THE GHOST OF MY PAST(GP)

Chapter Eight

This uncertainty wears me off more and more every day. By the time I leave work, I dont have enough energy to deal with my little chatterbox at home. Im always late arriving at Hoyeons house, and my daughters already eaten dinner with her aunt and cousin. Clearly, Ella isnt happy with this situation.

When can we eat together again? asks my daughter when I pack up her lunch while shes finishing her cereal. Youre always late now.

I know. Lets hope it will change soon.

I dont like your new office. I like Daves better.

I chuckle as I put her meal box, fruit, and drinking bottle into her lunch bag. Of course, you like my old company better. Dave always bribed you with a box of candy every time he needed me to work overtime.

Ella grins, showing her bunny front teeth and a missing tooth next to them. I have an idea. Why dont you call him to ask if you can work for him again?

Oh? Why?

Ella shrugs. So that you can be home early, cook dinner, and eat with me.

My heart clenches as a guilty feeling creeps in. Making a mental note that I will talk about this to Ms. Manoban, I turn around to face her. My hands clutch the edge of the granite countertop while I lean on it. Im sorry for not having time lately, sweetie. I promise Ill make it up when this is over.

When will it be over?

I bite the inner part of my cheek, not sure what to answer. Today, I will hear more about the result of yesterdays interview. With the last drop of faith I have for my CEO, Im still hoping for a miracle, that a candidate has been selected. It will be over as soon as they find someone who can do what Im doing at work right now. Then I can go back to my normal job again. Im not sure when, but I hope it will be next week.

Ella knits her eyebrow. Normal job? Her eyes twinkle as her smile grows bigger. Does it mean youre going to work for Dave again?

No. I shake my head, thinking how to explain this work stuff to a seven-year-old. I cant go back to my old company, sweetheart. I have to stay in my current office. But at the moment, I need to do a different job for my big big boss, I say, emphasizing the word big. And when its done, I will go back to the same job I did at Daves company. Only, my new bosss name is going to be Max. And it means, I will have more time for us again.

Okay. Ella scrunched her face. I dont like your big big boss.

Oh? Why is that?

She sounds mean because she makes you go home late and tired every day. She drinks the rest of the milk directly from the bowl, before wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

I feel a tug in my heart. If she only knew.

Lately, the idea of Ella being my CEOs daughter is getting harder to ignore. I cant push the thought to the back of my mind anymore, especially after I did my homework to check Lalisa Manobans background. Apparently, he was taking her doctoral program at the very university when the frat party took place. But still, there is no solid proof that the guy I slept with was really her.

And even if she was the guy, what would I do exactly? Telling her about the daughter she never knew existed? Would the news surprise her or scare her shitless? Would she not want to have anything to do with Ella once she found out? Or would she demand shared custody? Aarrgh. My head is spinning every time I think of all these scenarios.

For now, I will just look for some more evidence while focusing on my work transition.

You know what? I have a terrific idea, I say as I wiggle my eyebrow. Lets go to the movies tomorrow. After that, we can go to your favorite arcade. Then —I make an enthusiastic gasp— we can drive to Jisoos house and eat pizza until we pass out. What do you say?