NEVER YOURS

Four

"Marcus, can I call you back?"

"No! We're talking right now. You have to keep me updated, remember?"

"Nothing's happened so far. It's just cold and ugly everywhere."

"Did you get a job?"

"No, not yet."

"What's the plan?"

"Same old. Creep into Ace's life and steal glimpses of my daughter. "

"Allison-"

"Don't. Marcus don't." I shake my head when he starts to explain. "I already know what you're going to say, and I don't want to hear it."

"I was going to tell you to be careful."

My brow creases.

"You were?"

"Yeah. I wasn't going to give you a lecture about what's legal and what's not because it clearly doesn't matter to you. The least I can do is hope that you won't end up in jail, or worse."

"What's worse than jail?"

"I don't know, hell?"

I grin, flagging down a taxi.

"Ace won't kill me."

"You don't know that. People are very protective over their children. They'd do anything for them."

"Then you understand why I'm doing this. I'd do anything for her."

"You won't be of much help to her if you're behind bars."

"I won't be of much help to her either way. From what I understand, she's very comfortable and well kept. There's nothing I can do to make her life better. I'm doing this for me."

"So what will you do if you indeed infiltrate Ace's life and find her? Will you kidnap her?"

"I don't have a death wish, and I'm not an asshole. I understand she's his daughter now and I'm not intending to change that since I have no means to. All I want is to see her, hug her, smile at her. I want to hold her, Marcus. I want to confirm that she's mine and she's okay."

"Then what? Come back home and live happily ever after knowing she's in safe hands?"

I shake my head.

"I don't know if I'll be able to leave. Maybe I can find a place to stay and-"

"No! You're obsessed with this...this mission and you'll land in trouble!"

"It'll be worth it."

He blows out his breath.

"Just don't die. You're the only family member I actually like."

"I'm flattered." I say with a smile as I pull my seatbelt on. "I'll talk to you later."

"Bye Allison."

**

I stick my gloved hands into my pockets as I exit the taxi. The cold on this side of the world is numbing, but no one seems to notice it save for myself.

Everyone is walking around in regular clothes.

I must look like a drama queen dressed like this, but then who even cares? No one even seems to notice me in the busy streets.

"Hey stranger? Overdressed much?" Someone yells as they walk past me but I ignore them. I guess I'm not invisible as I imagined.

Also, how rude of them to say that to a random stranger!

The massive glass doors part when I approach them, and once again, I step into Ace's auto repair shop.

Again, the contrast makes me blink. Outside it's all cold and pretty but the moment you go through the doors, the environment changes. Men and women are busy at work. They're all wearing oily and dusty coveralls, and they're fixing wrecked cars and broken windshields and side mirrors.

All that crap.

On the other side, a bunch of ladies and gentlemen are selling spare parts and pleasantly engaging customers.

At the foyer, the same guy from yesterday is manning the desk and talking to a client on the phone.

He looks me over when he hangs up.

"You were here yesterday."

I nod.

"I was looking for a job. I just wanted to know if my application was considered."

I know that's not how it works but I'm desperate to set eyes on this Ace guy.

Keith slowly shakes his head.

"Can we call you once the relevant department makes a decision about your application?"

"Yeah, I guess. It's just that I really need a job. I just moved here and-" i shrug, feigning desperation. "I need to find something to do. Is the boss in today?"

"He's not. Even if he were, you'd have to follow the procedure."

"I'm very desperate to secure a job."

Keith absently drums his knuckles on the desk as he thinks.

"Last time I checked, our boss was looking for a babysitter for his daughter. I'm not sure if he's got one yet, but you could give it a shot."

"He is?"

"Yeah. I don't have all the details though."

"What should I do to get the job?"

"I'm really not sure. Why don't you call him and see if he's still looking?"

"You'll give me his number?"

"Sure."

I pick the card that he places on the desk, and I glance at the phone number before I stick it in my bag.

"You have no idea how grateful I am."

He forces a smile.

"Good luck."

I'm almost out of breath as I exit the premises. I have Ace's phone number, and there's a chance I might get to babysit his daughter.

My daughter.

When I flew here, I didn't imagine things could turn out this way. The possibility of this happening seems a little bit too good to be true.

I stumble into the first cafe that I find and I sit at the corner. I pull the card out of my bag, my heart wild with excitement, and I copy the phone number into my phone. I save it simply as 'Ace', but I hesitate before I dial it.

What should I say?

'Hey, I'm Allison, short for Allison, and I'd like to babysit your daughter-'

Nah. That's lame.

I close my eyes and groan.

Referring to her as his daughter will probably be the hardest part of the job. I'm still in denial. I'm not over the fact that the little girl will never know that I'm her mom, and that I've been suffering immensely due to her absence.

I'm still jealous that Ace gets to love her and live with her.

To be honest, I have a little dislike for this Ace guy. His only crime is having my little girl's love and affection while I'm out here dying with desperation.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I dial the number before I press the phone to my ear.

Three rings later, the deep but calm voice fills my ear.

"Ace here."

I clear my throat.

"Hey, um..I'm Allison."

"Hi Allison?"

"I got your number from your workplace. The receptionist-"

"Keith."

"Yeah. Keith. Gave it to me. I...uh..." I trail away, reaching to tuck my hair behind my ear. I don't know why I'm so nervous.

'He can't read your mind, Allison. He won't call the police on you.'

That's my subconscious, and it's the only reason I'm still on the call.

"Do you have a car problem? I can have someone over right away."

God, he must think I'm an i***t.

"I was actually looking for a job. Keith told me there was a chance I could babysit your daughter for you."

"Keith knows you?"

"Not really. I was there yesterday looking for a job. I went back today because I'm a bit desperate, and Keith told me about the babysitting job."

He's quiet for a second, and my paranoid ass thinks that he already knows about my plan. His tone, however, doesn't change at all.

"Allison, right?"

"Right."

"Are you a trained nanny?"

"Unfortunately not."

"Well, that's too bad. I need a trained babysitter.'

"I could learn the basics."

"No. Your first babysitting job won't be with my daughter. Go back to the shop. I'll have the manager find something for you to do."

"I'm hired?!"

"That's what you wanted, right?"

"Yeah. Yeah." I blink. "It's what I wanted."

"Then go. Cameron will attend to you."

I press the phone closer to my ear.

"Um..Ace? Wait..."

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry if this is too personal but I just wanted to ask if your daughter is doing better? Yesterday, Keith mentioned she was unwell and I'm just concerned."

"Allison?"

"Yes?"

"Please go to work." His tone is stern.

"Yes Sir."

"No sirs. You can call me Ace."

I groan once I hang up.

Great! Now he thinks I'm a creep and a nosy b***h.

I wouldn't be Allison if I didn't ruin everything on the very first try.

I request the barista for an iced coffee, then I draft a quick text to both Georgia and Marcus.

'I got a job!'

***

Cameron is a very stern guy. He appears to be in his late twenties and he has a permanent hard expression.

I guess that happens when you keep scowling at your subordinates.

In his defence, managing a bunch of employees can be quite a hassle.

He looks me over when I explain what Ace said, and he tilts his head to study me for a long second before he shakes his head.

"Give me a minute. I'll give Ace a quick call."

I shift on my feet as I wait. This place is so busy, and I can't imagine how much work I'll have to put in to keep up.

I'm not scared of work.

I'm scared that I'll do something wrong and Ace will fire me before I meet the little girl. If I mess this up, I might as well get on the next plane back home and forget about her.

Deep down, I'm kinda hoping that it happens. I feel like the obsession I've had over the years is slowly taking my sanity, and I desperately want to stay sane.

But then again no. I'm already here so I might as well ensure that this mission is successful. I only want to see her...to get close enough to touch her hair... Maybe hug her...

I bite my bottom lip when a smile tugs at my lips.

"Charlotte will give you an orientation." Cameron's voice interrupts my train of thoughts.

"I'm sorry, who?"

He nods at one of the ladies on the other end of the shop.

"Her. She'll teach you everything you need to know."

"Thank you, Sir."

"It's Cameron."

I nod awkwardly.

"Thanks, Cameron."

He turns away from me and keeps minding his business.

I'm surprised that the manager is working alongside the other employees. I imagined his job was to yell and make rules, but nope, he's as handy as the rest of them. He's ruggedly good looking and very stern, and I find myself wondering whether Ace works alongside his employees as well. Judging from the little I heard about him from the private investigator, I don't think he does. He struck me as an office guy.

I could be wrong, of course.

*

"You'll mostly be behind the counter so you have nothing to worry about." Charlotte tells me once I'm in my uniform, which consists of a branded overcoat and a ponytail.

"I hope I won't mess anything up."

"You won't. It's very easy. You'll see."

"Does the noise form the garage bother you?" I inquire once I'm seated next to her behind the counter. We both have computers, and I'm excitedly waiting to attend to my first client.

All I have to do is accept cash payments and swipe credit cards.

And smile politely.

I think I'll like it here.

"The garage is fifty meters away." She laughs. "We hardly get distracted. Plus, you get used to the constant noise after sometime and you just fall in love with it. I don't know what I'd do without the buzz in the background all day."

"Why do they have both the shop and the garage under one roof?"

"Because it's convenient. Ace likes it this way so he can have all his employees together. Plus, they use spare parts from the shop to fix the cars. It's easier that way, really." She looks at me when I stay quiet. "Again, it's a nice view."

To be honest, watching all those men working so hard and so keenly out there is kind of a turn on.

I smile despite myself.

"I agree. I love the view."

"Will you get that?" Charlotte asks me when my phone pings on the counter.

I have a message from Kane.

'So, dinner tonight?'

This man clearly can't take a hint. I quickly type back;

'No, and don't push it.'

'Alli, you left me with a broken heart without as much as a warning ten years ago. Don't you think you owe me one? I'm not even asking for much.'

'Is that blackmail?'

'No. I'm asking nicely.'

I rub my tired temple. Oh my God.

"What time do we get off work?" I ask Charlotte who is going through her computer.

"Are you tired already?" She laughs. "Five. We close at five."

Feeling like an utter failure, I text Kane back.

'Fine. I'll have dinner with you."