Chapter 1 The Apple Anna May

The City that never sleeps. New York.

If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere. She mentally scoffed at her wayward thoughts.

Mish's had adored that particular song phrase.

Anna May made sure not to bump people. She had been navigating the business part of the district,

trying to get her bearings. Her aim? Avoid tardiness. Nothing could stop her from her goal.

She paused before crossing, glanced at her map --grimaced. Two more buildings. Right at the end

of the street. Southeast. Eyes alerted --people in all walks of life coming and going-- she strolled the

yellow lines of the crosswalk.

Not much had changed since the last time she was here. Maybe busier. Population doubled. Heavy

traffic tripled.

Only her life did. Drastically. From walking the prestigious runways of Milan, Paris, and Tokyo to

walking the business district of Manhattan.

Not that it mattered. She was always good at adapting and her current situation had left her no

other choice but to do this. At point non-plus.

No backing out. The only way was forward. Fate had spoken. It was her duty to listen.

Fate has given her thus. An opportunity. For her and for the two most important people in her life.

Her sisters.

Anna May had never shirked from her duties. Even at such a young age, she had donned the mantle

on her fragile shoulders.

She had never been more determined of her goals. Her objectives. They all centered on her siblings"

future.

She might have looked like she was out of her depth --she knew better. This was her fallback --a

generous one-- after her so-called exciting and disastrous career in the modeling industry.

She inhaled sharply when her heart constricted. Thoughts of what she had been through flooded

her mind.

Shaking her head to dispel the memories of the past, she continued walking. It was not the time nor

the place to contemplate.

She had become a whole new person and she had made something of herself in the shadows, away

from the limelight.

A better and stronger version. New career, new Anna.

She was forever grateful for her aunt Delia. A mentor who had helped her cope up with everything.

And courtesy of her aunt Delia, she was promoted as a training manager to the biggest

telecommunications in the world. Not only promoted --sent to work directly for the head office in

New York City.

Talk about OPPORTUNITIES! And perks. Of course, the perks drew her in like a moth to a flame. All

expenses paid, board, and lodging with everything she could ever imagine. Her sisters were very

well taken care of at home. Not rich. A roof over their heads, meals three times a day, and funds for

her youngest sister's frequent illness. Plus, Rie had started college while Mish took online classes.

The only flaw was she had to leave them and they were a thousand or so miles away from her. Her

lips twisted --not in a smile-- to contain her homesickness.

And I've only been away from them for two days.

No matter, her next goal was to make the necessary arrangements to get them where she was.

It was a motivation unlike no other.

Squaring her shoulders in determination, she lengthened her strides to face her future. Soon, my

loves. Soon.

Jesus Christ! She never thought the headquarters would be the highest building in Manhattan. With

eyes steadily growing big, she halted, tilted her head up --way up-- and read the imposing sign of

her new employer.

NORTH AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS. This is it! Be confident, Anna. She chided herself and

counted to ten. Desperate to try and calm her nerves. You excel at your job, that's why you are here.

God! She always hated the first day of work. New people, new assholes, new fake people, and new

buildings. Feeling like a headless chicken, she gritted her teeth --remembered her motivation. Her

sisters.

She took a deep breath, calming her nerves. With confident strides, she walked towards the glass-

paned electronic entrance and found herself on a very rich and elegant lobby, well more like a 5-

star hotel.

She gulped audibly when men and women, who looked like they came out of Forbes magazine

turned to gaze at her. With avid interest for the new face in the building. Shit! So much for being

unobtrusive.

Her hands trembled. In reflex, she clutched her office bag closer to her body. Her skin crawled. She

felt the men examining her from head to toe. She dressed modestly specifically for that reason. She

doesn't want attention on her.

She wanted to blend in.

Because people remember. At some point. She doesn't need that. She'd rather they forget.

It has been more than three years. She knew how she looked. Though she had never been vain. Her

opinion --her beauty was a curse. A cross she had to bear.

For once, especially today, she wanted to be ordinary. Plain and simple. Forgettable.

Her ensemble consisted of a silver-grey long-sleeved blouse tucked in a grey pantsuit with 3-inch

black heels and her hair was confined in a simple chignon. Very generic. Nothing to be excited

about.

Mentally girding her loins and ignoring the heavy beaded eyes on her, she walked directly to the

marbled elegant counter. A beautiful lady offered her a practiced smile.

"Hi, my name is Jane. How can I help you?" Showing her perfect implants.

"Hi, I am Anna May Greyson. I was asked to report here today," she noticed her voice was a bit

shaky. She smiled back to cover it.

"Sure, Ms. Greyson. Can I have a valid ID, please?" She rummaged her bag for her passport and

handed it to the girl behind the counter who inspected the ID, typing something on the computer.

It took effort not to fidget and relax her stance. Nerves were really eating her right now. What if the

company made a mistake and I am not supposed to be here? She almost groaned painfully at her

thoughts. Luckily, Anna saw the girl printing out an employee ID together with a black access card.”

Here you are, Ms. Greyson. Please report to Michael Marini, he is the personal assistant to the CEO

and owner. That will be on the 88th floor. Don't worry the attendant will see to it you are in the right

department. Welcome to NorthAm." The receptionist finished her instructions with her signature

smile.

Anna released a relieved sigh. Thankful that so far everything was on the right track.

"Thank you for your help, Jane.” She smiled gratefully, was about to turn her back when she saw a

fleeting frown in the girl's eyes but then she immediately schooled her features.

"You are welcome, miss.” And greeted the next person. Anna nodded to acknowledge her then walk

to one of the massive elevators that will bring her to the right floor. A tall man dressed in all black

held the doors of the steel cabin open for her

"The 88th Ms.?" So this must be her escort to meet the PA. Why do the people here look like they

came out of a fashion magazine? Even Jane can pass as a cover girl. Or maybe it was just her and

her past muddling her thoughts. Clearing her throat, she uttered yes.

She should really concentrate. This was her first day at work. And first impressions do last! Right you

are Anna!

How could this man be so intimidating? He oozed power yet he was only PA to the CEO. Anna May

can only imagine what the big boss will be like. She tried to cope up with the PA's longer strides

when he walked her thru her assignments and introduced her to her team. Apparently, the job

description will require her, her own team.

There was one question that was boggling her mind. How can the biggest company in America

does not know their own products? Thus, the main reason for her to train the big boss himself, his

senior bosses, junior bosses, and their staff. She gave her attention back to Michael Marini when she

heard her name.

"So you have one week to prepare your lectures, presentations, and the like. Your team will have to

help you. I am afraid that I can't give you more time since Mr. Northam will be here by next week.

We had recently taken full ownership of this telecom company so the boss wanted everyone trained

when he returns. You can use the conference room in the meantime. The room will be large enough

for you and your people. If you have any questions you can reach me in my office. It's the furthest

one to your left.” She met his baby blue eyes directly. Surprisingly, the only thing she can read from

his beautiful eyes was curiosity and respect. She immediately felt at ease. Only just.

Ever since that incident, she became vigilant to the male species. She blinked when she saw his lips

moved.

"Again, we want to thank you for accepting this job on such short notice. You were really highly

recommended by Delia."

"Mr. Marini, I should be the one thanking you. This is really a once in a lifetime opportunity. I can't

believe at 22 I was assigned as a training manager to this company." She held out her hand for him

to shake. He chuckled at the gesture. He was really a handsome man with his coal-black hair and

baby blue eyes. And...she felt nothing, in her estimation, he shared the same sentiment. That

immediately relaxed her. One less predator. Thank you, Jesus!

"Well, you can start today. If you need anything please let me know." With those parting words, he

left her in the conference room. She couldn't hold it back any longer and pumped her fist in the air,

giggling happily.

A quick glance around the room showed her no one was about. Oh, God! Thank you so much for

this blessing. She was now in her element. She would make sure to do whatever was necessary to

give her sisters the life they deserved.