“H-Helen,” I say dumbly, sniffing again. “C-could you go and text my friend? I would but my eyes are swollen shut right now and I can’t see the screen, my thumbs are too big, and I just want to lie down.”
Helen nodded, grabbing my phone and texting.
And just like the world had hated me, it dings.
I value my work and wanted to always stay alert whenever I get a call from a client. I have different alarm sounds for all my part-time jobs. There was a different ringtone for Ardere, Thomas, Personal Shopping, as well as for Markus. And the ringtone that kept alerting on my phone, signaled that he was probably sending me a new accounting problem that he had expected me to solve.
“Some man named
My name is Violet Carter, I am 23 years old.The first time I stole something, I was at a church.My parents often brought me there, together with my 9 siblings. I was the 4th eldest. During those times, I knew what was right and wrong. I had been 11 at the time. My young mind understood that stealing something that wasn’t yours was wrong and will ultimately land you a spot in hell. However, my young mind also understood that it was wrong for someone to ignore the plea of their siblings.One of my youngest siblings’ stomach was rumbling loudly. Loud enough that some of the other churchgoers were looking at us oddly. They had already looked at us weird when we had occupied a whole bench. Even though our parents had dressed us in our finest attires, which w
“What did he say?”Keira looked so out of place that I was the one embarrassed for her. She was wearing a leopard print fur coat, her booty shorts was bedazzled at the edges, her white boots squeaking against the tiled floor. Helen didn’t look any better. It seemed like she was more stressed than me. She opted not to shower, much more she didn’t even put-on make-up. Her top and bottom didn’t match, and to top it all off, she was only wearing fuzzy slippers.“Just the usual things they say to pregnant women, I guess.” I sit between them, “He said I was already five weeks in and that I should be careful about how I move and about what I eat now. That I shouldn’t stress myself because it won’t be good for the…uhm. The thing.”
“It’s rare,” The saleslady says from next to me. I haven’t even realized that she had already been there. I was still stuck staring at the cute little nightlight that reminded me so much of Mexi. “Limited edition too, not a lot of parents want their babies near night lights like that. Babies are scared of it. I think it looks cute though, don’t you, Ma’am?”She was probably lying.Although I could believe that not a lot of parents want their child near such a weird piece of furniture, I doubt it was a limited edition. If it was, I wouldn’t have found it on sale in one of the shopping apps that I have installed on my phone. Leaning down, I grab the price tag and nod once I saw the price. It was relatively cheaper than the one I saw online.
“Just for the record, I am extremely not at the best moods with you right now.”Markus's voice rang in my ears. It seemed to be echoing and all I could do was lean against the sofa, closed my eyes, and listen to everything he was saying. Of course, he would be annoyed it had been a few days since I had ignored his texts. I did tell him that I would only be unavailable on Wednesdays. However, since he did ignore that and continued sending me text messages, I thought it would also be alright for me to ignore him when he texted me the next days after.“It was extremely unprofessional for you to ignore my texts when I had messaged you,” He continued to rant, still talking even though I have been silent on my end. I could feel a throbbing in my head, and I knew that there was a migrain
Apparently, the crumpled pieces of paper Markus had given was free food vouchers.“Here you go,” The waiter says, placing two completely same set meals in front of us. It was a plate that had two pieces of steak covered in gravy, mashed potatoes, and green peas. “The usual, Sir. Just how you wanted it. The chef sends their regards. Also, before I forget…”The waiter returns the crumpled piece of paper to Markus, smiling as he did, “Here you are.”Markus nods and waves the man off. Ignoring the weird thing that just happened, I grab the voucher from him and look at it. Seeing as I was proud of my talent and skill when it came to couponing and exploiting vouchers, it was ridiculous that I didn’t have the paper that he just showed.
I finished my meal and Markus was still on his phone.To be honest, it wasn’t like I was expecting anything from him. Still, there was some small part of me who was waiting for him to offer some sort of help. It wasn’t like I would be draining his wallet or wherever he puts his money on, but I didn’t expect that the man would just ask how it happened and had me tell him the options.Grabbing the napkin roughly from the table, I wipe my face and stand up.Only I didn’t get that far because quick as lightning, he had grabbed my wrist. His eyes were still on his phone that’s why I had no idea why he would prevent me from leaving. We weren’t solving anything. I thought for sure I would come up with a decision right here and now. Especially if he
It wasn’t a surprise.When I had found out I was pregnant, during the times when I was drying my tears, I scrolled through baby stuff on my shopping app. It was a big joke, how small outfits cost much more than the actual outfits that I did have. Not to mention the expenses when it came to their food, things they need once they grow up?When someone has a child, I’m sure they’re preparing on having their money plunged down the drain.Markus holds his chin, his eyes looking up the ceiling. He looked like he was in deep thought. Unlike Keira, I don’t know much about Markus just yet. Even though he is technically the father of the thing inside of my belly. I couldn’t quite read it if I should rejoice because he’s using the probably pea-sized org
An older version of Markus both female and male versions are looking at me with wide eyes.They were both wearing clothes that looked as old as the day that I had been born. Clothes whose colors are now light, probably because it had been washed for who knows how many times already. They were behind a desk that is positioned like a huge L. The older male version of Markus was on the other end, holding a cup of coffee, and was just about to drink it if we haven’t entered. Meanwhile, on the other end of the desk was the older female version of Markus, she was perching cat eyeglasses up her nose, her ear pressed to a telephone.“Son,” The older male version of Markus who I’m assuming is his father asked. “Not that I’m happy you visited, but why are you here?”