LOGINHowever, beneath my ear and against my cheek, his heart was hammering—a wild, frantic rhythm that felt anything but normal. “Your heart,” I mumbled, lifting my head just slightly. “It’s beating crazy. Are you okay? It's not normal? It sounds really fast.” I mentioned it again, concern cutting through my embarrassment. He was silent. “Seriously, are you okay? it’s like a drum. This is really concerning". He continued walking up the staircase, not missing a step. “It’s normal,” he said, his tone deliberately casual. “Happens each time I carry a beautiful woman.” My head snapped up fully at that. “What? How many women have you carried, exactly?” Wait what did I ask? What was that question?! Am I stupid? “Don’t you think that’s a bit personal?” he countered, a smirk playing on his lips as he took the another step up. I flushed, looking away. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have asked. Nevermind it was a silly question,I didn't even know why I asked". “You and my f
The heavy silence that Mr Uncle man left behind seemed to vibrate in the dusty air.I stood there, rooted to the spot, the crumpled bills at my feet like fallen leaves.Hot ears tracked down my cheeks.I feel like I am never winning no matter what I do. I was meant to be miserable.I try to play it off but the stranger's words really did something to me.I changed.Ofcourse I changed.I don’t even recognize myself anymore. I don’t have friends I don’t have family anymore. I was forced to isolate from them. I am beyond depressed, Angel is the only thing keeping me going.I thought I will have the best life getting married and having my dream career but...I cried more.I made the wrong decision.Leo....Why did that man’s voice remind me of you?Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching.I didn’t look up, just angrily swiped at my cheeks.I heard a soft sigh.“Why are you still here, you are crying?”"Leave me alone".I sobbed turning my face away."Come on, you are a mother. Act like on
I have a huge phobia for those creatures. For a dizzying second, we froze and I was surrounded by the scent of cheap detergent, cigar, and alcohol. The thumb of his heart and the heat of his body warm against my cheek. Then I realized. I am in the arms of a stranger! A man?! My face flushed and I quickly jumped out of his hand. Without looking up, I scrambled back, my face burning. “I’m sorry, I saw a rat..” “It’s a building. They live here too,” he said, his voice flat. His hands dropped back to his sides. "I ...mean I am just scared of rats". I said. "Really, do you think rats are creepy too?" "Okay I deserved that". He looked away and said nothing. “As I was saying I overreacted back then. I was frightened waking up in a star gets bed. The world ain't nice...my daughter is a girl you understand how dangerous that can be...do you have a daughter or a sister..?" "No.." He replied dryly. Okay this is getting more awkward than I thought. "Even wi
Charlotte’s POVThe slam of the door echoed in the small, shabby room after he left.I sighed.My heart hurts can't tell if it's from the whole conversation or the pain I had from hitting the bed frame.Also, I was a little careless with my words.What if that man was a nice person.I looked at Angel. She had removed her sunglasses, staring at me with a frown, her little face a mask of tearful betrayal.“Mommy… you’re a bad person to Mr Uncle. You have to say sorry.”Each word was a needle to my heart.“Don’t talk to your mommy like that. I was being a mother, and I am not apologizing to anyone.”A look of cold, disgusted judgment came over her face. I had never, ever seen it on my daughter’s face, being directed at me.“Angel,” I whispered softly.“Say sorry!” she insisted, a sob catching in her throat. “He’s good! He’s not a creep! You’re being mean! He did nothing wrong!”I knew she was right.She was five years old, and she was unequivocally, morally right. I had taught her so.I
Mr Uncle left last night after Mommy’s IV drip finished. He pulled it out and pressed a plaster on it, then he said I should keep an eye on my mother. He didn’t come back again. It was hard to fall asleep last night. I dozed off eventually. “Angel? Angel?” I heard someone whisper, but I was too tired and wanted to sleep. “Angel?” Then a gentle hand shook me. I opened my eyes and found my Mommy. My eyes widened and I burst into tears. “Mommy!” She hugged me tightly and planted kisses on my face. “Oh my baby, I am so, so sorry! How could I have… I am sorry, forgive Mommy…” She cried and hugged me more tightly. “It’s okay, Mommy.” She pulled back a bit and stared around the room. “This doesn’t look like a hospital but a single-room apartment. What are we doing here, Angel?” She asked, looking scared. “A big uncle Mr helped me. I told him to call the police and take us to hospital but he brought us to his place". “What?” She asked. “He said I should call him Uncle. He
“Lina will help. She can be a little hard to convince because I am a huge debtor… but she will help. She has a… a tough shell. Soft inside.” He didn’t sound like he believed it. “I will go to her place.”“No!”The word burst out of me with panic.I stumbled forward and clutched the fabric of his big trousers. “You can’t leave me! I’m scared!”He blinked, looking down at my small hands fisted in his clothes. “But your mother is right here,” he said, gesturing weakly toward the bedroom. “She’s taking her IV drip. Just stay beside her.”I shook my head, my eyes burning.“Big Mr…”“Can you just call me Uncle?” he asked, his voice softening.I shook my head.“No, because you are not my uncle.”“I see.” He nodded slowly, accepting it, there was no hurt in his voice.“What about… Mr. Uncle?” I offered.He considered it. Then the small, quick smile returned, making the two little dents in his cheeks appear for a second. “I can live with that,” he replied.He gently pried my hands from hi







