Chapter 5

Dalma's POV

"Well yes!" she retorted, slowly approaching where I stood.

"What's important now is that you go to the Osbornes and speak to Alex. Make sure he accepts the proposal or consider yourself out of this family."

"Mom?" I yelled in disbelief. I heard footsteps from beside me and immediately I turned, I felt a stinging sensation on my face.

"What the..."

"I didn't spend money on expensive schools so you can become a single mother. You better do what your mother said or don't bother coming back home," my dad yelled.

"Alex canceled the engagement because of the bastard you brought home!"

"Dad! You too?"

"The Osbournes can do whatever the fk they feel. I don't fking give a damn!"

I stormed out of the dinning and headed back out. They don't need to kick me out of their family. I was never a part of it.

I always had to be there for myself. And they want to get me married off to some guy I barely know.

I should never have come back. I should never have thought things would be different. I need to figure out what to do next since I'm no longer welcomed here.

Storming out of Millie's mansion, I walked down, or ran. I didn't know, my emotions were a good motivator, to the only place I could find support now.

And I still wasn't sure if I'll find him there, seeing as I broke all contacts with him, but anywhere is better than being with my so-called family right now

"Jack! Jack!" I shouted, pounding on his door.

Jack and I grew up together. His parents died in an accident so he stayed with his grandmother.

I tried avoiding him after I returned because I shut him out for no reason but he's the only one I could run to right now.

He opened it but immediately tried to close it again. "Wait, I'm sorry," I said quickly, before he could shut it in my face.

"I'm sorry I left without saying a word. I'm sorry I didn't reach out all those years. I'm sorry for failing you as a friend."

"But……please! Don't shut me out, you're all I have left." Tears began to stream down my cheeks.

"Six years Dalma, Six long years. No calls, no texts and you expect me to welcome you with an embrace?"

"Jack, I'm really sorry. Let's talk about it, and I promise I'll tell you everything. I was just in a really tight spot," I said calmly.

"Please, give me a chance to explain."

He stood still for a few minutes, gazing at me in silence. Finally, he hissed. "Alright, come in."

Relief washed over me. Losing my dumbass family was one thing, but losing my best friend? That I couldn't bear.

I filled Jack in on everything that had happened: my expulsion, the night at the club, Damian's birth, and my arranged marriage with Stanley.

"All this was happening, and you thought you could handle it alone?" he asked, incredulous.

"We promised to always be there for each other, no matter what. And you still ran away."

"I know, Jack. I'm sorry. It was all just too much," tears welled up in my eyes and I began blinking hard, struggling to stop them from gushing down my cheeks.

"You know I can't stay angry at you for long. That's why you came to me whining like a Chihuahua," he teased, gently tugging at my ear and wiping my eyes.

"You know I can't stay angry at you. Come here." He opened his arms wide, and I quickly hugged him, releasing a loud sigh of relief.

"So, Dalma, what's next? What's your plan?" Jack asked.

"Ummm, I don't know. My new boss texted saying the other customer found my presence disturbing so back to job hunting I guess," I said, letting down my pony tail and brushing my fingers through my hair.

"Oh, shit. Sorry about that."

"It's okay, I've had worse days," I chuckled.

"Umm, I could pull some strings at Worthington Enterprise. I know someone there, and they're in desperate need of a graphics designer. Do you think you can do it?" He turned and smirked at me.

"Do I think so?" my eyes widened. "Dude, I know I can do it!" I jerked up in excitement. "Thank you, thank you!"

"It's nothing, I'm just glad you're back...Also when can I meet your son? I want you both to move in with me. I know how things are at home"

"Soon I promise, you will meet him very soon ."

The next morning, my phone rang waking me up from the one place I found peace. "Hello," I said while struggling with sleep.

"Good morning, am I speaking with Miss Dalma Millie?" a masculine voice requested from the other end.

"Mmmmhm, yeah yeah. Who is it please?" I grunted, with shut eyes

"My name is Valentine from Worthington Enterprise," I jerked off my bed with clear ears immediately. Jack mentioned Worthington Enterprise last night, no way he already got me a job.

"Okay? How may I help?" I said, trying to sound more professional.

"I'm pleased to inform you that your application and design has passed the review. You're invited for a brief interview with the President by 12 noon. Do well to arrive on time."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you very..." the line went dead. "Ja...ck! Jack!" I screamed running down the stairs. I had to spend the night to cool off from all the drama.

They didn't give a s***t about my welfare, but I was sure my son would be safe so I just stayed over.

"Bring down your voice, your majesty. How may I be of service?" I heard him tease from the kitchen.

"I love you! love you! love you!" I said, quickly jumping on his body.

"Whoa!!" He caught me just as fast. "What's the good news?"

"I know you know, don't mess with me young man."

"Anyways, I got a call from Worthington Enterprise, they've reviewed my designs and guess what. It passed the review" I said, almost breathless, jumping around the kitchen counter.

"Congratulations, I'm sure you'll ace the interview. Your designs are splendid." he replied with a broad smile.

"Wait…" it suddenly dawned on me. I haven't sent any of my new designs to Jack.