The secretary who became a billionaire's wife
Chapter 14

Phoebe's POV

"Ma'am, are you okay?" The Uber driver asks as he tries to check on me through the rearview mirror and still make sure we don't get into an accident.

"Yes, I am," I answered him so he could be relieved and focus on his Job. I used my left hand to hold my head and I also used my right hand to calm the rising tension building on my chest. "Why is he here? Did he see me?" This one guy is the reason I don't love men, I loved him with everything in me, and one day I was forced to do something I don't still know if I regret.

He has been away for eight years, living a good life and I'm here struggling with debts and a life-threatening disease.

I don't want to know why he's in town but I think he should leave.

Thinking about him will cause more harm I take my eyes off him and take my thoughts off him and face the window, my thoughts suddenly shift from thinking about him to the Beauty of nature that catches my eye, the facade of the tall buildings, the bustling city, I see a couple laughing happily as they stroll by the walkway, it suddenly makes me smile without my notice, I also see a little girl like my Emily's age carrying a small white puppy that seems so happy, I smile again and takes my eyes of the road.

I quickly look at the rearview mirror and replace the driver stealing glances at me, he would certainly be wondering what is wrong with me.

I breathed out heavily and sat up in my position, it didn't take long until we reached my destination Maryland school.

A school that brings alive good and bad memories in my life.

"Thank you," I said to the driver after paying him. I alighted from the car.

I quickly head for the principal's office. Mrs Pearl, one of the sweetest women I know, does something for me that no one in any school will permit.

She lets me pay Jake and Emily's School fees when I have money, unlike other parents who pay before the school resumes.

She knew about my family background, so you guys don't get lost in my explanation. Let me explain something real quick, the people who knew me well were people in my school and people in my neighborhood.

My parents we touts and everyone around us knew who they were so when the news got to school, my classmates would bully me they also questioned my position as the Head girl in school back then, but Mrs Pearl always believed in me even when no one wanted to and that always boosted my courage to show people that I was a different person, I was a good student that took my studies seriously I had good grades but my parents were dragging my down with their irresponsible behavior.

At a young age, I learned to work part-time Jobs to earn money for school. Mrs. Pearl saw all this and she thought the only way she could be of help to me was to let me pay my siblings' school fees at my convenience.

One time she came to the diner where I work and I served her. She was so shocked she gave me a full scholarship for that Year.

I'm not new to Maryland so I'm given access if I want to see Mrs Pearl.

I knock at her door and she quickly looks up from what she is writing, And a quick bright smile appears on her face, she looks young as always she has not looked older even after all these years. Money is good indeed.

"Is that my Phoebe?" She teases, opening her arms for a hug across her table.

I hug her and it relieves me a bit seeing that someone is delighted to see me, "Yes it's me."

"Have a seat, my dear," She gestures for me to sit.

"I'm here to make payments for my siblings," I say, bringing out the money I kept for the fees.

I bring the envelope out of my bag and place it in front of Mrs Pearl, "Here is the complete payment for this year." I say, smiling.

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Miss Pearl uses her fingers to push the money back to me, "You need that more than I do, I've already paid their fees from my pocket, what I need from you is to take care of those children and make sure they don't end up on the streets," she says putting her fingers between each other with a serious look which tells me she is serious.

"Oh my God," I say, my heart melts and I don't know when tears leave my eyes.

Is this happening? Miss Pearl has always trusted me beyond doubt, and she is one of the people who keeps my head up and I would not fail her.

"Thanks so much, Mrs Pearl I don't know how best to say I'm grateful," I appreciate her kindness.

"You don't need to thank me for anything, I've always loved your resilient spirit, and your passion for caring for your siblings, last week during lunch I saw Jake sitting alone at the field......he looked hungry, and you delayed this time to pay their fees which makes me understand that you must be going through some difficulty, so all I could do is help," she says looking at her nails, Mrs. Pearl was a no-nonsense kind of woman, she barely laughed but if she did she likes you and is impressed by you.

"Oh," I say, bending my head and realizing that she was observing my siblings.

"I've got a new job, hopefully, I'll take care of them properly," I assure her.

"I trust you on that but I think I should tell you something, Jake is a good boy, but I think you should go close to him and interact with him more often if you don't, so he doesn't end up in the streets like you Dad, he is mingling with some guys I don't think will be good for him, is your Dad out of prison?"

I looked down in embarrassment, "No," I said my voice barely audible.