A Deal with the Billionaire's Heir

My shift has come to an end. It's quarter past eleven in the evening. On Friday nights, I always take another hour, or two, in my shift. Due to this, I don't have the time to get to accept my classmates' invitations to join their parties or treats. It's not like I like parties either. I kind of don't. Also knowing that I have to work still tomorrow, I really have to sleep my tiredness off.I've been a freelance artist since tenth grade. I started with painting pictures of my customers' pets until I decided to make my service exclusively on human portraits. That was when my inbox has gotten busy. I've even painted the mayor's family and, O boy, it was a one-of-a-kind experience. With this, I make enough money to pay our monthly rent in the apartment. I'm grateful I've found one of my God-given talents because it's helped me, Mom, and also eases up my mind most of the time. Whenever I hold a brush and splatter paints, I feel free of life's burdens.I stand straight by a streetlamp. I fi

I should've known. I should really have. I'm so stupid at this part. Who would want me to work off the workplace so badly? Who would pay me not just thrice but, as the lady said, as a 'whole package?' Who else? Of course, a rich person. I didn't see this coming. I thought I was about to paint for a political personality or whatsoever. I let out all of my mixed stress and anxieties in a sigh. How dauntless of I. For the money. For Mom, I'll do this. I just have to ignore his personality and focus on his physicality. This is going to be as easy as I think it'll be.I look away from him, the freak, and aim my sight at the flawless white wall. Every piece of furniture in the room is colored white. Everything seems to blind my vision. They appear untouched by nobody. I look down at the tiled floor, and my frame reflects on it. It's a heavenly room, I swear. I'm clean with mine, but this? It's indescribable.I stand stiffly before him while holding my stuff in my front. His deep grays trace

After the brain-damaging Tuesday morning classes, I blink at Reign Hayes entering the school gymnasium with her rather famous circle of friends. See, Reign is very well-known for her physical aesthetics, gentle personality, and outstanding wits, but also, she's known to be the current mayor's half-sister. The news shocked the city, but as days have gone by, people have forgotten about the stirred-up scandal. That day was chaotic actually.I sit on the bench, my eyes not taking off Reign's back, out in the faint sun. I think of Marco. I wonder how he's going to work this out. I hope Reign isn't in a relationship yet because I'm rooting for my cousin's shot. Reign has always been private and silent, even when she's around with her friends. She's elegantly perceptive, and it's one of her traits everybody seems to like, including me.I've just gone from the cafeteria. I didn't feel like eating, so I ate less than I usually take in. I cross my legs and grab my sketchbook. I bite on the era

I close my eyes as Kent leans his head against mine. I put his hands off my face and gently push him out of my proximity. I should've never done that. I kissed him. Now, he must be thinking that I still like him. O Stella, what trouble you've gotten yourself into. I didn't see this coming, and it was my fault.Kent, with his ocherous eyes, stares at me, statuesquely still in his place. He sits down on my bed and then lays his head on my bolster. He sits his head over his intertwined fingers and then heaves a deep sigh. I just watch him stare at the ceiling until he looks back at me, making my eyes avert to the bedside. I sniff the forming liquid in my nose and then cross my arms, waiting for Kent to initiate the conversation, but he doesn't do so.I then rive the earsplitting silence, "Can you please go now?""What?" he sneers. "After you kissed me, I'll get this? You want me to leave?""I . . ." I trail off, unable to bring out words since I'm dumbfounded still by the minty aftertaste

After a day of scholarly stress, I stop by Aunt Hilda's to check on Marco, but he isn't home yet, so I tell Aunt Hilda I'll be on my way to work. I ride my bike and eventually get back home. As I open the door, the sight of Mom in her favorite white sheath dress dancing to a piece of instrumental classical music greets me. She stops her graceful movements when I shut the door. I look at her appreciatively and then she beams me a smile."What party are we celebrating?" I joke.She sways her head to the beats of low piano notes. "I just felt like wearing your grandma's dress again.""Well, you look great in it.""I'll give this to you soon."I hate myself for interpreting that very differently. I step forward and fix Mom's hair. "We'll survive this life, okay?" I reassure her.She nods with a smile. "Of course, we are.""I love you, Mom.""I love you so, so much, my Stella." She kisses my forehead, and then we collide into a tight embrace.I then made her dinner and give her some CDs of