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Me stopping half way didn't stop his devious mind from figuring it out, because the next thing he said was--"Too Late."I turned to respond, but just then, the driver returned, and the awkward silence resumed.The rest of the ride was filled with quiet glances between us, my embarrassment only growing. I just wanted to get home as quickly as possible.From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, it felt like my prayers were finally coming true.We were home! I was relieved, mostly because the awkward silence between us was beginning to get to me. But just as I turned to ask if it was okay to grab my things from the car trunk, his phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID—Diana.The moment I saw the name, I cursed under my breath, wishing I hadn’t. It wasn’t just the caller that made me feel like crap; it was the sudden change in Eric’s expression. His face lit up with a happiness I hadn’t seen earlier. It was so much more than the~~~~~Being the first child of a Chicago farmer isn’t exactly a walk in the park.Picture this: Heartaches, body pains, barely enough food to go round, the constant struggles to stay sane, and the daily grind of farm life. It’s like living in a soap opera, but with more mud and fewer dramatic pauses.I’m Mary Johnson, the proud firstborn of Mr. and Mrs. Becky Johnson.My parents are the epitome of hardworking citizens: devoted Christians who places a value on big and small things.We live in what you might call a "charming" little cottage that’s really more of a glorified shed, and a tiny patch of farmland not too far from the bright lights of Illinois.We weren’t rolling in dough, but hey, we had just enough to keep the pantry stocked. Well, that was the case until my siblings came into the picture.Lisa and Lora weren’t twins, but they sure look and act like it. They’ve won the admiration of everyone around them because of how brave and intelligent they were.Honestly, though, once
~~~~Instead of answering her, I cried harder, then Lisa worriedly asked, “Was it something I said?” She looked from dad to mom and then back to me, about to tear up, “I am sorry, I didn’t.”When I saw the single tear in her eyes, I hurried to her side and called her into my arms, I hugged her tightly “Oh Lisa,” I said between tears,, “it is not something you did, I am so, so sorry.”“What? I don’t understand. Why are you apologizing? You did nothing wrong.” She said, confused.“No, I did everything wrong.” I sob as I hold her face up; I can’t let them be driven to an edge this early. “Can you ever forgive me?” I asked in tears.Lisa took my hand from her face, she teared up as well, and Lora followed, “Of course, big sis.” She sniffled and added, “I forgive whatever you think you did wrong.” She smiled, and it was the best.“Thank you,” I said and stood, and patted both her and Lora’s heads.“Mary.” Father, who had been quiet, called me.“Yes, papa?” I answered as I dried my tears.“
~~~~Instead of replying, Mom just stared at me, utterly speechless. Her expression was like a storm waiting to break; she was clearly furious, but words seemed to fail her. I couldn’t blame her—after all, I’m the model daughter who rarely talks back. When I do, it’s as if some mischievous spirit has suddenly possessed me.Dad, as usual, kept right on eating, pretending he hadn’t heard a word. But I caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.Finally, Mom turned to him and demanded, “Aren’t you going to say anything about this?”Choking back his laughter, Dad replied, “What do you mean 'say anything’? Isn’t that what you’re already doing?”“Daniel Johnson?” Mom used his full name, a clear sign she was furious. “You’re just going to let our daughter decide not to go to college? Worse, you’re backing her up? Are you serious?”Dad sighed, clearly worn out, and countered, mimicking Mom’s tone, “Becky Johnson, I don’t see you doing anything.”Lisa and Lora burst into laugh
~~~~The following week, things kicked off with a surprising twist. Lisa and Lora were back in school, their tuition fees finally sorted, while I stayed behind, embracing my new role as the family’s resident farmhand.My mornings were spent helping Mom and Papa on the farm, and by afternoon, I’d transform into a savvy market vendor, haggling over the price of vegetables, fruits, and spices that I’d painstakingly gathered from our land.At first, it wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. Let’s just say, I wasn’t born with a green thumb.But after almost two years of back-breaking work, I became a bit of a farming prodigy—well, at least in my eyes. I could tell when the soil was just right, spot a ripe tomato from a mile away, and even shoo away pesky critters without breaking a sweat.Sometimes, when Mom and Dad couldn’t make it to the fields, I’d step in, working tirelessly under the sun. I was convinced it was up to me to keep everything running smoothly. Mom and Papa weren’t getting any
~~~~So, just like that, I opened up to Rachael, laying it all out. I told her how I decided to give up my education and my dreams, so my siblings could continue theirs. I wasn’t exactly drowning in shame—I was genuinely happy to see my sisters moving forward.But, honestly, there were times when the sadness crept in, that nagging feeling of being a failure, stuck in the same place for twenty years.It was like a little voice constantly reminding me that I hadn’t done anything remarkable with my life. I wanted to change things, but the ‘how’ and ‘what’ felt like questions I couldn’t answer.frankly speaking, I was getting tired of putting on a fake smile, pretending everything was fine when it wasn’t.The weight of it all—the sadness, the self-doubt—was overwhelming. Here I was, twenty years old and feeling like a failure with nothing to my name. No matter how strong I tried to appear, a part of me died inside every single day.Rachael’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Wow! That’s... well,
~~~~I stared at Rachael, my brain running in circles trying to process what she just said. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, like a high-speed chase where every thought had its own getaway car.Was she seriously suggesting what I thought she was suggesting? Although, at this point, even that was confusing.She must have noticed the skepticism plastered all over my face because her grin widened to an almost cartoonish level. “Trust me,” she said, practically bouncing on the bench with excitement, “it’s not as crazy as it sounds. And hey, if it is, you know I’ve never shied away from a little crazy.”“What kind of proposition could she possibly have?” I thought, trying to make sense of the dizzying amount of possibilities. From becoming a royal farmer for the British food company to possibly running away with the circus, my mind was already imagining all sorts of crazy possibilities.Just when I was starting to dread the impending pitch, Rachael dropped the bombshell. “How ab
~~~Just as I had predicted, my mother stood outside with a flashlight, no doubt waiting for me. “Seriously? What am I, twelve?” I muttered to myself as I approached the house.~~~As Mrs. Johnson stood outside, patiently waiting for her daughter, an unfamiliar fear tightened around her heart. She despised the idea of her children working or studying in places where she couldn’t keep an eye on them. Whenever they left the house, she was filled with anxiety.She had grown up in an environment where children—especially girls—went missing daily. When she was about eighteen, she had a narrow escape from being kidnapped. If it hadn’t been for the man who would become her beloved husband, she and several other children might have vanished forever. She had sworn never to let her children stray far from her side until they were someone else’s responsibility. Even then, she insisted they stay in places where she could keep watch over them.“What’s taking her so long? The restaurants should be
~~~~Just what is she on about now? I pondered, watching my mom’s calm face as she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, her back leaning against the sink.Her posture suggested a calm façade, but I could sense the stiffness boiling underneath.“Reckless? Mom, I don’t understand what you mean by ‘reckless,’” I said, struggling to keep my voice from cracking. “Someone just offered me a better job opportunity—the best I’ve seen in the last... what? Two years of my—no, our lives—and you’re calling it reckless? What did you want me to do, Say no?”“Yes, of course!” she snapped, throwing her hands up in the air. “You should have said a big, fat no,” she spat out, her eyes flashing with anger. “We’re doing just fine as we are.”I looked at her, confusion starting to replace my rising anger, though I could still feel it simmering beneath the surface. “No, Mom, we’re not fine,” I retorted, the words tumbling out. “Look around you! We’re barely scraping by as it is. We need all the help—
-----Me stopping half way didn't stop his devious mind from figuring it out, because the next thing he said was-- "Too Late." I turned to respond, but just then, the driver returned, and the awkward silence resumed. The rest of the ride was filled with quiet glances between us, my embarrassment only growing. I just wanted to get home as quickly as possible.From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, it felt like my prayers were finally coming true. We were home! I was relieved, mostly because the awkward silence between us was beginning to get to me. But just as I turned to ask if it was okay to grab my things from the car trunk, his phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID—Diana.The moment I saw the name, I cursed under my breath, wishing I hadn’t. It wasn’t just the caller that made me feel like crap; it was the sudden change in Eric’s expression. His face lit up with a happiness I hadn’t seen earlier. It was so much more than the
~~~~Well, it was foolish of me to run to the car when I knew the driver wouldn’t move without his master’s presence.I sat there, quietly, trying to ease the discomfort I felt. It was as if his hands were still lingering on my lips, and I couldn't shake the feeling.Soon, he came out of the restaurant, chatting with the manager, exchanging goodbyes. I watched him stride toward the car. Ah, he was beautiful, and undeniably tempting, I had to admit.How I wished we had met under normal circumstances. But then again, someone like him—so far out of reach—would never be able to like someone standing on a different level.“Sorry for the wait,” he apologized as he slid into the car.“It’s alright,” I responded, not meeting his gaze.The ride home was silent. Neither of us spoke.Finally, the driver pulled over at a beachside filling station to fuel the car. I pretended to be asleep, trying to avoid any confrontation, until Eric spoke.“Hey,” he said softly, his voice breaking the
~~~~I stared at him, my mouth hung open in disbelief. Was he serious? Did he have any idea what he was asking me to do? My eyes darted around, realizing that the whole surrounding area had gone completely quiet. Everyone was watching us—waiting for something to happen. I glanced back at Eric, and it hit me: he wasn’t joking. This was happening.My heart was pounding in my chest, so loudly I was sure he could hear it. I needed to act, to play my part. I straightened up and smiled, trying to mask the panic rising in me. "Quit joking," I said, keeping my voice light, pretending I wasn’t completely freaking out inside."Oh, but I wasn’t," he replied, a grin spreading across his face as he bared his teeth."Come on, kiss him!" A voice rang out from the crowd."Yeah, don’t be shy!" another chimed in. The comments kept coming, each one more outrageous than the last.Jesus, how do I get out of this? Am I seriously about to lose my virgin lips because of this rude…? I shook my head, f
~~~~I stood frozen, still unable to fully process what had just happened. A staff member had humiliated me—me, in front of other customers. The absurdity of it stung. I’d worked in various establishments, and never once had I insulted or disrespected a customer, no matter the situation. So why would a staff member think it was acceptable to treat me this way?Just as I was caught in thought, I saw her walking back toward me with that same smug grin. "Well, if you're done brooding and acting like the store mannequin, do you mind moving aside?” she sneered, brushing past me. “You're blocking the pathway."I felt my patience snap. “What?” I asked, feeling the anger bubbling within me.“You heard me… move… you’re…” before she could finish, my fist connected with her face. She stumbled back, eyes wide with shock, then crumpled to the floor, her hands covering her face as tears welled in her eyes.I looked down at her, letting my voice drop to a cold, unforgiving
~~~~Eric sighed with pleasure as he rolled off Diana’s warm, bare skin. She was the only woman who could ever satisfy him, he reminded himself. They’d made love—on the desk, the bathroom, and now the bed. He had built a separate suite inside his library, hidden from anyone but Diana, and he’d been a fool, he thought, to ever confuse pity for love.Yes, he loved Diana. He always would. With Mary, his heart had only softened briefly, a momentary weakness when she’d shared her family struggles. But that was nothing more than pity, he concluded.He turned to Diana, his fingers grazing her skin. “Hey.”She sighed contentedly. “Hmm?” she murmured, still catching her breath.For some reason, his desire sparked again and he was hard. “Let’s go one more time,” he said, sliding his hand over her.She chuckled through a moan. “You’re crazy—I can’t.”“You need to work on that stammer,” he teased, positioning himself between her legs again.“Or maybe…you’re just an animal,” she smiled,
~~~Eric was restless, pacing in his library, feeling a whirl of emotions that he couldn’t quite sort out.Ever since discovering Mary’s true personality, he’d been battling mixed feelings. She wasn’t just the stubborn, rebellious figure he’d written off as money-hungry. Somehow, understanding the depth beneath her rebelliousness had changed things.Before, her every move had seemed calculated, aimed at showing off. Now, though, he couldn’t ignore the way his heart softened each time she spoke, her words striking chords he hadn’t felt in years.And the moment she proposed, they became business partners? It had left him in an unexpectedly pleasant mood, a rare thing these days. Then, hearing that she had taken it upon herself to prepare their food? His heart nearly leaped out of his chest.It was baffled. He’d even raised his voice at Diana—the woman he thought was the love of his life.He
~~~~Eric stood close to Diana, but she wasn’t moving. “Diana?” he called out to her.She turned to him, glaring with anger. “You should’ve told me you were going out. Then I wouldn’t have to see... unpleasant things,” she blurted out.Eric moved to take a seat. “What do you mean? I didn’t go far,” he said, settling down. “Take a seat; let’s eat. You must be hungry,” he added.Diana glanced at the so-called fake wife, thinking to herself, Not going to happen. “Let’s go eat outside. I don’t feel like eating home food,” she suggested.Sighing, Eric responded, “I’m already seated. I can’t just leave. Come sit by my side, and we’ll go out later,” he said, patting the seat next to him.Still glaring, Diana reluctantly sat beside Eric. Meanwhile, Mary simply continued eating, not looking at or paying attentio
~~~~Everything was set when Mrs. Lola and the other maids entered the kitchen. All the ingredients, even some unfamiliar ones, were neatly organized. The chicken was diced perfectly.I was preparing more ingredients when I noticed Mrs. Lola. “Oh, Mrs. Lola, you’re here? Thank God.” I walked up to her. “Please, I need you and the maids to help dice the remaining chicken, carrots, garlic, tomatoes, cabbage, and spices. Do you think you can manage that?”They stared at me, their faces full of surprise. I didn’t need to guess what they were thinking.Clearing her throat, Mrs. Lola replied, “Ugh… Sure, madam.” She quickly turned to the maids. “You heard her. Get to work.”“Yes, Mrs. Lola,” they said in unison, moving to start.I couldn’t help but smile. I understood their shock. It wasn’t every day you saw the wife of a multibillionaire preparing food and chopping vegetables.But the truth was, I wasn’t the wife of a wealthy man, nor did I come from a rich family. I learned to cook as a t
Continuation*****Eric just stared at her for a while, his gaze intense as he processed her words. He half-expected her to suggest bringing her family over, especially when she mentioned needing help with the farming. But she didn’t. She seemed serious about it.Looking at her now, he couldn’t deny that with his influence, the products from the farm could definitely have a great turnout. He had nearly a hundred restaurant owners in his circle, not to mention the ones he personally owned, and chefs as close friends and business partners who would undoubtedly be interested. But still… he needed to do some groundwork before proceeding.Turning to the woman sitting before him, her eyes shining with anticipation, he finally spoke. “Well, I like the idea. It’ll bring in a lot of income. But it won’t be easy at first. The Black Enterprise has always dealt with electronics, fashion, stock markets, cars, housing, , land sales,