His Innocent Mistress

Chapter 3

Meghan's POV

It was almost morning when I reached my place. I could only wonder how long it will take for me to get the job. I got into my apartment but not before I picked an envelope outside of our door. I opened it to find a wedding card. There was no name or an invitation for us but I opened it to find Josh names written with that b***h Kelly. I knew she was the one behind this disgusting trick. I was about to take it inside but then realizing how it will hurt Ruby I discarded it outside.

Kelly was indeed one of the rich heiresses. Her family was powerful and they were famous too. Ruby had told me this much when I was going through my rough divorce. Noticing blood on my clothes I had to go to the bathroom to change and while changing I couldn’t help but recall how that man was taken out of the broken car.

I heard Becky whining softly and got into Ruby’s room to get Becky out of her cradle quietly. “Let’s not disturb granny?” I whispered holding my daughter and in only an hour Ruby woke up.

She was surprised to find me up. I had Becky secured in her seat and was setting breakfast already. “You are up early? When did you come last night?” She asked and I smiled.

“I…lost my job. They…have given me two weeks’ salary to compensate. I…really hope I can find a good job.”

“Oh girl, don’t worry. We…have groceries and diapers. Did I tell you I got one more kid to sit with? There will be three today.” She said and I smiled.

“That’s awesome,” I said and told her about the accident I witnessed last night. Or how I arrived only in the morning.

“Oh, girl…you can go sleep. If you want you can go check upon him.” She said and I softly declined,

“That person did have a friend there. Plus, I know he is alright now. It's a miracle or the way his car was..." I shook my head shivering. "...I will rather save money than spending it on flowers,” I said and she nodded her head.

“You had been working very hard for the past months. Why don’t you take some rest? And,…you can apply for jobs online...a week later?” She said and I nodded my head.

It was after two days when I got a call from a company. They were looking to recruit in their cleaning department. I knew there will be many people there but the benefits were huge. I couldn’t really believe it. Twenty-five dollars per hour for a cleaning job?

I got out to find Ruby busy making lunch for the kids. “Ruby? I have gotten a very good offer from a company. And, I didn’t even apply there.” I said and she smiled before exclaiming. “I passed your resume to some people in our neighbours. I am sure it is one of them.” She said and it makes sense. I went for the interview and passed it without any hurdle. A girl named Ria helped me to get the supplies and tried to make me understand the rooster for us. It was only in the noon when I heard someone calling me.

“I hope you liked it here...” I looked up to find a tall man that seemed familiar.

“...We met in the hospital,” That man said and my mouth got wide in surprise.

“You…you got me this job?” I asked and he smiled,

“I knew you were a responsible one when you helped Mr Gordon to get to the hospital. Though he didn’t like the hospital choice of yours…but it doesn’t matter as long as he is breathing fine.” I knew this name. Theodore Gordon was the owner here. And, there was a time when Josh wanted this enterprise to be their client. But I shook the thought away and smiled. “How is he?” I asked and he smiled,

“Thanks to you…he is back to work today.”

“That’s awesome,” I answered wondering how that person can come back to work. Wishing me a good day that friend of Mr Gordon left.

I resumed my work and was invited to join my coworkers for a night out that I declined humbly. I had to tell them that I have a six-month-old baby who must be waiting for me.

The place was great and maybe this was when I will move on. Promising myself, I will not think about Josh as I go to bed tonight. And, given how tired I am on some days it was quite easy.

I once noticed Mr Gordon getting into the building. He was tall, intimidating and seemed unapproachable. Everyone would stop to greet him but he only nodded twice as he walked from the entrance to his private elevator.

I was sure he didn’t recognize me. He had his eyes closed all the time I accompanied him. But I guess I have already gotten enough for helping him out. I got home and find Becky already asleep. I took a shower before coming to pick my daughter up. I nursed her and was awed how the green colour suits her the best. She was my little pumpkin. The reason for me to go on.

“I have bad news,” Ruby came in and I looked at her. Wondering if she knows about Josh getting married.

“I have lost work...” She said and I narrowed my eyes not getting what she meant.

“...Somebody gets to know about me being the stripper in my time…and…the parents were here to tell me a lot. Well, no kid will be coming starting tomorrow.”

She said and I come up to hold her tight. “You know you are a great mother. And, I am too. We may have…a past but…no it is not going to affect us.” I said but I could already tell she was disturbed. She was only forty-eight. To be honest, I wanted her to stop being the grandma and actually start dating. But she would always reject the thought thinking it’s not her time anymore.

I made chocolate milk for her and tried to cheer her up telling her how I will be making good very soon. But she seemed very low today. All her life she did everything she could to earn a respectable life for her son. A son who doesn’t want to even associate with her in any way.

“You know…maybe we can hire a babysitter for Becky. Do you know they have a daycare at my work that employees can use for free? Becky will have good friends there. And, you can go out and have a job and a life...meet people…” I said and she looked at me weird. “Or…we can wait until Becky grow up a little more.” She said and I smiled.

She loved Becky with all her bits. She wanted a boy when I was pregnant who looks like Josh but when we got a girl she mentioned how she is happy that the girl took after me and not Josh. She loved her black hair and big blue round eyes.

We talked until I started yawning and left to have a good sleep before work tomorrow. I woke up to only surprise myself. There was no one behind the kitchen counter. I got to Ruby’s room to pick Becky but cried out loud finding her on the floor near her bathroom. “Ruby!” I yelled and tried to shake her vigorously before checking her pulse. She was blue and cold. I called 911 and only got hysterical when they asked me about my emergency.

“Ambulance…I need an ambulance…my mom is not moving and she is blue.” She asked me to check her vitals and I followed while she assured me that they had dispatched help.

Becky started crying but I tried to give Ruby CPR. I kept giving her CPR until I heard someone knocking on our door. I ran outside to open the door and they got a look on her before looking at me. “She is no more.” They said and I looked at Ruby. She can’t leave me. No. She was so young.

With my shivering hands, I got out to only hold my cry with my hand on my mouth. Please…please don’t leave me, Ruby.

She was perfectly alright. But then I recalled how she was feeling low last night. A thought snapped and I looked around for my phone.

I dialled for Josh and the call was cut on the third ring. I called again but he cut and on the third try? His phone was off. I left a message for him and watch those people taking her out. I called my supervisor to inform him I won’t be at work today.

I called one of my friends from the time we used to work in the club, Tisha. Some of Ruby’s friends came to visit too. Tisha with her mother suggested doing the burial on the weekend while we kept trying to reach Josh. Tisha’s mother promised she will visit Josh to tell him the news. Everyone left while I looked at the counter where I would find her making meals for me.

I couldn’t help but wonder if life can go on without her. The next day I got up earlier. I didn’t need sleep anyway. It still seemed so unreal. I got Becky read and left. I only needed to tell them my employee number and one woman who seemed to be in her late twenties got Becky from me along with her bag that I prepared.

I was amazed at how many benefits Becky and I can have in this company. She could stay here that too for free. I went to take the supplies wondering how the woman who stood by my side all this time couldn’t have a chance at life. She didn’t deserve it. There was so much she wanted in life.

Ria asked me what happened but I avoided talking. Ruby’s smile was all I could recall. If something happened to me I was going to be at peace knowing my baby had Ruby but now I couldn’t help but think about my little’s future.

I was deep in my thoughts moping the floor and getting back when I bumped into someone. My leg kicked the bucket and the water splashed. “I am sorry,” The words left my mouth without much thought.

I looked at the feet that were soaking wet before I look up to find that same man I last saw on the stretcher getting in the ICU but gasped holding my cheek looking at the woman who slapped me.

“How dare you?” That woman yelled making me look around where most of the people were looking at us now. My cheek stung with my face going numb.

I was beyond humiliated when she yelled at me. “You are fired. Did you hear me? You…are fired.”

I couldn’t lose this job.

“No,” I held Mr Gordon’s hand. “…I am really sorry. I…” His eyes moved to my hand and leaving his hand I got down to clean his shoe but he held my wrist, “Don’t…” He said making me stop in the midway.

“Don’t you hear me? Get lost!” The woman yelled and then ordered Mr Gordon, “Tell her to leave,”

“Tucker? Get her account clear,” Mr Gordon said and I gasped with my hand on my mouth.

“No,…please…Mr. Gordon, I need this job. I have a daughter. And,…” He was looking at me without giving away much.

It didn’t make any sense. It was a pure mistake. They can’t be serious.

That woman came to attack me again but Mr Gordon only cared about her dress as he held her back. “Let’s get you away from here. Your dress is ruined.” And, before I could lose my chance I pleaded, “Mr Gordon…I am so sorry. It was a mistake. Believe me,…please…I need this job.” His face instantly changes as if now he was irked by my behaviour too. Here, for me, everything was at stake and he was looking at me as a bother.

“You can’t work here, Ms Marshall. But here are my two cents. Never ever beg anyone. No one cares.”

This is when I looked around. I was doing nothing but making fun of myself when I should know better than anyone to understand my situation. Mr Gordon had already left with that chick while his friend Tucker looked at me helplessly before leaving too.

I got to HR and they gave me my balance before I went to pick my daughter from the Daycare. I left the place and called Tisha to confirm if she will be there at the funeral. “Hey…Meg…I have my show in five. Mom told me Josh doesn’t want to be there. Never had I ever thought he will be this heartless.” She said making me sick to my core. All the times when Ruby used to be excited for his birthday or we two care about him. We were stupid.

“How’s Becky?” She asked and I tried to hang up, “You have your show. Let’s see each other tomorrow. I have to talk to you about something.” She hung up and I made Becky sleep all the while staring at Ruby’s room.

The next day we had Ruby’s burial service. Only our colleagues from our past were there to pay their respect. Josh didn’t come. He had his wedding today. We were eight people in total and I invited them to have dinner at my place today.

“I am so happy for you. I heard they have the daycare in their building that too for free. This is awesome.” Tisha’s mother said eating the Mac and Cheese I offered them and I looked at her before admitting. “I have lost the job,” I said and they looked at me for a few seconds before Tisha started. “I am sure you will find a new one.” I smiled back. She looked ethereal in her Gucci dress.

“Thank you,” I said but wonder to whom I will leave my Becky.

“You know…you can join us anytime too.” Tisha’s mom said and I looked at her for a few seconds. The silence fell over the place before I smiled, “I know.”

I shut the door as the last of them left. It was nine in the night. I wonder if I will sort to this way again. But then securing my hair in a high bun I picked the dishes and cleaned my place. I applied to several companies at night. I knew I wanted a place that offers free daycare to their employees and I swear to not f**k up this time at any job. I couldn’t help but blame myself for zoning out at my previous job. But then I recalled Mr Gordon’s words. He was right. I should never expect anyone to have pity on me. I wasn’t working hard for these past months for people to have pity on me. I was working to keep my head high.

It was around ten at night when I got a call on my cell phone. I picked up to hear, “Is this Ms Marshall.” The voice sounds familiar.

“Yes,” I replied,

“I am Tucker. You have met me…”

“I know you,” I cut him off and he started, “I wanted to apologize for whatever you have to go through. But I am not only calling to apologize for the inconvenience. I am also calling to offer you an opportunity. I will email you the details of a friend and he will find you a job in no time. You can consider it a compensation from Mr Gordon.” I narrowed my eyes at Mr Godon's mention.

“Why? He didn’t seem to show any gratitude yesterday. I even saved his life and…this is how…”

“Please try to understand. Ms Elle might be his future wife. And, you know…” He laughed at the end. And, no…I don’t know. But I knew I couldn't afford to lose this opportunity so I took the details and left an email to that contact with my details.

I used the services from that agency for free. And, they got me a placement in a luxurious hotel soon. It was my first day and the best thing? It did have a daycare for the employees that too for free. I couldn’t wait to start my day and Becky was thrilled too. They didn’t give me much work where the people will be. As I was only starting and didn’t have much experience in the hotels. I was placed to sweep floors of the laundry room, the kitchens or the conference rooms that were not in work.

It was my third day at the job and I was getting off walking beside Anita who had also become my acquaintance when I found a car pulling in front of our hotel. I was laughing looking at Becky who kept tapping my cheeks when I saw the person coming out of the car.

My feet got frozen as I kept looking at him until he didn’t disappear in the hotel. “What happened?” Anita asked and I looked at her.

“This man is…”

“He is Mr Francesco. The owner of this hotel. He has a meeting arranged here today.” She said making me look at her in surprise. I felt so nauseous, I could resign from the job but I walked to the bus stop anyway.

There is no way that he will ever know you working here. And, it’s just a meeting today. It’s not like he will come here often. He has many other… businesses. There was a lump in my throat as I came home back. All I needed was to be more alert to avoid him and apply at other jobs just in case I can’t continue this one.

What trouble do you think is awaiting her?

Thank you so much for all of you left a star on my story. I am indebted.

Also, the story is quite ahead on app B.O.O.K.N.E.T if you want you can read there. 

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