag hurriedly, and headed straight to my desk.