02 ~ Four Years Later

Miss Regina Campbell got down from the plane to welcome the fresh air of being in another city. She had just arrived to New York City, a place where she hoped to pick herself up again. A place where she hoped to call home and have her child grow up in..

She put her sunglasses back on and dragged her luggage with her. "Time to find my apartment."

One who saw Regina Campbell could hardly believe that she was one who just got divorced. Regina couldn't believe it too! She thought she'd die when she was served a divorce paper considering how much she had loved him and him alone. How she was able to have a smile on her face at the moment was something she had no idea about. Perhaps it was because she knows soon, she'll have someone next to her.

Regina handed over her address to the cab man before getting into the car and settling down. While the car rolled, she looked out from the window, enjoying the beautiful sight before her. She was glad she choose this city and she hoped it brings her the happiness she deserved.

"We're here ma." Regina got down from the car to admire the building before her. She had rented it before hand and it was a shared apartment. Meaning she'll be having a roommate... Saves her some penny.

"That'll be $8.55."

Regina paid and waited till the car was off before she dragged her luggage with her. She stopped at the door and slowly pressed the doorbell , hoping whoever her roommate would be should be at home. She couldn't afford to stand outside till she gets back. The door opened and a lady flashed Regina a smile, she had dark short hair, a little bit taller than Regina... Have a beautiful smile that you notice immediately and she has a brown eyeball.

"You must be Regina Campbell?"

"I am" She took in her handshake with a returning smile. Her hands were soft and wet, Regina could tell she might have been cooking or washing.

"My name is Daphne Nobel, and I am your supposed roommate. Welcome to New York and I hope we would have a good experience together."

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"So you were married? I couldn't even tell." Daphne flashed her a smile as she served her the food she was cooking before she heard a knock.

"Thank you. I was married ---- Got divorced a week ago."

Daphne stopped what she was doing to look at Regina. She could see the sad expression she was wearing and it was obvious she was still broken even tho she was doing her best to cover up. Daphne sat down and removed her gloves.

"If it's okay for you to talk about -- May you share your problem with me?. I know we just meet and probably still have a long way to go, but -- "

"No, it's okay. I can talk about it." Regina dropped her spoon and sat back on the chair.

"We were married for two years, but on his 29th birthday he told me he wanted a divorce..."

Regina proceeded to tell Daphne everything, including the fact that she had loved her ex husband so much she could've done anything for him. Regina didn't for once imagine herself to have someone to talk to, but having Daphne here who was eagerly listening to her pains , Regina felt that she didn't make a mistake choosing New York.

"Men can be so cruel! But, you could've sued him? I mean, if you have went to court to announce he was the one who cheated, you could've gotten half of his property if not all."

"I know. But I don't want to,I'll prefer to leave quietly. I felt like I had depended on him all these years that I thought I couldn't live without him. I don't want that to happen again , I want to start up on my own...."

"Well. Sorry to say this but it's good thing you're both divorced now. Atleast you could find someone else who would love you as much as you love him - and! It's great you had no child with him." Daphne was wearing a happy face while trying to cheer Regina up.

Regina sighed. "I don't think I'll be interested in anyone. I want to be alone and not be in any romantic relationship with anybody ever again. That's the main reason I came to New York, I want to start a new life away from all the trouble. And, I found out I'm pregnant a day ago." Regina's smile was a sad one, Daphne could tell.

The room fall silent for a minute before Daphne spoke up. "Your food is getting cold. You should eat up "

Regina nodded and proceeded to start eating. Daphne could only look at her, as she already lost her appetite. Regina was a year older than her, she had realized.... But hearing her story made her want be her older sister and protect her from all the trouble. Making sure she doesn't regret her decisions.

Daphne Nobel came from a very healthy family in New York City. She had left home about a year ago because she wanted to feel independent and be able to live a social life considering she never had any friends while at her father's Mansion. She was the only daughter so she believed she was spoiled and she was the one who didn't allow herself to get that spoiled..

She was currently running a fashion shop which she tend to establish as time goes. Her father had offered to promote her shop and make it big for her with just a tip of his finger but Daphne had politely declined. When she heard she would be having a roommate, she was happy to have her apartment shared. It was already too big for her alone even if she's able to make any payment requested. Most times, she got scared having to live in such a big place alone. Nonetheless, she hoped her new roommate would be someone selfless otherwise she won't hesitate to make a change.

Taking one look at Regina again who was almost finishing up her meal, Daphne was sure she and her still had a very long way to go.

__________________________

"How could you hide her away from me? I knew you were selfish but I never expected you to become like this. Now I'm going to take my daughter and there's nothing you can do."

"Damon --- I can't let you take her. I raised her and you abandoned me alongside her! You can't take her away from me."

"Watch me!" As Damon approaches the little girl, Regina Campbell's eyes opened and she almost jumped out of her bed.

"Mirabelle?!" She called out, rushing out of the room but bumped into Daphne on her way, almost knocking down the food she was carrying.

"Heyyyy... Calm down! You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Where's Mirabella? Mirabelle!!" She called again. Daphne find a standby table and dropped the tray of food she was carrying.

"Mirabelle went to school already! Her driver was here and they left 43 minutes ago. Calm down okay? Same nightmare again?"

Regina who seemed to have calmed down nodded. "Are you sure she left?"

"Mmhh. I made breakfast, you should hurry up and eat. Don't forget you have an interview in less than a hour from now."

"Thank you so much Daphne."

"You're fine. Hurry up and I'll drive you before going to my office."

"Okay."

Regina walked back into her room with the tray and dropped it on her bed, she sighed and face palmed herself. It's been four years since her marriage came an end, so far Regina was amazed at how far she had come.

Her little daughter "Mirabelle" was three years and 3 months old. Regina was a proud mother and her love for her daughter was unmeasured. Her only goal was to protect her and raise her in a very good way.

At first , she thought she wouldn't survive being a mother , she thought she wouldn't be a good mother to her kid but with Daphne by her side, Regina was able to be as strong as she is now.

She had been working as a waitress all these years and now, she applied for a position at a famous company well know in the city with the help of Daphne. Her interview was today and with the way her day had started ---- Regina hoped she'll get the Job.

Daphne's car stopped at "HS Company" and Regina stepped down.

"Thanks --- I'll call you as soon as the interview is over, wish me luck."

"Best of luck, friend." Daphne flashed her a smile before making a reverse and driving out of the packing lot. Regina who was standing there breathed down and turned to look at the huge building before her. The environment was quiet you could think it wasn't a company.

Daphne was the one who wanted her to work here. Over the time, Regina wouldn't lie about the fact that Daphne had been her back and bone. She had been so helpful to her and her little daughter. Mirabelle was fond of Daphne, who wouldn't be? When she was just the best.

"Okay. Let's get this over with." She told herself trying to pass on nothing but positivity.

As the glass reverse door opened and she stepped in, Regina was surprised with the way everything was. First, outside was very quiet and not a living soul was out there expect her and Daphne a minute ago. But in here, there was a lot of people that Regina couldn't even count them and they were all running Helter skelter.

"What's happening?" Regina asked no one in particular as she was confused. With the way everyone was running around, Regina wasn't sure she could find anyone to direct her to the interview room.

"Regina Campbell?" She heard her name and turned to meet a man standing behind her. He was probably in his late 30's.

"Yes...and you are?"

"Daniel. Please come this way to the interview room. We've been waiting for you."

"Waiting for ..me?" Regina wasn't so sure how that word had sounded but she wanted to be sure there wasn't another Regina Campbell here.

"Yes. Daphne told me you were already here. Don't worry about how everyone is running around, it's not always like this but the Boss who have been away from the company for over 5 years, is coming in today."

"Oh." Regina had no idea what she was expected to say at this point. Instead, she proceeded to walk behind the Daniel who was leading the way. Regina thought about how a CEO/Boss would be away from his company for that long! Perhaps he had someone running it for him --- she thought.

"Your resume was okay. I trust Daphne Nobel to not disappoint."

"How did you know her?"

"You mean Daphne? She was my college friend. We almost dated but silly me! She was just too perfect for someone like me. By the way ....." Daniel stopped to look at Regina who also stopped.

"She helped me get this job."

"She did?"

"Mmh. She had a really big influence and I'm thinking she's friends with the CEO but she would never tell."

"Mmh."

"Let's hurry up! I need to secure a position for you or Daphne would cut my neck down. I've never meet the CEO, no one had so it'll be an honor to be out here to meet him."

"No one knows who he is?"

"Just his name. I remember hearing it, what is it again? Hills.... Yes! Mr Hills Sebastian. Don't bother googling him too, he's away from the media as well and no one knows what he looks like."

Regina nodded. She had no plan of googling him but it made her curious as she wonders why he would chose to be anonymous if he's running such a big company.

"Don't cross his way --- We heard he isn't nice and a lot of people might be getting fired today " Daniel added.

"Got it."