With a finger pressed to his lips, Grandpa Sebastian's gaze was stern, indicating that he knew I might not agree with his request.
"Andrew will find himself in trouble sooner or later," he said, worry etched on his face. "Promise me you'll be there for him when that happens."
I struggled to digest the information, it was overwhelming.
"I'm aware of your intelligence and resilience. I've made this decision after much thought. Please accept it," he implored. "I don't have many years left. Please put my mind at ease."
Knowing that his grandfather wouldn't accept a refusal, I took a deep breath and signed the papers laid before me.
A knock on the door interrupted us, "Dinner is ready, sir."
We made our way to the dining room, where some of Andrew's closest relatives were gathered. I looked around, but Andrew was nowhere to be seen. I hadn't seen him since our last encounter.
"Today marks the death anniversary of my late wife," he revealed. "Please sit next to me, Andrea."
"But where's Andrew?" one of his aunts inquired.
"That bastard wanted to bring his mistress here! I warned him never to see me again if he wouldn't heed my advice," he retorted, his voice filled with anger.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence. "I only acknowledge Andrea as my granddaughter-in-law, no one else," he declared, his tone firm. I could feel their eyes on me, and a wave of embarrassment washed over me, making me feel like an intruder in this family.
After dinner, I said my goodbyes to Grandpa. As the gate opened, a driver was waiting for me outside.
"Drew," a familiar voice called out. I turned around and found myself face-to-face with my ex-husband.
Time seemed to freeze as we locked eyes. The wind blew gently, sending a chill down my spine. I wrapped my arms around myself for warmth. As he moved closer, I instinctively stepped back, causing a look of surprise to cross his face.
"What?" I finally broke the silence.
His expression shifted, "Why are you here? Did you feed Grandpa some lies to make him disapprove of my marriage to Kelly?"
I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief, "You never change, do you?"
His brows furrowed. "I know you're not over me, so you're trying to sabotage my relationship. You're using Grandpa to interfere with us."
"You really should consider writing fiction! You have quite the imagination," I scoffed. "Just so you know, I'm done with you! I got my money, I have a baby on the way, and I'm perfectly content with my life. You should be too!"
I turned to open the car door, but he grabbed my hand. "Wait! The baby..." he paused, "Is it mine?"
Fury surged within me, and my hand instinctively flew to his cheek. I should have seen this coming. Everyone had been saying the same thing. But why did it hurt so much more hearing it from Andrew?
"It doesn't matter who the father is. This is my baby!" I declared, tears welling up in my eyes.
Taking a moment to collect myself, I managed to regain my composure. "You should be focusing on your wedding preparations," I stated, opening the car door. "Congratulations," I added, my voice genuine despite the circumstances.
"Why, isn't this the esteemed Andrea Hart?" she mocked, her eyes scanning my resume. The other interviewer turned to look at the woman as she laughed in amusement.
Penelope Voss. The woman who once tried to buy my husband. I couldn't believe she was here.
"Oh, my apologies," she covered her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. "I'm just an observer here," she said, flashing a smile at the interviewers.
I had a feeling this wasn't a mere coincidence. The interviewers exchanged glances, and it was clear that Penelope held a position of authority over them.
The man turned his attention back to me, "It says here that you were an assistant branch manager at Harmony Home Interiors. What made you decide to leave the company?"
"The company was acquired, and I wasn't retained. However, I believe that my hands-on experience as an assistant branch manager gives me an edge over other candidates."
I was confident that my educational background and work experience made me a strong contender for the position. I had high hopes of securing the job. I really hoped so.
"Who is that stunning woman who was inside observing the job interview?" a candidate asked, touching up her makeup.
I was in the washroom, washing my hands, and overheard their conversation without looking.
"Oh, her? She is the ex-granddaughter-in-law of Legacy Furnishings, this company," her friend replied.
"Really? She appears to hold a high position here," the woman commented, applying her red lipstick.
"No, she actually works at Vanguard Holdings, a multinational company specializing in shopping and e-commerce," her friend responded.
"Then why is she here?" the woman inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"She comes here occasionally because her ex-husband is utterly useless. Her former in-laws often ask her to handle certain business matters here," her friend explained.
"Why doesn't she just work here instead?"
"I'm not sure why she insists on working at Vanguard Holdings when she could be the boss here," her friend laughed.
"Congratulations! You've successfully passed the interview," the man exclaimed, extending his hand. Overwhelmed with gratitude and joy, I shook his hand and expressed my heartfelt thanks for giving me this opportunity.
"Next, please proceed to the HR room on the right. There, you'll need to fill out the necessary documents to initiate your employment," he instructed.
"I will," I nodded, ready to follow his guidance.
"Following that, you will be required to undergo a medical examination. Once that is completed, we will provide you with your start date," he continued. "Just to confirm, you are not currently married or pregnant, correct?"
I froze, my eyes locked on him for a moment. "Would that pose a problem?" I asked, unsure of how to respond.
His gaze shifted downwards, assessing whether or not I appeared pregnant.
"The position of a manager entails significant tasks and responsibilities. We prefer to work with individuals who can commit to the company for an extended period. Women who are planning to marry or have children may not align with the exact candidate profile we are seeking," he explained.
As I made my way to a convenience store, my mind was filled with a whirlwind of thoughts. The near success of getting the job was overshadowed by the fact that I had disclosed my pregnancy. Regret and disappointment etched across my face as I took a sip of a cold bottle of orange juice. How I longed for an iced coffee in that moment. I let out a sigh, contemplating whether I should have lied earlier to secure the job. However, as my belly began to grow, I knew that hiding my pregnancy would be impossible. Moreover, I couldn't fathom deceiving others, as it would make me uncomfortable. I hadn't anticipated that finding a job would be this challenging.
After selling the villa, we decided to use the remaining money to rent a three-bedroom apartment. It was just the right size for our family. Alyssa and I shared one room, my parents had their own, and the third room was occupied by Grandma.
I deposited a portion of the money I received from Grandpa Sebastian into the bank. I set aside some as a time deposit, specifically allocated for my baby's future education. It made me chuckle to think that I was already planning so far ahead. I was filled with excitement at the thought of being there for each of my baby's milestones. I gently touched my belly, feeling a sense of anticipation.
Another portion of the money was allocated for Alyssa's school fees. As she was now in her last year of high school, I had already prepared for her college tuition fee. Now, my main focus was to secure a job so that we would have the necessary funds for our daily expenses.
As I step out of the convenience store, a sudden collision startles me. A man swiftly dashes away, clutching a woman's bag, while the desperate cries of an elderly lady pierce the air. It becomes evident that he's a snatcher, and my instinct kicks in without a moment's hesitation. Matching his footsteps, I give chase and firmly exclaim, "Stop right there!"
Panic washes over his face as he scans his surroundings, catching sight of me. "Why are you following me?" he questions, his voice tinged with unease. Seizing the bag from his grasp, I assertively demand, "Give it back!" A struggle ensues between us, each of us fiercely determined.
Onlookers begin to gather, sensing the unfolding danger. The elderly lady pleads, her voice trembling, "Please, return my bag!"
Infuriated, the snatcher gathers all his strength, attempting to forcefully push me away. I stagger back, losing my grip on the handbag. Undeterred, he takes off running once more. Yet, this time, I manage to seize hold of his jacket, my voice filled with determination, "Stop! You won't get away with this!"
Frustration consumes him as I steadfastly refuse to let go. "You can't escape from me!" I assert, my resolve unyielding.
In a sudden turn of events, he comes to a halt and turns his attention towards me, his expression filled with anger. "You asked for this!" he declares, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a knife.
A wave of panic washes over the crowd as they witness the unfolding danger. Drawing upon my judo skills, honed through years of training, I swiftly evade his attack, sidestepping the menacing blade with precision. Utilizing his own momentum against him, I seize the opportunity to execute a swift hip throw, leveraging his weight and sending him crashing to the ground. The knife slips from his grasp, and I kick it safely out of reach.
As the tension subsides, the old lady's cries transform into tears of relief. Through her sobbing, she expresses her gratitude, "Thank you! This money is meant for my husband's medical expenses."
The surrounding spectators burst into applause, recognizing the successful intervention. With a profound sense of relief, I take a step back, allowing the authorities to take charge and ensure the safety of everyone involved.
"Silence," she hissed, her words dripping with venom. Her gaze remained locked on the unfolding spectacle beyond the convenience store. "Apologies are meaningless," she continued.
Her assistant stammered, "I had no clue Andrea was skilled in martial arts."
"Make sure she doesn't escape unscathed next time," she sneered, a wicked grin playing on her lips as she donned her sunglasses. The car window swiftly closes.
Turning her attention to the driver, her tone becomes commanding, "Let's go." Sensing the urgency in her voice, the driver promptly starts the engine and accelerates away from the scene.
"The boss wasn't pleased with the outcome, despite a good performance," the assistant informed the old lady.
"I executed my job flawlessly, but that man was utterly useless! He allowed himself to be defeated by a pregnant woman!" She crossed her arms, casting a disdainful gaze elsewhere.
"Here's your payment," the assistant slid the envelope towards the old lady.
"And what about the guy?" the old lady inquired, her curiosity piqued about the snatcher apprehended by the police.
"We'll handle it. Just ensure you maintain your silence," she warned, her tone laced with caution, before briskly walking away.