CHAPTER 1

CHARLOTTE'S POV

“Mr Sam, Please don't do this! I'll pay you all your money I promise!” I frantically begged as the huge man approached me, a lustful look plastered on his face and he licked his lips as he crouched in front of me.

“Do you know how pleasant you look when you cry? So beautiful and ready for me.” My insides churned with disgust at his words and all I wanted to do was spit on his face. So I did.

His face flushed with anger and he smacked my face so hard that my nose bled and my mouth was filled with blood. He pulled my hair harshly and smacked me again and it felt like my skull had been split open. The walls spun around me and everything was turning black.

When he noticed that I was losing consciousness, he pushed me away and cleaned the spit off his face. “You better be grateful I'm in a good mood today. You'd have been reunited with your dead parents today.” He spat on my face and left the house with the rest of his boys and I passed out.

Hours later, I woke up to a splitting headache that threatened to send me to my early grave. That would be a great idea, I thought. It'll be better to die than to keep living like a slave, especially for something I had no involvement in.

I looked at the time and I jumped off the floor, a move I instantly regretted as my head pounded with more ferocity. I had a morning shift at the restaurant and I was already two hours late. I was getting ready for work when Mr. Sam and his gang came in to collect their ‘daily fees'.

I wonder if I'll ever get out of this mess that my parents left for me. I looked at myself in the mirror and I shrieked. I looked like a total disaster! Which isn't a surprise because I look like this most of the time. I applied a little make-up to cover up the bruises on my face and immediately rushed to work.

Despite the crazy migraine I had, I still ran to the restaurant. Getting to work, I was hit with the worst news ever. I've been fired. My boss handed me the sack letter but I refused it.

“Sir, I can't accept this. I've done nothing but serve you and this restaurant well. If I've done something wrong, you can tell me and I'll do my best to correct all my mistakes. I just can't accept this sack letter without getting a significant reason behind it.” I looked at him firmly but I was shaking inside. Dread and doom washed over me at the thought of being fired.

If I lost this job then my life would be over. How would I pay off my debts when I have no source of income? My boss looked at me with pity and pushed the letter into my hand. “I don't want to fire you Charlotte, you're a very great worker and it pains me to let you go but… my life depends on it.”

My brows furrowed in confusion as I tried to process his words. He noticed my confusion and sighed, running a hand through his slightly gray hair. “I'm being threatened Charlotte and it all revolves around you. The customers have also been complaining of how scary you look with bruises all over your face.”

I stared at him in disbelief, refusing to believe that he was chasing me away because of my bruises. “About the bruises, I'll wear more make-up. I'll hide it all and be more friendly with the customers. Sir, you can't just fire me like this! You know the reason I have these bruises and if you fire me now, I'll have no way to ever pay back those loans. Please sir-”

He interrupted me by raising his hand and he shook his head. “Take care of yourself Charlotte and please don't come here again.” He walked away before giving me a chance to speak. I stood there watching as he retreated into his office, dumbfounded and paralyzed.

A not-so-friendly tug on my arm brought me out of my reverie and I saw the security guard standing in front of me. Probably to send me out. I brushed his hand off me and walked out of the restaurant angrily, feeling betrayed, hurt, but most of all scared. I can't pay those loans off without a job.

My phone screen popped up with a message and my mood lifted a bit when I saw it was from Micheal. My wallpaper was a picture of both of us and I smiled unconsciously as I read the message. ‘Let's meet up.’

I was so elated at the message that I didn't realize that I was smiling like an idiot. We haven't met in a long while since he travelled home and now that he's back, I can't wait to spend more time with him.

I suddenly started to run because all I wanted to do was bury myself in his arms. He's the comfort and support I need right now. I took a right turn as I headed for our secret spot. I forgot about everything that had happened to me today as I ran faster.

When I got to the park and walked into the small house at the side, I was beaming with happiness and trying so hard to catch my breath. I looked around as I waited for him to show up, my heart pounding so hard.

“Charlotte.” I heard him call my name and I almost melted into a puddle as I turned around and he was standing right in front of me.

“Michael,” I whispered as I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him tightly. Oh, it felt so good to be home. I almost glued myself to him as tears fell from my eyes and I started to sob. He noticed and hesitantly wrapped his right arm around me faintly that I could barely feel it.

I frowned as I pulled away and stared at him and he avoided my gaze. I wiped my tears from my eyes as I smiled and made him look at me.

“Micheal, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me? Didn't you miss me? Of course you did, I know you did.” I said and he simply cleared his throat and pulled my hand away from his face and held it gently.

“Charlotte…” He hesitated like he was about to say something but then he sighed.

“Why were you crying? Did something happen?” He asked and I nodded as I hugged him again, but this time he didn't even bother to hug me back.

His actions confused me and when he pulled back from the hug and held my shoulders at arm's width, I knew something was wrong.

“Michael?” I asked and he groaned as he ran a hand through his hair. Okay, now I'm worried. Did something bad happen?

“Charlotte, listen, I have a confession to make. And I know it isn't something you'd expect, but I just want you to understand me okay?” He said and I nodded, though I was still confused.

“Let's break up Charlotte.”