Chapter 22

DORIS

The money was too good to pass up, but more importantly, I couldn’t turn Arthur down when he was looking at me with such hope.

“Okay, Arthur, I’ll do it.”

His smile lit up the room. He stood up like he was going to hug me, but I motioned him back in his seat.

"What about Cathy? Won't she be upset if she discovers the truth?" I asked.

Arthur sighed, his gaze drifting into the distance. "Like I said, Cathy left when Mia was just a baby. Cathy is all about her music, and she hasn't visited or shown a significant interest in six years."

“Wow.”

“Yeah.”

“She’s lucky she had you to take over.”

“I’m lucky I ended up with Mia, so it all worked out. But Mia is getting older and now she needs a mother figure.”

“Hmmn,” I said, and nodded to show I was listening. “I get that.”

“This last surgery was really hard on her emotionally. Having her dad around wasn’t enough. She needs you.”

Arthur’s look was so vulnerable yet so strong.

“We need you, Doris. I’ve been wrapped up in work, but now Mia has to come first. With your help, we can provide her with the love and stability she needs."

“Cathy isn’t going to know or care,” Arthur said. “You can step in flawlessly. Now let’s talk about you and your situation.”

“I paid the bill for your adoptive father Noah’s medical bills—”

“You what?”

“You didn’t know?” Arthur asked.

I thought back to when Lena had said I had a small balance. I shook my head. “No.”

“I also know you sold your dress back to the boutique.”

I winced.

“I imagine the responsibilities and obligations you have can feel crushing. I’m sure you want the best for Noah, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“I can get him moved to a private wing with the best of everything.”

“I won’t take advantage,” I said. “I’m not taking any more money from you.”

"I wasn't offering anything but putting you in touch with the right people to make that happen. If you want to move Noah to a better set up, your two part-time jobs plus your sign-on bonus should help you with that."

He had me there.

“I just want to hear you say yes again. Say yes.”

I smiled. “Yes.”

Then it’s settled. “Go back to H.R. now and they’ll get you settled with the paperwork for Heritage Properties.”

Arthur scribbled his address on a piece of paper. "Here's my personal contact info. I'll have a limo come pick you up at 7 a.m. on Saturday morning."

“I can take the subway.”

Arthur came around the desk, stepping close to me. His big body radiated heat.

"I'll send the limo," he said in a dominant voice that left no room for argument.

Friday night, I was a little bit of a wreck, but also excited. One, I got to see Arthur again. Two, I loved kids. I was looking forward to meeting Arthur's daughter.

Now I knew Nathan was actually Arthur's executive assistant and not his equal coworker.

Nathan had brought over a file for me. The file contained a lot of information on Cathy. She had changed a lot since I knew her in college. I was surprised she was so successful.

I paid close attention to every bit of information in the file. I didn't want Mia to feel tricked; kids her age are smart.

Cathy and I actually had a lot in common. We both loved singing. We had a similar fashion sense. We were both interested in travel and real estate and the same movies and books, and games.

There were plenty of videos of Kathy on the internet, both alone doing interviews and with her band.

I used my exceptional memory to absorb every detail about Cathy, studying her favorite style and mannerisms. It was crucial to embody her character flawlessly.

The file also contained information on Mia, her health, things she liked, and that she had studied dance and music.

With Mia's sensitive and intelligent nature, I had to be extra cautious not to leave any traces of my true identity.

At 7:00 a.m. on the dot, the limo picked me up. It was a stretch Rolls-Royce, and I had never been in such luxury. I'm sure people who saw me wondered if I was some celebrity on the way to an early movie set.

When I arrived at the 5th Avenue Penthouse building, I was impressed, but I probably shouldn't be now that I knew who Arthur really was. I reminded myself that I had taken many acting classes in college. I told myself this was, in some ways, an acting job but a thousand times more important.

I took a few minutes in the limo to center myself and get ready for the role. If I were a mom who hadn't seen Mia in years, I would gush over her. I should have brought her a present. Why didn't I think of that before?

I turned to the limo driver and asked him to lower the glass partition between us completely.

I knew there was a fancy famous toy store that opened early. I gave the limo driver some money and asked him to buy the biggest stuffed animal he could find and bring it up to the apartment as soon as he could.

“Okay,” I mumbled quietly to myself. “It's go time.”

“I'm ready,” I said to the limo driver. He came around and opened my door.

I was shaking slightly in the elevator, but by the time I got to the door of the penthouse, I was ready.

I knocked.

Arthur opened the door. Mia was standing behind his legs. She peeked out around his legs.

“Mommy?”

I couldn’t speak. I nodded.

Mia clasped her hands together and jumped up and down. “Mommy! Mommy! You're here!”

"Yes." I squatted down and opened my arms. She ran to me, and I gave her a big hug.

"I'm here," I said quietly into her hair. I held her for a few moments, but it seemed like a long time.

I held her by the shoulders and gently pushed her arms-length away. “Let me look at you.” I looked her up and down.

"Mia! You've grown so big since the last photo your dad sent me. You're so tall and beautiful!"

Mia hugged me again. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

“I’m sorry I was away for so long,” I said.

“It’s okay. I know you had to sing. I love to sing too.”

“I know. Your daddy told me.” I sniffed her soft hair, taking in the bubble-gum scent of her kid’s shampoo.

There was a knock on the door. It was the chauffeur with a pink stuffed unicorn almost as big as Mia. That was fast.

"This is for you, sweet girl. A perfect being as magical as you are." I handed it to Mia, and her eyes went wide as saucers.

"I looked into her pretty eyes, a bluish-turquoise similar to mine. "Now, pretty girl, I want to hear about everything I've missed."

"I'll tell you!" Mia said, jumping up and down again. "But first, let me show you my room!”

As Mia took my hand and started pulling me down the hall, I looked over my shoulder at Arthur. The look on his face made it all worth it.

This was a man seeing a woman giving his daughter the world.

This was a man watching a woman who would do anything for his daughter.

This was a man who had been hurt but was creating a true family.

This was a man falling in love with a woman.

This was Arthur falling in love with me.