Surviving

Clara walked around the street aimlessly, she had no idea of what to do. She was scared and hopeless.

She suddenly felt a slight pain in her stomach and she hissed, she recalled she hadn't eaten all day. She fought the tears that welled up in her eyes at the thought of her baby being hurt due to starvation. 

She looked around the street and noticed a restaurant, she slowly walked towards it. She got in and looked around, it was empty. Just a middle-aged lady was behind the counter. 

Clara walked to the counter and the woman looked up at her. She recalled she had no money on her and thought of how to plead with the woman. 

She wasn't used to doing this, she used to be the wife of a billionaire, and she gets whatever she needs without asking.

“Are you going to keep staring like you have seen a ghost or you are going to place your order?” The woman asked, snapping her out of her thoughts.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” Clara muttered and exhaled heavily.

“Ma’am, I... “

“I don't give free food. If you don't have money, make your way out.” She cut her off and Clara sighed sadly. 

She heard her stomach grumble again, tears were starting to well up in her eyes again, and the thought of dying due to starvation scared her a lot.

She was about to make her way out when she noticed a sign on the wall. A sign saying a janitor and waitress are needed. 

Her face lit up immediately and she turned to the woman.

“You need someone to work for you right? I can work for you.” She said with a wide smile. The woman raised her brows and ran her eyes on her.

“You don't look like you need a job.” She said, noticing how beautiful her skin and dress looked. 

“I need a job, please. If you hire me, you don't need to pay me. All I need is a place to stay and food. I will work for free.” She added. 

She kept praying and hoping she was able to convince the woman.

The woman furrowed her brows and ran her eyes on her again.

“I can swear I have seen you before. Maybe on television.” She said and Clara’s lips parted slightly. 

She let out a nervous laugh and shook her head. 

Of course, she was definitely the one she saw on television, she attended a few interviews with Xavier once in a while.

“I am sure you haven't seen me before.” She muttered and let out a nervous laugh again.

“So, do I get the job?” Clara asked when she noticed the woman wasn't saying anything.

“Hmm.” She paused for a while, thinking about it.

“Fine. No money, just food and you stay in the locker room at the back.” She said and Clara smiled widely. She felt relieved. 

“Thank you. Thank you so much.” She said happily. 

Since food and shelter have been covered, she can figure out the rest later. 

Her stomach grumbled again and the woman rolled her eyes.

“Come, there are leftovers.” The woman said and Clara joined her behind the counter. She took a seat and the woman dished the leftover pasta for her. 

Clara started eating immediately and the woman watched her. 

‘How is someone this pretty and dressed like this homeless and desperate for a low job?’ She thought. 

“I can bet I have seen you on television before.” She muttered and Clara gave her a nervous smile. 

~

A MONTH LATER

“Here you go, ma’am.” Clara said, dropping the meals on the table with a smile before making her way back behind the counter. It has been a month since she started working as a janitor and everything else at the restaurant. 

She works a lot and all she gets in return is a place to sleep and food. She gets tips from customers too and she saves them. 

She plans to save up a lot, leave the country, and start afresh with her child. 

Due to her pregnancy, she has added a little weight. She struggles with the constant mood swings she gets. 

She gets sad often whenever she recalls what she went through with Xavier and his family but she manages to deal with it. 

Mrs. Claire, the owner of the restaurant, has also been nice to her. Clara was grateful to her despite not being paid.

“Go get table 5 order.” Mrs. Claire ordered snapping her out of her thoughts. 

“Oh, sorry.” She said and picked up a notepad and pen before walking towards the table.

“Hey, can you please turn that up?” A man in the restaurant asked, referring to the television. 

“Of course.” Mrs. Claire replied and turned up the volume, everyone paid attention to it, including Clara. 

Her eyes widened in shock when she saw what was on, it was Xavier and Kathrine’s wedding. It was live. They were getting married! 

She knew they would eventually get married but she had no idea it would be soon, it has only been a month. 

Clara stared in shock as she watched, the wedding was a lot! She didn't have so many important guests at her own wedding. 

Tears slowly welled up in her eyes as she stared at the screen. 

“I knew I had seen you somewhere. You looked too familiar. You were married to that man right?” Mrs. Claire asked, keeping her voice low as she moved closer to Clara. 

Clara didn't give her a response, she just kept staring at the screen.

“Oh, poor child. What happened?” She asked, staring at her with pity. 

Without giving it a second thought, Clara took off the apron and dropped the notepad with her.

“What are you doing? Where are you going?” Mrs. Claire asked as she rushed out of the restaurant. 

Clara got out and hurriedly got into a cab.

“Where to ma’am?”

“The Blackwell’s Estate.” She replied and the driver nodded before driving into the streets. 

She had no idea what she was doing, all she knew was that she wanted to see Xavier one last time. Who knows? He might see her state and feel sorry for her. Better still, he might take her back.