Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty — Six

Ava POV

Everything was a rush after Jasper told Charlotte to get everything back into the room. I helped Charlotte with all the rack and even though she never asked. Soon, Max returned, a little late then the five minutes that he had promised me.

Considering the fact, our boss had come and gone in those few minutes in which he doubted my skills, told Charlotte off, questioned her abilities to actually hire people, got proved wrong, accepted it and then left while instructing us to get all the stuff in the meeting room within time.

As a boss, he was a little strict. There was no doubt that he was still a nice person. Being a little stern with his employees was part of the process of running such a big company. Especially when there was a doubt regarding the person’s ability and skills.

Still, even after I knew all these things, I still felt untrusted by the way he questioned Charlotte’s decision of hiring me. And that, too, right in front of me. His questioning felt like a slash of whip, reminding me that I had this job because he handed it to me as a charity and out of pity and I had not earned it through because of my hard work and talent.

The way he seemed cynical about my ability to handle the task, made me feel unworthy. Even his next complement did not erase the stink of getting a reminder that I was a charity case.

I was even a little grateful that he said those words and behaved the way he did. I needed a reminder that I was only a charity case. Likewise, I was a paying guest who lived in his house because her boss was a nice human being who helped a pregnant, homeless girl in need.

Once the work was done, I began walking out of the place, but Charlotte stopped me.

“Wait, Ava.” I halted in my steps and faced her.

“Jasper had told me earlier to inform you that today he will be working late. So, don’t wait for him and go home. He had arranged a car for you to go home. So, there would not be any problem.” She told me. I nodded in understanding. Of course, he would be late. After all, he was attending this meeting that could go on and on for hours.

“Okay.” I replied. She nodded once, then as I began to walk again, she stopped me in my tracks again.

“And Ava.” I paused and glanced back at her over my shoulder.

“Good work.” She said, complimenting me. I should have felt happy and nice about the compliment, but my mood was already spoiled because of the way Jasper spoke to me. Therefore, I threw her a forced smile to show my gratitude before walking out of that place.

I walked into the elevator and got inside it. Pressing the button to the floor of my office, I rested my head against the side of the elevator. Feeling suddenly exhausted. Even though I had not done much labor, my mind was tired. I was not certain if it was the pregnancy hormones or the weight of the work that I had done in the last five hours.

No matter what it was, all of it had left me tired. I placed a hand on my stomach and rubbed it. In the last few days, I had completely forgotten that I was pregnant. Among all the works, settlements, arrangements, the thought totally left my mind.

Now that I remembered that I had another life moving inside me, I felt a rush of amazement and self-doubt run through my veins. Amazement at knowing that There was a baby growing inside me. It was my baby and one day I will become a mother.

And self- doubt over the doubt if I could be a good mother and give my baby the life that it wants. I doubted my ability to parent a child and raise it to be a good human. I had not even given a thought of what I would call him or her.

What if my child asks me who his father was? And where would he be if he was still alive? Will I be able to give him any answer to that question? And what if I could not be a good single mother?

The door of the elevator binged open, and I pulled back my head and straightened. I stepped out of the elevator and began walking back to my office room. My mind was still not in the right place. I was trying to get rid of my thoughts, that were just not leaving me. I walked with my head bowed, placing my one foot in front of the other to push myself to reach the office.

Furthermore, I walked inside, reached my usual working spot and sat myself down. Likewise, I picked up the work where I left it off and resumed the work. Unfortunately for me, after fifteen minutes of work, I still could not bring myself to focus on the stuff. My mind kept on drifting back to those thoughts. Likewise, I kept recounting Jasper’s words and I almost forced myself to ponder over it.

What was the point of thinking about something that could not be changed? So, what if he thinks that I was not smart enough to handle the work that was handed over to me by one of his employees? I reminded myself that Jasper also gave me a compliment that my work actually met the status of a professional one. Then why could I not bring myself to forget about it?

Abruptly, I stood up, getting a few glances from the surrounding people. I bowed my head and strode towards the door. I had to get out. Not only that, but I was in serious need of caffeine. I needed something to drink.

I got out of the office and began walking to find a vending machine, when out of nowhere, I heard my name being called.

“Ava!” I raised my head and saw Max coming my way. We both walked until we met each other in half in our way, then stopped. He appeared really worked up. His bra had some sweat that trickled down on his cheek.

“Working hard?” I asked. Clearly aware that he had. He frowned on my question when a droplet of sweat fell on his hand and he understood what I was talking about.

He nodded his head, pointing at the sweat of the droplet before shaking it off.

“Yeah. Clearly, it seemed that way.” He commented before raising his arm and cleaning all the sweat with his forearm. The sleeve got wet from it.

He looked at the wet sleeve, then back at my face.

“Sorry for the unprofessional behavior.” He spoke. I smiled a little and shook my head.

“No, not at all. I understand. Why did you call me, though?” I questioned him. It came back to him.

“Oh right. Are you free?” He asked me. I was not really free. I still had some work to do, but since he seemed this tired and looked so busy, I thought I would delay my work for a little more time.

“No. Not really. Why did you ask?” I asked him.

“Umm … actually, I needed help. Some extra stuff came up, and I can’t really handle them all at the moment. So, can you help me?” He requested. Looking at the state of him, I felt like I should behave like a good acquaintance and help him. Maybe, it could help me shift my focus and also take my mind off the unwanted thoughts that were brewing inside my brain.

Therefore, I nodded.

“Tell me, what did I have to do?” I asked him.

*LATER

It was a long while after he handed me all the work. He was not kidding when he said that the work was Extra. It took me a lot of time that I had expected to complete the task. However, one thing that certainly managed to take my mind off all the unwanted thoughts that I wanted to get rid of.

When I saw the time, I realised that I was late again. It was a little over the office hour but not much. Some employees must still be here wrapping up their stuff and finishing the last stuff.

It was time to leave for home. Charlotte had told me to go home earlier but it turned out to be polar opposite. I was late.

Therefore, I bid my goodbye to Max. Who apologised to me for making me late and even offered to call a cab to drop me home safely. However, I politely denied him, telling him that I could manage.

Then I left the building, going home. Fortunately, the driver that Jasper provided was still waiting for me. He dropped me home, and I got inside the house.

The house was quiet. Very quiet.

I walked inside the house and tried to listen for any sound from Maria.

Still nothing.

And then I heard something.