Page 55 of Triplet Babies for the CEO
What did I expect? A warm, supportive pep talk? I know better than to hope for that.
I press my hand to my belly, feeling the tiny flutter beneath. “I promise, I’ll never be like her,” I whisper fiercely. “You’ll never feel unloved, not for one single second.”
Resolution washes over me. My children won’t grow up with the same bitterness, the same coldness that I experienced. They deserve better, and I’m going to give it to them.
Hours pass, the apartment eerily quiet except for the ticking of a clock.
I’m curled up on the couch, trying to figure out my next move, when my phone rings. It’s Jasmine.
“Tasha! My boss just told me they’re looking for another bartender at the club. You interested?” Her voice is filled with excitement.
I’m paralyzed for a moment. I can’t even imagine myself bartending in a nightclub, all swollen with triplets.
But what choice do I have? I need a job. My savings won’t last long, and I refuse to go crawling back to Brody for money.
“I don’t know, Jaz,” I start, my voice wavering. “I’m a mess right now.”
Jasmine doesn’t let me spiral. “No, don’t do that to yourself. Look, it’s decent money, and you’re in Vegas now. You’re doing this for your babies. You’ve got to do whatever it takes.”
I take a deep breath, the reality of my situation setting in. I made this choice. I came here to stand on my own two feet, to start fresh. “All right,” I say finally, straightening my shoulders. “I’ll meet with him. I’ll do it.”
“Perfect!” Jasmine yelps. “He can see you in an hour. I’ll text you the address.”
I catch a cab to the club, nervously scrolling through cocktail recipes on my phone, trying to memorize the basics. The Stripwhizzes by, all flashing lights and glitz, a chaotic assault on the senses.
The cab pulls up to a massive, glittering resort that towers over the street, the marquee flashing with images of shows, slot machines, and half-naked dancers.
Stepping out, my heart pounding, I walk through the resort into the dark, pulsing nightclub. The thumping bass vibrates through my chest as I navigate the maze of velvet ropes and slip past the line of patrons waiting to get in.
The manager, a large, burly guy with a buzz cut and a tight black shirt, greets me in his office. The room is dimly lit, the scent of expensive cologne thick in the air.
He’s clearly all business, asking rapid-fire questions about my bartending experience, and somehow, I manage to keep up.
“All right, I like you,” he says, leaning back in his chair. “You’re hired. Come back tomorrow night for orientation.”
He tosses me a uniform: tight black shorts and a low-cut tank top.
I stare at it, wondering how the hell it’s going to fit when I’m seven months pregnant.
Jasmine finds me as I leave the manager’s office, her smile wide. “Congrats, girl! Let’s get you home.”
The drive back to Jasmine’s apartment is filled with a heavy silence. I can see the worry etched on her face, but she’s trying to play it cool for my sake.
I stare out the window, watching the neon lights blur past. Finally, I break the silence, my voice cracking. “I should’ve come with you in the first place, Jasmine. Maybe if I had, none of this would’ve happened."
Jasmine scoffs, shaking her head. “Tasha, are you crazy? Do you know how many women would kill to sleep with someone who looks like Brody Thorne? You got lucky.”
I let out a bitter laugh, wiping away the tears that won’t stop falling. “Yeah, I’m real lucky. Pregnant with triplets and completely alone.”
“Listen to me.” Jasmine pulls the car over and turns to face me, her eyes fierce. “You’re not alone. I’m here, okay? And those babies in your belly? They’re a blessing, Tasha. They’re going to be so special. You just have to see it.”
I’m not quite ready to believe her, but she grabs my hand and squeezes it. “Everything happens for a reason,” she says softly. “We’re all here for a purpose. Those babies, they’ve got a purpose, Tasha. Maybe you don’t see it now, but you will.”
Her words, as corny as they are, seep into my heart.
For the first time in days, I feel a tiny flicker of hope.
I don’t know what the future holds, but maybe, just maybe, there’s a reason for all of this.
