"You came early? Well, I guess I can explain what really happened here. I know I'll be fired because of all this chaos, but at least pay me for today," I rambled and Greta rushed towards Clark to examine him. My mind was racing through all the terrible thoughts. What if she asked me to pay for the damage? That bitter excuse of a Brownie would be clearly taking revenge.
But to my astonishment, Greta came and hugged me. "Oh, thank you honey. It was my fault, I assured you that Clark wouldn't do any harm. But he did, so I'm sorry. I never expected you to actually take great care of him."
"I'll take that as a compliment," I said and smiled smugly. I helped Greta with all the stuff scattered on the floor and all the while Clark was shut in his room. After spending some time cleaning the floor, I stretched myself and yawned. "Greta, I should get going. I'm soo hungry and tired!"
"You can stay over for dinner," Greta offered and I pretended to think. I couldn't deny such an offer and couldn't even accept it right then. My stomach was growling and I was tired of eating takeaways. I nodded to Greta and she disappeared into the kitchen. I was fiddling with the table cloth when the Cinderalla moment happened.
Clark glided down the stairs looking quite sober. It seemed that he took a shower because his smooth dark brown hair was wet and tousled. His hidden muscles evident under his plain, light, blue t-shirt (a lighter shade of Cinderella's gown). He wore sneakers instead of glass slippers. His glasses added a kind of a blend of mystery and cuteness to his manly look.
He ignored me and sat at the farthest corner of the table. Greta appeared from the kitchen and I got up to help her. After arranging the dishes on the table quickly, I sat down and helped myself. The aroma was mind blowing. I dumped load of food which was red sauce pasta on my plate and shoved the spoon into my mouth. OH. MY. GOD. I was in pure bliss.
"This tastes just like the food my mum cooks. How is it even possible? This is exactly my mum's style of cooking," I pointed out in astonishment and licked the spoon. This couldn't be real. "Greta, you have fantastic cooking skills, just like my mum's. I'm absolutely gobsmacked."
Greta looked amused and then she laughed. I glanced at Clark who was awkwardly eating his pasta, poking it with his fork. I poured the orange juice into my glass and sipped it.
Greta said, "There is a misunderstanding, honey. This food is not cooked by me, but by Clark."
"Oh really? Mamma Brownie, will you cook for me often?" To which he glared at me.
* * *
After gobbling up the delicious food, I left their place. I went home and straightaway crashed on the bed. I slept for quite some time, but then I couldn't sleep anymore. I was constantly tossing and turning on the bed while contemplating on whether to just lie down or get up and have some more fun. I chose the latter.
I hopped out of the bed and threw on a denim jacket over my white t-shirt and black jeans. I ran a comb through my shoulder length, frizzy brown hair and took my backpack. Dad was probably at home working till late night over some case in the study room so I decided to not sneak out from the front door. I climbed out of my window and stood on the roof. I took the help of the nearby pipe, slid down like a slimy snail and landed on the the green grass with a soft thud.
On the streets while walking, my eyes met a plain white wall. This would be the most appropriate place for me to show my skills. I dug into my backpack and threw some spray paint bottles on the ground. I loved graffiti art. When I was a child, I once went through my brother's stuff and discovered a spray paint bottle. It immediately caught my attention and I started to paint and draw. At first, my parents and the entire town encouraged me because I was distracted from doing any mischief and was sincerely doing some great art. However, soon when I grew up, I started painting a lot on the walls.
That was when people shooed my interest away. My beautiful colourful paintings were all over the town's walls. Most of the people liked it, while some didn't. I was eleven when I was first sent to jail for vandalizing the public property. Turned out, that I painted on the walls of an old grumpy man and he reported it to the station. My parents were extremely disappointed, but I was happy in making new friends in the jail. My dad's co-workers pampered me with a lot of candies and delicious treats [they apparently smuggled it, but oh well] when I stayed in jail. As I said earlier, it was like my second home.
I fervently started painting on the plain white wall. I was painting a fierce, bright lion with it's hair coming off as fire. It was difficult to paint on such a dark night, but then again, in the daylight nobody would allow me to do so.
"Hello, hawtie! Wanna come home wiff me?" I heard a drunk voice behind me and I whirled around, my eyes widening to see a man in his late twenties grinning stupidly. His eyes were bloodshot and he stumbled awkwardly. The man was definitely not from our town because I trusted my town people. I went on so many midnight trips, but not once had I encountered a drunkard with clearly wrong intentions. Just fantastic.
He approached me with a creepy grin. I randomly threw some paint bottles, but even in such a state he dodged those and even when one of the bottles hit him, he just laughed. He pouted when I backed away from his reach and suddenly I remembered that he resembled someone. Donald duck!
I started laughing hysterically and sprinted away from him. I heard loud footsteps and knew that he was following me. I glanced behind and he was pretty fast, but what was more funny was that he was galloping. I laughed loudly and squeaked, "Quack, Quack, Quack."
"Don't make it hard for me whore, come here and we'll have lots of buns-nuns . . . fun," he slurred and I shook my head while running.
I giggled and shouted back,"I ain't your daisy, sucker!"
I huffed and tried to increase my pace. I was good at running, but then again that man wasn't bad either. He chased me and didn't give up on me. I thought he'd leave me after some chasing, but turned out that man was really desperate. And that was when it clicked to me that this shit was serious. I was already panting and I couldn't run more. I tried many attempts of knocking the drunk Donald duck, but I failed miserably.
I reached for my pocket to grab my cell phone, but I realized I forgot it at home. How could I be so stupid?
I had to think of a new plan or else he could do anything. I swallowed hard and tried not to cry, I had to be strong. In the darkness and all this chaos, I couldn't find my way to the police station or home. So, I ran into the backyard of a random house and made my way to the front door. I had seen the topmost room lit brightly, so somebody must be awake. The town people would definitely help me.
I felt angry for seeking help from somebody else since I wasn't any damsel in distress. But now I knew I had ran out of my energy and the sad reality of getting raped and killed settled into me. Sweat formed over my forehead of exhaustion and nervousness. I desperately banged the door of the house loudly and rang the bell continuously. I screamed like a madwoman, "Open the damn door! Please! Open---"
I flinched when I felt the hand of the drunkard lingering over my back. I turned around and before I knew, I was being pulled by him. He dragged me behind the bushes and enclosed me in his filthy arms. I thrashed and kicked and threw random punches in the air. I tried to scream, but he put his large hand over my mouth and squeezed my cheeks.
The thorns of the bush was pricking me and tearing my flesh. My vision was turning obscure, but I didn't give up though. I wiggled under his grasp and continued to struggle. His grungy, cold hands roamed freely over my body as he groped my breasts, eagerly trying to slip his hand underneath my shirt, but I swatted it away. My body was shaking uncontrollably as I tried to bite his hand covering my mouth. He then went to unbutton my jeans, but I managed to stomp his foot hard which prevented him from going any further and he hissed in pain.
Suddenly, I heard faint footsteps, but the drunk duck didn't seem to notice it. I waited for someone to pull me up and I was not disappointed. Somebody really came to help me. The person threw the drunk duck who was on top of me and helped me up. The drunk duck narrowed his eyes, stumbled over a rock and then quickly fled before we could catch him. The silhouette of the helper turned around, but I couldn't see him in the dark.
"Come home, I would do you no harm. Just give you first aid and drop you home safely, I assure you," I heard him say, the voice was warm, young and assuring. I hesitated, but impulsively stepped into his house. I trusted my town people completely. I knew each one of them and I was damn sure I knew him too.
He switched on the lights and the entire house flooded with brightness. I first looked towards the kind man. He turned around and I recognised him immediately. He was in his early twenties, the same age of Clark and my brother. He had light brown hair and twinkling black eyes with tanned, rich skin. He looked at me and was stunned.
"Hope you're okay. Just wait here and let me bring the first aid box," he said gently and I nodded. I looked around and saw rich embroidered carpet flooding the floor and expensive vases around. I was standing in the hallway and drummed my hand on the shoe stand. I sensed him approaching me and he smiled. "Here show me the bruises. Next time be careful and safe, okay?"
"Ah, I know. I could have handled that drunk duck myself but then again I gave you the privilege of doing so," I said playfully feigning courage and he chuckled. He dabbed the cotton over my hand and took out the materials to dress my wound.
He fiddled with it and glanced at me. "Sorry, I don't know how to---"
"It's okay. I know, give it here." I took those materials and dressed the wound myself.
He looked at me amusingly. "I never thought the girl behind the bushes would be you. You're so bold and popular around the town, George."
"Eh, yeah. And that's why you are going to keep this a secret. Tell this to anybody and I'll make sure to pull pranks on you too," I threatened and he laughed.
After I finished dressing my wound, he asked, "I came here only a few months ago. Do you know me?"
"Of course, I know you. You are the richest man of the town!"
He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair. He stuck out his hand and I shook it warmly. He then introduced, "I may not really be the richest man of the town, but I'm just Ian, Ian King."
"You two can always go out, you know what I mean Clark?" Greta suggested him and I giggled unnecessarily. Clark was sprawled on the couch and I was lying sloppily on the cold floor. Greta stuffed things in her tote bag and looked at me. "I'm going for some work now, so come on honey, get up and take Clark along with you. Show him the town."I whined, "It's so hot outside . . . I'll probably get a heatstroke and die!""Nothing of that sort is going to happen. Besides, Clark will buy you icecream, won't you?" Greta said and Clark groaned. It seemed like he didn't want to be outside either. This made me want to go out and gobble up some free icecream just to annoy him. Before I could inform Greta about the change in my mood, she kicked us out of the house."Well then, we should just walk around and besides I have to buy some stuff from the grocery store. So let's go there," I stated and Clark nodded. While walking, I asked him, "You want to know the history of this town?"Clark looked ho
We talked for hours and had lots of fun. I did not dare try any antics further and kept my hands only on food. Unfortunately, both fate and date were not on my side. I accidently bit my partner's middle finger thinking it was sausage. The rest of the night I ate salads and desserts to avoid any further embarrassment.I controlled the urge to burp and I was now waiting outside to find out who my date was. I leaned on the wall and tapped my feet impatiently. The waiter came out and I laughed awkwardly. "Please don't tell me you were my date.""No Madam, I just wanted to inform you that your date is the next person who walks out. He should be in his early twenties," he stated and disappeared into the restaurant. I fixed my wig and ran my hand over my lips to ensure that my lipstick wasn't smudged. I really wanted to change and look beautiful like a decent lady.I heard footsteps and I straightened my wrinkled shirt. I looked up and saw none other than Ian approaching me. He was dressed s
"How can you two be best friends? This is really a small world, isn't it? Wait . . . let me guess." I tapped my chin thoughtfully and glanced at Clark. His face was unreadable and stoic, but something was wrong, I could sense it. It seemed as if Clark wasn't pleased with what Ian had said about them being best buds."Aha! You both have faint British accent so you may know each other. Ian, you came from England to this town a few months ago and Clark just shifted over here, from England!" I punched my own palm in excitement and Ian chuckled. "I'm right, ain't I?"Ian nodded and I smiled in victory. I was such a genius to figure it out. I dug my hands into my pocket and my skin felt smooth, crisp money. I suggested them, "Guys, I'm damn hungry. Let's go for lunch at Macpie's. And don't worry, I'll pay for my own lunch.""Alright let's go," Ian replied. We both looked at Clark expectantly and he shrugged. So off we three musketeers went for lunch.* * *We were now sitting and waiting fo
A couple of days passed by and my usual routine was to eat and sleep. Also yes, taking care of Clark was another job. Greta insisted Clark and me to go out again and take some fresh air so that was what we planned.The entire evening I was going to hang out with Clark though he didn't seem much enthusiastic about this idea. On the other hand, I was extremely excited to irritate Clark. Greta threw us out of the comfort of the house once again and we ended up in Clark's car. Clark was driving and I sat beside him rambling about all the random news but not malicious gossips since I strongly detested that. He wasn't keen on replying, although he did nod his head occasionally, but did not divert his attention from the road.To my astonishment, he wasn't rude or tried to shut me up either. Instead, he listened to me obediently which made me suspicious of his intentions. Eventually, I became quiet because of the ridiculous change in Clark's behaviour. I chewed my upper lip and gazed out of t
"Let's walk," Clark stated and proceeded to his car."Inside the car?"Clark rolled his eyes and locked the car. Then we both tramped silently, until I started teasing him. "You secretly like to spend time with me Brownie? Don't you---""If I buy you a chocolate bar, will you shut up?" Clark asked and my eyes lit up immediately. I rotated my head conveying a big yes and Clark looked amused. We headed to the local grocery store and on the way, I stopped rambling shit and started to imitate him. It did not take him long enough to figure out that I was copying his every move.He pocketed his hands and since I did not have any pockets in my pants, I just acted like there was one for real. All the people in the street gazed at us since it was clear that I was imitating him. Clark groaned and kicked a stone in annoyance. There was no stone around my area, but I spotted a tin can. I kicked it leisurely and before I knew, I fell down in pain. My toes hurt from kicking that cursed can! I looke
From the end of the street, I saw Clark outside his house. I bolted towards him in full speed and he spotted me [the bull version of me] from a distance since he too tried to run, to escape, to disappear, to vanish just like that after kissing me!"Brownie, wait!" I ran after him and grabbed his arm before he could escape. He jerked his arm away and lumbered forward. I panted heavily and leaned on the nearby wall since I couldn't chase him anymore. I was exhausted. Clark quietly picked up a container filled with something which resembled the dog's food and went to the backyard.My sweaty figure followed him slowly as I tried to regain my normal breathing rate. I had lost my strength of running and stamina tremendously. Finally after some time of meditating peacefully in one corner of the backyard, I approached Clark who was crouched in front of his pet, feeding the nasty beast.I maintained a safe distance from the monstrous creature since I could feel it glaring at me. Neither of us
The rays of the mighty sun burned my skin, the sweltering heat draining my energy. However, I was given the chance to bat and I was pretty excited. Ian was bowling while Clark was fielding. I wasn't the best in bowling and when I was given the chance to bowl by sweet Ian, Clark made fun of my efforts. I had to prove to him that I was good and also that I wanted revenge for letting his dog after me. I rolled up my sleeves, cracked my knuckles dramatically and glanced at Clark. He was at a distance and I could imagine him rolling his pretty eyes.I still wanted to know what was the matter about earlier when Clark looked disturbed because I pushed him away and said that he would be alone while Ian and I would be on one team."Ready?" Ian asked and I nodded. I chewed my upper lip as sweat trickled down my forehead. My eyes were focused on Ian's movements of throwing the ball skilfully. I raised my bat and swung it with so much force in an attempt to hit the ball that strangely I felt the
Today, my buddies and I planned to go out and play. We traveled to the river side in full speed in my junk which was a pathetic excuse of a cycle. Kyle was in the back seat and Peaches was sitting in the huge basket at the front. I had specially attached a massive basket for her accommodation since she was tiny and could fit in it if she sat cross-legged. We arrived at the river side and I noticed a polished, white car and the silhouette of a man sitting over the rocks. I parked my cycle and helped Kyle and Peaches get down."Who's that?" Peaches asked and pointed at the silhouette while Kyle shrugged."Let's find out," I said blithely as we all galloped towards the silhouette, giggling all the way."Brownie?" Clark turned around and sighed wearily. I clasped my hands in delight and squealed. "That's so awesome you're here, the more the merrier!" I exclaimed and hastily introduced him, "Brownie, meet Peaches and Kyle, my buddies. Peaches, Kyle, this is Brownie my erm . . . ""Nobody,"
My dearest grandmother strutted through the door without any greeting, her sagging chin held high up and her red coloured lips drawn into a thin line. She was nearing eighty years and still was dressed ostentatiously in a tight, black mini-skirt, red tube top with a denim jacket, fishnet stockings and black sandals with block heels. She thrusted the innumerable paper bags which contained gifts for her great grandchildren to the nanny and me and brushed past me like she owned the damn place.Robert was dressed modestly in a striped shirt and trousers as he emerged through the door. My dearest grandmother was already complaining about the crummy place and I stood frozen on my spot, flabbergasted by their sudden arrival. Robert hugged me and then Clark while patting his back affectionately, talked to us for a few seconds and I managed to crack a smile, until my grandmother called him dramatically like those old-fashioned wives calling their husbands in soap operas.As Robert strode towar
"Georgia," Clark drawled while switching on the lights and I turned rigid.I was caught red-handed, surreptiously stuffing frozen, crusty cupcakes while sitting by the fridge in the dark corner."Mmph I-I cagrrrnt hemnlp!" I exclaimed through my mouth stuffed with cupcakes and tears of choking streamed down my cheeks as I started beating my chest rapidly.Clark immediately was crouched by my side, rubbing and patting my back while handing me a glass of water."You alright, Georgia? Do you need more water or anything else?" he asked in concern and I burst out in tears while trying to shove another cupcake in my mouth in pity which Clark gently took it from me."I don't even know why I'm crying!" I blurted out and Clark pulled me into his arms while muttering about how it was all going to be okay. I cried against him while clutching his t-shirt, unconsciously wiping my snot on it, but he cared less. He was busy trying to calm my raging hormones as I sniffed while complaining about how s
Five years later"Hey! Let me in, you assholes! I'll make sure you all are fired! Hey, Let me in!" I yelled and thrashed in the arms of the guards who prevented me from entering the posh building."Don't bite me!" one of the guards roared in alarm as I tried to bite him."You will never change, will you?" I heard a deep, raspy voice from inside the opulent passage way and my head jerked up."Why, you want me to?" I barked while clawing at the guards still holding me in place."Of course not," Clark appeared in a crisp, dark suit and sauntered towards me."Tell them to let go of me! I swear I'll bite this one's dick off--- ""Leave her," Clark ordered and the guards reluctantly left me which made me fall down on the floor with a loud thud."I'll make sure you all are fired, each one of you," I snarled with deliberate emphasis and it looked like they didn't believe me because they muffled their laughter. I huffed, got up, dusted my tuxedo and snapped, "You tell them, Brownie!"Clark coo
One month laterI hurried outside my arts class when I got a call from accounting and commerce course classes saying that their lecture for today was cancelled. I sighed in relief and thanked them. The past month had been hectic for me because of the number of small courses I was signing up for. As promised to dad, I had to make this year fruitful and productive by not wasting time in netflix, but actually working hard.My shoulders slumped in exasperation as I sauntered towards the lemonade stall run by the local kids and drank two cold glasses of sweet lemonade. Since the lecture was cancelled for today, I looked forward to snuggle under the sheets and sleep for fifteen hours straight until my alarm would ring again at exactly six in the morning for my cycle of classes to begin.I strolled on the streets with a hunchback and yawned while the people of the town glanced at me in sympathy. I gave a sardonic laugh, surprised by how things changed so suddenly. Months before, nobody would
Two weeks later"Hey, Ian. Come on in," I said while trying to be as cheerful as possible and he just quietly followed me upstairs, to my room.He sat on the chair near the desk, right opposite to me while I plopped on my bed. We sat in silence, my gaze fixated at the floor and my fingers softly drumming on the sheets. Ian's face was buried in his hands tiredly and he slowly looked up.It was like we were mirroring each other's expression. Dark circles underneath our eyes, my eyes were puffy while his bloodshot and a strange kind of sadness looming over our faces. The sadness of losing our own mothers and the respective guilt of not spending enough time with them. This kind of sadness we often saw lingering over Clark's face, but it was too common on him. It was too surreal on us, the people who were always smiling and grinning."How're you doing?" I asked Ian while he shifted uncomfortably on the chair."Not good," he said honestly and we both sighed. "What about you?""Not good," I
One week later"George," my dad called out and I shut the front door of my house."What, now?" I grumbled while removing my sneakers and he emerged from the kitchen."You can't do this, George. Either you're in the bed the whole day or you're out till late night doing God knows what. This behaviour is not acceptable in my house," he said staunchly and I snorted.I had been out all day to comfort and support Ian who's mother had passed away just two days ago, but my dear dad didn't need to know that."You know what behaviour is not acceptable?" I stormed in the kitchen and brought out the plastic bags filled with liquor bottles. "This!" I threw it right in front of him causing the glass bottles to smash and break. The alcohol inside it pooled around the ruins of the bottles and the plastic bag."This is what is not acceptable! This is what that needs to be stopped right this moment!" I snapped, emphasizing on 'this,' which made my dad's eyes widen in shock."Exactly, this was my reacti
"W-What?" I snorted and narrowed my eyes at the picture. "This is ridiculous! This is not even funny! Why would you even joke about my mum's death, Brownie? Why?""George, it's not a joke," I heard my father's sombre voice while I was laughing hysterically and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "It's not a joke."I cocked my head, analysing the picture and said, "Hmm. Maybe this isn't what it appears to be! It can be someone who-who looks exactly like him or-or . . . ""This is him," I heard my father's voices, then footsteps, some noises, but my mind couldn't process any sound because my head was spinning.A firm hand squeezed my shoulder causing me to flinch and I whirled around. My hand clamped over my mouth as I shook my head when I saw Clark standing right in front of me with handcuffs on. He just stood there frozen, his spine straight and his body rigid like a rock."What-What is going on . . . " I trailed off and took quick, firm steps towards him until I was right in front of hi
Clark wasn't on Instagram because he thought it was a waste of time and was for the jobless people who just wanted to flaunt stuff. On the other hand, I was initially quite pleased and flattered to be somewhat popular. Somehow the people had managed to discover my Instagram account because I got over twenty thousand followers liking my silly memes and embarrassing pictures. After all, I was the 'billionaire's girlfriend.'The people expected Clark's girlfriend to be well dressed, elegant and sophisticated, but I was quite the opposite with my usual grin in most pictures sporting my brother's old clothes. However, the people did start to like me because of how relatable I felt to them, just a commoner in love with a billionaire and blah blah, all that fairytail nonsense. I had even posted some pictures of Clark and me, the one with the most number of likes was where I was pulling Clark's cheeks in London and he was glaring at the camera. People were fangirling in the comments like we w
Clark's POV :Clark slowly got up and rubbed his eyes when he felt sunlight streaking through the curtains kiss every inch of his pale skin. The morning light in the town was always refreshing compared to the noon light which was scorching heat, sun tan and torture. He shifted slowly, feeling something warm and cuddly sprawled on his torso and a small smile played on his lips when his eyes landed on Georgia.Her comparitively small, curvy frame stretched out on Clark's body, her slender legs tangled with his and her soft, rosy cheeks pressed against his chest. Clark gently brushed her messy chestnut hair and wondered how peaceful she looked in her sleep . . . only in her sleep.For when she woke up, she was a storm of energy surging around him, constantly keeping him on his toes and getting on his nerves. But strangely, he liked that. He liked to keep her around and annoy him to the point that he questioned whether he had lost his sanity just like her. For he wanted to wake up everyda