~Mia~I took a look at my phone screen as soon as the lecturer was out and I realized that I had lost track of time.It was 4 p.m. and I finally had some time to breathe. I had been away from the school environment for a while, so I knew it was going to take a long time for me to get used to the hectic routine. I went ahead to check out my iMessage and my eyes widened in shock. I had tons of messages from Mr Cross.“Shit!!! I completely forgot to update him like I had promised.” I muttered.“Hey, Mia, are you heading home now?’ Sharon asked, pulling my attention towards her. “Erm.. yes.” I furrowed my brows in confusion.‘Do we have another class that I’m not aware of?’ I wondered.“Do you have something to do at home?” Sharon further inquired like she was heading somewhere.“Why do you keep asking her questions?” Charles butted in, moving closer to me. He had a wide smile on his face as usual. “We’d like you to join us for dinner. It would be so much fun.”“Oh…”“I mean you’re one
~Mia~I woke up very early so I could clean the house before preparing for school. While I was at it, I couldn’t stop thinking about last night.How Mr Cross fed me my very first piece of pizza, and how I got crazy butterflies in my stomach every time he looked at me with his soft gaze last night.It seemed like we had a connection but I knew that feeling was a lie and I kept reminding myself that. ‘I shouldn’t feel anything for him. I can’t feel anything for him.’ I constantly told myself.“Ding Dong!!!” The doorbell rang, and I raised my head and looked in the direction of the living room.“I’m coming!’ I uttered, running towards the door. It was still pretty early and this made me wonder who it could be.‘Maybe Mr John.’ I thought as I opened the door. To my greatest surprise and disappointment, it was Sienna. ‘Why is she here so early?’ I thought, letting out a feeble smile.“Good morning,” I greeted, but she walked into the house and passed me, hitting her shoulder against mine
~Mia~ “Son of a bitch.” Mr Cross cursed as he stormed out of my room. “Mr Cross!” I called out, quickly reaching for my long robe and putting it on top of my towel as I ran after him. “What the hell is he doing in front of my house? You told him where you live?” He asked angrily, not relenting in his pursuit for the door. “No, no. I swear. I didn’t say anything to him about where I live. I’m as surprised as you are.” My voice trembled as I continued to chase after him. “Then I have to talk some sense into his head,” He spat back, dashing out of the house and heading right for the gate. My heart raced as I ran after him. I had never seen him so mad like that before. I was scared of what he was going to do to poor Charles. “What are you doing here, hun?” He asked as soon as he came face to face with Charles. Charles stood uptight and shook his head. “I… I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I am here to give her a ride to school.” Charles answered, locking gazes with
~Mia~ I walked down the school hallway with my head lowered, trying to hide the pain I was feeling. The last thing I wanted to do was to pull attention to myself. “What is it with that scarf? A change of style?” I heard Charles’ voice as I approached the door. I raised my head and saw him standing near the door. “Charles,” I called with a hint of disappointment. I wanted him to be in class already so we wouldn’t have to discuss what had gone down in the morning. “What are you doing out here?” I asked, and all of a sudden, he grabbed my arm and began to pull me away from the door. “What are you doing?” I asked in shock as I followed behind him helplessly. “The lecturer won’t let you in the class again. You’re twenty minutes late.” He uttered as he dragged me into another empty class, not so far from where the lecture was being held. “You weren’t able to get in too?” I asked, my eyes searched his face as he stared at me. “I wasn’t because I got here late too. You know, the delay
~Mia~ After ordering our meal, Charles approached the table where we sat with a wide grin on his face. I had a totally different thought going on in my head, making it hard for me to smile back. “I’m proposing to Sienna tonight.” I could hear his text in my head like he said them to my face. I don’t know why, but I kept feeling he wanted to go ahead with the proposal because of what happened in the car. I hated myself for moving onto him like that. ‘Maybe if I had shut the fuck up, I wouldn’t be the cook for his proposal party.’ I thought. “Are you sure you’re alright? You haven’t said a word since we left school.” Charles uttered as he sat in front of me. I heaved a loud sigh and shook my head. “I’m just tired, Charles. Even though I didn’t attend classes, I’m still pretty stressed.” I muttered and he smiled softly and reached for my hand that was on the table. “I just want you to calm down, beautiful. You are here to relax, okay? Just to eat, chat, and have fun. I promised to
~Mia~ I sat in front of the mirror, my eyes were shut as the makeup brush skimmed over my eyelids. The music from the bar could be slightly heard in the dressing room I was in, and even though it was my favorite song, I dared not move. My Aunt Alexa was doing my makeup which was pretty strange and surprising. Not only the fact that she was doing my makeup, but that I needed makeup tonight was confusing. My Aunt Alexa was never this nice to me. “Oh God, I can’t wait to finish this makeover! Their heads will turn tonight!” She squealed with excitement, causing me to furrow my brows. ‘Their heads? Whose heads?’ I wondered, but I couldn’t say a word, or I was going to get hit, like always. Since my parents died in a car accident when I was seven, I have lived with Aunt Alexa since then. And I must confess that it wasn’t the peaceful life I pictured or always wanted. I was bullied and maltreated by her and her children, my cousins. I never did anything right in their sights. In fact
~Mia~ I rushed down the stage, following behind Aunt Alexa keenly. “Please Aunt, don’t sell me off. I promise to pay you back for everything.” I cried behind her, and she took an abrupt turn, looking at me with a straight face. “You have paid back already. Didn’t you hear that man? $100,000! I can manage that.” She responded, letting out a grin. “But… but, I don’t know this man. What if he’s not a good man? What if he ends up…” “I do not care! You’ll have to take care of yourself, Mia! You are an adult. Listen, you need to act cool when we meet him. Don’t you dare act like you are forced to do this, okay?!” She smacked angrily, and I gulped hard.Tears rolled down my cheeks and I hastily ran the back of my hand across my face, completely forgetting that I had makeup on. “Finally, we are getting rid of her. Argh! I can’t believe I dreamt of this day!” Tasha, my cousin spat, walking towards us and standing akimbo next to her mother, Aunt Alexa. “What about her bags?” Aunt Alexa as
~Mia~He took a puff and nodded before looking at me again. “What can you do, Mia?” He asked. “I do basically anything. I can clean and cook pretty well. I used to do this at the clubhouse and my Aunt’s house. Chores don’t scare me.” I responded, and he nodded. “Great. I guess it’s settled then. You’ll take care of the house, cook, and do all necessary things and I’ll pay you at the end of the month.” He uttered, pressing the end of his cigar on the ashtray on the mini table that separated our chairs. “You’ll pay me?” I asked in awe, and he nodded. “Of course, I would. I wouldn’t let you work for free.” “But… but you bought me already. Why did you buy me if you would still pay me for what I’ll do?” I asked in confusion, and he let out a deep breath. “Listen, Mia. I don’t see you as some commodity or asset, I see you as a human. I paid that money because I was scared you would fall into the wrong hands. You seemed so innocent and scared when you were up there, I couldn’t take any