Chapter 1

(Marley POV)

I jolted awake as I shot upright and panting as I tried to catch my breath. The dream I had was horrible and it felt so real, I threw the cover off me and slid out of bed. My legs seemed to move on their own as I moved into the bathroom. While I was in the mirror I looked back at myself and turned on the sink. I began washing my face to ease my tension and stress.

After washing my face I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth, I began getting my day started as I put on my work clothes. I had on a skirt and blouse with a women's blazer on, then I put on matching heels and looked myself over in my closet mirror. 

I brushed my hair quickly and threw on a little makeup, I snapped on my name tags that read Marley Brown my name. 

“Looking good Marley,” I said to myself with a smile looking at my reflection 

I walked out of my closet grabbed my purse and headed downstairs. I saw my dad and mom sitting on the couch reading some papers, they looked stressed and tired the sight filled with sadness. I walked over to them slowly with a worried look, my dad looked up first and gave me a sad smile. 

“Hey, Mom and Dad you guys look down and tired what's wrong?” I asked slowly with worry looking at them

“Hi sweetie it's nothing, just more hospital bills along with our house mortgage” Replied my mom looking at me trying to keep a smile but failing

“Sweetheart, ever since your sister became ill and we had to admit her to the hospital, our expenses have increased, and our house mortgage has also gone up. It's  been a lot, and we can't afford all of these payments,” said My dad taking a breath and wrapping an around my mom hugging her as she fell into his embrace

I frowned slightly and nodded with understanding as my eyes watered. I wiped my green eyes softly and cleared my throat. I walked over and hugged both of them tightly, I remained silent and hugging them hoping to ease away their stress.

“I'm here for you guys and I'll help you, I've been working harder and maybe I can ask for a raise. If anything happens up to guys can stay with me” I said smiling warmly at them and they returned my smile 

“Thank you, sweetie, that means a lot to us, what did we do to get such a great daughter? Oh I love you so much” said my mom hugging me tightly making me giggle as my sad agreed

“Oh because I have such awesome parents, I love you guys too, and always oh I'm rrunning late for work I'll see you guys later,” I said checking my watch and standing up and running away waving goodbye and blowing kisses 

I headed to the kitchen quickly and grabbed a banana, then walked out as I headed to and out the front door. I smiled as I saw my neighbors and gave them a quick smile and wave. They waved back as I hopped in my car and drove off, out of the driveway and down the street. 

The radio played as my fingers drummed to the beat as I was driving. As I was driving my mind slowly drifted off, I thought about life and my parents then about my little sister. My focus was brought back as I heard a small yell, I saw a little boy had fallen and I slammed my foot on the brakes. 

My car stopped just a few feet from him as I held my chest in slight fear. 

His mom came and waved me off with an apologetic smile. I watched as she scolded him and picked him up, walking off. smiled at them and I pulled off driving into my job parking lot. After finding a parking spot, I parked and grabbed my purse as I got out. 

I locked the car doors before heading inside Blackwell Enterprises, my workplace.

I smiled at the people I passed and headed to the elevator, once on I took it up to the sixteenth floor. A few moments passed and I made it to my floor, I got off the elevator and walked to my office. My friend Zach walked up with a smile which I returned, he walked with me as we chatted a bit.

“Yeah that was insane but Marley don’t forget you have a meeting. I'm just reminding you cause last time you forgot,” said Zach smiling at me with a bright look as he walked off again 

“That was a one-time thing,” I said laughing with a bright smile and embarrassed blush as he walked off laughing 

I shook my head slightly and looked over not noticing that I was in front of my office, I walked inside my office. Closing the door softly behind me I set my purse on the filing cabinet, then I walked over to the desk and sat down in my chair. Turning on my computer as I began to log in so I could clock in for the day. 

Once I was logged in I began checking my schedule, I had a meeting in a few minutes.

A loud crack of lightning made me jump as the rain began to pour down. I turned in my chair and looked out the window at the sky. I huffed and rubbed my head slightly as I thought about my parents and sister being sick.

 I wanted and had to be strong for them so I could help them, it was all so much I felt the weight of responsibility and stress on my shoulders. 

The weather seemed to share my feelings of what I felt on the inside. I remain looking out in my thoughts, all of my hard work and dedication to keep going was for them.