“My mother has me working like a slave!” Cordelia grumbles, her latte swishes as she moves her wrist. Seven days later, she finally gets a hold of Noralyn—thankfully she had some time to spare. Sure, she brought the baby along, but she’d take whatever she could get. Cordelia needs her friend at her most desperate hour.

The brunette smiles, sipping her teacup leisurely. “Welcome to working life—where you spend the next forty years of your life at someone else’s beck and call.”

“Nor, this is the bat from hell we’re talking about. She’s going to run me into the ground before the first month is up. I don’t think I’ll even make it to forty.”

“Aren’t you being dramatic?” Noralyn says cheekily.

“You don’t know what it’s like to work for her.” Cordelia sighs. “I don’t understand how she still has employees—they all seem to adore her.”

“Hove you considered that she’s a good boss?”

Cordelia glowers. “Not to me.”

“I think you should be open minded. Not to point fingers, but you bad talk your mom a lot.”

“She deserves it,” Cordelia mutters. “The first week I started working for her, she has me running coffee errands like some receptionist. Then, she expects me to write letters for her—when her actual assistant is still in the office!”

Noralyn barely hides her amusement, “Because that’s what you are!”

“Not for long. If this is how she wants to treat me, I’ll be the most difficult employee she’s ever had.”

“You don’t want to play that game. As you said, you need to prove to your mom that you’re mature enough to inherit your shares. I’d suggest playing up that you can handle what you’re giving, and, ask for more work. That should surprise her.”

“I know you’re right, but why does it have to be so hard?”

“I don’t want to single you out, but most people will never have the amount of wealth your family does—I know I won’t. Even with Otis’s Management position overseas.” A frown stains the brunette’s face. That wasn’t a frown of jealousy, it’s of longing. Cordelia used to rue the day she hooked Otis up with Noralyn—the last thing she expected was for her best friend to get knocked up. It worked out for Noralyn in the end—a handsome, smart businessman who took responsibility for his actions. His only downfall—he’s barely home, leaving poor Noralyn to raise their ten-month-old son alone. “I should be lucky his job pays as well as it does—but I get so tired.”

“You’ve said no before, but I think it’s time for a nanny.”

“Cordelia, my only job is to be his mother. If I had someone else do that—I’d feel guilty.” She stares at her baby, stroking the little strands of hair he has.

“You could go back to school—finish your photography degree. We could be roomies again.”

“It sounds nice, but I can’t. You’ll understand when you’re a mother.” She knew Noralyn would say that.

“I don’t wish that fate onto any kid.” A wry laugh escapes Cordelia’s lips. “I’d be Merise 2.0.”

“Doubt it.” Noralyn sips her tea. “You’re kinder than you think.”

“Anyways,” Cordelia interjects, eager to steer the conversation away from motherhood. “You didn’t say anything about my getup. You’re the one who said red was my colour.”

“I noticed. That ruffled collar is cute on you. Very business chic.” She nods.

“I needed something to get my mind off my impending doom, so I bought a new wardrobe. I was tempted to buy an orange jumpsuit, but I don’t think she would find it funny.” Cordelia sees Noralyn’s looking straight past her, she turns her head to follow the brunette’s gaze. “What?”

“A Help Wanted sign. It’d be nice to have a part-time job here. I love Twin Waves Café.”

“Then go ahead and apply—we can be working women together.”

“No, I don’t think so. Not until Landon’s older at least. As I said, I need to be his mother first—then I can focus on myself.”

“You’re going to burn yourself out if you think that way,” Cordelia says flatly. “I just don’t get it. Why tire yourself out when I offered to help you.”

“Because I don’t have it as easy as you do—” Noralyn covers her mouth. “Cordelia, I didn’t mean to. I’m just so tired…” Noralyn blinks away her tears. “I…I think I need to feed Landon.” She scoops the baby in her arms and hurries to the restroom.

Cordelia folds her hands above her grey pencil skirt. She doesn’t get why Noralyn can’t accept a little help. She’s so damn busy all the time she’s forgotten how to live—all for some thankless brat who wouldn’t appreciate the work Noralyn’s put into raising him.

Vrr. Cordelia’s black handbag vibrates—she inspects her phone. Dad?

“I’m with Noralyn, what’s up?”

“No, nothing wrong. Something came up—which I need to discuss with you. You at Twin Peaks?”

“I am. Why do you need to see me—can’t it wait until I’m home?”

“No, it can’t. It’s to do with Willa Corp.”

Not that place again. If her new position had brought her any peace, it was that it forced her to forget what happened last week. It was clear her father wasn’t going to let her get out of her service, so there wasn’t any point discussing it.

“What about it?”

“Tell you soon. Is the tyke with her?”

“Landon? Yeah, at least he’s quieter this time.”

“Good. I’ve been itching to see him again. I wonder how big he’s gotten.” Cordelia’s tempted to roll her eyes. Her father’s always had baby fever. If it was up to him, she’d be up to her eyeballs in siblings. “Will be there in ten.”

Cordelia slips the phone into her purse. She debates getting another latte but stops when she catches her reflection in the mirror. Her face was starting to get slightly on the chubby side. Weren’t you supposed to lose your baby face by twenty-five? At least her bun is intact.

Noralyn appears from the bathroom, her baby in hand. She carefully places Landon in his stroller, sitting carefully across from Cordelia. Faint vibrating is heard from Noralyn’s bag.

“You have a call.”

“It’s just Mellie, I’ll call her later. Probably wants to set up a playdate with her son.”

Right, Mellie. Cordelia’s gut churns. There was nothing wrong with the woman, other than she was trying to move in on her best friend. Just because the woman had a son the same age as Landon, and a husband with an overseas job did not mean that Mellie could steal Noralyn away from her. She had hoped Mellie wouldn’t be brought up this time.

“I see.” Cordelia grips the ends of her pencil skirt.

“Mellie’s not going to replace you. No one could.” Noralyn’s too observant. Dammit.

“I know.” She admits weakly. Noralyn had said that before, but her eyes lit up any time she got a text from Mellie. Meanwhile, Noralyn would leave Cordelia on read most days. Her vision becomes blurry, Cordelia frantically blinks the moisture away.

“I promise.” Noralyn leans her arm towards Cordelia.

“Yeah, just ignore me. I’m feeling down because of work.” Cordelia lies. She didn’t have many friends left—if Noralyn disappeared, that’d be it. Cordelia can’t bear the thought.

“That’s your Dad!” Noralyn gasps. She stands, waving the man over. He wasn’t supposed to be here now! Cordelia sees a man with sunglasses, and a cream polo shirt.

“Prepare yourself, Dad’s going to be all over Landon.”

Noralyn giggles. “That’s okay, he loves the attention.”

Cordelia’s father places the sunshades over his gelled hair, leaning down over the stroller—stress from his face melts away as he lifts the baby from the stroller. Landon giggles, kicking his legs in excitement. Cordelia ignores the babbling noises from her father’s lips. “Noralyn, you should drop by the manor more—I love this little man.”

Shameless, as always. He doesn’t hide his love for children—but—that’s what made him a great father.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Firthe.”

“Call me Aleck; you and your son are always welcome to drop in.” Her father hands the baby back to Noralyn. “I hate to do this, but I have to talk with Cordelia—sorry to pull her away.”

“It’s alright. I’ll be packing up soon anyway. I’ll see you later Cordelia, Aleck.” Noralyn nods.

Her father ushers Cordelia from the Café, bringing her to the car. She sees Glen—her father’s driver—in a black limo. The man nods as the two approach.

“Why’s Glen here? I thought Willa Corp shenanigans were off limits to all?” Oddly enough, neither the staff nor her mother had mentioned last week’s event. Although, it shouldn’t be weird that Glen knew—he’s been her father’s driver long before she was born. He told that man everything.

“Oh, Glen? He’s known about Willa Corp longer than I have.” Glen steps from the vehicle, opening the back door for both Cordelia and her father. He thanks the driver, as both slide into the back seat. “I was thrown off when I saw your car still in the driveway, but then I remembered that it’s Sadie’s day off.”

“Noralyn picked me up while you were out.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t drive yourself.”

“I get no time with her as is, I’ll take what I can get. But, that’s not what we’re here to discuss.” Cordelia buckles her seatbelt, turning to face her father. “What’s so urgent about Willa Corp? Your watch got stolen or something?”

“No.” Her father doesn’t appreciate her humour.

“What is it?”

“The man who broke into my office isn’t talking.”

“The Antillan guy?” Cordelia’s eyes widen as her back stiffens. His handsome face meant nothing when she remembers the gun in his hand. Cordelia did her best to force that from memory. “Can anyone even talk to him?”

“One person flew in from Autumnshore Island; she’s bilingual in both Weltish and Antillan. But he won’t say a word to her. Oddly enough, he wants to talk to you—and you alone.”