Chapter 2
“Can you take a look at that?” Delores huffed beside me as we made our way into the hotel.
After the firing flight. My body craved a hot shower and a mug full of black coffee–not my personal assistant lamenting.
over our losses.
“This is crazy!” The brunette shoved the tablet she was holding under her arms and pulled her suitcase. “We lost so much revenue and our popularity has dropped to the bottom over that stupid scandal?“
I glanced over at my assistant working herself up as always,
True, my business had a backlash after the poisoning scandal in our last catering deal in Los Angeles but I wasn’t one to dwell over the past.
I moved on, just like I was doing right now by returning to Miami for this impromptu on–site catering deal.
I had returned to this city which had done nothing but take from me.
The past few years, I had spent building myself, rising like a Phoenix from the ashes and building one of the most influential catering agencies in Los Angeles–One that was now, days from bankruptcy.
“This isn’t fair.” Delores wasn’t done. “Why d already
do we have to suffer when it wasn’t even our fault? We’ve lost so many
clients
Sometimes, we suffer even when it’s not our fault,” I replied absentmindedly, smoothening the almost invisible creases an Charlie’s T–shirt.
I was obsessed with my son looking good at all times.
“The weak always have to pay for the mistakes of others, that’s just how life is. My heart twisted a little but I had since gotten used to living with the pain. “Rather than wasting energy blaming others, we should channel that energy to become stronger. Only then we won’t be trampled upon.”
“You’re right.” Delores let out a sigh. “I just hope this deal pulls through without any problems. We don’t need any more drama in our lives right now.”
“I hope so too.” I gave the brown–haired boy in front of me a soft smile.
The last thing I would want was another drama with the new client. The whole poisoning scandal had affected my business and I was desperate – This deal had to work out, for mine and Charlie’s sake.
1 couldn’t afford to let anything go wrong-
I had enough to worry about as it was.
This deal needed to be pulled through so I’d be able to pay off Charlie’s medical bills.
My son was diabetic and if I couldn’t raise the money then.
“Everything will work out, Irene.” My assistant’s spanish accent broke through and I felt a hand brush my shoulder lightly. “You’ll see.”
I glanced up at Delores and nodded, wiping off a tear I didn’t realize had fallen.
I grabbed my five–year–old’s hand and along with Delores, slipped in through the entrance of the hotel with our suitcases. I had a deal to cater to and I wouldn’t let anything ruin it.
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Chapter 2
“Did you double check the arrangements?” I glanced at my wristwatch.
It was almost time for the event to start.
“Yes, ma’am. I even did a triple–check.” Delores‘ eyes returned to her tablet. “The decor, centerpieces, and menu have been put in place, the staff are all ready and waiting at the venue. We all set.”
A female receptionist greeted us warmly when we reached the front desk.
important call.
I handed over my ID and reservation details at the check–in counter while Delores left to attend to an impo
Besides me, Charlie giggled and bounced on his toes, his awe–struck eyes darting around the grand lobby.
This was his first time being away from Los Angeles and he seemed to be enjoying it so far.
“Your keys ma’am” The receptionist’s voice dragged me back to reality.
1 pried my eyes away from my son and collected the room key cards she handed over, thanking her with a smile when the boy beside me suddenly stiffened
His face paled, his hands starting to tremble and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as his confused eyes locked on mine.
My breath hitched in my throat and I forgot how to breathe, like I always did when Charlie’s diabetic seizures started.
“Charlie!” I let out a horrified gasp and dropped to the ground where he had collapsed and was shaking uncontrollably,
Tendrils of panic squeezed my insides and I tore my bag apart, searching for his insulin pump, my stomach twisting in knots when I noticed I was holding the wrong bag.
Darn it!
My bag was with Delores.
“C–Charlie, You’ll be fine. Nothing will happen to you, Mommy won’t let anything happen to you.” I rushed away from there, eyes stinging with fresh tears, in a desperate search for Delores.
I found the brunette standing outside the hotel and grabbed the Insulin before running back to the lobby where a small crowd had gathered.
I pushed through the crowd, only to find a man by Charlie’s side, his sturdy figure bent over my son as he applied insulin and I watched with relief as Charlie relaxed
My initial panic morphed into gratitude then horror when I recognized the brown–haired man crouched beside him.
My heart jolted and the familiar creeping sense of doom slithered around my neck and squeezed tighter making it hard for me to breathe.
It was him.
He was here.
Damien freaking Chad, himself.
My past
had finally come to haunt me and at the worst of times.
What on earth was he doing here of all places? And what was he doing with my son?
“Are you here alone!” Damien’s voice was devoid of emotion as he comforted Charlie, “Where are your family members,
Chapter 2
your mom?”
Panic coursed through my veins and I swallowed
The universe has got to be playing a joke on me, a cruel joke at that.
I turned around on my heels, ready to run and hide somewhere at least till Damien disappeared from our lives forever but my plans to avoid the present were thwarted when Charlie called for me.
“Mommy!” I froze. “There’s my mommy
“Excuse me,” Cold chills ran down my spine and I swallowed, hearing the shuffling of feet behind me.
“You are the kid’s mother?” His velvety voice was tinted with disipproval.
“How can you leave your child all alone? How irresponsible! Is this the new plan? Huh?” His scoff was so familiar, “To trap rich men by pretending to be helpless and sending your son in?”
“That is enou—” The words crawled up my throat as I spun around and locked eyes with the emerald–green orbs that had haunted me every night for the past five years…
“You?” Damien breathed, and I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, so I did the most logical thing.
I grabbed my son, and bolted for the elevator, pressing as many buttons so it moved before he reached and just before his hands could graze my skin, the door shut and I slid down with my son.
It was official Damien was back.
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