Esmeralda As I step into the imposing building of Cancade Inc., my heart pounds in my chest like a drum. It's my first day, and the nerves are getting the best of me. I've never worked as a secretary before, my only job experience being a stint at a fast food joint back in high school. But I believe in myself, I believe I can do this job.But there's more to my anxiety than just the new job. I'm pregnant, and sooner or later, I'll have to ask for time off for doctor's appointments. The thought sends a fresh wave of worry washing over me. I don't want anyone to find out yet, not until I'm ready. The morning sickness has started, making it harder to keep my secret. I need this job, more than anyone could understand. My soon-to-be ex-husband, Billy, never let me work, kept me dependent on him. But that's in the past now. This job is my ticket to independence, to providing for my child, to a new life.I take a deep breath, square my shoulders, and step into the bustling office. I can do
EsmereldaTGIF. I never really understood why people believed so heavily in it. Now I do. The week had been crazy, with hardly any time to catch a breath. What I had anticipated to be a one-off event on the first day turned out to be the norm for the rest of the week. I had been running around non-stop, preparing for meetings and then setting up the conference room for them. Mr. Cancade, my new boss, had a habit of recording most of the meetings, but I never heard him speak. Little did I know, all those recordings would turn into a mountain of work for me. I spent most of my days dictating Mr. Cancade's meeting notes and then sending them back to him. And just when I thought I was done, I would have to turn around and produce an email regarding any notes he made on my notes. It was a never-ending cycle, and I couldn't keep up. I wasn't the fastest typer, but I had a good memory, so I never needed to pause the recordings to catch up. But as the days went by, I found myself getting more
JaxsonWell fuck. There is no one to say she didn't see me. We kept eye contact till the doors shut behind my brother. Now she knows I was her boss. She disappeared as the door closed, leaving me with my younger brother who stood there looking a little smug. Fuck would she quit now?"You did that on purpose." I glare at him. I told him a little about Esmeralda, and how I didn't want her to know who I was. He being the most observant of the siblings picked up on shit I didn't want to talk about."Actually not at all. I just opened the door and she suddenly jumped up to run past." He shrugged. I can't argue with that because she does that often. And I wondered where she was going. I couldn't say anything to him about that, or even ask her because then I would have to reveal how I knew it was happening. Which was not happening. I wasn't telling a soul I have a camera placed to point at her desk. Just like I wasn't telling anyone I had one on her apartment main door. And I definitely was
EsmeraldaWhen the door shut I went to the bathroom. I was in shock as I did my business, baby on the bladder is no joke. I had to run. Once I was washing my hands I looked up at myself in the mirror and went through what just happened. I just found out Jaxson, the man who is unknowingly the father of the baby in my stomach. I roll through each emotion letting myself feel them. I need to otherwise it won't end well. First one is the fact that I need this job. I need the money. I can't have this baby still sleeping in Frankie loft. Using the shower for my needs. She says no rush. But her apartment is not big enough for two women and everything a baby will need. I sat and figured out a basic budget to help her while also saving. It would take three months of working to get my own place that would work. One week would not be a huge help to me, only her. I know she said she doesn't need it but I can't not give her something taking care of all my needs these past few months.Then I have to
JaxsonI sit and listen to her little rant. Her face is getting redder by the minute. It's almost as dark as her hair. Fuck she is beautiful even like this. I have heard about redheads but never thought much of it. But now face to face with one I find myself wondering what the legend I once read was. Something about fire. I hear what she is saying, I really do. But I am stuck on three things. One is she keeps saying she needs this job, and while I normally hate people repeating this I don't hate it from her which leads me to the second thing I am stuck on. I want to kiss her to shut her up. Just to see if that would work or lead to more anger. Which of course leads to the third trying to remember that legend. Which is probably why she runs out of steam and says."I simply want to understand your perspective. Why did you hide the fact that you were my boss?" I end up winding her back up by asking."What's that legend about red heads? Her eyes widened, a spark of surprise and perhaps a
Esmerelda I do not share my supposed best friend Frankie's feelings about the situation with Jaxson being my boss. While I was pissed he hid that fact from me. I was also terrified he would find out about the baby. She thought it was the funniest thing in the world. She died laughing, literally sliding off the sofa and rolling on the floor at my expense before stopping and wiping her eyes to talk to me seriously.I glared at her, feeling my face grow hot with embarrassment. "It's not funny, Frankie. My job is on the line here. I can't afford to lose it, especially now." She took a moment to catch her breath, her eyes still sparkling with amusement."I know, I know. But come on, the look on your face when you realized Jaxson was your boss! It had to be priceless." I huffed in annoyance, crossing my arms defensively."Well, it's not something I ever expected to deal with. And now I have to figure out how to navigate this mess." Frankie sat up, her expression turning thoughtful."True, i
JaxsonTo stay my weekend going smoothly would be a lie. I was more on edge. It made even some of my most loyal men on the street wary of me. I mean it's not without reason. I have a temper. I own it. I own how I feel when I feel it.Well, I guess I can't say that anymore since I have been pushing shit off and refusing to look at it. But even knowing that I still push it rather than own it. Because I feel like opening up a Pandora's box, I am not going to be able to close. The obsession I feel over Esmerelda is strong. Even stronger than when I was obsessed with getting me and my five siblings away from a drug addicted mother and out of a two-bedroom apartment in one of the worst neighborhoods. I gave my blood sweat and tears to get us out of that. I did it through. And it was laid to rest once I got my company up and running, bringing in legal income to show for all the new things I got. And when I hit my first billion, the worry of losing it all left. Now all I can think about is h
EsmeraldaFuck Mondays.As I slowly opened my eyes, I could already feel the familiar nausea creeping up on me. Another sleepless night had passed, and the morning sickness seemed to have gotten worse. I groaned as I dragged myself out of bed, dreading the day ahead. It was bad enough that I had to go to work, but the thought of facing my boss with my worsening condition made me anxious. I had to keep my pregnancy a secret from everyone, including my boss, and I was determined to keep it that way for as long as I could. Jaxson being the reason I am in the mess. No, nope nada can't go there, I have to think of him only as my boss. But with the increased morning sickness, I was worried that my boss would start to notice something was off.I quickly got dressed and headed out the door, making a mental note to stop by the store for something to ease my nausea before I reached the office. As I got into the car with Tony opening my door smiling at me. I ask "Can we stop at a pharmacy? I nee