Monica's POV
Two years had passed in a whirlwind of sleepless nights, diaper changes, and college assignments. Somehow, I'd managed to graduate with my business degree while raising my beautiful little boy. As I watched Austin playing with his toy cars on the living room floor, my heart swelled with love. His violet-blue eyes—so hauntingly familiar—sparkled with joy as he smashed two cars together with dramatic sound effects.
"Boom! Big crash, Mama!" he exclaimed, his chubby hands waving excitedly.
"That's quite the accident, sweetheart," I laughed, smoothing his dark curls. At two years old, he was the spitting image of the stranger from the masquerade ball—a constant reminder of that one night that had changed everything.
My phone buzzed with a text from Diego Carson, my boss at the construction company and Natalie's brother.
Need to talk to you when you have a minute. Good news.
I frowned, curious. Diego had been incredibly supportive since Austin was born, giving me flexible hours and even setting up a small play area in a corner of the office for days when my parents couldn't watch him.
"Come on, baby," I said, scooping Austin up. "Let's go see what Uncle Diego wants."
Twenty minutes later, I sat across from Diego in his cluttered office, Austin contentedly drawing on some construction paper nearby.
"Monica," Diego began, leaning forward on his desk, "you know I value your work here, but we need to be honest—this isn't your field."
My stomach tightened. Was I being fired? "I know the economy's tight—"
"No, no," he waved his hand dismissively. "I'm not letting you go. I'm trying to push you out of the nest." His kind eyes crinkled at the corners. "You graduated with honors in business administration. You shouldn't be filing paperwork at a construction company."
Relief flooded through me, followed by uncertainty. "This job gives me flexibility with Austin—"
"And any decent company will accommodate a single mother with your qualifications," he interrupted. "You deserve better pay, better benefits. That little boy deserves more than what this small company can offer you."
I glanced at Austin, who was now attempting to eat a crayon. "I wouldn't even know where to start looking."
Diego smiled, sliding a folded newspaper across the desk. "That's where I come in. Or rather, where my father comes in."
The newspaper was opened to a circled job listing: Executive Assistant to the CEO, Lorenzo Group.
My eyes widened. "Lorenzo Group? The multinational corporation? Diego, that's way beyond my experience level!"
"Dad agrees. He's golfing buddies with someone on their board. He can get you a virtual interview."
"But—"
"No buts," Diego cut me off firmly. "Dad already called them. The interview is tomorrow at 10 AM. Their headquarters is in Paradise Port. If you get it, you'd have to relocate, but the salary is triple what I pay you."
My mind raced. Paradise Port was three hours away—far from the gossip of my hometown where people still whispered about "poor Monica" and her "mysterious pregnancy." Far from Grace and Tyler, who had gotten married three years ago in a spectacle of a wedding that my entire family had attended except for me.
"I don't know, Diego..."
"Just take the interview. What's the worst that could happen? They say no, and you're right back where you started."
That night, after putting Austin to bed, I called Natalie for our nightly chat. As always, she answered on the first ring.
"Did you accept the interview?" she demanded without preamble.
I sighed, sinking onto my bed. "Hello to you too."
"Skip the pleasantries. Dad's been blowing up my phone all evening. You're taking that interview, Monica, if I have to drag you there myself."
"It's virtual," I pointed out dryly.
"Then I'll prop you up in front of the camera and work your arms like a puppet. This is your chance!"
I laughed despite myself. "Fine, fine! I'll do the interview. But Natalie, it's in Paradise Port. If by some miracle they hire me—"
"Then you'll pack your bags and go," she interrupted. "What's keeping you here besides your parents? And they'd want this for you."
She wasn't wrong. My parents had been incredible, helping with Austin while I finished school, never once making me feel like a burden despite the financial strain. But lately, I'd noticed my mother's tight expression whenever my aunt mentioned Grace's "perfect life" or when my father had to work overtime to help cover Austin's daycare expenses.
"I'd be all alone in a new city with a toddler," I whispered, voicing my deepest fear.
Natalie was quiet for a moment. "Actually... there's something I've been meaning to tell you."
The next morning, I sat nervously in front of my laptop, wearing a freshly ironed blouse and having arranged for my mom to take Austin to the park. The Lorenzo Group logo appeared on my screen as the video call connected.
A beautiful, elegant woman in her fifties appeared, her silver-streaked dark hair pulled into a sophisticated chignon. Her smile was warm and immediate.
"Monica Hayes? I'm Paula Williams. I've been Mr. Lorenzo's executive assistant for thirty years, and I'm about to retire. I'm personally handling the search for my replacement. Thank you for joining us today."
I returned her smile, trying to steady my nerves. "Thank you for this opportunity, Mrs. Williams."
"Please, call me Paula." She shuffled some papers on her desk. "Abel Carson speaks very highly of you. He says you're the most organized and efficient person he knows, besides his wife."
I laughed, relaxing slightly. "Mr. Carson is very kind."
"He's not known for empty compliments," she replied with a knowing smile. "Now, tell me about yourself and why you're interested in this position."
For the next hour, we discussed my experience, education, and the requirements of being an executive assistant to the CEO. I was honest about my situation as a single mother, bracing myself for the polite rejection that would surely follow.
Instead, Paula's expression softened. "We offer excellent childcare benefits, Monica. Many of our executives are parents. Mr. Lorenzo expects dedication and excellence, but he's not unreasonable about family commitments."
"Mr. Lorenzo sounds... understanding," I ventured, though something in her careful phrasing made me wonder.
A hint of amusement flashed in Paula's eyes. "He's... demanding. Brilliant but impatient. The executive floor has gone through three assistants in the past year."
My heart sank. "I see."
"But," she continued, studying me intently, "something tells me you might be different. You strike me as someone who doesn't back down easily."
I thought about the past two years—balancing midnight feedings with term papers, facing down judgmental stares at the grocery store, building a life for my son despite everything. "I'm not easily intimidated," I agreed.
Paula smiled broadly. "Then I'd like to offer you the position, Monica. Starting salary is $85,000 with comprehensive benefits. We can provide temporary housing for your first month while you find a suitable place to live. When can you start?"
I stared at her in shock. "You're offering me the job? Just like that?"
"Abel Carson vouched for you. I trust his judgment. And I've learned to trust my instincts over the years." She paused. "We need someone who can start in two weeks. Is that doable?"
Two weeks to uproot my life and move to a new city. Two weeks to find childcare for Austin, pack our belongings, say goodbye to my parents...
"Yes," I heard myself say. "I can start in two weeks."
After the call ended, I sat in stunned silence until my mother returned with a tired but happy Austin. As she helped him take off his shoes, she noticed my expression.
"Monica? What's wrong?"
"I got the job," I whispered. "At Lorenzo Group. In Paradise Port."
My mother's hands stilled. For a moment, I saw grief flash across her face before she composed herself, putting on a brave smile. "Oh, honey, that's wonderful news!"
"Mom, I don't have to take it—"
"Nonsense," she cut me off firmly. "This is exactly what you need. A fresh start, away from all the gossip and judgment. A chance to build something for you and Austin." She pulled me into a tight hug. "Your father and I will miss you both terribly, but we're just a three-hour drive away."
Later that evening, Natalie came bursting through my front door without knocking, as usual.
"You got it!" she shrieked, wrapping me in a bone-crushing hug. "I knew you would!"
"How did you know already?" I laughed, extracting myself from her grip.
"Dad called me the minute he heard from his contact." She flopped onto my couch dramatically. "Now, about Paradise Port..."
"I know, I know. It's going to be hard starting over alone, but—"
"That's what I've been trying to tell you!" Natalie interrupted, practically bouncing with excitement. "You won't be alone!"
I stared at her, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I got a job at Lynx World's Paradise Port office!" she exclaimed. "Their HR department practically begged me to transfer. And Jasper's coming too! His company has an office there!"
"But... your apartment, your life here..."
Natalie waved dismissively. "Already taken care of. We've been planning this for months, waiting for the right opportunity for you."
"Months?" I gaped at her. "You've been plotting to relocate us all to Paradise Port for months?"
She had the grace to look slightly sheepish. "We knew you'd never leave your parents without a really good reason. The Lorenzo Group job was too perfect to pass up."
Tears filled my eyes. "You're moving your entire life for me?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Natalie rolled her eyes, though her own were suspiciously bright. "We're moving our lives WITH you. There's a difference." She pulled out her phone. "Now, about apartments. I've already found the perfect place—three bedrooms, modern kitchen, secured building with a playground nearby. Jasper and I can take one bedroom, you and Austin take the master, and we'll use the third as a home office."
"Natalie, I can't let you—"
"It's already done," she interrupted. "Lease signed, deposit paid. We move in next Friday."
Two weeks later, I stood in my newly furnished bedroom in Paradise Port, listening to Austin's soft breathing. He was asleep in his little bed, tucked into a corner we'd decorated with dinosaurs. The apartment was beautiful—far nicer than anything I could have afforded on my own. Natalie and Jasper had insisted on splitting the rent three ways, despite the master bedroom being significantly larger than their room.
"It comes with its own bathroom and a tiny human alarm clock at 6 AM," Natalie had joked. "We're getting the better deal, trust me."
I crossed to the closet and pulled out the box I'd carefully packed away two years ago—the box containing my mask, the red satin dress, and the perfume from the masquerade ball. I opened the bottle and hesitantly sprayed a small amount on my wrist, closing my eyes as the familiar scent washed over me.
For so long, I'd kept these items hidden away, too painful to look at yet impossible to discard. But now, in this new city with this new life stretching before me, perhaps it was time to stop hiding.
I placed the perfume on my dresser where I'd see it every morning—a reminder of both the mistakes and miracles that had led me here. The mask and dress went back in the box, tucked safely in the closet. Some memories were still too raw to display.
Tomorrow, I would start my new job at Lorenzo Group. I would meet the demanding, brilliant CEO who had gone through three assistants in a year. I would prove to everyone—especially myself—that Monica Hayes was more than capable of handling whatever challenges came her way.
I touched the perfume bottle one last time, thinking of violet-blue eyes and the night that had changed everything.
"Ready or not," I whispered to myself, "here we go."