Charlotte

“Hello, you must be Charlotte Cross. Welcome to Harvey Croix. I’m Natalie Croix, and this is Eden Harvey.”

“Oh heavens, you’re Harvey and Croix,” I stated foolishly, well beyond my league. What possessed me to take a job offer that I wasn’t qualified for? Oh yeah, I thought, rubbing my small belly. I couldn’t believe my manager fired me the instant he found out I was pregnant. I should sue his ass for discrimination.

“Actually, we’re the Mrs. Harvey and Croix. I am not a lawyer, but this beauty is. Right, I know brains, beauty, and the height too. I just want to kick her in her shins.”

“Don’t mind her, she gets a little talkative…well, all the time. Come with us and we’ll conduct the interview in my office.” I followed behind two of the most beautiful women who couldn’t be more opposite. I felt like I was in the middle of them both in an appearance at least. Mrs. Croix was a tall, leggy, and slender woman. Mrs. Harvey had more curves but was shorter. They were both impeccably dressed, hair perfectly in place. Even in the only dress suit I owned, I felt lost.

“Relax, Ms. Cross. We don’t bite anyone,” Mrs. Harvey said, catching a side-eye from Mrs. Croix. “Okay, well just our husbands. Anyways, have a seat so we can get started.”

“First, I know this is a very personal question, but are you?” She gave a circular motion around her belly. I wanted to laugh at her antics.

“Mrs. Harvey,” I started to say but was quickly stopped.

“Call me Eden,” she told me.

I smiled, feeling a little awkward because my situation had gotten me fired from the last place. Most people weren’t interested in hiring anyone when they were going to need time off in less than a year. “Eden, I’m not fat, just pregnant. That’s kind of why I really need this job.”

Both ladies nodded with kind smiles. “I see. Well, we don’t discriminate, I’m just curious.”

“That’s nice to know.”

“So tell us, when can you start?” Eden asked with a smirk on her face. “After all, we can’t wait that long.” She winked, pointedly staring at my belly.

“Um, what? I thought this was an interview.”

Mrs. Croix then added, “We do background checks on all potential employees, Ms. Cross. We looked into yours, and with your personable demeanor, you’ll be perfect for working as the receptionist. You can call me Natalie.”

I practically jumped out of my seat with joy. It took two interviews just to get my tip-based waitress job. I took home great money there because I had a genuine smile and gave flawless service. The money I made allowed me to save a little for community college. I managed to finish one semester before my parents lost their job and I had to drop out, so I could pay the bills.

Now I was surrounded by well-educated women who were married to their baby’s fathers.

“I can’t thank you enough,” I exclaimed. “I got canned for being pregnant.”

“Oh no, that’s not good. We could file a suit against him,”

“No, thank you. Just having a new one is all that matters to me. I have to be prepared for this baby when he or she comes along.”

“When are you due?” Mrs. Croix asked.

“In about five months.”

“Great, that’ll give you a lot of time to save.”

“Yes, it will. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”

I filled out paperwork, then was given a rundown of my daily duties.

~~~~~

Three weeks after working for Harvey and Croix, I was called into the big boss’s office. “Mr. Croix, you needed to see me?”

“Yes, please take a seat.” I did, feeling nervous due to the way he was looking at me. He’d been nice since I’d met him, but right now I was getting a very unsettling feeling. “I received a request from a friend of mine. He has been sending ‘Cease and Desist’ letters to someone trying to steal from him, but it seems the home where the person lived has been sold. Is there anything you need to tell me?”

“Um, what? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Look at this.”

“Oh my God.” I clasped my hand to my face. “I don’t know what this is about. Or even why this person thinks I’m plagiarizing his client’s works. I remember this letter right before the trip I took with my parents. I tossed it out because I thought it was just gibberish. You know how companies send you stuff, so you’ll contact them and they get your personal information. Or like when the people call claiming they’re the IRS. I don’t write and I sure as heck didn’t have time to read before I started working here.”

“Don’t worry, Charlotte. I know you aren’t the one. Remember my team ran your background before hiring you. Right now the client is going to come in to discuss the matter. I’d like you to meet with us and get it all cleared up. Can you do that?”

“Oh yes,” I said shakily. The tears in my eyes threatened to fall.

“Don’t cry, Charlotte. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I just want you to be aware of what’s going on.”

“Sorry, it’s my hormones.”

“Here,” he said, handing me a tissue. “I understand. Steady yourself and come into Conference Room A. I want you seated when he comes so you have the upper hand.”

“Okay,” I muttered, getting up and heading out of his office. Eden was outside the door waiting for me. She gave me a hug. “You’ve got this. Come on, let’s wash your face and get you ready to deal with this nonsense.”

“You’ve been an amazing boss.”

“I’d like to think of us as friends.” She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and walked me into the bathroom to freshen up. After feeling somewhat normal again, I stepped into the conference room and took a seat to hear my fate.