Chapter 3

Allison

Her eyes fluttered open. Allison stared at the ceiling for a couple of seconds before she decided to make any movements. She glanced at the alarm clock that had woken her up by blaring violently and sneered at it.

It had gone on snooze and already started roaring. She got up lazily and slammed her hand on the alarm, satisfied when it immediately became quiet. She rubbed her hand on her forehead groaning quietly as she could feel a headache coming up.

“7:10 a.m.,” the alarm read, blinking as if it had been trying to speak to her.

She headed to the bathroom and stopped in front of the plain mirror coated with blue at the edges. She gazed upon the sight that was in front of her, her reflection staring back at her.

Her shriveled brown hair was packed in a little bun, and her face was smeared with lipstick. She remembered she didn’t bother wiping off her makeup because she was too tired last night, but she didn’t know it would be this bad. Her mascara had smudged her eyes and made them look like she was crying. She cringed at the reflection of herself.

She commenced unbuttoning the blue office shirt she had worn. She had to hurry because Elizabeth would wake up soon. She shouldn’t have slept too much. Removing her trousers, she stood half-naked only in her underwear, observing her body before stripping and getting into the shower. The lukewarm water blended with the coolness on her body.

10 minutes passed as she got out of the shower and sighed because it was finally over. Her fear of water never really allowed her to take long showers or drown in a bathtub if she had one. It was stupid having a fear of such. She could do anything with water, just not swim. She couldn’t call it fear.

Checking her wardrobe at the corner trying to find something to wear, she came across a flared yellow gown that she rarely wore. She slipped inside it and was ready for the day.

She headed over to her daughter’s room and saw her sleeping. Her brown hair had covered half of her face, and she was cuddled in a corner. For a 3-year-old, she was growing fast. Her room was simple, the walls colored blue, Elizabeth’s favorite color she had repainted.

“Hey, honey, it’s morning. Wake up,” Allison said as she lightly tapped her, and she stirred in her sleep.

Sighing, she tapped her faintly for the second time. “Wake up, baby, let’s get you ready for breakfast.”

Elizabeth’s eyes slowly opened as her mom’s voice echoed in her ears.

“Mommy?” She rubbed her eyes so she could see clearly.

“Yes, let’s get you ready,” Allison smiled as she carried her up and headed to the bathroom.

She came out a few minutes later and wiped the towel over Elizabeth’s face, which made her giggle. The time was already 8:00 a.m., and Elizabeth was all dressed in her little long sleeve shirt and trousers reaching her knees.

She ran to the corner of the living room, selecting her toys to play with as Allison smiled and went to prepare breakfast.

DING!

The doorbell rang, and Allison wondered who it was.

“Good morning, Allison,” Sandy said as the door opened, her face widening with a smile.

She hugged her, and Allison noticed the middle-aged woman had creases on her face. Her hair was shiny and plain, giving her a natural look with no makeup. She walked toward Elizabeth and saw her in the same position as yesterday, playing with her toys.

Elizabeth dropped her toys when she saw Sandy and beamed. “Good morning!”

“Do you want some toast?” Allison asked as she went back to preparing it, and Sandy shook her head, “No I’m okay, thank you. I had breakfast before coming.”

“Is everything okay? You looked like you came here in a rush.”

“Oh, I just didn’t want to be late like before,” she said in a worried tone.

Allison smiled knowing she was working really hard. “It’s fine, Sandy, you don’t have to stress yourself, okay?”

“Thank you.”

TING!

The toaster popped out two slices of brown bread, disturbing their conversation.

“Elizabeth!” She placed the bread on a plate with a glass of milk, putting it on a small table. Elizabeth’s leg scurried in, and she took a bite when she sat.

“Could you help me watch her? I have to check my emails,” Allison told Sandy, and when she saw her nod, she kissed Elizabeth on her forehead.

She headed to her room and sat down in front of her laptop. She didn’t think she would have anything to do today.

“2 NEW MESSAGES”

Her laptop chimed, and she wondered what it was. She never got messages except if it was important.

“YOUR PACKAGE IS READY, CLICK TO RECEIVE IT.”

“What package?” she said out loud.

She had received messages like this before and did what always did. She sent it to spam.

Clicking on the second message, her mouth opened agape.

“Meeting with ZUMA Company – 10:30 a.m.”

“What the fuck?” she cursed out and picked up her phone to call Wanda, knowing she would be in the office by now.

The line dialed twice, and she heard a click sound.

“Hello, m-”

“What the fuck is this?” She could feel her anger rising.

“What?”

“The meeting?”

“You have a meeting by 10:30? I don’t understand why you are angry, ma’am,” Wanda said with a sarcastic tone in her voice.

Of course, she didn’t. Bullshit. She knew clearly that she hated things planned without her knowledge. She hated her plans being ruined. She had already planned to stay home all day. Her parents had said she could help out with the company as their substitute, but not all the time because she needed time for her daughter.

“Would you be attending this meeting?” Wanda’s voice rang through the phone.

“Why didn’t you tell me about this?”

“It was canceled but just rescheduled.”

She sighed, knowing it wasn’t her fault. Things like this tended to happen, but she knew her secretary was having fun pissing her off.

“Yeah. Whatever, I’m on my way.”

“Bye, ma’am.”

Damn, she really hated her tone.

Getting ready to go to the meeting, she decided to dress moderately. She wore her white buttoned shirt and black skirt that complimented each other so well. She put on her dark suit jacket and white shoes and looked in the mirror, satisfied with what she saw. She realized she looked so different from when she had woken up.

She had let down her hair and put on new lipstick. Her mascara looked new, and the blush on her face was back. Taking her office bag in her hand, she threw her phone inside after looking at the time.

“10 a.m. Shit!”

She had to hurry.

“Hey, baby, mama has to quickly go to the office, okay?” she said, kissing Elizabeth on the cheeks and smiling at Sandy, giving her an apologetic look. “Listen to your teacher, okay?”

Elizabeth nodded her head and waved bye as her mom departed.

She took off in her blue car and prayed she would get there on time, and she did. She rushed into the office frustrated because she couldn’t get her coffee.

“Damn, you look like an angry monster.”

She knew it was John when she heard his voice and laughter. She only scoffed. She was 10 minutes early, and that was okay.

“Can I talk to you later?” he said when she didn’t reply.

That got her attention. “About what? If it’s about dating-”

She stopped in her tracks and looked at him.

“No-no, it’s not. I promise. You seem occupied right now, so when you are free, ma’am,” he smirked and walked away.

She sighed wondering what it was as she was on her way to her office smiling slightly. But that smile disappeared when she saw Wanda.

“Good morning, ma’am.” Her voice showed a hint of mockery. “You have some papers to sign. Do I bring them later or now?”

“Later,” she answered harshly and walked into her office. She sighed, drowning in the chair, and closed her eyes because she was tired.

KNOCK-KNOCK.

The door brought her back to reality.

“The director of ZUMA Company is around, ma’am”.

She figured she had to go.

***

“And that’s all, yes?” she said as she finished the meeting, finally free. Time to go home away from everyone. She hated people but not completely. Still, sometimes, it was good to be alone.

She headed to her office to pack up, but John’s words flashed in her mind, and she remembered.

“Tell John to come to meet me in my office,” she said to Wanda who gave her a strange look. “What?”

“That’s the first time you said this.”

“He said he wanted to talk to me.”

“In your office?” she smirked.

“Look, just tell him to come, okay?” she sighed in defeat, wondering what she was even talking about.

Sitting down, she looked at Wanda as she strolled away majestically. She wondered if she had fucked him too. It was not like she cared. She was just curious. She removed her suit and unclipped the first two buttons but stopped when she heard a knock on her door.

“Come in.”

John poked his head through the door smiling and finally getting in, heading toward a chair opposite her. His long hair had been packed neatly, which was attractive. Why didn’t she have any feelings for him?

He spoke up as he sat down, leaning his hands on the desk.

“Can we go have a drink sometime?”

She sighed, disappointed because she was tired of this question.

“Again? I already said no. If it was a raise, that would have been better. I have to go-”

“No, wait, ma’am. I mean, it’s just as friends.”

“That’s not what you said last time. What made you change your mind?” she asked apprehensively.

“Nothing, I just want to have, like, coffee with you.”

“That’s weird.”

“It’s weird to see two people drinking coffee together?”

“No, I mean,” she chuckled, “it’s weird for you to say that.”

“Besides, I want to drink coffee with a pretty lady like you,” he said as he eyed the spot that was unbuttoned.

She looked at him with a look of disgust, and he laughed.

“I’m just kidding. But I’m not kidding about you being pretty. I just want to know you more, ma’am.”

“There’s nothing to know about me.”

“Then just coffee.”

It took a few seconds for her to say anything. He didn’t look that much older than her, and it would be fun to have a friend.

“Sure then, just coffee,” she blurted out.

His face lit up as she said that. Even her own words surprised her.

“But if you try anything with me, you’ll be fired.”

He laughed hard and raised his two hands.

“I won’t, I promise.”

‘Promises are meant to be broken,’ she wanted to say but kept it to herself.

“So, what time should we have this “coffee” you speak of?” She used her fingers to make air quotes.

“How about, uh, Thursday? You’ll be free, right? You don’t have any meetings. So, maybe during lunch break-”

“Wait, how do you know I don’t have any meetings?” she questioned, raising an eyebrow.

“I might have, uh, asked Wanda.” He said like he was a little child confessing his sins shyly.

Laughing, she only shook her head. “Well, you’re right, Thursday then.”

His smile widened, content with her answer. “And we can meet at the coffee shop at the corner?”

She smiled, giving him a nod as a reply.

He stood up ready to leave. “Uhm-”

“What else?”

“About that raise-” he said with a wide grin on his face.

“Get out of my office.”

She laughed silently and watched him scurry away excited, hands in his pocket.

Packing her bags, she saw the papers she had to sign, hoping to get it done quickly.

She had just gotten home when she heard Elizabeth’s voice.

“Mommy! I missed you.”

“Have you been a good girl?” She bent down to kiss her on her cheeks.

She smiled. “Yes!”

“Thank you so much for taking care of her. I’m so sorry I’m late,” she faced Sandy who was grinning at them.

“It’s fine, I’ve given her lunch already,” she said happily, “and we are still learning some words. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes! It’s fun!”

The time had already reached 2 p.m. before she realized it because of the papers she was occupied with. She really needed to find a new secretary.

“I’d like to sleep a little bit, could you come to wake me up when you are done?” She stroked Elizabeth’s forehead.

“No worries, I will.”

Allison knew Sandy was her home-school teacher but felt sorry for her because sometimes she felt like she treated her like a nanny. But Sandy always said it was okay.

Heading to her room, Allison changed into a light top and shorts and dozed off after.

She felt a light tap on her hand, and it made her turn.

“What?” she said sleepily, her voice drawing.

“It’s already 5 p.m.”

She bolted up with a look of surprise and looked at Sandy.

“It’s fine, I finished teaching her long ago, you looked really tired, so I decided to let you rest for some time.”

“Thank you, Sandy, I’m really sorry.”

She went to the living room and saw Elizabeth watching TV. Allison carried her, smiling. She waved goodbye as Sandy took her leave.

“Mommy, when is grandma coming?” Elizabeth said in a tiny voice.

Allison’s eyes widened as she heard those words. She had completely forgotten.

“You are so smart, you know that, darling?”

Elizabeth giggled at her as she was dropped down gently on the couch to watch TV.

Time to prepare dinner, she thought to herself, heading to the kitchen. She set a pot with water on the cooker and watched as the flames flared up almost as quickly as she turned it on. She took a bottle of cold water from the fridge and poured it into an empty cup.

She had a lot on her mind. She placed the cup on her lips as the crystal-clear liquid calmed her throat. Emptying the pasta into the pot, she watched as the water bubbled violently. Taking in another mouthful of water, she returned the bottle to the fridge, ready to start making the chicken.

Obtaining it from the freezer, she placed 4 pieces of 8-ounce chicken breast in a plastic container. She placed two pieces on a microwavable plate, setting it in the microwave in an attempt to defrost it.

She sighed, knowing if only she had remembered earlier, she would have done all this since. Setting the timer, she waited patiently for it to defrost as she checked on the pasta. The pasta was done, so she drained it aside and worked on the sauce. The timer on the microwave had gone off, and she repeated the same process, placing the two more pieces and setting the time.

Her tomato pasta sauce had started steaming and cooking. Her nose crinkled at the smell, and her stomach groaned because she was hungry. She didn’t have time to eat anything today. Her microwave timer set off again, and she was glad that was over. She was finally done when she heard the doorbell ring.

“Coming!” She ran over to it.

She knew it was her parents. She opened the door wide enough for them to enter.

“We hope we aren’t late,” her mother said as she got in, hugging her tightly while her father only smiled.

“No, Mom, you came just when I was almost done cooking.” She looked at the clock on the wall, realizing it had hit 7 p.m. She never realized the time had passed by so fast.

She set the table, placing the bowl of soft pasta and the tomato sauce. Her chicken was done, and the aroma made her stomach growl even more. She set the plates in order and called out.

“Dinner’s ready!”

Her mom had already woken Elizabeth that had dozed off before and was playing with her while her dad was pressing his phone.

They all straddled into the dining room, Elizabeth sitting next to Allison.

“I could have helped you, you know,” her mom said, giving her an appreciative look.

“Thanks, Mom, but it’s okay.”

She helped everyone dish the food, giving Elizabeth a small portion.

“So, how’s work?” Her dad voiced out as they started eating. She knew he wasn’t much of a talker and always cared about the company.

“Nothing new, just the same old stuff,” she smiled sadly, knowing he hadn’t asked if she was okay.

“We’re sorry for putting you through all this stress, we’re just getting old,” she heard her mother say, chuckling in a light tone.

“Don’t worry about it, Mom.”

She thought of a way to change the topic and decided to inform them about the call that had happened because she thought it was funny.

“Something funny happened though. Someone called me and said something like, ‘I know where you are.’ It was so stupid,” she laughed out loud.

They both looked at her and dropped their forks simultaneously.

“What?” she asked, surprised.

“What are you talking about? When did this happen?” her father questioned.

“It was just yesterday after Mom told me you were both coming for dinner. I’m sure it was just a prank.”

“It happens in this type of business. I’m sorry for exposing you like this,” her father said, shaking his head.

“What do you mean?”

“You are managing our company. A rival out there probably wants to get to you so our business will collapse.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing like that, you’re overthinking it, Dad. Mom, tell him.”

Her mother sighed. “Your dad is right. We have a friend who received a call and got kidnapped.”

She frowned, wondering why they were seeing it as something serious. “But it’s nothing, it’s only a prank. Trust me.”

“You say that, but no. How about we get you a bodyguard?” her dad said with a serious look, and her mom nodded in agreement.

“What?”

“You know, a bodyguard, someone who protects you and-”

“I know what a bodyguard is. I don’t need one.”

“Don’t be stubborn.”

“Mom! Say something.”

“Your father is right, Allison. At least, if not for you, think about Elizabeth.”

She sighed pondering how things came to this.

“Look, it’s just for a month, okay? If there’s no strange calls or texts for one month, we’ll fire him.”

She got tired of arguing and accepted her fate.

“Fine, Dad, just a month.”

They all ate silently as the mood became odd.

After finishing dinner, they both left after hugging her and Elizabeth, promising to have dinner again.

She recalled the conversation she had with her parents before they left and heaved deeply.

“I’m really sorry about this,” her father said, “we will find you one by tomorrow, okay?”

“Okay,” was all she could say, knowing nothing would make them change their mind.

Tucking Elizabeth into bed, she headed over to her room, switching to her pajamas and laying down, resting. She hated taking showers at night, even though she felt like she should take one.

“Tomorrow is Wednesday,” she said to herself. She really hated it. Nothing ever went her way on that day. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, wondering who her new so-called bodyguard would be.