Chapter One

( I'm Annabelle Stone )

    ~Anna's P. O. V~

    My sound sleep was disrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.

    What.the.fucking.hell!

    Not even my alarm. I ignored it and let it ring to an end but it began ringing again. I groaned out of my sleep and reached for the phone which was on the head of the bed. I opened my bleary eyes to check the caller and discovered it was Scarlet what the...!

    Why the hell is she calling me this early?. I picked up the call.

    "Annabelle!!!" She screamed and I flinched.

    What the hell is wrong with her?

    "Girl you can't believe what just happened to me? All the months of fasting and going to churches, mosques and even Temples finally paid off. Right now, I'm the happiest person on earth; the deities finally took pity on the poor me..oh gosh, I'm so happy I finally made it!!" She squealed over the phone.

    Oh mercies! That's the problem with Scarlet..must she wake me up early in the morning just for her silly gifts..if not for the fact that she's my friend and my best friend at that, I'd have to sew that loose mouth of hers ages ago. I don't understand how someone could be so garrulous and think I'm stuck with her..gosh! It's tiring.

    "Hello! Hello!! Annabelle, are you still there?" Her voice came at the other end.

    "Geez girl..what exactly is it? You woke me up" I said sleepily.

    "Oh my gee!! Don't tell me you're still in bed girlfriend, aren't you going to work it's already 8"

    "What're you saying, 8?..my alarm hasn't rung yet", I mumble as I check the time on my phone.

    "What!!!" My eyes almost popped out of its socket. "Shit!" I cursed under my breath and sprang up from the bed.

    "Why the hell did nobody wake me up!" I yelled to no one in particular as I ran to the bathroom.

    It's already 8:30, and I'm supposed to be at work by 7. I can't believe I overslept this fucking alarm of mine didn't even do its work. I'm really sure I'm gonna get a scolding from my boss or worse, a query.

    Taking a quick bath, I jumped back to my room. I didn't even brush my teeth. I opened the wardrobe and took whatever my hands touched. I'm sure of three things. First, " I'm dead ", second ", I'm gone", and third ", I'm deadly gone". I took my bag and rushed out of the room.

    "Anna, won't you have your breakfast?" My Aunt shouted on seeing me running outta the house.

    "No, Aunt, I'm late!" I yelled as I found my way to the bus station.

    "Oh no!" I exclaimed as I checked the time on my wristwatch. I'd been standing here for almost fifteen minutes now, and there was no sign of the bus. I think I had no choice but to take a cab, and after about two minutes, I hailed a cab.

    After a 30-minute drive, I finally arrived at my destination.

    "How much is it?" I asked the chubby cab man.

    "50 bucks" he replied

    "50 bucks? That's too expensive!" I shouted and he frowned

    "This is a cab, not a community bus Missy...pay my money or I'll call the police" he threatened and I signed

    "Okay fine..." I grumbled and gave him the cash..he gave me a deadly look before taking off.

    "Pig, if not that I'm late, I'd have put some manners inside that empty brain of yours!" I yelled and began running to my shop. Oh, mercies! I'm really late.

    Oops! My manners, I didn't even introduce myself..well nothing special...I'm Annabelle Stone, 24 years old, not tall, not short either..not fat..not lean either.

    I live with my Aunt and her husband. They have a daughter who is about my age, and she lives with her friends, not with us.

    My uncle is a drunkard and a gambler. Most of the time, he beats up his wife, and whenever I try to intervene, he beats me, also..he's such an irresponsible bastard...I pity my Aunt for marrying an animal like him..he doesn't even come home, and when he does, he only beats us up and collects money from us.

    We rented an apartment which we manage. I work at three places and have another extra job. I work as a bartender in a club which I really hate because guys always have their eyes on me. Fools do I look like the sluts they came there to find.

    I also work at a restaurant along with my best friend Scarlet and at a pizza shop and trust me, their pay is good.  I work as a chauffeur; sometimes, that's my extra job. I don't have time for relationships; I think it's just a waste of time, so all my time is devoted to work.

    I mean, I'm supposed to have become a billionaire with all the work I do, but hell no! Instead, I'm as poor as a church rat, and that's all because my great-uncle took all the money I earned to gamble, and If I disagreed not to give him, he beat up my Aunt until I surrendered. Gosh, I really hate that man.

    Lastly, coming to my attitude, I'm what you can describe as crazy and stubborn.

    I think that's enough introduction for now.. gotta go.

    Breathing like a bulldog, I rushed into the restaurant like one being chased by a hungry lion. The customers were all staring at me like I was sort of a movie. I eye-searched for my boss and didn't find him..today is Scarlet's day off, so she can't possibly be here. I tried tiptoeing to the kitchen but stopped when someone suddenly tapped me from behind. My heart sank as I prayed it shouldn't be my boss or else I'm dead.

    "Which way to the restroom please?" I heard a masculine voice and saw a young guy with glasses

    "Show me the way to the restroom. I'm pressed" he said arrogantly. Calm calm. Anna, he's a customer. I wore a fake smile

    "To your left, sir..it's right there", I said, and he tucked his hand in his pocket.

    "Cool...by the way, that smile doesn't fit you, "he smirks and leaves.

    Wow, must I encounter a proud duck nose early in the morning...what a great way to start my day!

    Signing I want to the kitchen. I met Ina, my other coworker washing the dishes.

    "HI" I whisper

    "OMG Annabelle...why are you just coming?"

    "Long story dear..the boss?"

    "He's not here yet. He called this morning and I covered up for you" she replied

    "Oh, thanks sweetie..you're such a lifesaver...I knew I could count on you"

    "Hurry change your clothes and attend to the customers" she smiles

    "Oh, sure..." I heaved a sigh of relief and changed to my work attire...I'm so happy I managed to secure my job. I attended to the customers and the rest of the day became as busy as hell.