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CHAPTER FOURTEEN

VICTORIA

The three weeks between the day I found out I got my job back and the day I reported back to work flew by I was super excited to go back I’da job period, and I hated to admit it but most of all, I missed Alex I did adht that was a really bad reason for o back, especially since he was back with his wife

“Is that the only reason?” she said

“No, not at all I need a job and I really liked it there My co-workers are great and the pay is good”

“Then there is nothing wrong with accepting it Honey, you can’t help how you feel Your actions you have to be concerned with I don’t believe you would ever have an affair with a married man, so I think you’re okay Just watch your heart Try not to let it get too broken or you’ll end up cynical like me”

“At least no one takes advantage of you,” I told her

“Anymore,” she said

“Thank you, Liz”

“It’s what friends are for,” she said again

I received papers about a week after that day saying that the lawsuit had been dropped on Alex’s end It was another thing I was apprehensive about I kept wondering if bringing me back was some kind of stunt for court I didn’t want to be paranoid, but it had been a really hard few uess we both had the saot to pay off e That left me a little to live off of and help Liz and Gloria pay bills until I started back to work and got paid again I had a check-up at the doctor and he said things were going very ith the baby My life was finally back on track and I couldn’t be happier about it

I was a little nervous about going to work after what happened the last ti howseven and a half nant was a little different in and of itself When I got to the front gates, the security ed e and the cook wanted to feed me But best of all, Alex was at the kitchen table and when he heard the cook offer s he said, “Yes Vicki Please join me”

I nervously sat down next to him and he looked at reed to come back We’ve all missed you around here” It was kind of surreal So much had happened since the last time I’d sat at this table with him The cook loaded me doith pancakes laden with butter and syrup As I took a healthy bite I thought: If my mother could see me now, she’d have a heart attack and re I didn’t care I was happy and it was delicious “So how are things with the baby?” Alex asked me

“Everything is good,” I told hi a se someone reliable to watch him so I won’t have to take too much time off” I had no idea how to hire childcare; it was one of those brand new things to me I’rown

“Bring hi me off my chair “You don’t want to leave an infant alone with a stranger”

“No I don’t, but… I mean…”

He sency where they are all background investigated and have references We’ll make hi how expensive that would be I wondered if the cost would coes He looked like he was about to say so else but Cassandra walked in In my mind it was like what Dorothy must have felt like the first tiavewith the help, but she didn’t seery at all I had to assu a nanny anda nursery, his wife didn’t know the baby in my belly was his

“I should get to work,” I said

“Yeah, you probably should,” Cassandra said, dislared at her and then he turned to look at ain he smiled

“Welcome back”

I s away I heard Cassandra say, “You didn’t tell me she was about to pop She’ll only be here a month and we’ll have to hire a replace?”