Tamara POV
I switched on the living room light and I felt my heart left my chest at the sight before me. He was sitting on a single couch in the living room with a bottle of liquor in his hand.
Holy Christ!
“Slutty creepy princess” He sneered as he stood to his feet and I swallowed hard as I cowered a little.
He was walking towards me now, and I could feel my whole body vibrating.
I followed his gaze, and it landed on the wall clock.
Jeez! It was 9:45pm.
I was quite late.
“Where are you coming from?” He inquired coldly, and I felt my lungs tightened as I sought for what to say.
Oh good Lord,
What do I say?
“From…work” I stuttered, and he slapped me hard across my right cheek.
Yes,
I was expecting that.
“You are coming from work dressed like a whore?” He fired, and I shook as I held my pained cheek.
“Give me your phone,” He ordered.
“Father, I can explain” I whimpered, but he shot me a glare
and I quickly fetch it from my clutch as I handed it to him.
He pulled my phone sim and crunched it with his teeth.
Tears were already welled up in my eyes.
He raised my phone to my face before smashing it on the floor.
“Father!”
That was the third phone he had broken in a few months.
He hauled me and dragged me through the hallway till we reached my doorstep and I whimper.
Oh, lord.
He grabbed a handful of my hair in his wrist as he uses his free hand to twist the doorknob open, and he flung me inside. I landed my butt on the floor, but quickly stood on my feet when I heard the screeching of the key from outside. “Father, what are you doing?” I asked him as I use my left hand to wipe my tears.
“What does it look, you little cheap slut?” He sneered.
“You are grounded for two weeks!” He yelled, and my eyes bulged at the mention of that.
No!
“No, Father, please don't do this, I promise I won't come late from work again” I plea as I pummeled the door with my fists.
“Just hear me out please” I cried, but he only turned deaf ears and I could hear his walking steps faded.
I leaned my back against the door and crouched to the floor. I cried my eyes out, weeping uncontrollably.
My job,
Alicia,
I've lost them.
Rodney POV
“Quit being inquisitive, Joanna” I snapped at her and I watched as her countenance change to a sour one.
While I ran a hand through my hair, I let out a deep breath.
“She's a fan, you heard that from Jason, isn't it?” I told her calmly with a little smile on my face.
“Alright then, I believe you” She gave me a small hug and turned around to leave.
“Hold on” I called and she halted.
“My driver would drive you home” I say, and she smiled broadly. “Thanks Rodney” She said sweetly, and I smiled.
“Be safe” I told her as we got to the garage, and she nodded.
I watched as she hopped into the car and the driver took off immediately.
I laid flatly on my back as I stared blankly at the ceiling.
I couldn't even get some sleep,
the clumsy girl kept hunting my sleep.
Her face wouldn't stop appearing everywhere.
I wouldn't deny the fact that ever since I met her at her coffee shop, she kept crossing my mind often.
When I had stared into her dazzling eyes tonight, that feeling…that feeling was what I couldn't comprehend. I felt my heart made some quick movements while she was wrapped in my hands.
Gosh!
You're losing it, Rodney!
When did you start thinking about girls?
And this girl in question, I barely knew her, tonight was the second time I saw her.
Hold on… What was she doing with that son of a bitch?
I quickly sat up and leaned my head on the headboard.
You might say I was crazy, but I didn't care.
I wouldn't stop until I fathom the reason she was with him.
Alicia POV
“She told me she won't be coming to work only on weekends” Mrs Olivia replied simply and my eyes bulged.
She told her that?
Then why didn't she tell me anything? I thought, staring at Mrs Olivia's face.
“I will have to replace her soon, she never mentioned she won't be coming on weekdays” The manager said without any hint of sympathy and I sighed softly before motioning to the door.
I shut her office door and leaned my arm on the doorknob.
Where are you, Tamara?
Why aren't you coming to work?
I sighed deeply as I took my leave.
I was worried, I've been trying her phone, but it was unreachable.
Should I visit her?
But I didn't know where she stays!
Argh!
It was then I realized I knew just little about Mara.
Gosh.
I felt like crying, where on earth was she?
It was closing hour,
Yesterday was tedious and likewise today.
Even the regular customers could notice I was really in a somber mood today. Where the hell was Mara?
I walked forlornly to my bus stop with a heavy heart, I couldn't remember when last Tamara was absent from work. The repeated honk of a car behind me made me stop walking as I swiveled around to see what was going on. What's the problem?
A man in a black suit suddenly came down from the car and approached me. I cringed, looking everywhere but not his face.
“You don't have to be afraid, ma'am,” The man says quietly as he offered a small smile.
“My boss requests to have a word with you” He added as he pointed at the car, my eyes widened, and I blinked them severally before speaking up. “Who is your boss?” I asked, trying to sound calm, and he gestured for me to come with him.
I looked around and gulped before trailing behind him.
He opened the back door seat of the car and beckoned me to enter.
I looked up at the suit guy once again, and he gave me a reassuring smile. I breathe out and nodded before I finally slide in.
I drew in a long breath after I sat down.
“Hello” The person says beside me and I tilted my head to face the figure.
I froze instantly at the sight sitting next to me. “Rodney Shaw?” I called unsure.