Austin pulls his car into the parking lot of my apartment building. He steps out of the car and opens the door for me.

I step out of my car and Austin takes my hand.

He pulls out my overnight from the boot and we walk to my apartment.

I open the door and put my keys in the glass jar next to the door. My answering machine is flashing and I hit the play button.

"Hello, Miss Hardy. It's Nicole Hudson from Baker Inc. We want to offer you a job as designer for the kids fashion line. Please, call me once you get this message on." She leaves the number.

I got the job.

I forgot to tell Austin that I applied for a job.

I'm excited to be around people instead of working at home. I hate being alone.

Austin wraps his arms around me. "Congrats on the new job."

I smile. "Thank you."

The next message plays.

"Sis, you need to come home for Christmas. I have some exciting news to share with you. Call me when you can. Love you."

I can't wait to tell her my own news.

I touch my stomach and lie my head against Austin's chest.

There's another message.

"Valentina Janet Hardy. It's your mother. I've had a hard time getting in contact with you lately. I want you to come home for Christmas with your husband. Your father is holding a Christmas party on the 19th December. We need to show ourselves as a family unit to the public."

I hate these parties.

I have to show up to the party in support of the Governor of New York City. My family is the family that are always in the newspaper in New York. Living California has its perks as the celebrities get all the attention and I get to act like nobody special.

In New York. I have to act like a princess.

The lights on the machine stop flashing.

Austin picks me up and carries me to bed. "I'm going to spend the night. I want to keep an eye on you until I leave for work at seven."

I kiss him. "Alright,"

Austin and I make love before falling asleep.

***

Austin kisses me and whispers. "I need to go to work, baby. I'll see you tonight."

"Love you," I mumble.

"I love you, too." He closes the bedroom door.

I stretch in the bed and pick up my mobile phone. I hope someone is in the office. I call Baker Inc.

"Baker Inc. this is Nicole Hudson. How may I help you?"

"Hey, Nicole. It's Valentin Hardy. I'm returning your phone call."

"Miss Hardy, do you think you can come in for an induction and meet the rest of the team?"

"Yes, I can come today. What time do you want me there?"

"I know this is short notice. Can you be here by 9 or 9:30?"

"I'll be there." I put the on charge and walk into the bathroom.

I turn the shower on and run the razor over my legs. I put soap on the loafer and scrub my body with the honey soap.

I step out of the shower and blow dry my hair. I search through my cupboard for something to wear. I find a black skirt and white button up blouse.

I hope these fit me.

They are tight on me.

I throw the clothes across the room. I'll have to wear a dress to work. I put on a simple black dress. I lightly apply make up to my face. I swipe a bit of gloss across my lips.

I pick up my keys from the glass tray and leave the house.

I follow the directions to the office.

I park in the worker's parking lot. I follow the signs to the reception area.

A woman looks up from the desk when I enter the foyer. "Can I help you?"

"Nicole Hudson asked me to come in this morning."

The woman shakes her head. "You're the woman that took my job from me? I was supposed to take over the baby line. No wonder they need you." She points at my stomach. "You have the advantage right there."

I laugh. "I may have the advantage but I might not have the job because I'm pregnant."

She picks up the phone and talks to someone on the other line. She hangs up the phone. "You are going to the 30th floor."

I hit the lift button.

I go up the lift. As soon as the door opens on the 30th floor I step out of the lift.

A woman with caramel blonde hair stands next to the lift. "I'm Nicole Hudson. Secretary to Kylie Baker. She would like to see you before you meet the rest of the team." She shows me to the office.

I step inside Kylie's office. I see a hardwood desk with a computer and printer, leather lounge and sofa, a TV and another door that leads to a separate room.

Kylie exits the other door. She looks at me. "You're pregnant?"

Thanks for stating the obvious.

I look at my phone and hit the record button on the recorder.

Kylie sits at her desk and crosses her arms. She leans towards me. "I can't hire a pregnant woman to run my kids line. You won't put in enough hours I need for the line. Besides, you are disgusting to look at with all that fat that jiggles when you move."

"You're a horrible person. I can't believe you discriminate."

She shrugs. "This is my workplace and I don't want you to work for me. If I knew you were pregnant, I would never had Nicole call you. You are dismissed."

I smirk. "Thanks, Kylie Baker."

I walk out of the office playing the recorder.

On the way from the Baker Inc. I pull into LA Times parking lot and I walk towards the building.

This building also house the National News Station as well. What Kylie said will be played on the news and put into the newspaper.

That bitch won't have a company come tomorrow.

***

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