Chapter 51

“You’ll get paid per hour, $10 per hour.”

"20,” John said.

“$10.” The man glared at him.

“$20.”

“What makes you think you're in a position to negotiate?” The man huffed.

“My value and my worth.” John had calculated everything.

No matter where he worked, it's publicity would increase drastically.

Of course he'd make sure he got paid for it, but for now he would not accept that rate.

“You're not ready to work.”

“Of course. Have a good day, sir.” And John walked out.

The man huffed; he was at least expecting him to fall to his knees and beg.

He scowled, knowing John Callahan would be back and that he would reduce the money he offered.

It was only a matter of time.

John continued his job hunting and got three job offers at the end of the day.

Each one pays $30 per hour. The week would be divided between those three. Two days each, and Sunday as his resting day.

When he got back home, he was in high spirits.

“Babe! Belinda! I'm home!” He shut the door behind him and dropped the food he'd bought from one of the restaurants he was going to work at.

He went to the bedroom, but Belinda wasn't there, but a note was.

Gone for my interview. See you later. I love you.

He smiled as he read the note and quickly went to his wardrobe to pull out a small jar that had other sticky notes in it. He placed it inside before sealing the jar up and hiding it again.

He pulled out his phone to call her but decided against it. What if she was already at her interview?

He shoved it back into his pocket; he didn't want to mess it up.

Belinda was silently waiting for her turn to interview.

She noticed the faces of everyone going in and out of the study room where they were being interviewed.

She came to apply to be the nurse for this man’s grandmother.

His name was Alex Morganni, a rich man. She didn't know how rich he was, but if his house was anything to go by, she'd say he was a millionaire. The amount he was offering to pay was huge, and Belinda had a good feeling about the job.

She was happy, almost as if she'd gotten it already.

When it was finally her turn, she stood up and adjusted her dress before heading for the sturdy.

She knocked, and a voice told her to come in. She pushed the door open, walked in, and shut it behind her before she turned to stare at the man performing the interview.

“Hello sir,” She greeted him with a smile, and he nodded, gesturing for her to sit down on the chair before him.

Belinda took in his appearance; he was tall—that much she could decipher; he had on reading glasses; and his hair was sleek back with gel, which shone in the light.

“Miss Belinda Rogers, your certificate is quite impressive, and your experience so far as just being in one hospital—the rest were menial jobs, correct?”

She nodded. "Yes, sir.”

Alex’s eyes glanced through her resume, but there was one nagging question.

“Why did you leave Life Hospital? I hear it's the best in the state.”

Belinda’s smile almost fell, but she placed it back on and said, “I didn't leave. I was fired.”

Alex frowned. The lady before him was beautiful and hardworking. She looked like someone who would be good at her job, so why did she get fired?

“Can I know the reason, or do I have to call your former employees to find out?”

Belinda shook her head. “I'll tell you. I got involved with a patient...romantically.”

“Oh!” Alex looked taken aback. “Isn't that against the hospital’s policy?”

She nodded. “Yes.”

“But you still went ahead?” Alex inquired.

The hope Belinda felt was no longer there; she wouldn't get this job. Even though it wasn't a hospital, the stigma from Life Hospital will continue to follow her around.

“I understand. Well, this interview is over. I'll get back to you in two days.”

Belinda nodded, retrieved her CV from him, and walked out.

She was able to hold on to her emotions until she got home.

The minute she closed the door behind her, she leaned against it and began to sob quietly, unknowing that John had seen her walk in.

“Baby?” He took quick strides towards her.

Her head shot up, and she immediately wiped her tears, but he'd already seen it.

“What happened? Did the interview not go well?” John asked.

She shook her head.

He pulled her to the dining table and asked her to tell him everything.

John smiled and pecked her forehead. “You allowed your thoughts to get to you.”

Belinda looked up at him like he hung the moon.

“He said he'd get back to you, baby, not that he wouldn't employ you.”

“But the way he looked at me...”

“Doesn't mean a thing. He could change his mind, or maybe you misunderstood.

And if he doesn't, it's his loss. There's no doctor or nurse that I know of that can take care of his grandmother the way you would.”

Belinda grinned and smacked his chest playfully. “I'm the only doctor and nurse, you know, Silly.”

She sniffed, and the aroma of food that wafted into her nostril caused her to turn to look at the table.

“John! What is all this?” She asked with surprise. Food filled their medium-sized finding table.

“I bought it while I was out today.” He grinned.

“Ohhh…what's the occasion?” She asked because he'd made them a candlelit lunch.

“Guess.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Belinda stares at him, then back at the food, then back at him, and a lightbulb goes off in her head.

“You got a job!” She screeched with glee.

John laughed. “Three jobs, actually.”

She shrieked and jumped in his arms, peppering his face with kisses.

John stood up and twirled them both around.

“You won't even ask me what job I got?” John asked.

“Does it matter? As long as it makes you happy, I'm happy as well.” Belinda grinned and bounced on her toes.

“Even if it's to be someone’s sugar baby?”

She scowled instantly. “You wouldn't dare! I hope you reject it!”

John said nothing and walked up to their bedroom.

“You rascal, come back here this instant. Tell me, did you reject it?” She called out after him.

When they got to their bedroom, Belinda’s eyes watered. “You accepted it? Is that… Is that what you used to buy that food downstairs?”

John grinned and pulled her into his arms, undressing her. “Jealous chicken! Do you think I can be someone's sugar baby when I'm already yours?”

"Well, I fuck you for free; you might want to leave me for someone who would pay to sleep with you. Do you know how expensive your d”ck is?”

John erupted with laughter. “No one has ever paid to sleep with me, Belinda; I'm always the one doing the paying. "You paid the highest price to be with me, so no, I won't ever be with anyone else.”

She smiled, and the tears that fell from her eyes were happy tears.

“Then what job did you get?”

“I thought you said it didn't matter.” John raised an eyebrow.

“It didn't matter then, but not after that silly sugar baby joke.” She pouted with her cheeks full of air.

He pecked them and smiled. “I got a job as a food and meat delivery guy.”

Belinda beamed; it wasn't a CEO job or a white-collar job, but it was something, and it made John very happy.

She went on her toes and grabbed his cheek, puckering his lips and smooching them.

“Well done, baby; you did good.”

John smiled; he loved hearing her compliment him.

“But why are you undressing me?” She asked.

“To shower. And then we can eat.”

“How soon are you starting?”

“Tomorrow. I'll be home late since the pay is hourly. I want to make as much money as possible so that I can take care of you.”

“You already take care of me.” She grinned.

That night, they ate to their fill and merried. Belinda forgot her job worries for that night and slept peacefully beside John.

The next day, John resumed work at his first restaurant, De Luca’s.

It wasn't a very big restaurant, but they were always busy every day. The waiters and the cooks never stopped working. People were always walking in to have lunch because of the location, prices, and quality of the food.

It tasted like home-made food, and after eating it last night with Belinda, he understood why people always purchased it.

It wasn't like the fancy shit he ate; it was the type his mom always made for him, Klaus, and their dad.

“Wait! Isn't that John Callahan?”