The Royal Contract

Chapter 995: In or out

She watched her little boy play in the middle of her living room. She managed to go home early today. At least early enough compared to some nights that she had to stay late.

“Edison, how is your day?” Ria asked, but he ignored her, continuing to play with his toys. “Mine is great.” She answered her question for him.

At least she had not seen Zach at the office. Thankfully, she heard that Alex had asked him to run an errand for him. But Alona gave her the bad news. It was supposed to be good if only she did not have to go with him and spend time away from her son.

“Oh! I never thought it would involve traveling and staying for two days and three nights.” She remembered expressing her surprise at the news.

Honestly, she was on top of the world when she learned of the CEO’s decision to send her to close the deal. It meant he had learned to trust her commitment and capability to do her job.

But it also made her realize that she had not thought of her plans thoroughly. She had never considered facing this kind of situation before. Unfortunately, this was her reality, and she had to figure this one out soon.

“I know it will not be easy for you, especially with Edison, but if you want this job, you need to make sacrifices.” Alona sympathized with her, understanding her situation, but like what she said, it was part of her job description.

.....

If she could not do what her bosses asked of her, she had better quit now and forget about this job. Want it or not, it was part of her obligation to the company.

She would have jumped into this opportunity of a lifetime if only her circumstances had been different. She would have no qualms about it if she had no other commitment.

But it felt like she was facing several dilemmas that she did not want to deal with since it meant she had to make a decision.

A hard one.

“What do you think?” She asked Edison, who only looked at him with a smile on his adorable face.

Of course, he did not understand a word of what she said. But who else was she supposed to talk to when no one else was around to listen to her rants? It always had been just her and her son against the world.

Luckily, she had a wonderful couple downstairs and their great daughter to help her from time to time. Well, she could say that it was most of the time.

Now, she could only think of that lovely family to care for her son if she had to leave him for a few days. She knew she could not entrust her son with anyone else.

“But can I do it?” She asked the wind around her. Maybe they would listen and whisper an answer to her ears.

Could she leave her son to pursue her dream, even if it was for a few days? But how many times would she have to do this if she kept working for them? She doubted that it would be an isolated case.

She had seen her boss, Brenda, and Josey, fly from one place to another as they dealt with clients and problems for days. She knew that this was not a one-time deal. There would be more situations like this for her.

But could she pass up a chance for a good job? It was her dream, and she had worked hard to reach it. But what about her son? Did Edison deserve an absentee mother? Would he grow up with her always away at her job?

The bottom line question was, was this all worth it?

“I hunger.” Edison finally let go of his toys and ran toward her. He sat on her lap and put his palms on her cheeks as he sought her attention.

“Ok, my sweet boy. If you behave, I will give you one candy after dinner.” She had learned that giving small rewards helped him obey her instead of putting fear in him with the threat of punishment.

“Yehey!” The boy shouted cheerfully, hearing the word candy. At least, he was beginning to understand the most basic and usual things around them.

She mentally noted to buy Sasha and Lourdes, the girl’s mother, a gift for all their good deeds. She was not their family, but they had helped her through her tough times more than she could count. And they did not ask for much either in return.

But was she ready to leave the care of her child with another person? She knew she had neglected him more as her job became more complicated and demanding. She was missing out on his growing-up years.

Was it all worth it? That was her question again.

“Come on. I also have a surprise for you.” She guided her son to the kitchen and prepared his meal as he opened the gift she had bought the other day.

She called it the guilty gift. She thought of buying a gift even if there was no occasion because she felt guilty for all the late nights she had to spend at the office, an exchange for all her shortcomings to her son.

But as she watched her son, she could not help but wonder. Could she continue to live with the allowance she received from her ex as child support? That was if she stopped working and be with her son all day and night.

Could she live with that? Would her son want that? Would he be proud of her for accomplishing nothing in her life? Or would her son see her as a loser?

“Let me help you.” She said to Edison when he looked frustrated as he failed to open the box.

After he played with it for a few minutes, she finally placed the food before him. “Eat first before playing with this again. Then, you will have your candy.” She promised him.

He showed slight hesitation as he wanted the toy. But in a few minutes, he decided he wanted the candy too. Then, he happily ate without any more fuss.

Soon, her son was exhausted and fast asleep. She was tired too, but sleep seemed to evade her as she stared at the window beside her bed. She was on the upper floor. She had a good view of the night sky.

But her mind was far from appreciating its beauty as she debated what to do with her life. Was her career more important than her child’s welfare? But she believed she was doing this not only for herself but for her son too.

“Please, let me sleep.” She knew she needed it badly. She had to have a clear mind when she woke up the next day. And the energy to continue the job waiting for her at the office. That was if she was not quitting.

She had until tomorrow to decide whether she would do this because the team would leave with or without her the following day. It was either she was in or out.

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