AVA:

"Next!" a voice echoed through the confined space. The impatience in the tone was glaring so I swiftly stood up to approach the desk with my envelope of documents clutched to my chest.

There was a man behind the desk but he barely spared me a glance before stretching out his hand to receive my envelope.

"Name?" he asked.

"Ava Dumphrey," I said even though I could feel the knot tightening in my stomach.

"Reason for loan request?"

"Rent," I plainly stated just like that without a plus or minus.

He nodded but still didn't spare me a glance while he flipped through my documents. "And where's your proof of income?" he asked.

"They are after the documents with you."

He got to them and glanced through the last item with him. I couldn't gauge what he was going to say next but I was nervous for whatever the case may be.

"Unfortunately, you lack the qualification to be approved for the loan," the man said to my hearing.

"What do you mean?" I asked with my voice raised a bit more slightly than usual. "I'm a single mother and I work two jobs. Isn't that enough to get me qualified?"

He shrugged, already shifting his focus to the next person. "Rules are rules, madam. Get a better score on your income and come back."

Seeing my hope getting dashed made me stunned as I stood transfixed on the spot for a moment before I eventually snapped out of it.

I wasn't just frustrated at this point, I was panic-stricken. How in the world was I going to take care of my son when I don't even have any money on me?

Quickly, I checked the time to see that I had about thirty minutes to my next shift so I stepped out of the building. I stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi when a black Toyota parked in front of me.

The window rolled down, revealing a face I haven't seen in over three years — Jared.

"Ava?" His baritone voice drilled my ears.

Looking at him, I could only remember one thing and it was him being the reason Damian thought I was a cheat.

I had mixed feelings seeing him but I had to respond to him.

"What are you doing here, Jared?"

"No, what are you doing here?" he asked in return. "I've been trying to reach you for ages but you've been MIA. What happened? Did something go wrong?"

I sighed. I don't think I could handle questions like this standing beside the road and in front of the building that just levelled up my frustration about my existence.

Jared must have noticed my uneasiness so he does the manly thing possible by saying, "Get in."

I hesitated at first but then got into the car with him. It felt really comfortable and I won't deny that I haven't experienced such luxury in three years despite it being just a car.

"You don't look so good, Ava. Talk to me. What happened? Where have you been?" Jared asked all that for a start and I ready to actually tell him everything he needed to know.

"Damian kicked me out," I stated with that.

"Damian, your husband?"

"Ex-husband. And it's been three years since he did."

"What did you do that would make him do such a thing?"

"He said I cheated on him," I stated and then turned my face to look at him, "With you."

"Wait, what?" Jared stated with a dumbfounded expression. "Me?"

"Yes, Jared, you. I knew Damian was tired of me but I didn't know he was tired enough to turn an ordinary friendly hangout into signs of infidelity. It really hurt me because I've been struggling since then to cater for myself and my son."

The information didn't elude Jared's ear. "You have a son?" he asked.

"Yes, I do," I stated. "And Damian doesn't even know because I didn't mention I was pregnant before he kicked me out."

For a minute or two, Jared said nothing but just stared at me. He had pity in his eyes and noticing it and me vulnerable. I didn't like to be looked at like that no matter what.

"You've been through a lot, Ava. And I don't want you to keep going through this alone," he said to me.

"I think I've been doing just fine."

"You have. But I want to help, Ava. And I mean it."

His hand went down to mine and I was certain I understood the message. I just wasn't certain I was ready for whatever came with it.

AVA:

The diner buzzed with the usual lunch rush — clinking plates, murmured conversations, and the occasional shout from the kitchen which always seemed to irritate me a lot.

I carried a tray loaded with food to a corner booth where a group of teens barely glanced up from their phones as I set down their orders.

"Enjoy your meal," I said with the best polite smile I could offer before retreating to the counter.

My shift had barely begun but exhaustion was already creeping in. Between juggling two jobs and caring for Alex, rest was a luxury I couldn't afford. I mean, literally everything was a luxury to me.

"Mommy, can I have another cookie?" The tiny voice of my son, Alex, pulled me away from my thoughts. He was sitting at a small table close to the counter, his hands rampaging through the collection of crayons in front of him.

I had to bring him down with me today when I couldn't afford the daycare system I usually got him. Thankfully, my boss let me bring him.

"How about some juice instead? You've had enough cookies already," I said gently.

He pouted but nodded so I went to him and poured him a small cup of juice which I set on his table before heading to the back to grab an order.

When I returned, a sight stopped me cold. Seven heavens, it was Damian was standing by the door.

For a moment, I couldn't breathe properly. He looked just the same since the last time I saw him. And yeah, it was giving me bad memories already.

Recognition flickered across his face when he saw me. To be honest, I wasn't prepared for this encounter. At least, not today.

"Ava," he called my name as soon as he got closer to me.

I tightened my grip on the tray in my hands, my heart pounding. "What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I could ask you the same thing," he replied while scanning the diner.

"I work here. Isn't that obvious?"

"Mommy... I broke my crayon."

Oh not now, Alex. You shouldn't have called me that in front of him.

I watched as Damian's eyes landed on Alex. Immediately, his expression shifted.

"Is that your son?" Damian asked in a sharp tone.

Instinctively, I stood in front of Alex. "It's none of your business," I responded.

He noticed my overprotective attitude and had to ask the one question I didn't want to hear. "Is he my son?"

"No, he's not. Why would you think he is?"

"You're just so good at lying. He looks just like me. Even a blind man can see that."

"I don't care what a blind man can see or cannot. He is not your son and he will never be!"

"How old is he?"

I was beginning to get angry but I had an order to drop so I went to do that. When I went back to meet Damian, I said, "It's none of your concern, Damian. Now you either order for something or you walk out of here this instant!"

"Just tell me the truth. Is the boy my son?"

"You don't get to demand answers from me after what you did!"

"What do you mean? For heaven's sake, you cheated on me."

"I never cheated on you!" I declared, my voice a little high and that brought glances from those close to us. "You let another woman come in between us and manipulate you into thinking I cheated on you. Who's the cheat there between you and me?"

"Don't try to turn this on me. I remained loyal to you always."

"Oh please. Loyal enough to care about another woman's opinion. Listen, I don't owe you any explanation so just leave."

He stared at me for a long while. His gaze was hard but conflicted. Finally, he glanced at Alex again.

"If he's mine, I won't let you keep him away from me. I'll find out, Ava. I will," he said quietly and didn't wait for me to respond before turning and walking out of the diner.

I stood there trembling, as the noise of the diner returned to normal. Alex tugged at my apron, his innocent face looking up at me.

"Mommy, are you okay?" his tiny voice asked me.

Kneeling in front of him, I smiled and said, "Mommy is fine, okay? Don't worry about me."

But I wasn't fine. And neither do I have a clue how I was going to protect him from Damian.

My mind was racing faster than a bullet as the overwhelming pressure began to get to me. I am not okay.