Chapter 9
Alaia
Days later…
I woke up early to start my day. As I opened my eyes, I saw my little ones still asleep. I
watched them for a moment, marveling at how much love I feel for these tiny beings. I stayed
like that until they started to stir.
“Good morning,” I said the moment I knew they were awake. They lifted their little eyes to look
at me. My day just brightened because of their smiles.
“Morning,” they both said. I hugged them and dote on them for a few minutes before getting
them ready for their home classes with Loli.
Loli arrived a few minutes later. We bathed them, and while she was dressing them, I hopped into the shower. I quickly put on a sky–blue suit to have breakfast with the kids. When I came out, I saw that they looked adorable in their outfits for the day. I combed their hair, and once we were all ready, we went downstairs and had breakfast together. It was one of my favorite
moments of the day. They finished eating, so it was time for me to leave. I walked to the door with one child on each side of my waist. I was grateful that I could still carry them. I said goodbye to Alana first before Loli took her. Meanwhile, Noah refused to let me go. Today, he has decided to ‘kidnap‘ Mommy, while on other days, it is Alana who does it. I planted more kisses on his cheek, promising him that Mommy would be back soon, and only then did he go with Loli. I kissed their faces many times before walking to my car, where I saw them waving their little hands to say goodbye. I did the same and blew them many kisses, letting out a sigh as I watched them in the rearview mirror.
I found myself in my office, reviewing the confidential project that arrived yesterday. It was from my father. I read the conditions again, made notes on the requirements, and compared them with what I had already analyzed. I understand that several million dollars will be paid, and the company will receive significant profits from it, so I needed to be thorough. I decided to go talk to my father. We needed to start immediately and have a presentation ready before meeting with the potential clients. I also wanted to ask who this client is, as the document doesn’t have more details.
“Dad,” I called when I entered his office. He returned from his trip last night.
“My girl.” He smiled. It makes me feel good to hear him say that even though I became a mother over a year ago. I kissed his cheek and sat in a chair in front of his desk.
“Now we can talk about your trip,” I said. We don’t usually talk about work at home.
“Yes, I was just about to go to your office.” I nodded.
“The trip was very productive. The project I sent you yesterday, which is confidential, is from the United States government. They want us to work on a new telecommunications project for government offices p>
I nodded and began to go through some conditions.
“We have everything we need. I’ve already started making some plans, Dad. However, our infrastructure in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, New York, and Chicago are limited. We would need to expand one of those locations. Our main facilities are here in the UK, and although they have everything necessary to meet our client’s requirements, we won’t be able to manage them from here p>
“I know, that’s why I want you to select one of the locations and start the expansion work. You and your team need to start immediately. You’ll have to travel in the coming days and hire a company to handle the construction. We need to work against the clock. I know a company: Black Enterprises. They handled the construction of our locations there and this building. They are the best. When I contacted them, I spoke with Michael Black. Now I understand it is managed by Alexander Black and Ethan Walker Black p>
“Alright, Dad, I’ll take care of contacting them,” I said.
“You’ll have to return to Los Angeles, honey.” My father observed me.
When everything happened and we settled here in the UK, I decided not to talk about the father of my children. I locked everything that happened in a box, sealed it with a thousand keys, and threw it all to the bottom of the sea. I didn’t tell my father or Ash who he was. I felt it was no longer necessary. Nick died for me.
“I know, Dad. You know I don’t let my work mix with my personal life,” I assured him.
“I understand that, but I want you to know that the board wants the project to be in your hands, and if necessary, you might have to stay in the United States for a year p>
I nodded, and although that made me uncomfortable knowing there was a small chance of running into him, I’ll do my job.
“This project is very important, and I want to take it,” I said confidently.
“Good, honey. I knew that would be your response. The first meeting in Los Angeles will be next Monday p>
“Perfect. I’ll get everything in order. I need to find a house in Los Angeles. I don’t want to stay in a hotel, and I don’t want my children in an apartment. They are used to having space p>
“It will be hard not to see the kids every day, so you’ll have me there often. You have carte blanche, daughter. Make the decisions and do what is necessary. You have everything in your hands p>
“Thank you, Dad,” I said as I approached to hug him. He then kissed my head.
I left his office, organizing my next steps in my mind.
I was walking down the hallways of the building when I saw Erika, the girl hired to be Ignacio’s new assistant. She came out of one of the offices, looking terrified, her skin as pale as a sheet of paper. I stopped and noticed that the office belonged to one of the company directors, who also handles our legal affairs.
“Are you alright?” I asked, approaching her.
“Yes, yes, ma’am, I’m fine,” she responded. I didn’t know why I didn’t like being called ma’am, but I let that slide anyway. “I’ll go get a glass of water.” She pointed towards the floor’s cafeteria and quickly walked away.
Certain that something wasn’t right, I headed to my office, thinking about Erika.
I left the door open, and when I heard Erika arrive at Ignacio’s office, I stepped out and asked for a moment.
“Is everything alright?” Ignacio asked. I nodded, allowing Erika to enter before me.
I took a seat in my office chair and observed her. She looked very nervous.
“Erika, I need you to tell me what just happened in that office,” I asked softly. She lowered her gaze.
“Nothing, ma’am,” she denied, confirming that something was happening.
“Erika, it’s important for me to know what’s going on in the company. If something is wrong, I need to address it immediately,” I said, standing up and guiding her to the couches. I sat beside her. “We are women, and you can trust me,” I said calmly, but my mind started to think about what might have happened. She nodded but remained silent.
“Mr. González… told me that if I want to keep my job, I have to… sleep with him,” she finally said. I clenched my fists as I felt my blood boiling over what I heard.
Now I understand why the previous girl didn’t stay with the company. I couldn’t imagine how many girls he had threatened.
“Son of a…” I breathed, holding back my words. I stood up.
“I… I’m scared. He can get me fired. He said no one would believe me, that you and your father were on his side,” Erika said, distressed.
My stomach churned at the thought of being complicit with a scumbag like him.
“No, I would never side with a man like him,” I assured her, taking her hands. “I assure you it won’t happen again. I’ll handle this today.” Erika nodded.
inquired a bit more about what happened while she drank some tea until Ignacio came looking for Erika. I accompanied her to the door, glad to see she was a bit calmer.
“Erika, González has asked you to deliver these documents,” Ignacio said which made me stop from walking back into my office.
“He specifically asked for Erika to deliver them?” I asked indignantly.
“Yes.” Ignacio nodded.
Annoyed, I took the folders and headed to the jerk’s office. I opened the door and felt nausea rose in my throat at the sight of him. His legs were spread and reclining in his chair.
“Mrs. Russell, I wasn’t expecting you.” He adjusted himself and placed his hands on the desk, checking if anyone was behind me. Pig!
“I brought the documents you requested. I don’t see any difference whether Ignacio or Erika delivers them. Is there any particular reason you asked for her?” I threw the folders onto his desk.
“No, no, of course not. I was just trying to be cordial with her,” he said with a fake smile that infuriated me more.
“Cordial?” I laughed without humor. “Or taking advantage of your position to harass her?” I pointed at him and leaned over the desk.
He didn’t seem to be affected by my words, which just annoyed me even more.
“Please, Mrs. Russell, do you think a man like me would do something like that?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
“I do.” I nodded.
“Well, do you have proof?” he fired back. “You can’t make accusations out of thin air. I must remind you that I am a lawyer,” he said proudly.
“Alaia.” Ignacio arrived behind me before I could even say another word to the jerk. “You need to review the studies you did on the new project before the meeting. We have less than half an hour p>
I composed myself and took a deep breath. I nodded and looked at González, who had a triumphant smile–one that I would soon wipe off his face.
“Let’s go,” I just said before leaving his office.
“Don’t let any woman working in the building enter González’s office,” I ordered Ignacio. He was puzzled, but he nodded anyway.