Chapter 116 Ghost of the past
ARYA’S POV
I chuckled. "Their mama is a mess."
"Their mama is surviving." Cherry's expression turned serious. "Which is more than a lot of people can say. You left a bad situation, you're keeping yourself and the baby safe, you're looking for work too!"
"That's going nowhere." I set down the cereal bowl, my appetite gone. "I've been to every place in the city that's hiring. No one wants someone with no experience, and mysterious gaps in their employment history."
"Then come work with me." Cherry had suggested this at least five times already. "The club is always looking for cleaners or you could bartend, you don't have to dance. The money's good, and most of the guys are harmless."
"No." I said immediately, shaking my head. "I appreciate the offer, but I can't. I don't want my baby growing up around that kind of environment.
She huffed. "It's not that bad."
"Cherry." I took her hand. "I'm not judging you. You do what you need to do, and I respect that. But it's not for me. I just... I want something different for this baby.”
Cherry squeezed my hand. "I get it. I do. Just promise me if things get really desperate, you'll consider it? As a last resort?"
I nodded, even though I wasn't sure I meant it.
"Now," Cherry stood to her feet, heading to my tiny kitchenette area. "Let's talk about dinner. I'm thinking we pool our resources and make the world's most mediocre pasta ever."
My phone rang.
It was a small button phone I bought at a convenience store and I stared at it like it might bite me.
"Are you going to answer that?" Cherry asked.
I picked it up with shaking hands. The number was unfamiliar.
"Hello?" I whispered.
"Miss Russo?" It was a female voice. "This is Diane from Traynor Marketing. I'm calling about your interview yesterday."
My heart stopped. "Yes?"
"Mr. Traynor would like to offer you the position of office clerk. The starting salary is fifteen hundred a month, with a probationary period of three months. Can you start tomorrow?"
I couldn't speak or even process what I was hearing. I was accepted?? I actually got the job?
"Miss Russo? Are you there?"
"Yes!" The word burst out. "Yes, I'm here. I… yes. Tomorrow. I can start tomorrow."
She cleared her throat. "Excellent. Please arrive at eight AM sharp and the dress code is business casual. Do you have any questions?"
I shook my head even though she couldn’t see me. "No. No questions. Thank you. Thank you so much."
"We'll see you tomorrow then."
The line went dead and I stared at the phone, my hand trembling.
"Well?" Cherry demanded. "Don't leave me in suspense!"
"I got it." The words felt surreal. "I got the job."
Cherry screamed and pulled me into a crushing hug. "I knew it! I knew someone would see how amazing you are!"
"I yelled at him," I said, still dazed. "During the interview. I completely lost it and told him off."
"And he hired you anyway?" Cherry pulled back, grinning. "This guy sounds interesting. Is he hot?"
I glared at her. "Cherry."
She chuckled. "What? I'm just saying, a boss who appreciates a woman with a backbone in this century is a gift."
"Can we not?" But I was smiling. "I can't believe this. Fifteen hundred a month. That's enough for rent and food and-"
"Baby things!" Cherry spun me around. "We're celebrating! Where's that bottle of sparkling cider I brought over last week?"
As she rummaged through my mini-fridge, I sank onto the bed, the reality slowly settling in.
I had a real job. A chance to build something stable for me and the baby.
"Hey, random question," Cherry said, popping open the cider. "Why do you use that ancient phone anyway? I've seen more advanced technology in museum exhibits."
My hand instinctively covered the small device. "I like simple things."
"Liar." But her tone was affectionate. "You've got secrets, Arya Russo. That's okay. Everyone's entitled to their mysteries."
She handed me a plastic cup filled with fizzy cider. "To new beginnings!"
I clinked my cup against hers, grateful she didn't push. Because how could I explain that I used this phone so no one could track me?
That "Arya Russo" wasn't even my real name? And that somewhere in this city, there was a man who thought I betrayed him, and if he ever found me…
No. I couldn't think about that. Not tonight.
Tonight, I had a job, a friend and a future that didn't look quite so bleak.
Cherry pulled me to my feet. "Come on. We're getting Chinese food, my treat, and you're going to tell me all about this mysterious boss who hired you after you yelled at him."
I rolled my eyes again. "There's nothing to tell—"
"Then we'll make things up! I'm thinking of a secret romance. He was captivated by your fire and you’re a headstrong female.”
I slapped her arm. "Cherry!"
But I let her pull me toward the fridge , laughing despite everything.
For the first time in two months, I felt something like hope.
Cherry had finally fallen asleep on my bed, curled up like a cat after all the excitement. The sparkling cider bottle sat empty on my small table, and the room had settled into comfortable silence.
I should sleep too. Tomorrow I needed to figure out what "business casual" meant with my limited wardrobe, and Monday would come soon enough.
But my mind wouldn't quiet.
I found myself staring at the burner phone, my thumb hovering over the number I never let myself dial.
Giovanni's private line.
What was he doing right now? Was he in his office, working late like he always did? Or have things changed in the two months since I left?
Maybe he had moved on completely and he never thought about me at all.
Before I could stop myself, I started dialing as my fingers moved automatically.
The phone didn't even ring, instead a robotic voice answered.
“The number you have dialed is no longer in service."
Of course. He probably changed all his numbers after the attack.
I stared at the phone, my chest tight with something I didn't want to name.
What had I expected? That I could just call him up and say what?
"Hi, it's me, the woman you think betrayed you. Oh, and by the way, you're going to be a father"?
That was foolish. Exactly the kind of thinking that could get me found, dragged back, locked up again.
Or worse… hurt our baby.
I pressed my hand to my stomach, still flat but holding the most important thing in my life.
"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry your father doesn't know about you. I'm sorry this is so complicated."
But was I really sorry? If Giovanni knew, what would he do?
This was better.
I had a job now and a chance to build something stable. Most of all, I had Marco and Cherry's friendship. That had to be enough.
I deleted the incomplete call from my phone's history and set it back on the nightstand.
"Focus on what matters," I told myself firmly.
Not the ghost of a love that had never really had a chance to exist.