***Thaliana's POV***
"No! please don't hurt me. Please don't please, let me go!"
I tried pushing the hunky man hovering over me but all effort seems futile
"Please I am not the one you are looking for please don't do this to me."
"PLEASE NOOO!"
I shout out waking from a nightmare I have been trying so hard to get rid of.
"What is it with you young lady? You are always disturbing us."
Mayo, one of the five people I share this one-bedroom apartment with said out in annoyance, her bad breath from excessive smoking putting me off. I know you are wondering how a group of five share a one-bedroom apartment.
There are two small beds in the room and we take turns to sleep in them. It's not easy living with them especially when they are drug addicts but I had managed so far because I had nowhere to go and secondly we all escaped from the orphanage together. Since we escaped, they have worked daily as prostitutes to provide for the house and pay the bills. Well, I wouldn't say they are the reason I'm now stuck with this horrible nightmare but they did contribute to it. They forced me to work with them because they needed me to pitch into the paying of bills. Replaying everything that happened that night gives me chills and it has been haunting me for the last four years.
"I am sorry. I didn't mean to."
You need to fuck that shit bitch or you are out of here." Louisa bellowed, showing her brown teeth.
"You are always fucking with our sleep knowing that we have been working all night long to give that ass of yours a place to sleep." Mia voiced out in annoyance as well.
"I am sorry guys. It won't happen again"
"Yeah, that's what you have been saying every time you fuck up. But this time it better not be, cursed child." Lisa the meek one among them said.
Checking the time, I got up from the bed straight into the bathroom to get ready for my interview with Mr. Brown.
***FLASHBACK****
I hurriedly walked down the street using my bag as a shield against the rain then I made the sharp turn to the Unique News publishing center where I work as a newspaper hawker. It was just a few blocks from our apartment.
"Good morning Steve."
"Good morning Tharta, you are here early today."
"Yep. I need the money and that means waking up early to work my ass out."
"That's the spirit girl. Anyway, Mr. Lake was asking about you yesterday."
"Why was that? What does he want?"
"I don't know. But he asked to see you today"
"Okay, I will see what he wants after-sales today."
"Okay here. These are fifty pieces."
"Thank you, Steve. I should get going to get these finished."
"But Tharta it's still raining outside? why don't you wait a while."
"Don't worry Steve, I can go. It's not that heavy and besides the papers are protected."
"Alright if you say so. How are those bitches, Are they still bothering you?"
"Can I complain? I have lived with them for four years so I guess I'm okay."
"But you are so different from them. They are complete sluts and you... you are an angel. How come you are able to be with them?"
"I get you Steve but with tolerance everything is possible."
"I have told you countless times to move in with me. That place you call a home sorry to say is a complete dumpster."
"Funny Steve." I smiled awkwardly at my own embarrassment
"Have to go. will see you later."
"Wait Tharta!, did I say anything wrong?"
"Not at all dear."
"Okay, we will talk when you get back."
I bid him goodbye then walked through the door ready to get all the newspapers sold out. The rain has suddenly stopped and the first sight of sunlight could be seen. Deciding to walk, I embarked on the route to my favorite stand. Just a few distance from the publishing house, a very expensive car drove by at top speed splashing water on me and as a result, wetting the newspapers I had removed from the bag. The stupid driver didn't even bother stopping to apologize. How am I going to pay for these? I was too engulfed in thought and nearly at tears-point to notice that the same car that did this was parked right before me.
"Excuse me?"
"What! what do you want?. Can't you see I am in deep shit right now! How the hell am I going to pay for this?. Mr lake is definitely going to fire me this time. What am I going to tell him?. I blurted out not even looking up to see the person I was talking to.
"Young lady, will you stop blurting and listen to me. I have no time to spare!"
I immediately looked up as the person spoke with power and authority. I stared at the strangely handsome man who sat in his car amused yet with annoyance written on his face.
"Good. I had no intention to destroy your well... work or whatever you call it. And you should be grateful I considered coming back to apologize to you because I hardly do that."
What the fuck!.
"Who the fuck do you think you are?. I don't need the apologies from a useless arrogant human like you."
"Young lady, I will advise you to choose your words carefully."
"Then do the same Mister. You splashed water on me, destroyed my newspapers which I am still thinking of how to pay and you tell me this?. How arrogant can you be?"
"Well, that's just the way I am. Arrogant! so you have any problem, deal with it yourself. And if it's because of money you are talking to me this way, then you can have it."
I stood dumbfounded at him throwing a pile of fifty dollar bills at me. I was tempted to take them but I found that disgraceful and insulting.
"I don't need your money Sir, I will never lower myself for money. You can keep it."
I handed it back to him with his mouth wide open, picked up my bag with the wet newspapers, and made my way away from him. I still pondered over what to tell my boss but I mastered the courage to get back to the publishing house.
"You're back so soon, what happened to these newspapers?" Steve questioned and it took all my strength not to break down and cry.
"Had an accident."
"An Accident? are you alright, Are you hurt?"
"No I'm not but as you can see these papers are hurt?"
"What happened?"
"A certain stupid, foolish, full of himself man decided to splash water on me."
"Oh really? You sound angry but I don't see that on your face. Perhaps this stupid foolish full of himself man amuses you."
"Oh cut that crap Steve. You don't know how much I'm boiling with anger right now. There is nothing amusing about him." I spat out making sure he feels the effect of my anger.
"Is Mr. Lake in now?. I need to speak with him."
"Yep, he came in a while ago."
"Great! Wish me luck."
"Good luck with whatever you are going to see him about."
"Whatever!"
I made my way to Mr. Lakes office, anxious and unsure how this will turn out. I placed a gentle knock on his door and entered when I was invited in.
"Good morning Mr. Lake."
"Good morning Thaliana how are you?"
"I am fine Sire."
"Good. So what brings you here?" He asked without looking up from the papers he was working on.
"I heard you were asking for me."
"Yeah I just wanted to know how you were doing."
"Actually Sir, there is something else I came here to see you about."
"What is it?"
"Hmm, I- I - I kinda r-ru-ruined t-th-the p-ppa-papers Steve gg-ga-gave meee t-th-this mmor-morning. It-it-it wa-wa-wasn't intentionally, jus-just-just an-an-an- acci-acci-accident."
"How many pieces?"
"Fif- Fif-Fifty Sir"
"That's a lot but don't worry. Accidents do happen. But you need to be careful next time."
"I- I -I will sir. Thank you so much. I was very worried"
"You are welcome. Now if there is nothing else can you excuse me?"
"Sure Sir. Have a nice day."
"Take care Thaliana."
I walked into the reception with Steve eagerly waiting for me.
"So how did it go? Was it about the newspapers? What did he say?" He asked curiously in one breath.
"Come on Tharta! did he shout at you?. did he scold you?"
"No Steve. No no-no. He didn't shout nor scold me and yes I went to see him about the ruined newspapers."
"And he didn't lose it when you told him?"
He asked, finding it hard to believe. I understand him though. Mr. Lake has a very bad temper and everyone here knows he takes no faults and nonsense. He fires the employees at the slightest mistake.
"Wow, that's new. He must like you that much to let this go."
"Jeez, it might be my luck duh," I said teasingly. "It has nothing to do with him liking me. Besides, I am not his type of girl. Someone like him will never spare a glance at someone like me."
"What do you mean girl?. Have you ever noticed how beautiful you are?. Any guy including a gay will kill to have you."
"yeh yeh." I chuckled finding what he was saying funny. Me? beautiful? Steve must be blind.
"You got to belie......."
"Sorry Thaliana can I have a word with you?" Mr. Lake requested interrupting what Steve was saying. I nodded in the positive then walked closely behind him back to his office.
"I know you are wondering why I called you back just moments after you left here. But just relax, it's nothing serious." I released the breath I was holding in at his words. Frankly, I was tensed, thinking he has changed his mind about the ruined papers.
"I have been wanting to ask if you would like to go out with me tonight?"
"Like seriously Sir me?"
"Yeah if that's okay with you but if you don't want to I am fi......"
"No Mr. Lake, I would love to."
"Good I will pick you up at seven if that's okay with you."
"Yeah, seven is okay. But don't worry, just send me the address and I will come." I suggested feeling ashamed of my neighborhood.
"Are you sure you don't want me to pick you up? You know, the traditional way?"
"No, I think the traditional way is outdated."
He seemed confused but gave a little smile to cover his uneasiness.
I sigh when he nodded giving in to my request.
"I think I should get going now Sir. I have a couple of things to do before I get ready for tonight."
***TIME SKIP***
"You look beautiful, Tharty. Where to this evening?"
Lia, Mia's twin and the only one who is nice to me asked.
"I got a date today Lia."
"You better make enough money off this date of yours" Mia who was on her phone said earning a frown from Lia.
"I am nervous Lia. I have not been on a date before and I'm scared I will ruin this." I voiced out totally ignoring what Mia said.
"You will do great Tharty. You are smart and beautiful."
"yeh yeh and what does she use that beauty for?"
"Mia will you just shut the fuck up for once. She doesn't need your opinion right now. If she did, she would have asked you. Thank you."
I stood amazed for it was the first time I have ever seen Lia raise her voice and that too on her elder sister.
"look Tharta you don't need to try to impress your date no matter how much you like him, you are effortlessly beautiful and if this guy doesn't see it he is a fool and doesn't deserve you"
