Chapter 06

"You are not going to last in this job," Stella, in an ill-mannered way told Charles. Both of them were congratulated by the store manager a while ago for getting hired.

"This is an easier job for me," he uttered. "A proper time off and a proper time in."

Stella glared at Charles for a second and shakes her head lightly. She can't with this guy. Honestly, she thought it was just a baseless threat that he would apply for the job himself but he freakin' did. The salary was high. She could not let the opportunity go.

Now that she gets the job, it's time to head home. Stella went her way to Emma first and said goodbye then she went out the door. Charles followed her.

"So, where are we headed next?" he asked which made her turn around.

"We?" She raises a brow. "You and I, we're not the same people. Go back to where you came from!" 

"Now don't be a stereotyping. Wasn't it enough that we fucked each--"

"Shut up!" Stella yells, covering Charles' mouth. "Don't you say it out loud in the public! Where's your shame?!"

Charles brought his hand up and removed Stella's hand. He then leaned in making her lean back with a frown on her forehead.

"I don't think shame will save my image, will it?" he asked, eyes squinted at her. "I'll stop if you agree and come to my aunt's party."

"Bring some other girl," she grunted and turned away, marching towards the pavement leading home.

"I'm going to keep pestering you, miss Lacrone!" he louder his voice to get her attention but she ignored him. "Damn it!" he swore under his breath.

Charles went to his car and decided not to follow Stella. Why would he when tomorrow they're going to see each other for a shift? Now, he's a freakin' stockman-- a billionaire in cover.

On the road, Charles book him a stay at a nearby hotel. At this rate, any hotel will do. Then on a red light, he decided to call Dimitri and let him know that he won't be coming to the office for a couple of days until he get Sella to say yes. He has to bring her to his Aunt's birthday and introduce Stella as his girlfriend to everyone, especially to his grandfather.

"She hasn't heard how big the money is," he mumbles, "it won't take long and she'll take it."

At home, Stella finally made some research about the man she messed up with. She read most of the things about him and her jaw dropped looking at how big his name really was.

Why would Vanessa set her up in this big of a mess? She asked herself, sighing heavily and letting go of her phone as she sits up on her bed. Disgusting, that night should be disgusting.

As she looks at the time, she sees it's about dinner soon. Time is passing by so quickly and yet she spends all her afternoon just laying in bed. Somehow she feels tired. We'll she should get dinner and sleep.

At a nearby eating house, Stella ordered food for take-out. The old lady was still preparing her orders when the news came in on the old lady's television.

Stella almost ran when she saw herself on the screen covered in a blanket. Although her face was covered up, she knew it was her standing still in shock. It was really that big of a scandal.

"Young lady! Are you listening!"

Her attention shifted to the old lady whose wrinkled hand was in the air. Stella shakes her head and blinks regaining her awareness.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, taking the plastic bag from the old woman's hand.

"Must be shocking, eh? Young girls nowadays just doing whatever they want!" the old lady remarked with a disapproving look on her face. "Prostitution."

Stella lowered her head and thanked the old woman before leaving. That's how they see her now. It was just a mistake. It wasn't even her mistake, it was that pervert's mistake!

Just as she was thinking about it, she is reminded of Vanessa. How could she do this to her? Where could Vanessa be?

Stella was just climbing the stairs to her apartment when she stopped at the next staircase. She looked up and saw the annoying Charles Castigado, looking down at her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, her deadly eyes pierced at him.

"Call this courting you," he replied. Stella rolled her eyes and continues to take steps up. When she reached where he is, he noticed the plastic bag. "You know I can buy you first-class--"

"They're all the same," she cut him off in a straight face. "They all turn to shit regardless of how expensive your kind of food is. Go away!"

Instead of going away, Charles only followed her further to her door, annoying Stella. Of course, she can't let him in so before opening her door, she faced him again.

"Why do you keep following me? I told you my answer is no!"

"You haven't heard how much money you'll get. You don't even have to work your days off. It's only for a month!"

Stella scoffs, tossing her head sideways for a second and back to him. "I have the time to work hard. And what do you think of a month? 24 hours? I can't stand you!"

"But I'll be seeing you tomorrow at work. You'll still be with me," he said, smirking at her. He's not even supposed to display arrogance to this girl but he can't help it.

Stella glared at Charles for the longest time before opening her door. She has been fighting this guy all day and it drained her energy. It was a good thing her night job is tomorrow or else it would be the end for this guy.

"I'm not into it, Mr. Castigado. You're just wasting your time trying to convince me."

Saying that changed the expression on Charles' face. He has those demon's eyes that darted to her, giving her chills.

"You must not know me that well, miss Lacrone. I can get whatever I want and if I want you, I'll have you."

Stella was trying not to falter as she meet those eyes of him. She swallowed hard. Gazing at his eyes is like looking up at the burning sun, she had to look away.

"Good night, mister Castigado."

To avoid further heart-pounding stares from the guy, Stella went inside her apartment and closed the door behind her. The moment she was inside, she released a deep sigh, clutching her chest.

Damn, that guy! He was looking like he'd swallow me whole, she thought as she unpacked her dinner. All that talking she did with him had her dinner a little cold now.

While Stella eats inside, Charles' on the other hand is having a headache. Why can't that girl just agree on his terms? How hard is it to pretend to be somebody's girlfriend? If only he can ask somebody else!

"Damn it!" he hits his steering wheel. "Why does it have to be that girl?"

In his anger, Charles took out his phone and dialed Dimitri's number. On the fifth ring, Dimitri answered him.

"I want you to do something for me," Charles straight said without any greetings. When he does this, this usually means business.

"This sounds so urgent, young master. But I'm all ears."

And so they discussed what he wanted. After the call ended, the corners of his mouth curved into an evil grin, a proud look on his face.

"We'll see what you can do now, Stella Lacrone," he whispers as he leaves.

The very next morning, Stella woke up really early for her morning job. Despite having to work with that pervert, she is still excited to start afresh.

After having her breakfast, she went out. The surrounding was a bit quiet. She was thankful there was no mister pervert waiting at her door.

Stella walks to the same pavement from yesterday, smiling from ear to ear. The moment she reached the store from yesterday, her eyes widened at the wide under renovation sign in front. Why did nobody tell her?

"It will take them about two months or three." A familiar deep voice said which made her turn. She wasn't wrong. Charles had a smile on his face. "You crossed the line, I had to cross it too. I was being nice."

"Being nice?" She frowned. "You are being cruel just because you can't get what you want!"

"That's the way it has always been," he muttered.

"What did I ever do to you?!" she shouts, her eyes glossy from the tears that are forming. "You were the one who went inside that room so why am I being wronged to?"

The way her tears fell down on her cheeks pinched Charles' heart but he remained to look arrogant. The way he makes business, he always needed to be heartless. Her case is no exception.

"Take my deal and it won't be hard on you," he coldly told her.

With her teary eyes, she glares at him bravely. "Doing what you did just made it hard for you!" she grunted.

"Nothing is hard for me," he uttered, looking heartlessly. A smile was lingering on his mouth, something to annoy her. "You won't find any other job. The night job you have... I made sure you can't get in."

More waters came rolling down on Stella's cheeks. She bites her lower lip hard, trying to stop her tears but they continued to stream anyways.

"You are the most heartless guy I have ever known!" she shouts.

Charles remained calm. "If you change your mind, I'll be waiting in Marie Swan's hotel," he told her putting on his expensive sunglasses and walking toward his car without looking back.

Who would dare look back when all he would see is her eyes sparkling with tears. He isn't that heartless but he chooses to be perceived as one cold asshole.

Stella didn't want to waste time crying over what that jerk told her. She wiped her tears and took a deep breath, looking up and around. Surely there's somewhere else that could give her a job. There should be somewhere.

The whole morning she spent looking around under the heat of the sun. Establishment after establishment. Once they know her name, they just turn her down. That jerk was really telling the truth. It's really hard to stand against rich people.

Getting slapped with the truth, Stella decided to buy herself some lunch. And as she waits for her order to be served, her head suddenly started aching that she had to close her eyes. Must be from the heat she was under earlier.

"Miss, you okay?"

When Stella weakly looked up, she saw the waiter with a worried look on his face. He had a tray in his hand.

"Can I have a glass of water, please? I think I have a migraine or something."

"Sure!" The waiter put down her food and hurried to get some water. When he was back, she immediately drink some. "You should have with you a bottle of water in this heat season. It's really hot out even here."

Stella smiled at how caring the young waiter was. "Thank you," she told him. The young man smiled and left her.

Stranger cares about her more than her own mother, she thought.

Moments after she felt fine, she ate her lunch. She used to eat with Erick all the time. Now, it's just her and her unlucky life trying to survive.

In her apartment, Stella thought hard about Charles' offer. If she takes it, her life will get more pestered but she'll have money to run away. On the other side, she'll still get pestered by Charles but she'll run out of money. Should she move far away from him? Not a solution. That man is known worldwide.

From the look he gave her yesterday, he will make sure she won't have a decent life. Stella groans really loud, tossing herself in bed.

"There are still days ahead," she told herself. "I can still look for a job. I can invest my savings in a small business." But what should it be? Charles' will crush it instantly.