The Lance Inc building had always been intimidating and imposing.The reason for this was not the decor or the esthetics.The reason for this was the people inside.They were people who knew their place and their ident.i.ties.Ryu Long and his brothers were such businessmen that anything they touched would become imposing.

The woman stood on the opposite sidewalk staring up at the place.She did not thinkhe would remember her but she would at least try to get him to agree.But just agreeing would not be enough.He would need time to study and prepare the case and that was only possible if he accepted in time..Just then baby Alicia woke up from her sleep.Letting out a wail to protest the sun,she jolted her mother out of old memories.Picking little Alicia up,the woman first sat in front of a store and cooed at her baby.Taking out a small sipper of milk that was still warm,the woman fed the baby even as her own stomach growled in hunger. 

Today was the last leg of her journey.She had spent every penny she owned to win this case.The last two years had been difficult for her but the thought of her little one had kept her going.Who would have thought that within the span of one month,she would lose her job and the money she had scrimped and saved.She knew she could not hold on longer.Soon the rent on her place would be due and she would have to vacate the place if she could not pay.This had all been planned by Alicia's biological father to make her agree to give the custody.She would have happily let the child meet the father and grandparents if she had been unaware of their plans.But now that she knew certain things,she could not even bear to let their shadow fall on her baby.

After little Alicia had finished her milk,she put her back in the pram and pushed it towards the entrance of the tall building.Though she had not expected to enter easily,she was still disappointed at being stopped by the security.Before she could explain,she was handed a form to fill and told that she would not be allowed to take the pram inside.The form in her hand asked her to fill in her details and the person she intended to visit as well as the purpose for the visit.Handing over that form,she was given a visitor's pa.s.s and allowed entry.

The staff at Lance Inc had always been well trained and hospitable.Once she reached the reception,with Alicia' hand held in hers,she asked to meet Neil Long.The receptionist was well trained and instead of looking down on the woman in the ratty clothes,she asked,"Do you have an appointment?"

The woman shook her head in negative.The receptionist then politely answered,"I am sorry,Miss.I cannot let you proceed any further.But you can wait in the waiting room and if he is available I can fit you in.Or alternatively,I can request an appointment.The earliest appointment is for next month.."

The woman shook her head again as if to clear the cobwebs in her head and asked in a tired voice,"Could you atleast mention my name to him.I cannot wait very long as it is urgent.Maybe if you mentioned my name,he would be willing to fit me in."

The receptionist looked down at the visitors pa.s.s handed to her and seeing the woman,thought to do as she was asked.Picking up the inter office phone ,she dialed a number.The phone was answered on the second ring.The receptionist relayed the problem and then quetly waited for an answer.Receiveing the answer,she felt bad for the woman.Everybody knew that Mr Neil Long's a.s.sistant was a b**** and she had once again proven herself to be.Schooling her expression into a sympathetic one she said,"I apologize Miss.Sir is in a meeting and unavailable.I have pa.s.sed on your message to his a.s.sistant.If I may suggest,the waiting room is right opposite and you will be able to see Sir should he leave for a meeting or lunch.If he sees you,he may recognize you..."

The mother just nodded her head and went to sit inside the gla.s.s room.Though the receptionist had been nothing but polite,she could still feel the inquisitive stare of the staff as they wondered about her and her baby's ident.i.ty.She was wary of bringing a scandal to Neil Long's door but she had no options left..Setting Alicia on the sofa next to her,she gave her a small magnetic puzzle to play with and pa.s.s her time.She looked at the bent head of her daughter.She had been blessed to have such a pretty and patient daughter and could not fathom the idea of having to give her up.Stroking her head,she said a silent prayer to the heavens to make a miracle and save them.

The hours pa.s.sed and soon it was time for lunch.Alicia was getting hungry as well and cranky from having to sit still for so long.Finally,just before the lunch hour,the woman thought to ask the receptionist again but just as she got up,she saw a few men walking towards the exit of the building.And right in the middle of these suited men was the man she had looking and waiting for.Almost running towards the man,she had just opened the door when she froze in fear.Could she really do it?She almost missed her opportunity when the group moved forward.But little Alicia saved her and unknowingly saved herself.Sensing the open door and a chance for freedom,the little Alicia ran out of the door on her small chubby legs.

Children usually ran without a care for their surroundings and little Alicia was the same.She just ran and soon crashed into the suited man who had stopped abruptly to answer a question.

The sudden soft crash against his legs made him look down and he saw a little baby in a pretty frock was sitting staring up at him accusingly almost blaming him for her fall.Her big and now teary eyes and chubby cheeks melted his heart and brought out his tear nature.Going down on his haunches,he looked the baby in the eyes and said in a funny voice,"I am sorry little cupcake!Did I hurt you?"

The baby just glared and said in a cute baby lisp,"m not tuptake.my tame is Alitia."

The men around them started to laugh as they did not understand a word but Neil was fluen in baby language and said,"Ok so your name is Alicia?Then you are my best friend because her name is also Alicia."With that Neil extended his hand and gently took hold of little Alicia and picking her up in his arms,stood up.Little Alicia stared at her new friend in wonder and smiled readily,stealing Neil's heart.He looked up at the receptionist who had come forward intending to ask about the child but just then his gaze fell across the woman standing near the waiting room.

A moment's pause as Neil looked at the familiar woman and then a small smile spread across his lips as he murmured,"Onita Dew."Though,before he could stride forward to greet her,the woman's eyes met his and in the next moment she fell on the floor with a thud.