“I am sorry. You are not fit for the job.” The manager politely slid her resume toward her. Disappointment washed over her. It was the second place she had tried that day. The small café shop had a sign that they needed a waitress. Since she had no experience, they rejected her. The first place she tried was a salesperson's job in a small outlet. They asked her about her experience and after knowing what she did for a living, they ushered her out quickly saying they did not need a salesperson. She had never felt so insecure as she did after failing to secure a job in those two days. She had been seeking a job since the previous day when she got a call that she was fired. She was not going to give up. She would find a job soon. She left the café and decided to call it a day. Her phone was dead and she was so tired because she had not been sleeping and eating properly. What she worried the most about was how to inform her mother that she had lost her job and how to bear the expenses.
“What?” She could not believe her ears. Her eyes were about to pop out, “Are you drunk?” That was the best conclusion she could come up with in her state of shock. She heard him chuckle making her frown. “No. I am not drunk. I know what I am talking about. I want to marry you.” He said with all seriousness he could muster. Her reaction was making him amused as much as it was making him nervous. He did not want to show her he was nervous about her answer. Damn! There have not been a lot of events in his life that made him anxious. He was a go-getter in everything, especially in matters concerning women. Also, he did not see the point of why she would reject his offer. But he was indeed anxious. “Are you out of your mind? Why would I marry—you?” She said it like it was the most unbelievable thing she had ever heard. It was exactly how she was feeling. “Look, I have an offer. You marry me for a year and I will take care of everything in your life including your mother. I know she is
“Oh my God Sana, I cannot thank you enough. You have no idea what you have done.” She was on the verge of crying. She had been so emotional considering everything that had happened in the past week. She was unable to find a job, and her mother needed to go to her monthly check-up. For that, she needed money. A piece of paper, without which, they would be kicked out of the apartment and her mother would not be able to continue her treatment. Sana had done her a huge favor. “Don’t be silly. And I’m sorry it took me so long. Dad was busy with his trip, so he could only help once he was back. Thankfully, he was able to secure a job. But, the job is not that high-paid like your previous one.” She could hear the hesitation in Sana’s voice. She chuckled. “Right now, what I need the most is a job even if that is low-paid. I will try to do a part-time job as well if the pay is not enough. Once again, thank you, Sana. I love you!” She blew a kiss making Sana laugh. “Enough with your "thank y
“Olivia, I am going to take a break for a while. Can you handle it?” The friendly bartender asked her and she nodded with a smile. She loved the new work environment. Everyone was so friendly while the people back in the club were always rude to her. She thought that the reason might have been that she was a stripper and was profusely judged because of that. They may have concluded that she was just a money-hungry gold digger. Despite her trying hard to mingle, they distanced themselves. She could not control people’s perceptions though. She gave up eventually after they gave her a cold shoulder. Here, her coworkers were very friendly. It was her fifth day at work, and she was already comfortable and adjusted. Three bartenders handled the people at night. It was not a big bar but an average sized. She was glad that it was not crowded like the club she previously worked at. She was busy serving drinks to the customers when she heard a few taps on the counter. The music was softly p
“I am going, mom.” She smiled kissing her mother’s cheek and went out of the apartment. She was in a really good mood. Not only she had secured a job, but she also convinced her manager to give her an advance salary. The monthly rent was due and she had been postponing the owner of the apartment for weeks. Now, she did not have to worry about that. Her mother’s chemo would also continue smoothly. Last time, it was delayed. She reached the bar smiling to herself. After so many days, she felt such pleasant feelings. “Hey, Rose.” She greeted her coworker cheerfully. “Hi Olivia, you seem so happy today,” Rose commented. She had hardly seen her smile except when she greeted the customers. It had been hardly a week since they met, but she liked the innocent girl so much. What she could guess was that she had been through a lot. “Yeah. Things are finally going well.” She said with a smile and took her uniform to change into the changing room. Before she could go inside, the manager appear
“What did you say?” He asked with clenched teeth. His expression turned harder. She saw how he did not care about getting wet under the rain anymore. The umbrella was long forgotten as he unconsciously lowered it and grabbed it tightly in his hand. Now, both of them were drenched to the core as the heavy rain kept pouring all over them, not caring about anything. She wished she was as carefree as nature at that moment. “I said what you heard.” She spat and turned around. She was not in the mood to argue with him in the middle of the street with people watching like some movie scene was unfolding before them. Before she could get away, he grabbed her wrist and turned her around. “Nobody” He whispered angrily, “Nobody has ever disrespected me like that. I thought losing your job would make you see sense, but no! You are going to regret this.” He glared deep into her eyes making her lose her breath for a second. There were so many emotions—not so-pleasant emotions—in his eyes. She wa
"Doctor, is my mom alright?” His mother had been admitted to the hospital. She started having pain again and started bleeding. She just had her chemo three days ago. Olivia could not understand what the hell happened. “Please come to my office.” Dr. Robert had a serious expression on his face. Olivia followed him with her heart beating harshly. She had been crying non-stop. “Please take a seat.” The doctor told her gently when she kept standing and looking at him worriedly. “I want you to listen to me carefully. What I am going to tell you might shock you.” He said in all seriousness making her take a few deep breaths. She was worried to the core. Why was he behaving that way with her? What was wrong with her mother? “Your mother has entered stage four of cancer.” He told her regretfully. She looked at him dumbfounded. What did he just say? “M-my m-mom has, w-what?” She could not think straight. She just stared at the doctor blankly. She felt like the world had fallen upon her an
There are times when one has to go through the agonizing pain of waiting impatiently for someone—he had faced those situations rarely in his life. It was one of those rare times when he sat by the huge window of the café she had sent the address to and waited for her to arrive. To think that he was behaving weirdly ever since he met her would not be wrong. He was never pushy—never threatened or coerced someone into giving what he wanted. But there was also the fact that he was never rejected or treated indifferently just like how she loved to treat him. Moreover, he also never waited for a woman like he had been waiting for the last hour. Even to himself, he seemed strange. Why was he doing all that? He was sitting and looking at the time when finally, she decided to grace him with her presence. He was glaring at his phone when he heard someone clear their throat. He looked up to find her standing there with all her glory. He could not understand why he was left breathless for a
Everything felt blurred. She tried to open her eyes, but even that little task hurt her head. She winced as she finally opened her eyes.The sudden light compelled her to close her eyelids again.“Olivia?” She heard her name being called. The voice…she recognized the voice.She opened her eyes again. This time, it felt less hurtful. The light was too bright for her liking though.“How are you feeling?” She heard the soft familiar voice again, but the voice sounded panicked for some reason. She adjusted her eyes and was finally able to look at his face.The face that she loved to look at… Why did he look like he had grown his beard? He always had this 5 o’clock shadow. It looked quite rough now. His hair was also ruffled. She wondered if he even took care of himself. His eyes looked concerned.She saw him opening the door of the room and calling for the doctor.“Olivia? Are you hearing me?” There was concern written on his face as he came to stand beside her. He looked quite happy but
He was terrified as soon as he heard the scream. It was as if someone had pulled out his heart out of his chest. He had experienced such kind of feeling only once in his life and that was when he got the news of his parents’ accident. He was never the kind of person who would get scared easily. However, at that moment, he was scared to no end.He rushed in the direction where he had heard her terrified voice calling his name. A few steps inside the woods, and he reached there.He saw her plastered against the tree with no shirt on and with her hands tied. He saw that lunatic picking up a piece of wood and getting ready to hit her.How dare he!His blood boiled, and all he saw was red.Thomas did not know where he got the superpower to launch himself on Joe in a second, but he did. He smacked his face and threw him on the ground. He attacked him before he could do any more harm to Olivia.“You bastard! How dare you touch her.” He blew punshes after punches on his face. He was not aware
“I don’t know Mark. I have decided to let her go.” He sighed leaning against his chair. He was in the office when he received her text. He felt devastated to type the reply he sent to her, but he had no other way. He had to free her after all the suffering he put her through during their contract marriage. It was about time he put a full stop to all of that.But why did his heart feel like it had just been pierced? Even the thought of letting her go hurt him to no end.“Listen, man, it is not her fault that her father had been involved in the accident that happened years ago. Don’t get mad but it is not her father’s fault either. Nobody can control an accident, Thomas. He also lost his life. His family has also been suffering just like you have been suffering all these years. Let go of this hatred, Thomas. It will destroy you and your relationship with Olivia.” Mark said trying to make him see sense. He had seen him being engulfed in that hatred for too long. Due to this hatred, he wa
“What did you just say?” He growled as he came closer to her. His eyes looked bloodshot. His hair had also fallen from its perfect position. He visibly shivered with anger as he yanked her hair again. This time, it was even harsher.She yelped as she felt like her hair would be pulled out of her scalp. Even in that state, she rose a little and looked challengingly in his eyes.“I said you are a pathetic piece of shit.” She spat at him after saying it again. She was so angry. He was so eager to see her crumble before him and shudder with fear. He thought he would get rid of her without any fight from her side. He was in for a surprise.She was well aware of her situation. She did not have anything with her to defend herself in that state. She had lost her phone when he started dragging her down the road and into the forest. Nobody knew where she was. Joe was looking at her murderously, and she was sure that he would not let her live another minute after what she said.However, he would
She got up after what felt like hours. She started walking toward the exit of the park. The sun had already set and darkness was slowly engulfing the surroundings. She did not want to move, but she knew that she had to.She was so devastated. What would she tell her mom? She was so happy that her daughter had finally found someone for herself who loved her and cared for her. In front of her, they put up a perfect picture of the happily married couple. She would not be able to take such a harsh piece of reality.Olivia knew that her pretended marriage would have to come to an end sooner or later, but she was not aware that it would be this soon.What hurt her the most was not that he had decided to call the fake wedding off. Her heart had broken into pieces because she thought he might feel something for her. She thought that he would somehow reciprocate her feelings. She thought that he would not blame her father anymore for an accident that happened years ago. But he did not stop bla
She was tired of the push and pull. She was tired of playing the double life. It was not her.The life she was living was not hers. She detested lying to everyone about her relationship with Thomas. She hated that their pasts were connected in such a twisted way.Life was so unpredictable. If she had not lost her job, she would have never agreed to such ridiculous terms. Neither she was happy nor was Thomas.When they got closer after separating for a while, she thought that everything would be all right now. She thought that maybe for once, she would have the life she desired to live with Thomas. Although it was a contract marriage, she could not deny having intense feelings for him.It was true. She never imagined herself wanting to live with a man, craving his touch, desiring his presence so much as she wanted with Thomas. He was the first and only man she had opened up so much. She had opened her heart to him unknowingly. Now, it was hurting her like hell. She was sure he was hurt
“Thank you for today.” Olivia smiled as the car stopped in front of the mansion. Seeing her mom’s face was indeed what she needed after the long, torturous days of being away from her mom. And now that she knew that her mom was being taken care of, she was satisfied.It was all thanks to Thomas.“My pleasure.” She saw him smiling as he also got out of the car and came around to open her side of the car door. She got out and was about to go inside when he grabbed her wrist and made her stop.“Are you okay now?” He asked with an expression of concern on his face. She was confused at first thinking why she should not be alright when she remembered that she was upset earlier. He was undoubtedly referring to that.At that moment, standing in front of him and under the moonlight, her heart felt at peace. She felt like everything was alright for once. She did not feel so miserable anymore.She had no idea what came over her as she closed the distance between them and put a soft kiss on his c
“Olivia?” She whispered as soon as she saw her daughter. She was so sad for the past few days that she did not come to visit her. but she knew her daughter. She knew that she must have been caught up in something. Otherwise, there was no way she would not have come to visit her, especially after her surgery.“Mom, how are you feeling?” Olivia sat down beside her and kissed her cheek. Her mom seemed healthier than before. Mary said that she had been eating well. She had gotten sick the previous day, but the nurse had made sure to take care of her. Olivia felt like her heart would explode with pain. She was not there with her mom when she got sick.“I’m okay, darling. How have you been?” She asked her instead. Olivia smiled. There she was asking about her when her health was not in good shape. She had just had her surgery.“I am fine, mom. Did you miss me?” She asked with a smile. She wanted to make some jokes so she would not ask her why she was absent in the last week. As much as she
Olivia had just gotten off the phone when Thomas entered the room. He had left for work in the morning and just returned. He wanted to see if Olivia had listened to what he had said to her.He still remembered the conversation.“Olivia, I have a request to make. Please don’t leave the room. Stay here.” He had said as he was about to leave the room.Olivia was still sitting in the same position on the bed. The pounding of her head had eased a little, but she still had no strength to leave the room. Besides, she was waiting for him to leave before she would go to her room as she did not want to argue with him when her head felt so heavy and she still felt a little nausea.But he had just told her not to do that. Why would she listen to him?“I will do whatever I want.” She had replied without sparing him a glance. She heard him sigh. He was holding the door open but closed it.He turned around, “This is our room. Grandpa is already suspicious. He might use this opportunity to misbehave