As Reyna wiped the sweat off her face, she heard someone call, “Reyna, are you almost done there?” “I’m almost done.
I’ll be right there,” she called back before heading to the truck to unload more boxes.
Moving at a decent pace, she finished her task and said her goodbyes to her coworkers before rushing to see what her boss needed me for.
The man nodded his head in acknowledgment.
“You finished?
Good.
It’s time for you to get going,” her boss said.
“What?
My shift isn’t over,” she said as her mind raced over the possibilities.
He must have caught on to what she was thinking and said, “I’m not firing you.
Seamus called, saying he’s going to pick you up so you can leave early.” Reyna perked up for a moment before her shoulders slumped as she tentatively asked, “Are you sure?” Suddenly, he slapped her shoulders and said, “Just get going.
If I remember right, your cute son is going to turn five soon.” Any words that she had planned to say died in her throat.
It had been five years since she left the Villegas family, carrying her little Phoenix, her small bundle of joy.
Though things had been tough for her, adjusting to a new place with nothing to her name, she felt blessed.
Her current life was far better than the one she had left behind, and it was thanks to her son.
The very thought of her son brought a smile to her face, causing her boss to wave her off in mock anger and say, “If you can smile, then scat.” “Thank you, sir,” she said before running off.
Making her way to the parking lot, Reyna saw Seamus leaning against a fancy car, drawing all kinds of attention from passersby.
She groaned when he spotted her and waved at her.
Reyna rushed past the gawking onlookers and got into the car as he took the driver’s seat.
“Seamus, I thought we talked about picking me up in one of your fancy cars,” she said as she buckled.
He chuckled.
“All my cars are fancy and safer than any of the other cars you wanted to grab.” She rolled her eyes as she said, “This is why people think you’re my sugar daddy.” Seamus cackled as he got the car going.
“Sorry, but you’re not my type.
I have a loving wife and son.” “Yeah, well, you know how much people love to gossip.
I’m going to be bombarded with questions for the next few days,” she said as she looked out the window.
“I did offer you to work for my business instead of working at the docks.
I don’t know why you want to work there for minimum wage when you can work a comfy job with a top salary,” he commented.
“I told you before.
I don’t qualify.
I never got my high school diploma,” she reminded him, making him grimace.
Her parents had forced her to drop out of school to support the family while her sister continued her education.
It had always been a thorn in her heart.
Seamus and his family had offered to sponsor her education, but they had already done so much for her.
She couldn’t possibly burden them with that.
Reyna quickly changed the subject and said, “Besides, I like working at the docks.
It gets me into shape.” He laughed as she flexed her arms and said, “Well, if you ever change your mind, I’m all ears.
Even Jeanette says she wouldn’t mind having you as her intern.” “That’s even worse.
I’m no doctor,” she said.
Seamus didn’t argue with that, and Reyna briefly wondered how she had ended up so fortunate to have a couple willing to take her in and help her get her citizenship.
When Jeanette had offered her those two options years ago, she had never imagined she would find a loving family in another country.
It said a lot that she was happier living in a different country with the enemy than at home among her people.
“By the way, Waylon is back,” Seamus said, and she smiled weakly.
Waylon was Seamus’s only son who was a few years younger than her and unfortunately had a huge crush on her before he went off to college.
It had been both flattering and awkward.
There had been a moment where she feared they would kick her to the streets for “seducing” their son.
Fortunately, Seamus and Jeanette didn’t blame her and took it in stride.
“How is he?” she asked politely, hoping Waylon had found himself a girlfriend.
“He seems to be doing well.
He misses you,” he said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye.
She groaned and covered her face as she said, “I’m sorry.” “Don’t be.
It’s not like you made him like you.
Besides, it’s most likely a phase.
He’ll eventually get over it,” Seamus said with a shrug.
Unable to help myself, she asked, “What if he doesn’t?” “We don’t know that, but if it’s really not a passing phase, then we won’t stand in his way.
Unless he does something wrong or doesn’t respect your boundaries,” he said like he hadn’t just given his blessings.
Reyna wasn’t sure how to feel about him giving her a free pass to date his son.
There wasn’t anything wrong with Waylon.
In fact, he was a decent young man who would definitely make any woman happy.
There were just too many outside circumstances that prevented her from considering him as an option.
Something must have shown on her face as Seamus raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why?
Is there something about him you don’t like?” She frantically shook her head and said, “No, it’s not like that.
I just think he can do better than someone like me.” “Hey now, what have we told you before?
You’re a good woman.
The fact that no one could see it before just means they were blind or just plain trash.
They don’t know what they’re missing.
Honestly, I’m glad you washed up in the city and joined our family,” he said, smiling at her.
Reyna returned his smile and said, “I am too.” The car pulled into the driveway when they noticed something was off.
People were frantically running around, causing the two to share a glance.
Seamus quickly parked the car in front of the mansion, and they stepped out in a flash.
They spotted Jeanette talking to a man at the entrance.
As soon as she noticed them, she halted the conversation with a raised hand and rushed over to them.
Seamus embraced her before asking, “What’s going on?” The solemn expression on her face could only mean bad news, but Reyna’s heart dropped as Jeanette looked her in the eye and said, “Phoenix has gone missing.”