ONE NIGHT MISTAKE

Chapter 3: Harold Harrison

Charity point of view...

Five years passed quickly when I found out that I'm pregnant. Everything was difficult because I am alone but I found out that my grandmother had been looking for me for a long time.

My grandmother is my mommy's mother. She helped me and took care of me as best as she could.

“Charles, son!” I shouted my son's name because he was too naughty again.

“Baby, come here! Let's start eating!” I almost screamed out of my lungs. I shook my head because of Charles' mischievousness.

“Charles is a big boy! He doesn't want me to bathe him anymore.” I heard grandmother Esme say.

Grandma looked and winked at me. I saw her smile at me as if she was thinking something about me.

“Grandma, children were supposed to be like that today.”

Grandma scoffed after hearing my words. Haha, of course, I am proud of my son!

“Honestly, Charity. You don't look like Charles. He looks like his anonymous father.” I was dumbfounded after hearing my grandmother's comment. But I didn't try to say anything.

I didn't bother to speak because grandma was telling the truth. Charles indeed looks like his unknown father. His eyes are blue but mine was brown.

“Aren't you going to find the one who got you pregnant?” I shake my head in response to my grandma's topic.

Why would I look for him? After all, it's Leo, who should have been the one to get me pregnant, but because of what Dianna did, it didn't happen. I can't believe that Dianna secretly desires Leo.

I was stunned because I didn't know what to say. It's been a few days since Charles started bothering me about his father. I don't even know how to answer his question. It's inappropriate if I told him that I got pregnant because I had s*x with an unfamiliar man.

I feel bitter. I wanted Charles to meet his father, but America is too big. Maybe even if I die, I won't be able to find him. And I'm sure that he doesn't even know that Charles exists in his life!

“Mommy!” I laughed when I heard Charles call me. I smooched him on his forehead, making me laugh harder when I saw him scowling.

“Mommy, I'm a big boy so you shouldn't be kissing me on my forehead!”

I pinched my son's soft cheeks, but I stopped.

'Why is this child so cute? Okay, I believe what grandma said is true. Charles looks like his father even more.’

Charles is handsome. He looks so white like he was conceived with milk. I looked at him and gradually felt sad.

“You keep looking at me, mom! I know we don't look alike.” I groaned and refrained from squeezing his cheek.

“Grandma, I'm going to have an interview with the Harrison Corporation. I hope I'll get the job offer so that I can make it up with you.”

I still can't believe that Harrison Corporation chose me to interview. I know that many applicants wanted to enter this big company but I got the opportunity even though I didn't graduate from college.

“Oh, Charity, come on! We always believe in you, keep remembering that!”

“Mommy, I know you can do it. You can pass it!” Charles.

I saw Charles happily chewing his food. I chuckled because even though I was unhappy that my father rejected me. Two people supported me.

“Of course, I can, Charles. Let's pray before we sleep. I promise you that I will buy your favorite fried chicken tomorrow.”

Charles's eyes twinkle. He gives me a thumbs up. I know he was motivated to eat his favorite food.

“You're the best mom I ever had!”

“I am your only mother, Charles!”

“But grandma is my mother too.”

“Charles is right, I'm his mother too!” Grandma.

I ate my food because they teamed up against me. I know Charles loves my grandma so much, and I don't need to get envious!

“Hi, Good morning. I came here for the interview for the CEO'S secretary position.” I said politely, I looked at the receptionist after I entered the Harrison Corporation. I saw she was doing something on her desk.

She pouted at me as she gazed at me. I can't help but get nervous. I know I was too excited to get this interview, but is the interview no longer available anymore? Or maybe, is she angry with me?

“The interview for the CEO's secretary position will start at 10 am. You're too early, Miss.” She grinned at me. I was terrified when she walked up to me and held me.

“It's a good thing that you're the first applicant that they need to interview. I am sure you will get the job offer. To be honest, I was surprised that you're an applicant, I thought you were my boss's girlfriend.”

My eyes widened because of what the woman told me. She pulled me into the elevator, quickly. She pressed the number of the highest floor. She even winked at me!

“Girl, don't be nervous. My boss is hot but he's good too!” My lips parted because of what she said. It feels like she's playing cupid! Naa– never!

It means I will be the first one that they will interview. What if I fail? What if I didn't get the job offer? I even promised Charles that I would buy his favorite fried chicken. And I know that my son doesn't like someone who doesn't keep promises!

“Miss, how sure are you that I will be hired? I will cry if I am rejected at this early hour.” I can't stop myself from talking nervously to her.

“Haha, I am Amanda. And yes, I'm one hundred percent sure that you'll be hired! You're even beyond what our boss is looking for!”

Amanda's words help me to calm myself. Why is she so confident? She didn't even look at my resume!

I was forced to smile even though I was already grimacing. I feel like I want to go to the bathroom because of how jittery I feel.

“You should be confident, girl! Don't let me see that you don't believe in yourself!” I took a deep breath to remove what I felt.

Amanda made me sit first, she walked to the woman who had red hair. I saw the tag that she was the secretary of the CEO of this company. I was wondering why I am here on the top floor, is it because the CEO was the one who needed to interview me?

“Hi, Good morning, Georgie! She's the first applicant, today!” I heard Amanda say it to the woman who had red hair.

“Oh, she's lucky! I'll inform sir Harrison about her.”

Minutes passed, and I was immediately ushered into the CEO's office. I tried to remove my nervousness because I think Amanda is right. I need to be more confident.

I saw a man who was too busy reading a lot of papers on his table. I was amazed at how his office looks, it looks expensive, even his table!

I kept standing in the corner and waited for him to notice me. But the man didn't even look at me. What will I do now?

“Do you want to stand there forever? Aren't you going to sit down?” I was surprised when I heard his manly and elegant voice. I frowned because that voice was too familiar to me but I didn't know where I heard his voice.

“What's your name?” I feel like he's starting to interrogate me. He looked at me but his handsome face was grumpy. He stared at me for so long.

“I am Charity Valderama.”

He nodded his head and looked again at the document that he was reading.

“Okay, you're hired. You can start tomorrow as my secretary.” His cold tone makes me shiver.

My eyes went bigger, I couldn't believe it, he just asked my name and he hired me right away? Is it true?

“I want you to come here early. I want you to be ahead of me. My father has a belief that the first applicant who came early to get an interview deserved to get hired. And, you're the first applicant who came here.” He explained.

I saw him glance at me again. He gently massaged his head. I swallowed when I saw his beautiful eyes. Ever since I gave birth to Charles, I wanted him to see his father. And now, my boss matches my son's eyes.

But who am I kidding?

"Do you understand, Charity, that you have to be accessible every day since you'll be my secretary as of tomorrow?"

I immediately nodded, it was tiring that being the CEO secretary was a difficult job. But for my son's sake, I'm willing to endure everything. I saw him nod too, then glanced at my face again.

Why does he keep looking at my face? Does my face look dirty?

“I don't want you to be late. I want you to give your best shot here at work. And to be honest, no one lasts as long as my secretary.”

I felt afraid when I heard what my future boss said. I wonder why no one has lasted long to become his secretary. Isn't he nice? But Amanda told me that he's good! Or maybe, he is a cold-hearted man who loves to keep shouting at his employees?

“They were terminated because the reason why they apply here isn't to work, but to seduce or had s*x with me. That's why I'll be frank with you, that you're not my type. If you came here to seduce me, you don't need to start working here.”

I was astounded because of what he said to me. Do I look desperate to do that thing?

“Sir, I already had a child. I'm working for his future. So what you are saying is too impossible, and unacceptable.”

I saw him glare at what I said. He slowly breathed a sigh of relaxation, maybe he was calm now because he realized that he didn't need to worry that I might be planning something for him.

“Alright, then you can start working tomorrow. You'll be with me in all my meetings and whenever I need to go outside the country.” He looked at me using his lazy eyes, and re-read the document in front of him.

“Thank you so much, sir.” I didn't know if I needed to come out of my boss's office. I was scared that if I went out without his command, I would suddenly lose the job offer.

“Ms. Valderama, what are you still doing here? Is there anything else that you want to ask? As for your salary, the HR department will be the one who explains it to you. You aren't lost because I pay my employees a high salary.”

I secretly bit my lips, I saw him look at me. I nodded and quickly left his office. I saw Amanda smiling at me, so I walked toward her.

“Congratulations!” She shouted happily which made my face red.

"Thank you so much, Amanda. And you're right."

Amanda and I went into the elevator. I wanted to jump in joy because I finally got the best job. I was excited to buy Charles' favorite fried chicken! I know he is waiting for me at our house.

“See ya tomorrow!” Amanda returned to her desk. She looks happy for me too. I came out with enjoyment on my face but my happiness gradually disappeared when I saw Dianna with Leo on the other side of the road.

My lips parted when I saw how Dianna and Leo seemed to be happy with each other while here I am, –secretly suffering because of Dianna's scheme! I immediately hide so they could not see me.

I promise when I become successful, I will make sure that I can take vengeance on Olivia and Dianna, who ruined my life!

“Daddy!” When I heard Dianna scream, I took a peek and saw my father walking toward Dianna. My daddy has fun on his face which made my heart ache.

Daddy, how can you be so happy without me? I'm your princess!

I saw Olivia next to him with a beamed on her lips. I felt furious when I saw her. It seems that my father forgot that he has a daughter because he is happy with his recent family!

I turned around when I saw my daddy looking at my place. I bit my lip to stop my tears from falling.

‘Stop crying, Charity! You will get your revenge on them! They will regret what they did to you! You need to be successful, you need to prove to them that you don't need their help.’

“What are you doing there? And, why are you crying?” I was alarmed when someone spoke to me. I saw Mr. Harrison's serious face looking at me. His handsome face was so nasty that I almost trembled with fear.

I touched my cheek, I wasn't aware that I'm crying. I didn't even know that seeing my father happy with his new family made my heart ache. I remembered how my father decided to believe in my stepmother–Olivia. I feel abandoned and betrayed.

I am his daughter, his only princess! But it looks like Dianna completely replaced me in my position!

“Daddy, I can't believe this! Look, Leo and I are engaged!” Dianna's words didn't escape my ears.

More tears fell from my eyes. I slowly swallowed even though it was too difficult. I am a Valderama, and I'll make sure that I will get back what Olivia and Dianna took from me.

“Here, you should be crying.” I heard Mr. Harrison's soft voice like he was comforting me. I saw his expensive handkerchief.

“I wish this is the last time that I should see you cry.” Mr. Harrison added. He looked away but I saw that he was in pain. He looked at me with a lot of concern on his face.