"Five of them," she responded like it wasn't a problem.

"He's in his sixties," I reminded her.

"So?"

"Trophy wife?"

"And?"

"Is that even…" I stopped talking and sighed. "Just do whatever you want."

"Don't be like that," she whined as she placed her head on my thighs. "You haven't even met him. And when I told him about all you've done, he praised you for how intelligent you are." She informed me, "Well, it's a relief that he didn't see that you are more beautiful than I am. I hate being given a reality check whenever my clients see you."

"They can't help it. Iama ten," I said with a smug look.

"Pride makes you two," she shot back as she bopped my nose.

I chuckled softly before reverting back to my original expression of worry.

"You don't have to worry," she assured me. "His wife hasn't been on good terms since his last kid. So, it's all good. And his kids are around our age, so that's not a problem."

"I'm twenty-eight," I reminded her. "I don't think his kids would be willing to accept a stepmother that is their age."

"I understand your misgivings about the situation, but I assumed you'd be happy for me," she said with a somber tone. "You always did advise me to put the life of relying on my body and looks to get what I want. But I think this might be what I need, a chance to have a family…a proper one."

She justhadto put it like that.

"Come on…it's not like I'm sleeping around anymore," she said.

"I understand, but when I said you should stop. I meant you should find something else," I explained. “Like following your dream of having your own boutique.”

“You know if I set up anything like that here in Chicago, it won’t end well,” she said. “You should be aware of how hard it was for you to get a proper job without your past crawling around and stopping you.”

I didn’t say anything. She had a point.

“This is my chance, a fresh start in a different city,” she continued as she sat upright and held my hand. “And you are coming with me.”

“What?” I raised a brow.

“Okay, so, I told him about your job condition, and he's willing to help you get a job in Richmond," she said.

"You're going with him?"

"Of course, I am," she said in a matter of fact one. "I'd be alone if you weren't there, and this might be the opportunity that you've been looking for."

My aunt hadn't been doing great health-wise, so money was a pressing matter.

"It's a big hospital, at least that's what he said," she continued, trying to convince me to join her request. "You need this, don't you."

I would have jumped on the opportunity immediately, but I wasn't particularly fond of Mr. Hills. I hadn't met him yet, but there was something off about him. I was sure of it. But I needed the opportunity. Chicago wasn't being kind to me. A new slate was presenting itself – a place where no one would recognize me and bring up my past.

"Well, I can't leave you on your own, now, can I?" I smirked.

"Yaaay…" She embraced me. Things were going to be okay. At least that's what I thought.

Chapter six

The Reunion