The Royal Contract

YOU GOT THE PROMOTION.

Her boss sent her a very early present, informing her that she got the promotion she had been aiming for, Senior Investigative Reporter. In truth, her boss offered something better before, News Anchor. But she declined that job, settling for a position behind the scene.

Eida rushed to the other room with her phone held in her hand and dropped it near Luisa, grabbing the sleeping child instead to tell her the good news. “Mommy got the promotion.” She cheerfully kissed her baby, sharing her happiness with her.

But, of course, Luisa was not pleased about the commotion as she began to cry after she had disturbed her peaceful sleep. But Eida could not be bothered by her wailing as she danced with her little angel in her arms, knowing she was her lucky charm.

“I am sorry, baby. Mommy is just so happy.” She could not contain her delight, needing to share it with the most important person in her life.

“What is all this raucous?” Amelia rushed to Luisa’s room, worrying that the baby was not ok. However, she was surprised to see Luisa making all those noises because of what Eida was doing.

.....

“I got the promotion.” She ecstatically repeated as she continued to kiss, hug and dance her child merrily. It was usually rare she got some personal good news, so she was savoring it because it might take time for the next one.

“Congratulations!” Amelia quickly hugged her behind, expressing her happiness for her.

She knew that after she told her about her engagement with Evan, her friend had been slightly affected by it. She kept denying it, showing her a brave front, but she could tell she was depressed by it.

Of course, her friend also wanted a happy ending to her love affair, but it did not happen. On the contrary, she had to leave the man she loved to start over with their child on her own.

So, Amelia would celebrate this little milestone with her friend, hoping that it would at least ease her sadness. “Let me cook something nice for dinner so we can celebrate.” She offered.

“No.” Eida quickly vetoed her suggestion. “We will get dressed and go out tonight. Dinner is on me.” She decided that she would book them in a nice restaurant. She believed they all deserved an extravagant celebration.

“I like that. I will notify Angela not to make plans for tonight.” Amelia told her. “But first, give me Luisa. Go and take a bath and enjoy this day.” She believed her friend deserved a few moments for herself to relish this moment.

“Thanks, Amelia. What would I do without you?” Well, she had thought about it. She would need a regular sitter to stay with Luisa while she worked at the office.

Soon, she knew Amelia would leave them and move in with Evan. Although it was just a short flight or a slightly longer drive to see her, it was still a considerable distance that would separate them.

She would miss her friend dearly, but she had to accept that was how life worked. At least she had enjoyed her company before their lives had to part. She still had Angela, Bea, and Goliath as a company. She would not be alone with Luisa. At least not for the near future.

“Go, live with Evan and me.” It was a joke, but they knew that was not likely to happen. They would have to go on their separate ways eventually.

She even believed that Angelo would soon move on with her life. Angela might live with her grandson, especially if her first real grandchild was born.

Then, her phone suddenly rang again. When she looked at the screen, her boss’s name appeared in bold letters. “It is my boss.” She mouthed silently at Amelia, who attempted to lull Luisa back to sleep.

She immediately moved out of the nursery room, going straight to her room as she answered the call. She wondered if her boss had called to say she had sent her the wrong message.

She remembered some argued that she did not deserve the promotion since she was just new to the job and had no experience. Of course, she could not use her previous employment record since her name was different. At the same time, she could not expose the past that she had left behind.

But, “I deserved it.” She told herself, knowing her performance was more than enough to prove to her boss that she could do the job.

Then, some also said she had a child, so she might not be up for the challenge. That was what she heard behind her back, but she had proven that despite that, she had done well.

Being a single mother should not stop anyone from doing well in their job. On the other hand, she saluted women in a similar situation just like her for trying their best to be good mothers and providers.

“Yes, Ms. Athens.” She greeted the woman on the other line, both excited and anxious to hear what she had to say.

“First, let me congratulate you on getting the job.” Her boss said, bringing relief to her rattled nerves. “I would like you to take the rest of the day off and enjoy it with your family.”

She was not expecting that, but it was a much-deserved break from working very hard. “Thank you, Ms. Athens. I assure you that you will not regret giving me that position.”

She knew a higher position would demand more from her, meaning more work and time. But she was doing that before. The only difference now would be adding Luisa to the equation.

She needed to equally balance her time between her obligation at her new position and being a responsible mother to her only daughter. It would be one hell of a balancing act, but something that she would do her best to do well.