Paige's POV

"Alex, time for breakfast or mummy is going to be late for work," I yelled out to my son from the kitchen as I tried to make something for breakfast,

"I can't find my other shoe," he whined in response, not again,

"Are you sure you dropped it properly?" I asked as I hurriedly put the few pancakes on the plates and prepared tea for Alex, It was no news to both of us that he didn't know how to keep his stuff properly and even if he did, he wouldn't remember where he put them,

“Found it, Mum” he yelled back after a few minutes, earning a little chuckle from me,

“Okay then, come down for breakfast” I replied,

"I'm here, mum," he said from the door, making me look up from what I was doing with a small smile on my face,

"Come sit and have your breakfast," I cooed, pulling out a chair for him; I was so going to be late for work; it's not something new anyway.

"Mum," Alex called out lowly, making me turn to him,

"Is there a problem, love?"I asked concerned,

"No...it's just that... I was...wondering why .. you know... you are not...eating .., are you okay, Mum?" he asked in a whisper,

"Don't bother yourself; Mummy is fine; eat up so we can go," I replied, trying my very best to hide the tears forming in my eyes; he stared at me a little before going back to his meal, not saying any more words which I was extremely grateful for.

****

"You are late, Miss Moretti," Grayson started as I walked into his office to take note of all that needed to be done for the day,

"I am so sorry, I had to attend to something very urgent," I said, trying my best to keep the most apologetic face I could muster,

"This is the second time this has happened this week; whatever is making you late, you better stop or you know what," he said with anger written all over his face, but it is the only expression he is always spotting; I have learned to adjust to it. He tossed a pile of files to me, asking me to sort them all before lunch,

"But sir.."I wanted to protest, but he glared at me, and I quickly left the office without saying any more words,

“how I hate my life”, I screamed internally as I walked into my little cabin, throwing the files on my table with a groan. I guess this is my punishment, and then,

So here's the thing,after I left my home,I got a little job so I could gather money to pay for the little apartment Alex and I are living in currently and buy a little baby stuffs for Alex before I became too heavy to work, Mum tried several ways to reach me so I had to change my number and change all my social media accounts that could possibly leak my whereabouts to my mum,I cried for the whole 9 months and even when I gave birth to Alex the tears became worse no one was there to help me look after him or even witness his birth,there was a time we were both sick and we had to be admitted but I couldn't even stay in the hospital cause if I did I wouldn't have been able to pay his hospital bills luckily I got better with the help of the drugs I took ,I was all alone and I am still alone,Alex is 6 now and he is really growing into a loving,smart and awesome boy,he looks a lot like his father which sometimes bring back memories I am still struggling to put aside even after six years but I try my best to make him happy and comfortable,sometimes he asks about his father but I just shrug it off,what am I supposed to tell him,that his dad didn't want him? Of course not.

After his birth, I applied to work at this company; since I wasn't able to go to college, I was only pitied and given a side assistant to the secretary, who, FYI, treats me horribly, just as everyone else, but I need the job to take care of Alex so I have to endure. No one knows Alex is my son though, for those who asked I just made them believe he is my sister's son who she abandoned and ran away since I do not have a sister I really don't care the kind of things they say, it doesn't really matter, it's not like I am not proud of him I just can't face the people and the treatment given to single mothers in the society, I have enough on my plate already I don't need more, they will find out one day but till then.

"I can see your little pathetic life is starting to show on you, don't you think so, Paige" I heard Vanessa say from the door but I easily ignored her arranging the documents on my table as I began to sort them 'the earlier the better right' I said to myself,

"What's wrong, Paige, cats got your tongue?" she tried again, moving further into the cabin, making me roll my eyes,

"What do you want, Vanessa?" I blankly asked, hoping it would be over soon

"I was asked to check on you and it's obvious that Grayson was right, you are really useless here, it's about time we got rid of you," she said smirking waiting for my reaction, probably hoping that I would kneel and beg or cry for my job in front of her, not this time Missy.

"Okay,"I said simply,still focused on my work,

"That's all you have to say huh,trust me you will be begging soon" she yelled before leaving banging the door behind her loudly causing me to flinch a little,why are people so bitter in life?

I finally looked up staring at the door as tears slowly fell from my eyes,all of is starting to choke me,why me,why did it have to be me,what wrong did I do wrong?,

“It was one fucking mistake you know” I screamed mentally as I pinched the bridge of my nose fighting the tears,

“No time for tears,Paige” I reprimanded,putting myself together, I focused back on my work pushing all my pains down, determined to get through the day.

****

"Mum, there is this girl in my class" Alex started as we walked down the streets heading home,I would have to go pick up my car from the mechanic today,

"What about her?" I asked trying to not to sound as tired as I feel,

"She said, I don't have a Dad,that he couldn't stay with such a wretch like me,is that true Mum?" He said making me stop right in my tracks,I crouched in front of him till I was eye-level with him,staring into his shining blue eyes that looked exactly like his Dad's,one thing that gets to me everytime,using my index finger to raise his chin so he could look into my eyes too,I spoke up,

"That is not true, don't ever allow such words get to you,Okay, Mummy loves you and that's what matters" placing a kiss on his forehead I pulled him in for a hug,making him smile,what do parents say to their kids this days?

" And I love mummy too"he replied, kissing my cheek before I stood holding his hands as we walked home in a comfortable silence.