Book Two.
Arielle Thompson and Raheem Small, who grew up together in Slys Village, find themselves in an unexpected twist of fate as they both attend a family reunion after many years. Childhood enemies, their relationship was marred by Raheem's hur...
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📍Crescent Avenue| New Kingston, Jamaica| 🗓️Monday| October 2|
"Children are not allowed at work Miss Thompson. I believe as a professional you would know that," Georgina said as she stood at my office door way watching me holding Angel.
"My apologies, Mrs. Ainswell but my daycare was closed due to water damage and I couldn't find a last minute babysitter. My boyfriend will be here around lunch time to take her home," I said through gritted teeth.
Mi nuh waan affi deal wid dah gyal yah today cause right now my head deh all ova the place...
"You trust your boyfriend, a man who is not her biological father, alone with your young baby?" She replied as if judging me.
I looked at her confused and irritated at what she was possibly insinuating.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?"
"Oh I shouldn't be surprised by your lack of discretion, considering your public behavior on social media," she said, glancing pointedly at Mikaela in my arms.
"That's my personal life, Mrs. Ainswell. It has nothing to do with my capabilities as a professional or as a mother," I retorted, my frustration evident.
She raised an eyebrow. "Your personal life becomes the company's concern when it affects your work. You need to maintain a professional image at all times. Plus you're not a mother, you're a guardian to your dead colleague's baby... If you've never gotten pregnant and delivered a baby then you have no right calling yourself a mother."
This bomboclat gyal did not just-
I scoffed, my irritation escalating. "A professional image? This company has never cared about my personal life before. Why start now? And what the fuck would you know about being a mother? Didn't your own body kill your baby? If that isn't a sign from God then I don't know what is."
She stared me down angrily, as if upset about the fact that I went there even though she went there first.
"Times change, Arielle, and we must adapt. You've become a representative of the company, and your actions reflect on us. If you can't manage that responsibility, we might need to reconsider your position," she threatened, her tone condescending.
I tightened my grip on Angel, trying to maintain composure. The audacity of this woman, making veiled threats about my job. I'd been working here for years, and this sudden change in attitude felt targeted.
"As I said my boyfriend will be coming to pick her up at lunch time. I will ask that you stop using my personal life against me," I said, my voice sharp.
She nodded, seemingly satisfied. "See that you do, Arielle. We can't have distractions affecting the workplace."
