“Did you do all this today?” he asked again, his voice behind her, warm with a hint of skepticism. It further raised her guilt and anxiety but she struggled to control it. She refused to let his imposing presence affect her. She was Andra Anderson. No one scared her.“Yes.” She responded, still surprised that her voice was barely above a whisper. What was happening to her? She cleared her throat. “Yes.” She repeated in a firmer voice that still sounded a bit faint to her ears, but since it sounded better, she would do with that.“Well done.” He said, his voice still mellow. “I’m impressed.”“Thank you.” She replied, satisfied with his response.“I didn't actually believe you’ll see it through.”“I had no choice, D.”He paused, saying nothing and she turned around to ascertain his expression. Then it hit her that she had just given him a nickname. Her face flushed with embarrassment.“D?” he said, his lips curved in amusement.“Your name is too long, so I shortened it.” She replied.“H
Andra didn’t know why her heart began to beat faster. Her gaze fell to his chest so she would not face him. It was as if, a tense feeling that can only arise between people who were falling in love, was in the air. She had to change that immediately before she made a fool of herself before him. Her eyes lifted and met his warm gaze.“I need some cash.” She said reminding him of her recent request.He leaned back against the chair and folded his arms, his eyes observant on hers. She suddenly felt like an employee before a boss who was asking for a raise. It was awkward and raised her nerves.“For what purpose?” he asked, taking her back to where they were before he interrupted her.“The uh…, the month is ending. I usually spend the last three days of the month in a hotel so I can unwind.”“Not happening.”“Why not?” she questioned, her expression, laced with disappointment.“You should know why not.” He responded. He was used to her unreasonable attitude and didn’t bother to wonder abo
She rose at his pronouncement that spoke of doom for her. She was determined to see things favor her.“What? You can’t do that.”He shook his head at her. “The only reason keeping me from taking out my anger on you is because I promised. Do not antagonize me further with your silly protests. Okay?”Andra considered his decision with alarm. It did not bode well for her. There was no way she was going to keep silent about it. She had to try.“Please, okay fine, I made a mistake. I thought you would not mind.”He stared at her for a while, during which she hoped he was giving ear to her words in a positive light. Although she could not read him properly. Eventually, he shook his head.“It’s over, Andra. He said with a note of finality. “Get a job.”Dominic started to walk away, returning to his room and leaving her alone. Andra watched him go and was about to start another series of pleas but she stopped herself. Enough was enough. She was an adult. It was time to earn her living.“You k
Andra shook her head in denial. “Nothing to do with my time.” She lied. “I do this when I’m bored.”“Oh, I thought as much.” The girl replied and Andra was relieved that the girl had bought her story.“What a privilege to be driven around by the likes of you.” The girl remarked in a lively voice.Andra wished the girl would just zip her mouth and stay silent. It was already bad enough that she was lying to explain her current position. She just wanted silence in the vehicle.Andra noticed her passenger retrieving her phone and directing the camera toward her.“Hey, what are you doing?” Andra demanded“I am a blogger. I want to post you working as an Uber driver.”“I don’t need that, please,” Andra said dismissively.“It will inspire some other young people to work instead of sitting around and doing nothing.”“I don’t care,” Andra shouted.The girl clicked a shot with her phone, disregarding Andra’s stand. Noticing this, Andra stopped the car and exited it. Then she walked over to the
"I'm talking to you." the man said, interrupting her calming thoughts.Andra lost her cool."It is the passengers who have no sense of respect for the driver." she snapped and saw the shock on the man's face.He sat back against his seat and stayed silent. Andra realized from his demeanor that he could not wait to give her a bad rating. She immediately tried to win him over."I'm sorry about that..." she began."Don't talk to me." he snapped. "I don't associate myself with rude people."Shaken by his outburst, Andra stayed quiet. She could not wait to drop him off. Maybe he was just another bad customer. Why was she encountering bad customers on her first day of work? she wondered. What was going on?She was still thinking about her predicament when she reached his destination and parked the car. There, she tried to win him over again."Sir, please I'm sorry about our initial encounter but please do not give me a bad rating.""You should have thought about your rating when you were r
“You have no right to talk to me like that.” The woman retorted. “Gosh, I have never met someone so rude in my entire life.” She was appalled, clutching her pearls.Andra hissed and continued driving. It was a few seconds later that she remembered her rating.“Maam, please, I am so sorry, okay?” she began to apologize nicely.The woman was visibly shocked at her apology, her eyes rounding with disbelief. She didn’t believe it was genuine.“Sorry? You disrespected me. Is this how you treat your clients?”“I am sorry.”“I will rate you a zero if it was possible. You are such a rude person.”Andra decided that if the woman would rate her low, what was the point in maintaining politeness?”“Whatever, Maam.” She said unrepentantly. “Do what you want.”“I pity you.” The woman remarked.“You should pity your obese self.” Andra retorted.“God will punish you.” The woman cursed.“Back to sender.” Andra retorted. “Besides, God has better things to do.” She added. “Look at you talking about God
“Yes,” she confirmed.“A service you just joined?” Dominic was trying to wrap his head around what she was saying.“It wasn’t my fault.” Andra defended.She proceeded to rant indignantly about the situation and how it had happened. She began from the first client to the last one.Andra deliberately skipped Fred the businessman all through her report. She didn’t deem him worth mentioning since he gave her five stars and would probably be giving her a job. He was alright in the end, she believed.“The last woman was the worst.” She said bitterly. “You need to see how she insulted me, calling me all sorts of names. She even said I’m lucky I’m married to you. She said I’m useless and rude.”Dominic was initially taken aback by her experience but he remembered who she was and was no longer surprised. The Andra he knew was rebellious and even arrogant. To be honest with himself, he didn’t believe she would succeed in the job with her attitude. And now it had played out.Yet, here she was pl
“I’m sorry.” she said, “I’ll change.”Dominic had never thought he would hear those words from her. He was pleased to hear it.“It’s Okay, Andra. It’s okay.” He consoled. “It pleases me to hear that.” He consoled, encouraging her.Her crying finally came to an end and she reluctantly disengaged from him. Her eyes met his, laced with embarrassment, then dropped. He gently lifted her chin so she could meet his gaze again. He gave her an encouraging smile.“I’m sorry I messed up your shirt.”“It’s fine.” He assured her. He didn’t care that her tears had wet his shirt. He could always wear a new one. He was just glad that she was willing to change her attitude.She smiled at him a little, her face, flushed. “I’m willing to take small steps.” She said to him.“I am glad to hear that.”“I will cut my nails tomorrow.”His eyes dropped to her long nails. “I can help you with that.”“Really?”“Sure. Why not?”She thanked him and he acknowledged it with a nod.“I am also willing to renegotiate
Back in the house, Andra kept up with the friendship act for a few more days. During the start of the weekend, she could not take it anymore and fell into depression. Home alone, she didn't want to go out and cause any trouble. She didn't want to ask Dominic if she could go either. She just stayed in the living room sad. Dominic emerged from his room, dressed casually and looking sharp like he was about to enjoy a night out. She was watching the TV morosely without really paying attention to the movie playing on the screen. She wished she could go out. She was bored and alone. She looked at Dominic, her eyes melancholy. He folded his arms and smiled at her. "Andra." "Yes." she answered dully. "It's Friday night and you know what?" "What?" she asked, her mind curious, the dullness still paramount. "I'm taking you out." he said. "We are going partying." A smile brightened up her face. "Really?" she could not believe it. "Yes. Really." Andra leaped off the chair and rushed
Andra felt her body go cold with dissapointment. She knew she had fallen head over heels in love with Dominic, hence his words hurt her. So, he would be leaving? To him, it was a mere contract and it would soon be over, just like that. "What about the company?" she asked."I already have interested investors who want to buy it."Andra felt her heart breaking. But she tried to control her emotions."So, you will just leave and go back to your life?"He nodded. "I see no other choice."“And us?” she asked.He glanced at her. “Us was a contract, right? I am sure you cannot wait to be rid of my rules.”Andra believed he was wrong but she did not want to push it. She smiled wanly and the ride became silent. She felt like crying. Still, she pretended that everything was okay. But deep down, her heart was shattering to a thousand pieces.Later, the following day, she was sad as she walked beside Molly at the park they last hung out at."You can tell me what's wrong." Molly encouraged "I I c
"I should not have slapped you. I pushed you and I'm sorry. I'm also sorry for...for bringing a man to the house." Dominic turned away from her. "Just go," he said dismissively and to his surprise, she threw herself inside the room.As he turned to face her, she was standing right before him, contrite. "I'm sorry."His demeanor was unshaken."Are you really sorry or you're just fooling around because I don't have time for games.""I'm sorry, please.""How long was he here?""We barely just came in."Dominic's demeanor was starting to soften as he realized that the silent treatment, he gave her was for too long."Hmm. That's okay. And look I'm sorry too. I should not have left you alone like that. You were apologizing and I took too long to give you some attention. I realize that wasn't very nice, okay?"She nodded, relieved to hear that."Still, that doesn't give you the right to go man-hunting.""I know. I'm sorry.""I still feel angry. All this tells me is that once you can't get at
The couple heard Dominic's footsteps as he approached the door. And then he was knocking. "Andra, answer me, damn it. I know you're in there. And I want to see you now." Andra knew she could not hide anymore. She quickly advised her partner to seek refuge in her closet. Dominic would not enter the room, she assured him as she dove for a quick change of clothes, ditching the skimpy clothing for pajamas. "And why are you guys staying in separate rooms?" the guy whispered. "This is the guest room." she lied and he quickly disappeared into the walk-in closet. "Andra, I swear, if you don't open this door right now..." In a moment of courage, Andra opened the door and stepped outside to confront her fears. She shut the door behind her protectively and watched Dominic's hands gripping her partner's tie as his hazel eyes burned with fury. This was not how she had expected his return to be but she could not turn back the hands of time. Dominic perused her outfit. It didn't look like s
Seeing Andra’s devastation, Molly decided to be supportive. "Don't worry, he will talk to you once he is calm enough." "Thank you." Andra decided to try and control herself before she started looking like a love sick puppy. It wasn't as if she was in a relationship with a guy and they were having problems. Strengthening herself she looked at Molly, remembering her pressing need. "Molly, I need some cash. He left me with no upkeep. I guess because he is angry." At her request, Molly became infuriated. She rose with indignation. "I see why you're worried about not reaching him. The money is all you need. I knew you will never change." Andra stared at Molly, shocked. "Is that how low you think of me?" she slowly rose, pained by Molly's assertion. "Forget I asked," she said and started heading for the bedroom in frustration. Molly realized she was wrong to quickly judge her. "Wait, I'm sorry." Andra disappeared inside the room and slammed the door shut, leaving Molly alone, perple
Dominic folded his arms and glared at her. He was somewhat relieved by her surrender. He didn't want to have to physically hurt her. He didn't like hurting anyone, especially if he could avoid it, but she was driving him up the wall. His eyes swept over her like a scanner. "You left this house in different clothes, and now you're here with different ones. That alone is a giveaway. I knew you were up to something. But I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt. Still, you just could not disappoint me." Andra wobbled a bit, which pissed him off further."Look at you. You can't even stand properly. You're drunk. You should be ashamed of yourself." "I am not drunk, I swear. I'm just... yes, I drank, but I did it responsibly. I stopped as soon as I reached my limit. I swear, there was no scene. I assure you, there will be no news." "There had better be no news about your stupid outing," he barked, unable to control his anger. "You left this house yesterday with a pack of lies, an
The sky was dark and only illuminated by sparse and distant stars. Dominic was out on the front porch of the house, gazing at the night sky.His eyes traveled to the spot where Andra’s car was supposed to be parked. It was not there.Dominic recalled her backpack. He remembered asking her what was in there because he was uncomfortable with it. She said it was for the laundry. Now, he could almost swear that her disappearance had to do with that backpack. She carried clothes. Now if something happened to her wherever she was, he would be blamed. After all, she was his wife. That was the portrayal. Dominic was trying to control his anger. If she agreed to the deal, the least she could do was follow the rules. He was pissed off as he checked his wristwatch. It was already past 12:00 pm. Where could she be? The first place he could check was any club, but he already knew that was a lost cause with all the clubs in town.If she dared showed up any moment from now, he would not be able to
Dominic stood there for a few seconds, listening to her cry. As usual, she was affected.“I can’t wait for this deal to be over.” She cried regretfully.He drew close to the door and gave it a gentle knock. In response, she shouted, telling him to just go away and leave her alone in her misery. He didn’t relent and knocked on the door again. This time, she said nothing but was sniffling tearfully. He could tell that she was listening.“Andra, I am disappointed in you, but I’m willing to accompany you. That’s the only thing I can do for you right now.”In response to his scolding and offer, she once again told him to go away and leave her alone. Then she added that she was not interested in his offer. “I must go alone or nothing.” She declared.He shrugged, resolutely sticking with his decision.“Well, do not say that I didn’t try.” He said and walked away, leaving her crying inside.Andra heard his footsteps leaving and made a desperate attempt to persuade him to let her go. She rush
“Back to sender,” Dominic responded.“God forbid that.” She retorted and was surprised at his amused chuckle.“He was that bad?” he asked and she found she was no longer as offended as she had been a few moments ago.“He was a gigolo.” She said solemnly.Dominic looked at her, still amused but at her sad countenance, his expression lost its light look and closely mirrored hers.“I am so sorry about that.” He said.Andra was surprised at his show of concern.“I wasn’t expecting you to be sympathetic.” She admitted.Dominic was surprised at her response. He asked what her expectation was and she responded that she thought he was going to mock or tease her.“Well, as you can see, I am not that bad.” He remarked.She agreed with a nod. “Yeah, you’re alright.”“I will be traveling for days tomorrow.” He informed her. “It’s for business. I want to meet with some investors.”Andra admired his tenacity in following his dreams.“Okay. That’s cool.” She said. “It’s very cool that you’re pursuin