Natalie pov
If life throws you a lemon, you should probably eat it—or else you'll stay hungry.
At least, that's true in my case.
Getting fired from my last job should say something about me. Apparently, calling a customer a "creepy old man" after he accidentally brushed my chest was inappropriate. And okay, maybe spitting in his face was a little extreme, but I don't have a filter when it comes to things like that.
Not after everything I've been through.
So now, I'm back to job hunting, hoping one of the companies I interviewed with will call me back. Otherwise, the triplets and I are screwed. I didn't finish university, but I did spend two years at Cambridge, and I have some experience. Unfortunately, in New York, experience means nothing if you don't have the right connections.
The sound of small, sock-clad feet shuffling into the kitchen pulls me from my thoughts.
"Are you okay, Nat?" Zade asks as he rubs his sleepy eyes.
I glance up from chopping carrots and smile at his adorable face. He looks so much like me it's almost creepy—but his blond hair is shinier, like my dad's, and his light brown eyes remind me of a sun-dappled forest.
His twin siblings, Hanna and Aaron, who sat on the kitchen island,perk up at his question.
"I'm fine, baby," I say.
Zade scowls. "Stop calling me that! I'm not a baby anymore."
"As if," I tease, ruffling his hair.
He groans dramatically, trying to swat my hand away. "I told you—I'm older than Hanna and Aaron. You should call them babies, not me."
Hanna crosses her arms. "Excuse me? Just because you were born ten minutes before me doesn't mean anything, Zade."
"Oh, but it does." Zade smirks. "Ten whole minutes still makes you my junior."
Hanna huffs. "Well, then at least I'm older than Aaron."
Aaron, who had been silently focused on his puzzle, suddenly lifts his head. "Duh. But you guys might be older than me, technically," he says, dragging out the word, "but I'm taller than both of you combined." He leans back smugly. "So who do you think people will assume is the eldest?"
That shuts them both up.
Zade narrows his eyes. "It's not about height, Aaron."
"Yeah, well, when people see us, they'll ask me for directions because I look the most responsible." Aaron smirks. "I mean, look at you guys. One's a human grumpy cat, and the other—" He tilts his head toward Hanna. "—is a tiny firecracker who can't reach the top shelf without a chair."
Hanna gasps, affronted. "I can reach it!"
"Not without standing on your tiptoes."
"I hate you."
"And I love you more." Aaron grins wider.
I press a hand to my mouth, trying not to laugh. These three might drive me insane, but they're my world. I have no idea what my life would be like without them.
"Have you taken your medication?" I ask Zade, redirecting the conversation.
"Yeah, I did. I told you—I'm not a kid."
I raise an eyebrow. "You sure?"
"Uh-huh." He leans over, trying to peek at the stove. "What's for dinner?"
"Fish and vegetables. Your favorite."
"Fish is my favorite," he corrects. "Not vegetables."
I smirk. "Don't you want to grow taller? If you eat more vegetables, you'll be a giant in no time."
His face lights up. "Really?"
"Of course."
Hanna snickers. "Zade, she's lying to you."
"I knew it!"
I chuckle and plate their food, making sure the fish is perfectly arranged with the sauce and salad on the side. Once I slide the plates in front of them, they dig in immediately, making satisfied noises.
"This is so good," Zade says through a mouthful of fish.
"I'm glad you like it."
Hanna grins. "I love everything you make."
"You mean you love fish," I tease.
"That, too," she admits, "but anything you make is great. You're the best cook I know."
"I'm the only cook you know."
Aaron grins. "Still the best."
I reach over and ruffle his hair. He whines, immediately fixing it. "Where did you get that sugar-coated mouth from?"
"Myself. And stop messing up my hair!"
"No."
Lily, our black cat with white paws, meows from the counter. Hanna sneaks her a bite of fish, and Lily devours it like she hasn't eaten in days.
Aaron suddenly stops chewing. "By the way, the landlord came by earlier, yelling about rent."
I wince. "Sorry you had to deal with that, sweetie. I'll talk to him."
Aaron shrugs. "I told him he'll regret treating us like crap when we're rich and buy this whole-ass building just to kick him out."
"Aaron!"
"What?" He takes another bite. "That's the only way to talk to jerks like him."
I sigh. "We don't talk to adults like that, young man."
Hanna nods solemnly. "we are sorry mum."
"It's nothing to be sorry about dear, I'm the one who is sorry for making you guys pass through this"
Aaron eyes me carefully. "Where's your plate?"
"I'm not hungry."
"You're never hungry." His expression darkens. "Are you skipping meals again, Mum?" Zade asks, echoing his brother's concern.
"Of course not," I say quickly. "And how dare you look at me like you're the adults here?"
"Well, maybe we should be, so you'd actually eat," Zade mutters.
"Just finish your fish."
"I can't," Hanna suddenly says, pushing her plate forward. "I'm full. You can have the rest."
"Me too," Zade adds.
"Same," Aaron agrees.
My chest tightens. They're not full—I know it. They just want me to eat.
Tears sting my eyes, but I blink them away and push their plates back. "No, you eat it."
Aaron immediately tries to slide his plate toward me again, but I grab it, and we have a silent battle of glares.
"You eat it," he insists.
"No, you eat it."
Before he can argue, my phone rings. I quickly answer, recognizing an unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Is this Natalie Brooks?" a woman asks.
My heart pounds. I release the plate and wipe my palms on my apron. "Yes, this is her."
"This is Hayley from Pierce Holdings and Titan Capital Law Firm. Congratulations—you got the assistant position."
I freeze. "Oh. Oh my God. Thank you!"
"I wasn't finished, Ms. Brooks," Hayley continued smoothly. "You'll start Monday. You'll be assigned to a junior partner, and he requires a four-week trial period. If you fail, you'll be paid for that period and won't be hired permanently. If you succeed, we'll sign a long-term contract."
I swallow hard. "I understand. I'll do my best."
"Perfect. I'll email the details. Be early on Monday."
"I will. Thank you so much."
The moment I hang up, a squeal bubbles in my throat.
The triplets stare at me expectantly. "Good news?" they ask in unison.
"I GOT THE JOB!"
Before I can process anythi
ng else, they throw themselves at me, squeezing me in a tight hug.
"I knew you could do it, Mum," Aaron says proudly.
I close my eyes, holding them close. From now on, I won't have to live in fear.
I'll finally have the means to fight back.