Charlotte could tell something was wrong when Riele came out of her office.
"Don't tell me you're retiring too," she asked as Riele gave her a confused look.
Riele didn't reply as she slammed the file she received from Mr. Owen on her desk scaring the shit out of Charlotte. "Are you going to talk or should I go and report Mr. Owen for sexual harassment?"
Riele burst into laughter. "You are out of your mind, Charlotte." Riele sighed before she passed the file to her friend.
Charlotte took the file from her and flipped through the pages. "I don't understand. All can see is this handsome guy who looks hot and sexy. Is Mr. Owen trying to set you up on a date with his son?"
"What son?" Riele asked. "Mr. Owen doesn't have any son."
"Who knows, he might have a secret son."
Riele quickly collected the file from her friend before she starts to make weird assumptions.
"He is the new CEO. The one that will replace Mr. Owen," Riele explained
Charlotte's eyes widened in shock and excitement. "Are you saying that this handsome guy is..."
"Yes. The handsome guy you just saw there in that file is going to be the new CEO and I will be his assistant. Can you believe that? Why does bad luck hover around me, uh?" Riele cuts in.
Charlotte stared at her in silence before bursting into laughter.
Riele couldn't understand why Charlotte was laughing. "Why are you laughing?" She folded her arms and looked at her friend, waiting for her to explain the reason for her laughing.
"I'm so sorry," Charlotte said in between laughs. "Are you sure you are okay?" she paused. "What's wrong with being his assistant? It's not like you are in any kind of relationship. What exactly are you worried about? Do you have any idea how many ladies would kill for what you have right now?" Charlotte asked.
Riele folded her arms as her stomach started to rumble. "I do want to argue, but I can't do that on an empty stomach. Let's go grab a bite!"
Riele got up and pulled her friend up as they went to the cafeteria.
"What would you like to eat?" She asked her, but Charlotte was silent as soon as they came to the cafeteria.
Riele ordered french fries because she knew Charlotte loves French fries. She got Spaghetti for herself. They took a seat that was vacant close to the window.
Riele started digging into her spaghetti. She was halfway through with the food when she noticed Charlotte hadn't touched her food.
"Are you going to keep playing with your food?" She asked. Charlotte pushed her food aside and stared at Riele almost making her choke. "I know what that look means. What is it you want to tell me?" She asked.
"Riele, I know what I am going to say is going to sound like a shock to you and I don't want you to scream or shout just. I just want you to listen to me."
Riele almost choked as she listened to Charlotte speak. "You know I'm going to think you want to tell me you're pregnant," she said as she laughed expecting Charlotte to laugh at the joke too, but she didn't. She looked up at her expecting some kind of answer, but nothing came. "Wait! Does that mean that you're..."
Charlotte sighed.
Riele dropped her fork, folded her arms across her chest, and looked at Charlotte. As if knowing what the look meant, Charlotte started talking.
"It was a mistake, Riele. I was drunk and I didn't know what I was doing..."
"Who's the father?" Riele cuts in.
"Riele,"
"Who is the father, Charlotte?"
"You don't like him."
There's one person Riele didn't and he used to be a model for the company. "Kim Utter?" Riele asked in disbelief. Charlotte nodded. "How the hell did that happen? You never told me you were interested in him."
"That's because I am not interested in Him, Riele," she paused with a sigh. "I was drunk and he offered to take me home and one thing led to another..."
"Is he aware you're carrying his child?"
Charlotte shook her head.
"I couldn't reach him after the incident." Charlotte knew Riele would be furious so she quickly held her hand and covered them with hers. "Riele, I'm sorry. The truth is that I don't regret it."
"For God's sake, Charlotte! You're just twenty-three! What do you know about parenting a child?".
"I know, Riele. Parenting is hard, but you know... I've never had any of my parents to care for me. My dad died on his way to see me. Mom ran away the moment she gave birth to me. I was sent to the orphanage without having a taste of my mother's breast milk.
"Twenty years of my life were spent in the orphanage, until I ran away to make a living. I want to keep this baby, Riele. I want to prove I'm different from my mom. I want to show this baby what my mom couldn't show me; the love, the care, the protection...all of it. I don't care if Kim accepts the child or not. I know I messed up, but believe me, I don't regret it. Please..." Charlotte held Riele's hand tighter. "...be happy for me."
Riele looked at Charlotte and hugged her. "As long as you won't regret it. I will stick in for you." Charlotte smiled at her response. "How many weeks?"
"Three weeks," Charlotte answered as Riele went back to her seat.
"Can I take permission from the baby to punch the father when I see him?"
Charlotte laughed.
"Don't you think you have other things to worry about than punching my child's father?"
Riele glared at her friend who was teasing her. "Was that necessary? I forgot about that guy or whoever he is. Maybe I dislike him because his name is Kim." Riele continued eating as Charlotte joined shaking her head to stop herself from teasing her friend more.
Riele looked at Charlotte and she could tell she was happy. "I am glad you're not getting rid of the child." Charlotte smiled. "I'm always here for you if you need anything and I'm serious about the whole punch thing."
"I'll let you know when I need it."
They both smiled.
After a strenuous day at work, Riele got home feeling so tired. It was surprising she didn't receive any calls from the hospital yet. It's been five years since her mom was hospitalized. She had refused to response to external stimuli. I doubt she's ever going to wake up. Riele thought as went to her room. Riele's mother had a car accident five years ago that led to a brain tumor. She went out to buy things for her children. Unknown to her that a moving vehicle was coming and before she could try to escape, the car hit one side of her body pushing her straight to the pavement where she hit her head. Good thing she was rushed to the hospital. Riele was just sixteen and her brother was five. It was a sad news. She was having her school party when she got a call from the hospital. It was the worst day of her life. Riele lay on her bed trying to get some sleep when her phone rang. She knew there was only one person who dared to call her. She picked up the call without looking at th
Kim Huxley arrived at John F Kennedy International airport where he awaits his PA to come to pick him up. He wore a white shirt that was nicely tucked inside his black trouser. He wore shiny black shoes and he had his suitcase with him. Everyone that saw him knew him, especially his fans that had been waiting for him since yesterday. "Kim! I love you," some girls screamed. "I love you!" Kim waved at them with a cute smile on his face. He was glad there were officers there to keep them in place. He checked his time it was 8 am and whoever was going to pick him wasn't there yet. He dialed Mr. Owen's number, but unfortunately, it was switched off. He was already losing his patient. If he had known such would happen, he would have come with some of his brothers. **++** Riele woke up late only for her to check her phone and see twenty missed calls. She quickly showered, brushed her teeth, and put on her jumpsuit and canvas. She packed her curly hair in a Ponytail. She took a white
Charlotte and Riele were discussing when Riele heard her name. "Riele Grants!" Mr. Owen called. Charlotte looked at her. "What did you do this time?" She asked, but Riele shrugged. "Don't look at me like that, I did absolutely nothing." "Did you pick him up at the supposed time?" Charlotte folded her arms while waiting for Riele to lie. "Um, I woke up late," Riele answered softly. "I just hope you are not in big trouble." "I guess we are about to find out," Riele said as she walked to the office. Riele exhaled and inhaled for thirty seconds. Affter she had gotten her boldness, she knocked. "Come in," she heard Mr. Owen say as she unlocked the door and entered inside. The first eyes that met hers were those of Kim. She tried to keep her beating heart in check. "Um...you called me?" She asked Mr. Owen. "Yes. Please have a seat," he gestured for her to sit next to Kim. Riele couldn't count how many times she almost tripped. This is what you get when you have a stunning and hand
Riele tried her best to convince Kim Huxley that Kim Utter was a bad figure for the company, but he didn't pay attention to her. "Do as you are told, young lady!" He glanced through the files in his hand. Riele had been battling with Mr. Handsome, trying to get him to change his mind, but every word she said went into one ear and came out of the other. "There are other models out there, why not choose among them? why does it have to be Utter?" "The same reason why it has to be you." Kim walked up to her. Riele stared into his eyes. There was no way she was going to back down so easily. "Was he voted in or is this just an irrational decision made by you?" "Do you think I make decisions without thinking it through?" "Obviously," Riele muttered. Kim sighed as he went back to his desk. "Get me the model I want Riele and we are not debating on this issue." "But..." He lifted his hand to shun her. "Also, I need a beautiful female model. You should find the right one," he told her wi
The phone ringing loudly woke Riele. She checked the caller and it was Charlotte. She glance at the clock, it was 9 am. She didn't need to be told what to do. She took her bath and came out in less than ten minutes. She searched for a gown to wear and she picked a flowery sleeveless gown. She wore her heels to go with it. She had to board a taxi to get to work because she knew the bus had left and she had to find her way to work. "I guess I was exhausted after last night," she told herself when Charlotte called again. She picked up the call and the voice that welcomed her was Charlotte screaming her name and asking her where she is. "I will be right there, it will just take a second," Riele explained. "A second uh? Well, just for your information, Mr. Handsome is angry. So I will advise you to start preparing the speech you are going to give to him," Charlotte warned. "Thanks, girlfriend." She hung up as she thought of the speech to give Kim. ****++**** "So you are saying it's
Jay entered the office with Charlotte in front of her. "Jay!" Kim greeted him with a hug. "Bro!" Jay hugged him back. "Madison, you can leave with Charlotte." Kim ordered as the girls left the office. "I'm so glad you're here," he said. Jay sat on the seat in front of him while Kim stood beside him. "Did anything happen?" Jay asked. "Nothing really. I just need you to do something for me." Jay knew him too well to know he was about to ask him to do something crazy. "Which is?" "I need you to be my male model." He looked at Kim before bursting into laughter. Jay was twenty-three years old. He was born and brought up in Texas and before he came to New York to join the boyband, he was a model and that was why Kim chose him. "Are you crazy?" Jay asked. "Please, Jay." Kim pleaded, but Jay didn't listen to him. "Please?" He pouted. "I don't want to." Jay folded his arms and glared at Kim. "Really?" He asked staring at Jay in disbelief. "Yes," Jay answered bluntly. "I promise
Riele and Charlotte had finished what they needed to do and were heading to Kim's office when Jay approached Riele. He grabbed her hand and Riele had to stop. She turned to look at who dared to touch her without her permission and to her greatest surprise, she saw it was Jay.Charlotte was shocked. "Um... I'll be in the office while you join me later". Riele nodded. Charlotte went to the office leaving Riele with Jay. Immediately after she left, Jay left Riele's hand."Isn't there anything I can help you with?". Riele asked politely.Jay stared at her for a while before replying. "Yes... actually, I need your help".Riele didn't want to seem rude because he was cute and he's the model her boss volunteered. She folded her arms staring at him to state what he needs her to do for him."I am new to this whole modeling thing so I was wondering if you could tutor me". He lied.Riele couldn't believe her eyes neither could she believe her ears. She knows she is in charge of the models but tu
Jay led Riele into one of the coffee shops. He was so protective of her to the point that Riele started to think maybe they were on a date. "This isn't a date". Jay said before waving his hands to the waitress. Riele scoffed. "I never thought it was". She lied. "Really?" Jay asked staring at her in doubt. "'Cos it's written all over your face if you ask me". "Hello. It's nice to have you both here today. What would you like to have?". The waitress asked with a broad smile on her face. "I need something cold". Jay looked at the book menu. "What do you suggest?" "We'll like two ice americano please". Riele smiled at the waitress who nodded with a smile before leaving. "Why americano?" Jay asked. "You asked for something cold, well that has ice in it, that's why it's called ice americano, just the drink you need." Riele explained. The waitress brought their orders and set them on the table in front of them. "Is that all?" "We'll let you know if we need anything else". Jay answer