Chapter 46
When Seraphina returned to the villa, she received a message from Clarence, saying he had a business dinner that evening and wouldn’t be coming back.
Leaning against the railing and feeling the wind on her face, she felt a strange heaviness settle in her heart. She mused, “He can come and go as he pleases, but I’m stuck here waiting. I live in this beautiful villa, but it doesn’t feel like home.
“But then, this isn’t my home either. I’m just a passerby, someone who could leave at any time.
Seraphima ate dinner alone, staring at a table full of her favorite dishes, but none of them seemed appetizing. She began to wonder how many more mights like this lay ahead and if Shirley, home alone, felt the same way.
Since Clarence wasn’t coming back tonight, Seraphina figured she might as well go visit Shirley. So, she headed home around the same time she usually finished work.
When Seraphina arrived, Shirley had just gotten back from closing her stall. Seeing her daughter, she was overjoyed. completely ignoring her exhaustion as she headed to the kitchen to cook up a bowl of meatball soup for Seraphina
“There’s some grilled chicken in the fridge too. Want me to heat you up a bowl?” Shirley asked with concern. “You probably aren’t eating well at that dorm of yours.”
Seraphina went quiet after hearing that. The food in the “dorm was a feast fit for a king, so there was no way she wasn’t doing well. She smiled slightly, “No need, Mom. Just the meatball soup is fine. You should sit and rest”
“Okay.” Shirley sat beside Seraphina, giving her a once–over. “Good. You haven’t lost weight. That’s a relief. Considering all the good food Seraphina had been eating, it was already impressive that she hadn’t gained any weight.
Shirley smiled. Take your time with the soup. I’m going to freshen up, and then we can talk in bed. Stay with me tonight,
okay?
“Sure” Seraphina nodded.
While Shirley went to wash up. Seraphina ate the meatball soup on the table. Suddenly, she noticed a newspaper with a few job postings circled. “Who in the house would buy this kind of paper? she wondered. ‘Could it be Mom? But she already has a job, doesn’t she?
Seraphina pulled the paper closer and looked at the circled ads all were for accounting jobs. She continued to ponder, So it really is Mom Wait. Has she lost her job?
Soon after. Shirley finished her bath, and Seraphina had finished her soup.
Shirley walked over and urged, ‘Go take a shower.”
But Seraphina picked up the newspaper and asked, “Mom, did you lose your job?”
Shirley paused for a moment and then calmly sat down, replying, “One of the company’s shareholders embezzled funds, and the company collapsed overnight”
“Why didn’t you tell me? Seraphina blinked in confusion
It happened so suddenly, and there’s not much to say about it an accountant, honey. The older we get, the more valuable we becour Do you think I’ll have trouble finding another job? Shirley sauled lightly.
Seraphina looked at her mom, whose face, though younger than most women her age, still bore the signs of exhaustion. She thought about how Sturley had to juggle both her job and the stall Feeling a pang of guilt, she said. “Mons, either keep the stall te kerja tlar job, but don’t try to handle both. In Do much.
13:35 Wed, Oct 30 B
Chapter 16
“Oh, it’s not that bad. Besides, if I don’t do both, how am I ever going to pay off the debt?” Shirley replied with a chuckle, as if it were all just a lighthearted comment
Seraphina was instantly at a loss for words. The mention of those 200 thousand dollars made her heart ache a little. Shirley had been carrying the burden of that debt all this time, completely unaware that she didn’t need to pay it back.
Seraphina lived in a luxurious villa, surrounded by servants, while her mother was struggling to make ends meet. This left Seraphina feeling guilty. But Shirley was an independent woman. There was no way she’d let herself quit her job and stay at home for Seraphina to support her. That was simply not an option.
Besides, Seraphina knew she herself was just a parasite living off Clarence. How could she even support Shirley? With Clarence’s money?
Seraphina figured that when Shirley eventually found out she was someone’s mistress, Shirley definitely wouldn’t be able to accept it.
In the few days Clarence was away. Seraphina’s mood wasn’t great. She had too much free time, leaving her feeling empty. Fortunately, she had Jennifer’s company during those two or three hours at the gym, and the more they talked, the closer they became
After Jennifer helped Seraphina with some exercises in the equipment area, the two of them sat down to rest. Seraphina was still thinking about Shirley’s job, so she took out her phone and sent her a message on WhatsApp.
Seraphina texted [Mom. how’s the job situation?]
I didn’t take long for Shirley to reply with a voice message. Since Jennifer had just gone to the bathroom, Seraphina put the phone to her ear to listen
Shirley said. “I just came back from an interview at a multinational company called NexGen Group, which just set up in Angora. I applied for the position of financial director, but I’m not sure if I stand a chance. The competition is fierce.”
Seraphina responded with a voice message, saying, “Mom, you have over 20 years of financial experience. You’ve been qualified to be a financial director for ages. You’ve got this.”
Shirley replied. Let’s hope so.”
The mother and daughter chatted for a bit before Jennifer came over, still on the phone. “Yes, yes, send it to my office. The address is XX Road, NexGen Group, Attn: Jennifer Dickens, Executive Office. Yep, thank you.”
After hanging up. Jennifer smiled at Seraphina. Tmn heading back to the office now. Are you going to work out some more?
Seraphina was watching her. “Jeni, your company is called NexGen Group?”
“Yep Jennifer chuckled “Didn’t I mention that before? Seraphina shook her head slightly. They hadn’t talked about work. stuff yet.
Jennifer continued, “The company’s at Brightford Plaza It’s actually easy to find. If you’re free, you should come by for a
“Sure. Seraphina replied
Airiga I’m off then jennifer waved. “Bye–bye”
hesitated for a moment but eventually called out Jen, wait a second”
Jennifer turned around with a sod Hum” and asked “Whatsu upe
2/3
40%
Chapter 16
Seraphina, a bit shy, felt her cheeks warm up, but she went ahead and said, “Jeni. I just found out my mom applied for the financial director position at your company
“She was the finance supervisor at her previous company, but for some reasons, it went under. She’s been in finance for over 20 years, super experienced, and very detail–oriented. She’s got all the certifications too.”
“I see Jennifer smiled gently. “What’s your mom’s name?”
“Shirley Johnson,” Seraphina answered.
Jennifer nodded. “Il personally handle the interview. If she’s as capable as you say, don’t worry. I’ll make sure she gets a fair
Just treat it like a regular interview, I only wanted to get her a chance to sit down for it. She said the competition is tough.
Seraphina trailed off, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I don’t usually ask for favors like this…..
Jennifer reached out and lightly patted Seraphina’s shoulder. “Sera, there’s no need for formalities between us, and definitely no need to feel embarrassed. We’re good friends, right? Even though we’ve only known each other for a few days, I really like you”
“I feel the same”
“Then no more fussing. I’ll see you later. Bye–bye.”
“Bve–bve”
Seraphina watched Jennifer leave. After working out a bit longer, she left, too.
Even though she asked Jennifer to keep an eye on Shirley’s situation, Seraphina didn’t tell Shirley. It was because Seraphina knew Shirley was a proud woman and wouldn’t want Seraphina pulling strings with friends for special treatment.
On her way home. Seraphina got a call from Cla
