SIERRA'S POV
For a second, I swear I didn't hear her right. Maybe she said Tevej hotel or Trenes enterprises. But no. My ears aren't broken.
"Tre…T…..Trevejo….Enterprises?" I asked, forcing my lips into something that hopefully looks like a smile.
"Yes." She places a glossy folder on the counter. "The event is in two days. We're expecting three hundred guests. Formal catering, canapés, desserts, champagne pairings. A full spread."
Three hundred. My stomach flips. That's more mouths than I've ever cooked for in one sitting.
"You'll be generously compensated, of course," she adds.
I began to think about the things I could do with the money.
Katie's school fees. The stack of unpaid bills on my counter. The bakery. I need this. Desperately.
But Trevejo?
Louis fucking Trevejo?
I press damp palms against my thighs.
My throat tightens. This could be my only chance to keep the bakery afloat.
I nod, my smile brittle. "I would love to work with you."
She stands, offering a handshake. "Good. I'll see you in the next two days."
I shake it, with my clammy hands. She doesn't notice, or pretends not to. Her bodyguards followed her as she stepped out.
As soon as the door shuts, I collapse against the counter. My knees are weak, my breath uneven.
Cassie pokes her head through the door. "Sierra. Was that….did she just say…?"
"Mhmm." My voice cracks.
"Trevejo Enterprises? As in 'The Trevejo'?"
I gave her a look sharp enough to cut through ice. "Don't. Just, don't."
Cassie left after realising i wasn't in the mood for any teasing or playing around.
Fucking hell!
I screamed in the empty shop.
It should've been good news. No, it was amazing news. A catering gig for one of the biggest companies in the city, a good pay, exposure, the kind of opportunity that could drag my shop out of the financial grave it had been digging itself into.
But I can't celebrate because there's a slim chance I might come across him. Then I would completely break into pieces. The man I ran away from five years ago. The monster that took me into his room five years ago. I couldn't bear the thought of him. Even his name aggravates me. But now I have to work for him.
FUCK!
I screamed again.
My stomach flipped. This can't be happening. I said to myself.
Why me? Why him?
I shoved the papers away, and paced around. My thoughts bounced between the bills, Katie and the memory of that night.
If I see him, what do I even say? 'Hi Louis, remember me? The nobody lady you slept with five years ago? By the way, you left a child in me. I hope you're happy.'
No. I can't let that happen. He can't know about Katie.
The thought makes my chest ache. Katie is mine. Mine. The only good thing that came out of that night. The only thing I will never let him take away.
I dig my nails into my palms until it hurts. "Pull yourself together, Sierra. You need this job." I muttered to myself.
Three hundred guests. A corporate event. That kind of exposure could save the bakery. Pay off the bills. Buy Katie the school shoes she's been begging for.
I pace again, muttering to myself. "It's just catering. You won't even see him. There are layers in a company this big. He probably would be occupied by his important guests. You'll bake, serve, and leave."
While my head keeps spiralling, I remember Jasmine mentioning something about a trip this week but I can't remember the particular day.
I pick up my phone and text her immediately.
Hey, babe. When did you say you were leaving for New York again?
I dropped my phone, wishing it would be during the weekend. Then my phone buzzed, she replied.
Tomorrow morning. Why?
Oh. Nothing, just wanted to be sure.
Could this day get any worse? I don't want to burden Jasmine with my issues, she's been a good friend helping me to take care of Katie whenever I wasn't around. And now, I can't hold her back because of my situation.
But who's going to stay with Katie when I leave? Oh God! I'm in deep shit. There's only one other option and it doesn't look good to me.
I picked up my phone and texted the lady who came in recently.
Hey, there's a slight problem.
She replied instantly.
What's wrong?
My daughter's auntie has a trip tomorrow so I don't have anyone to stay with my daughter.
You can bring her along, There's someone that can stay with her there.
Okay, thank you.
Deep down, I wished she had told me it wouldn't work and that I would either have to come alone or don't come at all. And there's no way I would be picking my daughter over a job. Plus, I needed an excuse not to go. But fortunately and unfortunately, she agreed to help.
It's about to be a long week.
I closed the shop and went back to Jasmine's house to pick Katie. I didn't want to tell Jas about the meeting I had with Louis' worker because she would freak out and would definitely tell me to reject it and offer me a check. And I wasn't ready to receive charity from anyone, especially Jasmine. She's done a lot taking care of Katie and then I would be collecting her money? That's too much, even for me.
When I got home, I showered, made pancakes for Katie and put her to bed. The outcome of today was the least thing I expected. I couldn't have imagined that the day I would see the father of my child would come. The thought of it all drained me so much that I fell asleep on the couch.
Two days later….
It was the day of the event and I was in this large hall at Gatwick hotel. The same hotel Louis brought me to, five years ago. I've already come to the conclusion that my life is more of a horror movie than a fairytale and the only thing that keeps me from erasing my face off the earth is Katie. And she has been taken away into a room with a young lady that looks really nice and sweet, but I can't judge a book by its cover.
The event was moving smoothly, I delivered everything on the list and made sure everything was in place and I hadn't set my eyes on Louis even once. I might have been wrong, maybe he didn't even attend or maybe he was too busy with important guests, or it wasn't even his company. But that last option isn't a possibility because I checked and there's only one Blackwell Corporation and he owns it.
Maybe luck was just on my side today.
The event was over now and every one was leaving, the lady told me to come see her after to collect my pay. While I was searching around for her, I heard a familiar deep voice exchanging words with one of the guests.
I turned around to confirm my suspicions.
There he was in a black glittering tuxedo. My chest tightened. I dropped my gaze instantly, pretending I hadn't noticed. If I just kept moving, maybe he wouldn't see me.
God, please let the young lady come back. Please.
Fuck. I didn't even know her name. How was I supposed to ask for her?
"Excuse me?"
The sound of his voice rooted me to the spot. Louis.
I turned. He was already walking toward me.
"I know you," he said when he reached me.
My stomach flipped. "Yeah, I'm the person your worker assigned. I can't find her now."
He shook his head. "No, I know you. You were the lady at the nightclub."
My throat went dry. "I'm sorry, I have no idea of what you're talking about." Without waiting, I turned and started walking away, desperate to put distance between us.
Then the young lady came out with Katie walking beside her.
"Mommy!" Katie's voice echoed in the whole room as she ran towards me.
I froze.
Katie. Me. Louis. All in the same room.
Oh God.