Chapter 176

Almara’s Pov

A week had come and went with my parents dropping hints about Arthur and I needing to help around the house or get jobs. No free rides, my father had said. While they were happy to house us for as long as we needed, we also had to contribute in some way- which is totally fair.

Especially since Arthur and I have no idea how long we plan on staying here. We arrived with the understanding that a date for leaving was to be determined. Truth is, we both want to work or have something to do.

We’ve been in this lull ever since we stepped out of the limelight. Arthur’s been trying to manage the sports company as best he can, but he has people that for him. Regular life isn’t something he’s accustomed to. Especially a regular life with no work.

As much as Arthur is great at providing for his family and is eager to support us and prove to my parents he can take care of his pack, Arthur isn’t exactly accustomed to the whole job search and job application process.

“What if I apply as a CEO for a sports company?” Arthur asks, lying stretched out across my bed tossing an old baseball up towards the ceiling and then catching it. If not for the situation we’re in this would be a rather comical sight.

My bed looks like it’s about to collapse under Arthur’s weight as his feet dangle off the bed. The ball that he’s tossing I think was my baseball from when I was a child and that definitely was the last time it got any use.

Instead of a child playing dress up to appear grown, Arthur’s a grown-up who looks like he’s trapped in a child's life.

Looking at him in this small room I realize that we’re going to have to get some kind of plan in order because as wonderful as this room has been to me over the years functioning as an escape route or a safe haven eventually we outgrow the places that functioned as our roots.

“That’s a great idea.” I say because I want to sound encouraging. “I don’t think you can directly apply as a CEO.” I point out, gently. This is the fifth suggestion he’s made that I had to tell him wouldn’t quite work out.

We are getting warmer though. His first suggestion was “an astronaut or something.” When I pointed out that required a degree, he then suggested he would get one to which I explained years of schooling were needed. Years that we didn’t quite have to waste.

Arthur’s face morphs into confusion and he pauses a beat before tossing the baseball back into the air. “I mean, I’m qualified for the position.” He says. I nod in agreement.

“Absolutely. It’s just, well as I’m sure you know, companies usually higher for positions like that to employees already within the network.” Arthur shrugs.

“Not always.”

“True, but Arthur you’re already the founder of a sports company that isn’t doing too hot right now. I don’t think many employers would be too keen on hiring you.” I say and move closer to him on the bed. Arthur let’s out a grunt.

“You’re right.” He stops throwing the baseball and puts his arm around me instead, starring off into space lost in thought.

“To find a job that’s well-paying, within my expertise, and can overlook my public mistakes is harder than I thought it would be.” I nod in agreement. Especially with that last part, for the both of us.

I can’t even think of looking for jobs until I can find a daycare that will watch Gracie. A few that I called said they were already full which I find hard to believe. I think once word traveled about how Gracie’s last enrollment went, places are hesitant to accept her based on who her parents are.

I let out a deep sigh, blowing some hair out of my face. I tried so hard to not let me and Arthur’s title or fame impact Grace’s treatment, but I guess that was naive thinking.

“I will find something.” Arthur promises and kisses the top of my head

Another week passes and the only callback Arthur got was from a physical trainer asking if it was a prank. When the guy learned it wasn’t, he said he would get back to us. That was three days ago.

I have yet been able to find a daycare that will accept us within a ten-mile radius, I think I’ve tried calling every single one.

With no callbacks from either a daycare or a job offer for Arthur, I’ve been forced to accept the reality that I’m going to have to endure what I thought would never be a possibility again.

I stand outside the diner hemming and hawing about going through the swinging doors that will chime a bell signaling my defeat as I come crawling back. I shift Graces weight on my hip and look up at the building.

They’ve painted the siding white with navy trim, but no amount of fresh paint will cover up what this place really is: a soul-sucking black hole. What is it about the food industry that it seems impossible to escape from?

No one tells you this, but once you start working for a restaurant you never really leave. At best, you’re just on break long enough until something inevitably happens and pulls you back in. I still remember Derek’s last words to me,

“You’re nobody, Almara and you’re going nowhere. You’re going to be stuck in this town and at this job until the day you die,” Of course, Arthur came in not too quickly after that and put Derek in his place.

Perhaps I’m being dramatic, this place wasn’t all bad. I was good at my job and I did work with Cathy. Except now, I haven’t spoken to Cathy in forever and there’s really no good reason for it, and I haven’t waited a table in years I could be slow getting started back up.

And then there’s the ultimate catch. I need to know if my old boss will let Grace hangout here while I work. Derek is probably watching me now, wondering what I’m doing here.

It’s early, the place hasn’t opened yet. I didn’t want to be bombarded by the staff or old customers, especially if Derek rejects me. The thing is though, I don’t think he will.

He better not, he knows who your husband is. Lily snaps and I agree. There is always that aspect, even if Arthur’s agreeability is generally lower than before, he’s still the Alpha and that counts for something.

But no, I think Derek will let me back to work because he likes making me feel like shit and I’m basically giving him the opportunity to do so. I imagine our conversation will go something like this:

Hey Derek, I need my job back. Oh yeah, can my toddler be here while I work?

Hey Almara, you look awful. I always knew whatever fantasy world you were living in would eventually crumble. Sure, you can work for half the pay. Your daughter has to work too.

Lily rolls her eyes at me. Oh, come on, you’ve got to have better confidence than that. I can at least pretend that I do. I swallow the lump in my throat and push past the doors I hoped I was leaving behind forever.