Acceptance of offer

Evelyn’s P.O.V.

“Application closed. We are looking for a fast-paced story, an exciting plot with multiple cliffhangers. Revise your work and submit it again. Thanks for your hard work.”

I opened my laptop as the first thing after reaching my home, this email broke my heart. My baby sister Jade jumped from the bed after reading it and wailed in agony.

“I have told my friends that my sister is an exclusive writer. Now they will laugh at me.”

Yes, I was a romance author who was trying her best to sign an exclusive contract with a trending online platform. Third time rejection shattered my hopes, my eyes welled up as my whole crumbled down in a jiffy.

“We even killed a villain in the first three chapters, what else they want?”

Jade read the email repeatedly, she wasn’t believing that her assistance couldn’t aid me. She was a fifteen-year-old school-going girl, where it was easy to get ideas about readers' interest. If my story (which was according to young girls’ demand) was rejected by the editor, then I could only find a big chunk of tofu to crush the head of the author inside me.

My mom came into our room after listening to our yelling, the dark circles under her eyes cut through my heart. As our dad mostly stayed out of the city due to his truck driver duty, she supported us in every stage of our life alone. I wanted to earn a lot of money for my family, so we could stay together without worrying about it.

“Don’t take it to your heart. Your readers love your story. It's enough.”

She sighed and counted the money. After all, my arrogant CEO was generous, five hundred bucks lessened the injury of rejection. Jade was enjoying the sandwich; she was a fan of fancy restaurants' stuff.

“Your dad called me.”

“How is he? When will he come to visit us?”

Jade and I sang in unison, our dad’s visit was like Christmas for us from our early childhood.

“Harold is coming today. That’s why he instructed that both of you should be at home. He missed you a lot, Eve. Go to bed, I will wake you up before brunch.”

After a quick shower, I slipped into my night pajamas and slept with Jade for a much-needed nap.

…

“Eve, Eve. Get up.”

“Five more minutes, mom.”

I was hell tired after that night duty, my body was begging for a long, peaceful sleep.

“Eve, your dad…”

“What happened to dad?”

I shot up, my mom’s tears-streaked face forced me out of that dreamy haze.

“Your father’s truck has met an accident. I got a call from the hospital. His situation is critical.”

My mom told me between anguished sobs, my mind was racing in every possible direction to join the dots of this sudden incident.

“How, why, when?”

These different questions caused a short circuit, the emitting sparks burned my soul.

“Dad!”

Jade and mom were crying profusely, my survival instincts kicked in while thinking about the worst-case scenario. I redialed the last received number and wrapped my arms around their shoulders.

“Doctors have taken Harold to the operation theater.”

Uncle Smith was with dad, it relaxed me a bit. I inquired in a firm tone.

“How much money is required?”

“Fifty thousand dollars.”

“What?”

My head flew at the price of medical procedures. But it wasn’t the time to discuss the inflation and alarming bills.

“Please send me the address of the hospital.”

As that call was on speakerphone, mom had heard about the cost. She held my hand.

“How will you arrange this much money?”

She got up and searched her cupboard, the savings of two thousand dollars were enough to start the procedure.

“I’ll apply for the loan. Take care.”

Mom and Jade ordered an online taxi and left with a heavy heart. I called Mr. Bruce to request, as it was off due to Sunday.

“My dad is sick, Bruce. I need support fund as swiftly as you can.”

I almost cried out while asking for money, the self-respect that we kept intact for years shattered with a single blow of calamity.

“I am sorry, Evelyn. But your application cannot be processed. President Scott is busy, today is his wedding.”

His apologetic tone diminished my hope’s castle, this unannounced wedding removed every possibility of seeing President Zuriel today.

I searched my secret stash and bank account, only one thousand bucks was my total saving. Our extended family was the same as us, there was no one who we give us this huge sum of money.

“What to do?”

Then my Brad’s name popped in my mind.

“Yes, he can apply for a loan from his company. His boss is very kind.”

My next destination was Brad’s apartment, the one who could help me in this situation. My boyfriend was living alone on the third floor of our building, his family was away due to vacation. As he was also on night duty yesterday, I unlocked the front door with the spare key under the mat.

“Ahh!”

A woman’s soft moan crept into my ears, followed by the sounds of flesh slapping. The first thought that flashed in my mind was absurd, no, it had to be wrong!

As I moved forward, voices became clear, a female begged in breathy moans.

"Harder... Baby... Fuck!"

In the living room, Brad was balls deep inside my neighbor, Sara, pounding her raw and hard. For a moment, I couldn't believe my eyes.

“Y-you...?”

My hand flew to my mouth to muffle a scream of horror, my heart shattered into countless pieces, crushing my soul instantly. Brad maintained eye contact with me while slamming his length inside her, his guttural groans were slaps of the reality on my face.

“As you can see, I am a man, Evelyn. Go and find a monk for yourself.”

His Sarah screamed her orgasm and laughed at me, circling her arms around his neck.

An icy chill descended over me as if a bucket of cold water was thrown at me suddenly. I stood there frozen, with my mouth open in disbelief.

My eyes burned while I pushed back the liquid welling up, I wanted to scream, to rage to sob, but this was not a moment for weakness.

After gathering every ounce of my strength, I moved forward and used my slipper to slap him on his face.

“You are an animal, Brad. Go to hell with your fake masculinity.”

My world was overturned after my boyfriend’s betrayal, that vile man wasn’t concerned about our relationship and set my world on fire. We were together for two fucking years; he crushed my loyal soul in a split second.

But right now, my dad was on deathbed, and I had more important matters on my hand to deal with. This heartbreak couldn’t defeat the strength of a filial daughter!

On the way back, the visiting card from last night flashed across my mind.

“Madam Carla.”

I rushed to my room and searched for her card; it was safe in my jeans pocket. With my heart hammering against my chest, I dialed that number.

“I am ready to take your offer, Madam.”