Chapter 7

When I finished telling my story, I saw Jenica crying. She was wiping her cheeks with a handkerchief, and I flinched when she sniffled.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, but she gave me a sharp look.

"Why didn't you tell me?!" she asked, crying even more. I just laughed.

I hadn't told anyone about what happened to me—not even my parents. It was too painful, and I couldn't go back to it. But I didn't expect that I could share all of this with Jenica without crying. I felt lighter too.

"It was just too painful for me back then, so I couldn't talk about it with anyone. But I'm glad. It seems like I've already moved on," I smiled at Jenica afterward.

I was surprised when she suddenly stood up and came back holding a bread knife.

"What are you going to do with that?" I asked.

"I'm going to kill that jerk! He’s awful! After he enjoyed you, he would do that? I'll cut off his—you know!"

I just laughed at what Jenica said because she looked really angry. It feels great to have a friend like this—someone who is ready to fight for you. I wonder if I'd told Jenica earlier, would my life have been easier?

We both stopped when my phone rang. I took it out and checked who was calling.

Speaking of the devil.

"Who is that?" Jenica asked when she saw my expression change.

"The devil in a business suit," I replied, noticing that she almost dropped the bread knife in shock. I laughed and answered the call.

"Where are you?" he immediately asked before I could say anything. I looked at my watch.

"I still have forty minutes before work, boss," I said without answering his question.

"You'll go to work today, right?"

I raised an eyebrow at his question. What’s his problem now? It’s very unusual for him to check on me or ask if I'm going to work or not.

Could he know something about Summer Frost?

That thought made me nervous.

"Zuri?" my boss called from the other line. I cleared my throat before answering.

"Yes, boss."

I heard him sighing. "Alright, bring me coffee when you get here."

Before I could respond, I heard the dial tone—it hung up on me?

Talk about manners! At least Summer Frost didn’t inherit his attitude!

"What did he say?" Jenica asked when I put my phone away in my bag.

I shrugged. "He’s looking for me."

"Do you think he knows something?" I could see the worry on Jenica's face. I just smiled back at her; she loves my Summer Frost too! I'm so grateful that even though he grew up without a father, many people love him.

"I don't know. Maybe not yet. Knowing Helios, he wouldn't waste time looking for me if he knew he had a child."

"What’s your plan?"

Jenica’s question made me stop. I didn’t know what to do either. My mind was divided. When I remember what Helios did to me before, I want to hide my child from him. I don’t want him to meet my child. But when I think of Summer growing up without a father, I feel sorry for her. I know how it feels to be without parents. Even though the Fitzgeralds adopted me, I still feel like something is missing in my life.

"Don't worry, okay?" Jenica said, so I looked at her. "I’m here for you, alright? If you decide to hide Summer from her father again, I'll still support you. I know that your decision will be for Summer's good."

I smiled at what Jenica said and hugged her. "Thank you, Jen."

After our talk, I went straight to Gallagher Empire. I felt so light after leaving Jenica's coffee shop. It was the right decision to tell her everything.

First, I went to the pantry and made coffee for my boss, who was born under a dragon sign. I knocked three times on his office door and entered even though he hadn’t answered yet. He was signing some papers when I walked in.

"Here's your coffee, boss," I said as I placed it in front of him.

He took a piece of paper and handed it to me, which I quickly grabbed.

"Make a report out of that. I need it for tomorrow's presentation."

"Okay, boss," I replied, but he still kept looking at me. "Is there...?" I cleared my throat. "Is there anything you need?"

"What's my schedule for today?" he asked as he leaned back in his swivel chair but kept his eyes on me. I could feel myself getting nervous again.

"U-uhm," I cleared my throat again. "You have a lunch meeting with Mr. Dwayne Lovewood at 1:30 PM, then a business proposal meeting with the Canadian investors at 3 PM, and a meeting with the Board of Directors after that."

"Is that all?"

"Yes, boss," I answered and took a deep breath.

I waited for him to say more, but he just kept staring at me. My fingers pinched my palm to ease my nerves, but then I noticed his gaze drop to my hands, so I stopped pinching and cleared my throat again.

"Is there anything you need, boss?" I asked, but he didn’t say anything and just continued staring at me. "If that's all, I'll take my leave now," I said quickly as I turned around, but before I could open the door, he spoke up.

"Summer Frost... Fitzgerald."

I froze and turned back to face him immediately. The anxiety hit me hard; it felt like I was about to faint when he said my child's full name.