Page 12 of Secret Baby for Dr. Billionaire

“The principal just called and asked if someone answered the ad we posted on our website,” Savv said as we entered her office. It was as bright as she was. It was a small space with a desk in the middle and two adjacent chairs. Everything, like the bulletin board outside, was ocean-themed. There were paintings of sea animals in frames on her walls, a seashell windchime hung by the window behind her desk, and small trinkets and figurines of mermaids decorated the top of her shelves and filing cabinets.

“Lucky for you, you’re the only one who inquired.”

Savv motioned for us to sit on the chair by her desk. I propped Sofi on my lap, letting her play with my bracelet to keep her from stirring.

“Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ coming?” I asked.

“But, it’s only a substitute position. As far as I know, anyway.” She murmured the last part.

Substitute? That meant the salary wouldn’t be steady. I needed a regular salary if I wanted to feed my daughter.

“You see, our fourth-grade art teacher, Mrs. De Vega is on a trip to Georgia to see her sick daughter. She said she would be gone for a while but didn’t specify how long. But rumor has it that she might finally transfer there for good to be close to her daughter.”

“What does that mean for me?”

“You get to sub for Mrs. De Vega until she comes back from her trip. But if she decides not to, you can work here permanently. Your resume in art instruction is good. The principal thinks so, too.”

It was a risk. To take the substitute job and wait until Mrs. De Vega returns or not? If she did return, that would mean looking for another job and worrying about where I’d leave Sofi.

“You don’t have to make a decision now, of course. We gave Mrs. De Vega two weeks to let us know her plans. This means that after spring break, you can sub for a week until she comes to a decision. If she decides to come back, we'll let you stay for another week and give you a list of job openings for art teachers around the area to help you get on your feet.”

That sounded promising. I knew it sucked for Mrs. De Vega to have to change workplaces for her daughter, but it would be a double win if she stayed in Georgia. She would be closer to her daughter, and I would get a permanent job.

Savv waited for my reply, her eyes hopeful.

“Okay,” I answered, and Savv sagged in her chair in relief. Her squeal made Sofi squeal in reply on my lap.

“You’re in good hands, Chloe. We have a wonderful daycare program, and it’s usually free for our faculties and staff who have children. Sofi will love it here. And so will you.”

I really hoped so.

***

Sofi fell asleep on our car ride back home from the grocery store after I accepted the substitute position at Bright Heights Academy.

I always hated grocery shopping because I’d stay countless minutes in aisles to look at things I wanted but didn’t need. Like today, I was in the cereal aisle for about ten minutes, debating whether or not I’d spoil myself with a box of my favorite Reese’s Puffs. But Sofi’s needs always came first.Always. I’d rather crave that fucking cereal than give up her frozen fruits. As I returned the box of sweet cereal to the shelf, I promised myself I’d reward myself when I got my first paycheck.

I set Sofi down in her crib with her dolphin, dimming the lights in her room.

Finally having time to myself, I changed into casual clothes and resumed unpacking the groceries sitting on the counter and some boxes of my clothes in my room.

I knew planning to move to a new place would be difficult financially, but I didn’t want Sofi to grow up where everything was expensive, and all she could see were buildings. I wanted her to grow up in a nice place where the beach was accessible, where she could play in a yard in a nice neighborhood with her friends.

I was grateful that Frankie had offered this penthouse to me. When we got here the other day, and we were driving from the airport, just seeing the beautiful waves kissing the sun and the smell of the salty breeze, I knew immediately that this place was where I had to make a home for myself and Sofi.

Even if it meant me having to work twenty-four-seven. For Sofi? I’d bend backward and move mountains. But that didn’t mean that I didn’t wish things were easier.

The phone in my pocket suddenly felt heavy, as if it were telling me to try and dial Clyde again. But I had promised myself that once I was here in Miami, things needed to change, and among those changes was the promise to stop dialing Clyde’s number in the hopes of him answering. What would I say if, by some miracle, he did answer? I didn’t know yet.

So, instead, I finished unpacking the rest of our things to keep my mind off all the what-ifs. I was not going to worry about the things I had no control over. Not anymore.

Chapter four

Ben

BillyAnnewrappedhertiny arms around my neck as we stepped out of the elevator. Her purple dress had a popsicle stain and me carrying her things back to our place.

Maggie had dropped her at the hospital four hours ago since her sitter, Sam, was out of town and wouldn’t be back until tomorrow. For now, she was stuck with me in my hospital office. Thankfully, Billy Anne can busy herself with a book or her iPad for hours. I let her have as much screen time as she liked because that meant her not interfering with my work. When I had needed to scrub in for two hours of surgery for a kidney transplant earlier, she’d been good and stayed in my office the entire time with an intern.

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