Chapter Two

It has been three weeks. Three weeks since I was humiliated at the anniversary celebration. Ever since then, my boss, Shauna, kept dropping snide comments like, ‘you church rats could never comprehend the cost of that suit’.

She never made me pay for the suit so I can take insults, but she threatened to fire me. I pleaded, of course, so she reconsidered.

But I couldn’t get away with such a horrid act. Not only did I ruin the party, I also humiliated her boyfriend. She kept saying he was her boyfriend like it was an achievement or something.

I was sentenced to double of my workload for a month. As long as I don’t lose my job, it wasn’t that difficult to deal.

I was irritated by the constant mentioning of his name from Shauna and my coworkers at the boutique. It was like everyone was obsessed with him. Even tabloids. I can’t really see what they see in him, apart from his eyes. And his muscles his suit did a bad job in hiding. Oh, also his deep smooth baritone voice…

“Earth to Eliana.” My coworker, Anna, snapped her fingers, reviving me from my trance. In her other hand was a Chocolate flavored cupcake with a lit candle on top.

I groaned. I specifically instructed her not to do anything today. The last thing I wanted was to remember it was my birthday.

“I’ve been here calling your name. what were you thinking about?”

I cleared my throat.

“Nothing important. Anna, didn’t I tell you no birthday nonsense today?”

She gave a look that said you are kidding right?

I sighed, running my hand down my face. At least I get to eat it afterwards. I blew out the candle, not bothering to make a wish.

“Hip hip hooray! I pray you find love this year.”

I scoffed. Love was the last thing on my mind. I haven’t even gone to college.

I looked up to the clock. Oliver would be here any minute from now to pick me up for our birthday tradition of taking ice cream on each of our birthdays. I packed up my things.

“You wished that last year and the year before.”

“Well, third time is the charm.”

A car beeped in a pattern I knew too well.

“See you tomorrow Anna.”

She glared at me. “You are really serious about not going out tonight?”

I backed out of the entrance before she could threaten me.

“No, I’ve got work.”

Her face fell, but it brightened up again.

“Is your boss truly dating Noah Adler? I’ve been seeing it online.”

Just the name I didn’t want to hear.

“I really don’t care. Bye.”

I made my way out before she could say anything to see a widely grinning Oliver, my best friend since middle school at the driver’s seat.

“Get in, loser.”

As soon as I did, he snatched my cupcake and shoved it down his throat.

The store wasn’t that far so we got there within minutes.

As usual, it wasn’t crowded. We got our orders and took out seats at our favorite spot, near the window.

“the ice cream here never gets old.” Oliver said in between scoops.

I nodded in agreement.

He took my spoon right out of mouth, scooped out of my cup and placed it into his mouth.

Most people would have found that as gross but it was normal for Oliver. He has always been really touchy to the extent of kissing my cheeks and holding my hand. I guess that’s how he was brought up. After the ice cream, Oliver spoke up.

“Ellie, I got this for you.” He brought out a small box and took out a silver bracelet. he gestured for me to stretch out my hand, thus wrapping it around my wrist.

“Thank you so much Oliver” I hugged him, really appreciating the jewelry. It was officially the nicest thing I owned

“It’s nothing, I just wanted to know that you are the best,”

“I know.”

“And I just wanted to say…”

His face suddenly turned red.

“Yes?” I gestured for him to continue.

“And…” he avoided my stare.

“Ollie what do you want to say?”

He sighed.

“Never mind. I’m glad you like the bracelet.”

I was skeptical, but his tone held no space for questions so I dropped it.

After that, Oliver dropped me at hell. Also known as Shauna’s boutique, where my boss, the devil, that is Shauna, was waiting.

I tried as much to get out of her way all through my shift, but her day was never complete without throwing an insult or two.

Presently, I dragged myself to the front door, my legs aching due to the distance I walked from the boutique to my house. I spotted a black car parked right Infront. Who could it be?

I hurried inside, dropping my bag on the ground, as I got into the dining room.

My jaw dropped as I came face to face with no one other than Noah Adler sitting at my side of the table, my mum sitted right beside him.

“Ah, miss Eliana. So nice of you to join us.”

My heart thumped wildly in my chest and a sweat broke out on my forehead.

Oh no. Could this day get any worse?

“What are you doing here? Are you stalking me? Is it the suit? Ill pay for it just get out of my house.” My voice trembled as I spoke.

He let out a humorless laugh which sent a shiver down my spine.

“What’s so funny?” I questioned.

His cold eyes held my gaze as he said those words that broke my heart.

“Your miserable father owes me five million dollars.” His blue eyes held an evil glint in them. “I’m simply here to collect it.”

It turned out the day could actually get worse.