Chapter 1. Force

Love is like a fart. If you have to force it, it's probably shit.

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Beauty's POV

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     "Please, Beauty." My sister Amalia pleaded. She almost knelt before me to make me agree with what she wanted. 

     "Sis, you know that I know nothing about that job! I'm a model, big sis. A MODEL!" I confidently said, emphasizing each letter. 

Her eyes grew more extensive, and she stood up and hit my head using her hand.

     "What model? A model of baby diaper and mineral water!?" She shouted.

"Ouch! That was harsh." I ducked. 

Yes, I'm a model endorser of diapers and mineral water. My printed Photoshop face is on the tarp of our water merchant neighbor. I got a one-time payment for endorsing their water business, and my face is on every plastic bottle sticker.

     I am also a model endorser of baby diapers, napkins for menstruation, and whatever! If there's a new launch of sanitary products, I'm always in! That's fine, and I'm okay with it. One year supply of sanitary pads. Where else can you find it? Who will give that for free?

     "Oh, shut up! What's the point of having a bachelor's degree, Beauty? You only earn a little of the sidelines you made. It would be best if you had a stable job. You can't even afford your own make-up. Oh, God! I don't know what to do with you."

She paced around, feeling annoyed and probably devastated. I pouted while looking at her. I am feeling ashamed of my situation. But what else could I do?

     I finished my economics degree course, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. I don't know why the hell I ended up doing that course. I was probably stupid at that time. But if you think about it, I love nature and want to save the world.

  Save the world? I couldn't even find a decent job!

Luckily, I met my best friend in high school, and we auditioned for a ramp model. We got in. I got it. And I love it!  So, this is me now. I have finally found what I want to do in my life. . . I want to pursue a modeling career!

     "Sis, have mercy!" I pleaded. "I just started my modeling career, and I'm waiting for the agency to call me," I said sparingly. 

     "Beauty, what a shame." Her shoulders dropped, looking tirelessly at me.

    "The school offered you a job, so why didn't you accept it?"

I shook my head and looked away.

     "I don't want to become a teacher. I have little patience, sis. I might fork the eyes of my students and eat them." I said while holding the fork and stabbing the scrambled eggs.

     A small school whose principal was her friend offered me a job. But I did not accept it. That school is too far away like you have to cross seven mountains! I'm sure I'll become an old maid if I become a teacher. 

  My sister rolled her eyes while looking at me. Sister Amalia is twenty-nine years old. It was late when she and Joey got married. She's the breed winner of our family. She did a lot for Mom and me. And, of course, I'm proud of her. Her partner, Joey, is the most loving and kindest guy I've met. 

     "Beauty, stop acting like a stupid girl. You're not young anymore. You're old enough to fix your life and start thinking of what you want to do! Look at you?" She sighed and sat down beside me. Both of us went quiet.

I didn't talk anymore. I'm not that old. Is twenty-four old? Soon, I will become twenty-five. I need a stable job.

Bugger.

     "Alright, Beauty. It's only good for two months, and the work is easy. Trust me." She looked at me seriously. 

Good God, grief! She's not joking. 

     "Okay, let's make a deal." She smiled. "Be my substitute, and I will help you find a manager for your modeling career," she proposed.

My heart immediately lifts with happiness. My smile widens. I know my big sister has many connections regarding this matter. She's not an ordinary secretary because she works in one of the biggest companies in the country, The Monde Corporation. She's the secretary of the CEO, and I heard he's a dragon. A beast who can swallow everyone alive! A perfectionist and grumpy, old. . . eww!

     "Really?" I grinned and twinkled my eyes. It's tempting. I'm tempted!

     "Yes!" I hugged her tightly. I'm excited!

     "How many months?" I asked.

     "Two months."

I twisted my mouth.

"Two months? You got to be kidding me! That long, sis? What if you will get pregnant? And you will not come back?" I frowned.

     "And why? Don't you see a pregnant secretary? Silly! I will be back. Promise." She raised her right hand and smiled sweetly at me.

How could I say no to her? Her eyes spoke like I was the only hope she could have. I felt sorry for her for not having their honeymoon when she and Joey got married because she was back for work the next day. Her dragon boss wants her.

The heartless and rude dragon!

I smiled and hugged her.  "And how much do I get paid?"

     "You can take my salary. You're working on my behalf," she winked.

     "Really? How much do you earn in your company?"

     "Twenty grand." Her head moved on each side of her shoulder like it wasn't a big deal.

My jaw parted, and my eyes welled up. So this means I'll earn forty grand in just two months.

     What the heck! 

     "I didn't know your salary was that big. I thought you were earning a secretarial salary," I laughed slightly.

She shook her head, chin up, and looked me in the eye, proud and tall.

     "I earn more every time and at weekends, too. You will see. You'll be surprised." She winked.

I chuckled. I couldn't believe it! Now, the mystery has been solved for me for the past seven years. I always wondered how she could afford my school tuition plus everything. She's amazing. Her job is fantastic!

     "Get ready. I'll take you with me."

     "What? Right now? As in right now?" I frowned.

     "Yes, why? You don't have a job. Let's get started." She disclosed.

     "Eh, Jasper and I have something to discuss," I refused.

     "Then cancel it! I don't trust your boyfriend, Beauty. You won't get anything from him!"

I pouted in dismay. I know she does not like Jasper, my boyfriend, for a long time. He's four years older than me. I met him during my modeling ramp when I was auditioning. He was one of the judges and was pleasant to me. I immediately fell in love with him.

     "When was the last time you saw him?"

     "Two months ago," I said in a low voice. I'm feeling disappointed and lonely.

     "See? Do you think he's serious? What sort of a boyfriend lives closer to you and could not even see you? Huh! I've told you, Beauty, don't give yourself to him!" She preached again.

I pressed my lips together. Jasper and I have been in this relationship for two years. He only met my sister once in that two years of relationship. He's always busy because of his work. It isn't very comfortable to think about, but he hasn't introduced me to his parents and siblings.

I also feel intimidated. I need a stable job. What face will I present to Jasper's family, if ever?

     Jasper works under the biggest and most renowned agency in the country. He's got his name in the modeling world, and I read articles about himself in a men's magazine. We agreed to keep our relationship secret for his sake. For his career's sake.

     "Beauty! Are you listening?"

I sighed and walked past my sister. She followed me.

     "Has something happened to you two? Have you given up your virginity to him? "

     I shook my head. "No, not yet."

I know this family old-fashioned who believes in the sacrament that making love should only be made to a married couple. I want to give myself to the right person. I want to preserve this for my future husband. I have nothing to offer except my heart and my purity.

     "Think, Beauty! People like Jasper are jerks!" Her brows rose, but she calmed down when she saw that I was hurting. Hearing bad words about my boyfriend is not pleasant.

     "We probably won't last long like this if Jasper is not serious about me, right?" in my raspy voice. 

I looked away and took some clothes out of the drawer. We agreed to spend a night together tonight, and I'm ready for whatever happens.

I respect my mother and sister's beliefs when it comes to sex. But sometimes, I want to trust myself when it comes to this.

     "Beauty, I'm sorry, and please listen. I love you, and I want to protect you. But I don't trust your boyfriend. I could only trust him if he would propose in front of you and marry you." 

     I swallowed hard, feeling uneasy about it. I am also waiting for his proposal. I hope that it will happen to Jasper and I. 

     I looked at my sister, knowing she was dying for their honeymoon. I felt sorry when she had to work immediately after the wedding.

That boss of hers is arrogant. Ruthless! Ugh, I'm not looking forward to seeing him.

I took my clothes and quickly entered the bathroom. But I paused when I remembered that Jasper hadn't even called or texted me for two weeks for tonight's plan.

I sighed and turned on the shower in the bathroom. After taking a shower, I quickly put on decent, clean clothes. My sister is waiting downstairs. Then my phone rang, and my heart lit up. It's Jasper.

     "Hello?"

     "Beauty."

   "Babe, I miss you!" I said excitedly.

     "I'm sorry, I need to cancel our date tonight. I have a work priority in hand. I can't go there."

The smile on my lips immediately disappeared. How often did he cancel our dates because of his work and meetings? For shit's sake, it's been two months since the last time saw him.

     "It's okay, babe. I understand. Okay. . . I will see you whenever you're free," I sighed. My energy got drained in an instant.

     "Babe? Maybe we can meet next week?" I continued.

Next week will be our second anniversary. Don't tell me he forgot about it? Arggh! Men and their brains. My mind speaks in silence.

     "I'll see how I go with work, babe. I will let you know. I have to go now, babe. They're all waiting for me."

     "Oh? O-Okay." Before I could say goodbye, he immediately hung up on the other line. 

     "Was that Jasper?" My sister, Amalia, asked behind me.

I nodded and avoided her gaze. I grabbed my bag, and I felt like shit again.

     "Any plans tomorrow? Are you going out with him today? Is he coming?" she asked again.

My shoulder dropped, and I looked at her without any energy.

     "I'll go with you tomorrow, sis," I replied.

I took my bag from the side and slowly left the house. I need to go somewhere to release this negative energy. Jason never really fails to disappoint me. 

     "I'll be back early."

     "Okay. Be careful." She waved.

***

The first day my sister took me to her workplace was a big adjustment. Luckily, an old friend of hers works in the same company. Bobby is his name, Bobita for short, a feminine person with a golden heart, helped me. It wasn't easy. Most of the workers, especially inside the management, are snobs.

"Beauty if there's anything you need. I am here willing to help you."

"Thank you, Bobita. I couldn't imagine myself working here without you. If it's not only for you, I quit yesterday," I twisted my lips while chewing my food.

We are inside the canteen area of the building. It's on the eighteenth floor. This canteen is exclusive only for all the workers of Monde Corporation.

My sister flew happily the other day after introducing me to all her subordinates. Knowing that my sister is the secretary of the owner of the company, most of the workers are good to me. The workload is crazy. I don't think I will last a week for this type of job. But I have no choice. I have already given my word to my beloved sister.

"Excuse me, Bobita. I just need to go to the toilet." I stood up and left.

I wash my hands after, and the lady beside me seems familiar. I know her. She is responsible for receiving paperwork from my sister's office. I smiled at her, but she didn't notice. She's busy talking to someone on her phone. It's on a loudspeaker and video call.

"I can't wait for the formality. Do you want to see my engagement ring?"

Her engagement ring is beautiful. She showed it to the person on the other line. She noticed me and smiled a little bit before she trailed off.

Lucky girl. She's engaged.

I took a deep breath before stepping out. The ring reminds me of Jasper just now. How come that jerk didn't even call me back? I've been waiting for two weeks, and nothing! He forgot our anniversary, and I haven't received a call or messages at all.

I looked around while wiping my hands using my own hanky. Everyone is formal. It's nice to work in this company. Not to mention, it's hard to get inside the company. Monde Corporation has the highest qualifications for its employees.

When I saw the woman from the toilet earlier, my body froze. The guy sitting beside her seems familiar.

Jasper?

My forehead creased, and my heart palpitated as I strode closer to them.

What the hell is he doing here? This is not his workplace. It's on the other side. What business does he have here?

I was about to step in and ask him, but I froze when I witnessed the kiss!

"I'm looking forward to our wedding, Jasper. Don't forget about our family dinner tonight, where our parents will discuss the potential wedding dates."

What the. . . I could no longer move. My feet are stuck to the floor, and my flesh is shaking. I scooped my phone from my pocket and dialed his number. I'm only two meters away from them.

"Who's calling? Mr Bee? Who's Mr Bee?"

"Oh, it's nothing. It's a client."

A client!? I'm a client? I'm not a client! I've been Jasper's girlfriend for two years, and I was saved as his client!

I released an air out, and I could no longer control myself. I looked at Bobita's direction. Bobita stood up and is now walking towards me. But before Bobita could get closer to me, my feet trod on their own toward them.

"Excuse me? Jasper?"

His eyes widened like she had seen a ghost in me. I smirked and slightly shook my head. I really want to punch him.

"Yes? Do I know you?" Jasper uttered.

Okay, self, hit me hard this time, please. I want to wake up now.

"Do you know her, Jasper? Oh, hang on, you are the temporary reliever of Amalia, right? You are the sister." She stood up. "I'm Donna, and this is my fiance Jasper." Donna extended her hand, smiling at me.

I want to scream, yell at him, and slap his face. But I can't. I don't want to create a scandal inside my sister's workplace. My sister loved her job, and everyone respected her. I have no right to taint my sister's name.

"I'm Beauty. Yes, the temporary reliever." I faked a smile, and Jasper looked away. I swallowed hard when my eyes captured the beauty of Donna's engagement ring.

Oh shit. Damn this. I can't cry here. Not now.

"I'm sorry. I mistook your fiance for someone."

"I see. That's fine. It happened a lot. Right, babe?" Donna sweetly asked him.

"Y-Yes, right." Jasper cleared his throat.

This jerk! I want to skin him off alive!

I turned around, and Bobita saw the painful expression on my face. I hurriedly exited the canteen, and Bobita followed me. The moment I stepped outside, and into the hallway, my tears fell. Bobita came hugging me.

"It's alright, Beauty. He is not worth it, my dearie."

My phone rang, and it was the jerk! I swipe to answer it.

"You f*cking disgusting liar pig! Go to hell! Shit you, Jasper! We're over, jerk!" I mouthed and ended the call. I laughed slightly while my tears were falling. 

That's it. I wasted two years with the wrong person.

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C.M. LOUDEN