Ashley stared at her reflection in the mirror thoughtfully, after a while she gave her self a satisfied nod. Clad in her black suit which perfectly fit her curvy body, she looked simple yet professional at the same time. She tied her hair in a perfect ponytail ,she opted for light make up, lip gloss and mascara.

She was going for an interview in a famous law firm. Recently the firm had published an advert urgently looking for a secretary and she applied , fortunate being on her side, after few days she was called for an interview.
In her heart of hearts, she knew that she needed this job come high or hell water.
First she wanted money to cater for her bills and two she had to take her daughter Emma to school. Talking about the girl, the door flew open and she was given a bone crashing hug.

"Good morning mom" She excitedly greeted her with a wide smile exposing her perfectly spaced white teeth.

"Morning Sunshine" she tightened the hug in response.

Emma snuggled closer resting her head on her shoulder , sensing her daughter's discomfort. She gave her small hand a little squeeze.

"Baby what's wrong" She asked rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"Mom I love you so much , I can't imagine life with out you. I wish you all the best today and I want you to know that am proud of you"

With tears threatening to spill out of her eyes, she kissed her daughter .
"Mom will always be there for you. Now Mrs Emotions. if you don't mind I want my chest back"

Chuckling Emma released her. She ruffled her hair and asked "How was your night honey "

"Good, mommy I am no longer getting nightmares " She looked at her mother and she shrugged "at least you know what I mean mom " she continued sadly.

The atmosphere in the room, became so tense, Ashley just looked her daughter with many emotions running across her face.

" Mom prepare let me go watch series" Emma said and she exited the room immediately.

Ashley remained glued in one spot, Emma's words had really sunk in. What the hell had they done to deserve all the shit they had passed through?
She gave her self one last quick glance in the mirror and she headed to the sitting room. She found Emma busy engrossed in what she was watching.

"I prepared you breakfast already, now be a good girl, Okay?"

" Mom if u keep on asking me that question again I swear you will be late for your interview , go I will be good no worries ." She offered her a peace sign with her fingers. Where did she learn that from!! She laughed internally.

Shaking her head in amusement Ashley found her way out of their apartment .
" I love you mom" Emma told her as she closed the door.

"I love you too Emma"

They had just moved in California , rented a small apartment with just two bedrooms, a sitting room and a kitchen. The space was just enough for her and her daughter. With everything they had gone through, they deserved better. Emma needed her more than anyone.

As the cold morning breeze hit her, she looked up in the sky to see a ray of light struggling to get its way through the thick morning clouds, some how she smiled as she related such a simple natural gesture to her life. She didn't know what went wrong for her life to turn into a living hell. This not how she had planned her life, she had planned to leave a fantasy life, a perfect husband and a happy family. What happened to that now?, she was one of those people who could stand up on a stage and defend the phrase "Never be so sure in life, because life has a funny way of proving us wrong" because life had proved her a hundred percent wrong. She looked at her left then her right side, her face held fear, Was she being followed?
Satisfied with her suspicions she hailed the cab with a smile on her lips.

"Sir may you take me to Matthews Associates and Auctioneers" She said as she buckled her seat belt.

She looked outside through the window as they passed buildings, people and trees. She got lost in her own thoughts as the cab move on.

She just hoped today turns out to her expectations.
Because deep down, she knew she needed it.

At the age of 28 years, she had gone through a lot, her daughter was only seven years old but life had really been hard, that her daughter gained a mature mind, she saw things a child of seven years couldn't have seen and because of that she learnt to say things a child her age couldn't say.

A short chapter I know..am truly sorry but keep on reading .