Chapter 7

Mari Kristine

Today is a bit exhausting. I should have hung out with Fae if it weren’t for the fact that my manager gave me a pile of paperwork. He said to us that everything is under control but then he turned into a monster overnight. He did not even considered our break time and urged our time to rush those papers.

I straightened my back and stretched out my hands. I need a good weekend break after this. Someone approached me with a cup of coffee and smiled.

“You look so haggard, dear. There are way too many papers left, hope you don’t give up or else each of us

won’t get paid at the end of the month.” My colleagues laughed at her words.

“Yeah, I hope to finish all of this by dusk. I need to straighten my back tonight.” I stated as I looked around.

“We all deserve a good rest tonight. I can’t afford to lose my job. I still need to pay for my family’s expenses.” The person who gave me the cup of coffee said before she went back to her seat.

“Same here, Rissa! I had an insane night yesterday to max out my card and now I need to pay for my rent too.” I shouted laughing, everyone in the room laughed.

“Oh. So you met with your misfortunes yesterday? How unfortunate of me, I did not witness it.” Rissa sighed after she looked at me with a teasing smile.

“Don’t even think of it. You know how stubborn Mari is. You will just have a headache if you insist.” One of my officemates sneered.

“Shut it, Dwayne! It’s not as simple as you think.” I stopped my male officemate.

“It was always like that, nothing new.” Rissa refuted turning to me with a wink.

“I will call you soon if it happens that I am in deep trouble. Maybe you can also be the witness for my crimes inside the jurisdiction hall.” I also laugh at my words, that sounds a bit crazy.

“You even have good humor now after the trouble you had. What is it that made you change after the weekend?” Rissa asked me, doubting my change of humor.

Everyone looked at me curiously. Well, I can’t blame them for that. It’s always been my routine to focus on my responsibilities as a daughter, as a worker and as a girlfriend to Alex. Nothing more. I have always been serious with life after I graduated college.

“I broke up with Alexander Harisson.” I briefly stated which made everyone stop their business.

“Finally!”

“Seriously?”

“Really, Mari?”

“Congratulations!”

“That’s a good news!”

I roamed my eyes at my office mates and saw how happy they looked. They are cheering and yelling happily. What’s happening?

“Can someone tell me why are you all happy with my break up?” I asked them, confused.

Dwayne walked over and tapped my shoulder, “You are blindly in love. Everyone knows what that rich guy does behind your back. But no one dared to tell you because you always get mad when we say something against your boyfriend.”

“Am I that blind? I only think that our break up could free me from the pressure of being a poor girl rescued by some random rich guy.” I stated in an awkward tone.

“Yes you are!” They shouted in unison.

“We are so happy for you, Sis!” Rissa gladly remarked.

Everyone continued their work after the little celebration they had. So, it was I who did not know anything. If I had not seen it with my own eyes, I would always be manipulated by him.

“I will be more than happy if I can pay all of my debts in an instant.” I added which made her smile.

“Well, who else here does not have any debt? I also have a debt. Maybe even bigger than yours. So don’t you worry hun, even rich people make loans.” She affirmed.

I smiled at her before a phone call interrupted our conversation. I looked at the name that was registered on the phone’s screen and saw the name of my apartment’s owner. The landlord called. Shit!

“Mari, I am sorry to say this but you have to move out of the apartment. You should do it immediately, don’t make me wait until tonight.” He seems to be a man on the other line.

My face soured. I still did not pay for my rent this month. Only if my salary was given that I can pay for the rent. My salary is still far way to go and I am penniless. It’s impossible that he will kick me out just like that. I have been living there for years!

“You are joking, Mister Donald. Right? The payment date is still a long way to go.” I blurted out, doubting what I had heard.

“I need the money, Mari. I am doing business here, not charity. If you still want a home, you should pay for your rent now!” He is undoubtedly cold-hearted.

“But Sir, I still don’t have any penny. It’s just one month. Please give me some time to earn money and pay for the rent.” I bargained with the landlord.

”No, Mari. You should pay for the rent and move out whether you like it or not.” He strongly disagreed with my suggestion.

“What did I do, Mister Donald? It’s not like I am not paying for my rent.” I defended myself.

“Someone wants to buy the apartment and its surrounding areas. They are planning to build a new five star hotel here. And they don’t take no as an answer too.” Mr. Donald disclosed.

Is it really that bad? Should I go home and pack my things now or should I stay here and do my paperworks? I’m a bit confused.

“Who are you talking with at work? Are you done with the documents, Mari?” The manager walked over and criticized me.

“I am still busy at work, Mister Donald. Talk to you about the payment later!” I ignored the manager and quickly hung up the phone before I returned to my work.

After getting ignored, the manager walked away with a furious expression. It may be funny but his face is indeed a good motivation to continue working. I smiled mischievously at the sight of it.

My phone rang again for the second time. Oh Jesus! Help me! I am certainly going to argue again with that old hag and he will threaten me again.

I hung the phone up and refused to answer it. But to no avail, it rang again. I rolled my eyes and focused on the documents I needed to rush. I got annoyed at the debt collector so I picked it up.

“I told you already that I’m busy right now! Can you not please make some space and consideration for me?” I furiously shouted.

“Oh… is that so? Sorry for calling. Bye!” A woman’s disappointed voice rang in my ear.

My eyes widened. I looked at the name of the caller that’s displayed on my phone screen and saw the name of my best friend. It was Fae!

“Fae! S-sorry… W-Wait!” I was about to apologize to her when she hung up the call.

I’m dead! She is definitely going to kill me for shouting at her. It looks like she had a problem with the tone of her voice a while ago. I tried to call her back this time but she was not picking up my calls. There was no way she’s going to pick it up.

What have I done? I finally gave up and continued on my piled up task. Gosh, Mari! You cannot even stay away from the troubles you make.

It was already late when I finished everything. I was walking home when I saw the landlord throwing things outside. I rushed forward only to see him throwing my things.

“What is this, Mr. Donald? I have already told you that I am paying for it once I get my salary.” I argued with him but he glared at me. “Wait! I will ask my friend for some money, don’t kick me out mercilessly.”

I dialed Fae’s number several times but she is not picking it up. Shit! This is the result of me shouting at her. I looked at the landlord when he shouted.

“Sorry, Mari. But I have already sold this property. So take your belongings now and move out!” He shouted back.

“But it is late now! How can I get another rent house if you kick me out tonight? Mister Donald, please let me stay just for tonight. I promise to move out first hour in the morning.” I pleaded but he just snorted.

“I don’t care! That is your problem, not mine. Go and get all of this trash.” He refused to let me stay home just for the night.

“You two seem to be in big trouble, late at night on the side of the road. What is going on here?” A man’s baritone voice asked from behind.

I did not expect who the owner of the voice was. My eyes widened in shock as realization hit me. The man has already walked over and he faces the landlord. Oh shit, it’s Dos!