Chapter 1

“How dare you speak to me like that?' The woman lashed out at Ariel.

“Madam, don't get the wrong impression, I was only following the rules given to us.” Ariel smile, trying her possible best to hide her fear.

“I'm going to test these heels, and there's nothing you will do about it!” The woman tried to poke Ariel with the heels of the stiletto.

"Ma'am." Ariel held onto the shoes. "You can't put them on."

“What's happening here?” A voice came from behind the scene. A slender model-like figure appeared. Her pink blazers spoke well of her position.

“Are you the manager here?” The woman asked in a furious tone. "Where is the manager?"

“Yes ma'am, Good day, what's the problem?” The boss asked with a bright and delightful smile.

“i want to make a purchase but your rude worker won't let me test them out!

“Madam, I was only trying to follow-”

“You have no right to speak when a customer is in the middle of her complaint!” The boss cut her off, giving Ariel a deadly glare, her tone sharp and cautious.

She turned her attention to the customer. “Madam, I am so sorry for any inconvenience.” Ariel's boss lamented as she bowed her head for the woman.

The woman glared at Ariel and she dropped the shoes noisily. "I'm not buying, good day." She stormed out of the store.

Amongst the crowd was a young man standing at approximately 6’2 tall, his ocean blue eyes, and his lustrous black trimmed hair, spoke well of him. His two huge bodyguards beside him.

All these while, He had his eyes on Ariel who was been humiliated publicly for something she had no fault in.

“Meet me in my office now, you this useless stinky thing!” Ariel's boss spatted as she strode out of the scene. Her tone was huffy and commanding.

The man was still there; he didn't move an inch. He scanned Ariel with his emotionless eyes as he was mesmerized by Ariel's beauty

“Hmmm…….this beauty should not be treated like trash.” He murmured to himself.

He then signaled one of his bodyguards and whispered in his ear. “Give her my card.” He commanded.

As the guard approached her, She wheeled her head up to see the huge masculinity in front of her. “Reach out if you want a life-changing opportunity, you have four days to think it through.” The bodyguard said and left a confused Ariel who couldn't stop staring at him.

Ariel tucked the card away and went up to her boss' office. Would she ever have peace in the store? Her boss disliked her, any little chance to punish her, she won't let it slide. Each step she took reminded her of how loathsome her boss was.

"Knock knock." Ariel summoned up courage.

“Come in,” Ariel's boss voiced from the inside.

Ariel entered and stood at her boss's table. Her hands at her back as she folded them tightly as if she was about to receive a death sentence.

Her boss stared at her silently without uttering a word.

“My sincere apolo—”

“Do not speak!” Her boss was pissed. "We lost a valuable customer."

"Ma—" Ariel's statement was cut short in her throat as her boss shushed her up. Leaving her no room for continuation.

“Ariel…..I have warned you several times not to get on my nerves. Do you not want this job anymore?” Her boss asked. Her tone was calm yet cautious.

“Ma'am please forgive me, it won't happen again.” Ariel pleaded. Desperately praying silently for her boss's mercy.

“Don't beg me Ariel, you chased one of our best customers, how do you want to make it up to the loss you've caused my store!?”

“I am—”

“No paycheck this month, now get out of my office.” Ariel's intended statement was cut short in her throat as she heard her boss's decision.

She stood there, not moving an inch, hoping to find any lingering favor in her boss's eyes.

“Do you have gums in your ears? Leave my office, I want fresh air!?” Her boss said, glaring at her like her presence was a contagious virus.

Ariel wheeled around without uttering a word. Outside was Anya who had been eavesdropping the whole time.

As Ariel came out with teary eyes, Anya hugged her tightly. “It's okay…it's fine…”

“How am I supposed to take care of my child if things continue like this? I have been saving up to pay for his tuition fees, but everything seems to be going wrong.” Ariel lamented as she sobbed on her friend's shoulder.

“It's okay girl…I'm here for you, you're not alone in this.” Anya comforted her as she rubbed her back for ease.

“Let's go, it's closing hour.” Anya said as she picked their bags from the locker. They changed into their casual outfit and left the store.

Ariel got home with her last strength, hoping to dive and sink in her bed. However, her legs crumbled as she was welcomed with a more disheartening scene. Two men in the company of the caretaker had made their way into her room.

"What are you doing?" She rushed to them, trying to stop them from throwing her belongings away. "Leave that!

"Your rent has been overdue for two fucking years! The caretaker flung her hand away. She reeked of poverty. "You're leaving this house today."

All her pleas fell on deaf ears, they kept taking out her belongings until the room was empty. The caretaker out a big lock on the door. "When you have your money, let me know.”