Hey. Jacque here. I am wishing you all a Happy New Year with a new story.

PROLOGUE

When I was four, I dreamed of becoming an astronaut. I told my Mom that I would be the first man to reach Jupiter, and Pluto even. But that was before the stars decided not to align anymore.

When I was ten, I decided that being an astronaut is not really the dream. It is to become a writer in a newspaper. But that was before the pages of opportunities decided to end.

When I was eighteen, I applied to be a firefighter. I was ready to rescue lives and be invincible in fire. But that was before everything burned down.

When I was twenty-five, I dreamed to be a publisher. I dreamed to choose the good books to show to the public and to satisfy the readers with the literary piece I discovered. But that was before life told me that not all written words are to be read by people.

None of those dreams came true. I didn't become an astronaut, nor did I become a newspaper writer. Neither did I make it as a firefighter. I didn't even become a publisher. I am fifty-eight years old and am a huge burden to my daughter.

Ray Steele, the dreamer never reached his dreams at all.

After graduating high school, I had multiple jobs. I worked four jobs, so I could graduate college. During my last semester, my mother had stroke so instead of financing myself, I financed her maintenance. Sure, we had insurance, but they don't really help that much. I needed to do the effort. She died shortly after.

I couldn't go back to school since two of those three jobs I had fired me. They said they had to cut people since the business isn't going well.

Then, I met Carla when I worked as a plumber and she was a ray of light. She's had misfortunes too. She escaped an abusive home causing her to only finish her junior year of high school. At the age of twenty three, it was her dream to finish high school.

I found another job. Although low-paying, it managed to have her dream come true. She finished high school. Then during her graduation day, she proposed to me. When she knelt down, I told her to stand up because I should be the one doing that. We got married and she felt as though we were in a castle though our apartment was smelly and it had roaches in it.

We discovered she was pregnant. I worked extremely hard. I jumped from one job to another so I could provide for our little Anastasia.

When our daughter was born, Carla died due to complications.

I recalled telling her, "Don't you dare leave me. You're still going to travel the world with me. You're going to experience the best things in life. I'm going to give you the world."

She looked at the baby and said, "You've already given me the world."

When she died, I made a promise to do whatever it takes to take care of my little girl. I worked as a janitor and a plumber and a salesman too. Whenever there's this opportunity to work in a big office, something always happens.

First, the company owner changed so his employees will too. That included me getting fired in my first day of work. Second, I entered this bigshot company as a document controller and I didn't even get a salary because they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Third, I thought I had my shot as a marketing officer at my friend's firm but it turned out to be a scam.

Nevertheless, Ana graduated from community college and I raised her well. I didn't have work now. I got laid off from the convenience store. They said they wanted a younger employee. At fifty-eight, they said I was slow although I wasn't.

Here I was, jobless, depending on my daughter's minimum waged salary in a printing company. I had been searching for a job for three months but nothing happens. I apply and they said they'd call back. They say I'm qualified but I am too old. Damn it, I'm starting to think I'm cursed.

I sat on a park's bench recalling the conversation my daughter had with her best friend. I didn't mean to eavesdrop.

Her bestfriend, Leila dropped her off and she invited my daughter, "There's this new luxurious resto uptown. Why don't we have lunch there?"

"It's too expensive, Leila."

"Ugh! It's because of your father, right? You can't keep living this way, Ana. You can't deprive yourself from the good stuff because your father is such a loser."

"Leila, are you crazy? You can't talk to my father that way! He is not a loser!"

"Oh well, suit yourself. I am going there alone and you are going to be so jealous of me."

My daughter slammed the door shut at her and when she turned around and she looked so worried that I was hurt. I just gave her an apologetic smile and she hugged me.

So here I am at the moment. I am sitting on a bench with a newspaper in hand. I read it page by page and I saw an ad that brought out . . . the hope in me. Somehow, I was uplifted.

URGENT HIRING – GREY ENTERPRISES HOLDINGS, INC.

CEO Christian Grey's Personal Assistant

Male or Female

Must be hardworking and patient

Must be willing to work whatever hours

Must be focused

ANY AGE IS WELCOMED TO APPLY

I don't who this Christian guy is but I'm in.