CHAPTER 1

Asher

“For the last time Asher, you are not getting any younger!” My mother yelled at me, her hands on her waist.

Her slim nose was upturned in anger as her lips twitched. She looked like she was ready to devour me so, I coiled on my couch.

I can’t take her tantrums anymore.

Did she really have to do this whenever I wanted to work?

I rubbed my forehead. I’m definitely going to get another migraine at this rate.

As I stretched to reach out to one of my expensive pills on the table, she grabbed it away from my reach.

“I already told you mother, I just need time.” I sighed tiredly.

What was her deal anyway? I’m only 29.

“Look Asher. You either get someone to present at our family dinner next month, or I get someone for you.” My mother warned, her red plastic nails directly in my face.

“Mom?!” I yelled at her.

“I have made my decision Asher and nothing will make me go back on it, certainly no one too.” She finalised.

“But?” Before I could complain, she turned on her heels and clicked away.

“Ugh!” I groaned, sinking back into the couch.

Why is my life so messed up?

Why does she always think she could rule over my life?

Well, if Anna hadn’t let her rule over hers, I’m sure she wouldn’t try doing the same to me.

She’s so impossible!

First, she forces me to take over dad’s company, knowing fully well that I had mine and she could just leave dad’s to Anna.

And now, she’s trying to impose marriage on me?

Is this how she got married to dad?

Once my anger had subsided, my migraine came back.

I just took my medicines and went up to my room, too tired to work further.

Despite the intense throbbing in my head, I still couldn’t fall asleep.

Just how am I supposed to find a girlfriend in one month?

Olivia

“Olly, there are customers at table four.” Mark said, passing by the counter.

“Of course.” I said, rolling my eyes.

He was always so bossy. Well, he was my boss. I just hated the fact that he felt like there was a need for him to tell me to do something all the time.

Of course I knew that there are customers at table four, I’m not blind!

It wasn’t his fault anyway. If I had gotten a job as soon as I graduated college, I wouldn’t be a waitress at his stupid bar.

I quickly walked over to table four. 

What?!

These are highschool students! What are they doing in an unlicensed bar, drinking Vodka?

I quickly took their orders and attended to them, ignoring their stares and flirts.

I can’t take this any much longer. I have to get another job or I might as well beat up one of the customers.

I looked at my cheap old leather wristwatch, it was past 11pm already. I bet my father had called my phone a thousand times already.

I walked back to the back of the bar, my legs already heavy from all the running around all night.

I took off my apron and left without informing Mark. It was just best I avoided his annoying face tonight.

My beat up vintage van was still in one piece. With each passing minute, I always get scared that my van is only few minutes from completely breaking down.

Hopping in as gently as possible, I turned the key, roared the engine a little loudly, hoping Mark would hear it and know that I was leaving.

All through my drive back home, I had just one thing on my mind; my father.

All my life, he had always been there for me. I feel so awful for the fact that I couldn’t get a good job in order to give him the good life that he deserved.

My mother died during my birth but my father always told me she was involved in an accident.

I got to know the truth when I was only in middle school. I had overheard my neighbour talking about it. For several weeks, I avoided my father, the feeling of guilt washed over me.

How could he not have taken out all the frustration on me?

Instead, he never seized to show me love in unimaginable feats.

He worked so hard, faced a lot of insults, just to see me through college but right now, I can’t even get him a good present.

“Ugh!” I sighed, staring at the red light across the street.

Now that I look at it, my life is nothing but a red light. It’s been on one spot since forever. Nothing has ever moved, nothing has ever changed.

I would jump on any job that could change my life. Whatever it was, as long as it was going to pay my bills and take care of my old man, I would definitely do it.

Once again, my father was sitting in front of our house, waiting for me.

I managed to plaster a wide smile on my face before getting out of the car. It would hurt him to see me tired.

“Dad?” I walked briskly to him and engulfed him in a hug.

His arms snaked my back and held me firmly but gently.

“Welcome back My princess.” He greeted me with his comforting smile.

“I told you not to stay out so late dad. You could get a cold.” I scolded him but he only smiled.

“And you?” He said, caressing my face.

“Let’s go in. It’s late already.” He said, practically dragging me into the house with him.

Like I predicted, he had made dinner already and didn’t touch it.

“I told you not to bother about this dad.” I cooed, happy that he still made me dinner.

“And I told you to quit your job.” He said taking out a seat for me at our small dining table.

He always had a comeback whenever I protested against him unnecessarily stressing himself.

“Dad.” I tried to protest but he interrupted me.

“Princess, I know you want to support me, provide the best life for us but Olivia, I’m not pressuring you. I know It’s difficult to get a decent job, decently  these days but all the same, it’s not enough reason for you to overwork yourself. Unless you want to look older than I do.” He teased.

“ But you overworked yourself to see me through  college dad.” I said to him and he sighed.

“It was worth seeing my princess in her graduation gown.” He said, smiling.

“ And this is worth helping my dad get by every day until I find a better job.” I replied.

“Well then, but if you get sick again, you are resigning.” He finalised.

“Yes sire.” I said dramatically, putting my hands in the air as we both chuckled.

Even though it came as a joke, I know damn well my father isn’t playing around.

I have to get a new job as soon as possible.