Chapter Seven

Zora’s POV

EIGHT YEARS LATER 

Ariana grew up to be a beautiful, intelligent girl. She has pretty green eyes and a very lovely smile, she is the best thing that has ever happened to me all these years. She is a duplicate of Derrick, the only thing I know she took from me was my dimples. 

These eight years of being a single mother has been like a roller coaster, it wasn’t an easy journey, I worked very hard just to make sure my daughter and I live well. I am just so grateful that my hard work paid off and now I own my own company. It wasn’t easy but giving up was never my option.

I made sure I gave my daughter both motherly and fatherly love not to make her for any reason asked for her father. 

But two years ago when there was a family gathering at her school, she was acting all so moody and I noticed how she looked around as almost all the kids were with their parents and suddenly a question popped out of her mouth. 

“Mummy.” She called as she looked at a particular child with both parents. 

“Yes my baby.” I answered quickly, knowing what the question would be. 

“Why don’t I have a daddy?” She asked and turned to look at me, with her eyebrows slightly furrowed. 

“My baby, when you’re much older I’ll tell you why, okay?” I formed a smile on my lips, trying to hold back my emotions and tucked her hair to the back and she let out a little smile and nodded. What I lost the most about Ariana is that she always listens, she doesn’t like to be distracted and she never forgets whatever you tell her or the promises you made to her. 

I tried so hard not to let out a tear so she won’t notice. 

She has never  asked ever since then but I’m sure a time will come she will ask again or I will willingly tell her what happened but not anytime soon. 

“Alright, alright let’s go now, Ana.” I call her Ana. We were done with breakfast and ready to leave. I always drop her off at school before going to work. 

“Alright mummy, let me go get my bag.” She said and jumped down from her chair running to the living room. 

“Mary, take care of the house, and I’ll be back early today, so don’t bother going to pick Ana, I will do that.” Mary is Ana’s nanny. She has been with us since Ana was two and I take her as my family now. 

“Alright, Mrs Zora.” She smiled and bid us goodbye as we left. 

We dropped off at Ana’s school. 

“Ana, mummy will see you later, okay?” I kissed her forehead. 

“Alright mummy, bye!” She waved me goodbye and walked in. 

Ana is always ready to go to school even on holidays and whenever she is back from school she tells me everything that happened without leaving any behind. A very fun personality to be with and I love her so much. 

I finally got to the office. 

There wasn’t so much to do that morning, after attending a meeting after breakfast my secretary walked in with a file in her hand. 

“Mrs Zora, you have a meeting by 2pm, it wasn’t in the schedule, it just came up urgently.” Sophia, my secretary said. 

“Why didn’t you add it to the schedule tomorrow, I don’t think that will hold today.” I answered immediately, I promised to pick Ana up by myself and I wanted us to hangout today, it’s been awhile we did that due to my work. 

“They begged for it to be done today due to some reasons.” She said with a little worry in her face. 

“What company is that?” I asked, my face was a bit squeezed because my mood was already ruined.

“Exela, inc. one of the biggest companies in the US.” She revealed and my eyes popped out a little. 

I have heard of the company but I really didn’t know the owner of the company and it’s a well established company and I thought of working with them too, I guess I should just give it a try. 

“Alright, reschedule it to 3pm and inform them about it.” I ordered her. 

“Alright, ma’am.” She nodded with a tiny smile and left. 

Thank goodness I didn’t tell Ana about the hangout or else I’ll be in big trouble with her. 

I laughed as those thoughts crossed my mind. I’ll just call Mary and tell her to pick Ana from school. 

I took out my phone and called Mary and asked her to pick up Ana and told her the reason why I won’t be coming anytime soon. 

Hours later I was getting ready for the meeting because it was almost 2:30 pm and I heard a knock on my door and Sophia worked in. 

“Mrs Zora, we have 30 minutes before the meeting begins.” She came to remind me, that was how I set the rules that 30 minutes before a meeting or seeing a client she had to remind me. 

“Alright take this document to the hall, I’ll be there shortly.” I responded while I cleared my desk not to leave any valid documents behind. 

“Alright ma’am.” She said and took the files on my desk and left. 

I felt a little nervous, I don’t know why and I noticed my hands were so sweaty. 

Why do I feel this way? I have had deals with so many companies and I haven’t felt this way before. My throat went dry all of a sudden. I drank water and calmed myself down. 

This is just a meeting yet nothing has been done yet so I shouldn’t get myself so stressed about nothing. 

I walked out of my office heading to the hall. 

And noticed they haven’t arrived yet. 

“Mary, they haven’t arrived yet?” I asked as I furrowed my brows and felt a little annoyed. 

“Please we are sorry for keeping you waiting.” I heard a thick voice from behind and immediately turned to see who it was.