Clara woke up to another day of yelling by her stepmom. They would do anything to delay or make her late for work, but she was now used to it. She tried everything to please her step mom and did everything expected of her before leaving.
“Make sure you do all the dishes and keep the house clean before leaving.” Elizabeth, her stepmom, yelled at her.
Clara was calm. She only had to say okay to everything because complaining would only be a death sentence.
When she was done, she ran off to her place of work. It had just been one week since she found this job. Every job she got was from one problem to another. In her last employment, her manager refused to pay her her salary unless he slept with her.
When she arrived at the hotel where she worked, her boss called her out to give her a final warning in front of her coworkers.
“I don't think you are serious with this job, this is your last warning.” He said to her and poked her forehead which made her stagger backwards.
“I am sorry sir, it won't happen again.”
“Be sorry for yourself, you lowlife! I know how you begged me to get this job and now you give excuses with your family. Why can't your family employ you?” The boss conveyed arrogantly.
Clara’s eyes were already watery, she couldn't explain further because they would never understand. It was all her stepmom’s fault. Elizabeth would do anything to make her life miserable.
Since her stepmom married her father, her father turned his back on her and her mother, and only did anything his second wife wanted.
Currently, her mother is in the hospital because of a heart disease and her father has refused to give her any money at all. She had to work day and night to raise the money for the surgery, otherwise, her mother would die.
Her step-sister, Selen, didn't help matters at all. She was meant to be her sister but it turned out that was her greatest enemy, she always supported her mum and our Dad, and most of the time she added more fire to it whatever it was.
She made a promise to her mum that she would pay her bills for the surgery to commence, even though she knew the chances were low and that it would take a miracle to raise the money, she still had to encourage the sick mom.
“This is your last chance. Did you get me?” The boss roared again and that awakened her from thoughts.
She nodded her head vehemently and ran back to her position. Her colleagues always made a mockery of her and laughed whenever she was being reprimanded by their boss.
Once she was done with work, she hurriedly went to the hospital to see her mom.
Her mum was in a vegetable state and she couldn't help but burst into tears. She ran to the doctor’s office to plead with him, but that was not possible.
“Ms Clara, there is absolutely nothing I can do to help you. Once you come up with the money. The surgery will be carried out immediately.” Doctor Ryan told her.
She left the hospital in her horrible state and went home. She made up her mind to confront her father, after all, her mom was his wife and deserved to be cared for by him.
Clara unlocked the door gently and went straight to the living room but there was no one there. Her step-sister and her stepmom weren't around either.
She peeked at the clock and it was getting late, yet they weren’t back from God knows where.
She went to her bedroom to look at the picture of her and her mother when she was healthy, and also the picture with their father when he still showed them love and care before Elizabeth came into the family.
Her Dad had been cheating with Elizabeth for a long time and they even had Selene, as if that was not enough, she came in to live with them after demanding her Dad divorce her mother.
As she was still looking at those pictures and recalling the memories of what transpired, she heard a noise like the sound of the door and knew immediately they were back.
Dropping the picture hastily, She walked to the sitting room immediately to beg her Dad for the money.
Her face was indifferent when she observed that her family had just come back from a picnic with their paper bag. They were out to have fun while she had been moving around for a solution but that wasn’t her business.
She fell on her knees holding her Dad’s legs.
“Dad please, borrow me some money. I promise to pay you back. Mom is dying and the Doctor said if I didn’t bring the money soon, something bad will happen”
She reached for her cell phone and brought it out of her pocket.
“Dad, What do you want as collateral? My phone? You can have it. I promise to keep to my words.” She was looking into her Dad’s eyes, and was optimistic she would find mercy.
Before she finished talking, she heard her stepmom raining insults on her.
“You lowlife, you have some guts, don’t you? What made you think we will need collateral from you? What do you have to offer?
Elizabeth pulled her from her father's legs where she was pleading and dragged her up by her clothes.
“Don’t you think you're disrespecting your father by asking him to borrow you money?
Clara ignored Elizabeth completely and turned to her Dad. He can do it, he has the power to say just a word and the money will be in her account.
“Dad, please say something, mum is dying.” She cried, shaking him to make him focus on her but that wasn’t working.
Even if he wanted to do anything for her, Elizabeth won’t allow him to do that.
It got worse when Selene also insulted her.
“Your laziness is on another level, there are many jobs to do to raise money but you prefer to beg for what you didn’t work for.”
Selene then turned to her Dad.
“Dad please don’t give her the money. How are we sure that she is not trying to dupe us? Your mum used to have lots of savings. I'm sure she must have paid her hospital bills but you want to use that opportunity to extort money from Dad.” Selene said, crossing her legs and Elizabeth supported her.
“You are right. She only wants to extort money from us. She thinks we are foolish.” her stepmom added.
“But why would I lie?” Clara cried out at Selene with a bit of emotion in her. Even if they don’t want to help her, they shouldn’t stop their Dad from doing so.
“Did you dare talk back to my daughter?” Elizabeth wailed which made Claudia quiver.
“I was just trying to say I’m not lying” But before she could finish the words she was saying, multiple slaps landed on her face and her vision went blurry.
Clara’s vision was blurry for some minutes before she got back to herself. She didn’t understand why Elizabeth had to slap her but she didn’t blame her at all. She blamed her Dad for always supporting her Stepmom. When she noticed that nothing positive would come out of her pleading, she went to her room to sleep. Sleep was an escape mechanism for her. Tomorrow, she will continue. “You should be even grateful you have a roof over your head. Some people are homeless but yet you are such an ingrate!” Elizabeth screamed as she went to her room. Though Clara did not hear the last part of what Elizabeth said because she already shut her door, she cried in bed till the next morning. When she woke up the next day, she realised she had overslept a little bit. That was not the time she usually woke up, so she rushed to take her shower and got outfitted for work. She was about to rush out when Elizabeth obstructed her way. “Where do you think you are rushing to without getting this house t
“Are we going to heaven?” She asked him. She doesn’t even know if she said that loud or if it was just in her mind. The next morning, Clara woke up and found a man lying beside her. She can't remember anything at all from the club but only recalled what transpired between them last night. He wasn’t an Angel? He is human? What have I done? She thought to herself. The man was still fast asleep, she stole a glance at him, he looked so handsome. No wonder she followed him thinking he was an angel. He was not only handsome, he looked wealthy also, she couldn't believe she must have accepted to sleep with him for money. That thought alone made her grit her teeth. Alcohol was too bad for a light-headed person like her. Without making much noise, she tiptoed in order not to wake the man up. She collected her clothing and took a last glance at him, before leaving the hotel. She went back home but by the time she got back, her items were outside. Her family had thrown her out of the hous
Alex chuckled. He didn't expect Clara to still call him that, now that she was back to her senses. Clara identified the man to be the person from the club. How can she have such a coincidence? she asked herself. Alex stared at her in the eyes. “Ms. Clara, why did you leave so early that day? I woke up and couldn’t find you.” Clara remained speechless, kind of shy that this was what she got to discuss with her employer. Alex could dictate the embarrassed look on her face so he tried to make her feel better. “You are the first applicant to make it to my office. You have passed the interview.” “But there are still people outside,” Clara replied abruptly to him, confused about whether he was trying to say she had been picked. Alex quickly called out to Andrew and instructed him to dismiss the remaining applicants and he complied. He turned back to Clara. “So you see Ms. Clara. This Job is for you, you fit in perfectly for that.” Clara didn’t feel so convinced by his words. Maybe
“Clara?” The three said basically in unison and Alex nodded.“Did she steal your wallet? Oh! You must be the guy she lives with and she ran away with your money.” Selene uttered first.“I’m sorry for whatever issues Clara must have caused you, Mr. Alex, we have tried our best to help Clara but all she does is bring embarrassment to us,” Elizabeth put in.“Mr. Alex, please tell us what she did, we might be able to offer some solutions. How much did she steal from you? I can replace it. This is why I always refer Selene only to people but they are carried away by Clara’s innocent look. Selene, go ahead and apologise for what your sister did.” Jackson urged Selene immediately.“I apologise for whatever Clara did. My family will make it up to you.” Selene apologised, posing as the good person that she was not.“Unfortunately, Clara did not do any of these. It would be an honour if she agreed to see me. Do any of you know where she is?” Alex finally said amidst all the drama.“I don't think
Mrs. Peters didn't find it funny at all but she assumed her son must be playing some kind of game. He appeared to be in a good mood but still, he shouldn't joke with something so weighty like this. “Alex, what sort of joke is this?” She asked, hoping that Alex would confess that it was a joke too. “Joke? I'm playing no jokes, Mum. Didn't everyone want me to get married? This is my wife-to-be, only a few preparations left.” Clara, who had been listening to all that was happening, quickly adjusted her position and sat upright. Mrs. Peters had been condescendingly looking at her all through the discussion, though she hadn't said anything to her yet. To Mrs. Peters, Clara was too small to have that conversation with, she rather have it with her son. “I know you are cracking one of your jokes again. I'm here for a reason.” Alex Peters didn't react in the manner that his mum predicted. His gestures just showed that he was very serious about what he said. “Mum, why should I be joking?
Alex Peters ignored what Clara had just told him. The driver had matched the break forcefully because of Clara’s reply to Alex, but he was quick to apologize to his boss. Clara felt a little regret uttering the last statement. It was truly how she felt but she didn't know why the man kept bothering her. They already made a mistake by having a one-night stand and he should just get over it. They arrived at a flower garden and stopped the car. Alex and Clara came down having a nice view of the place as they walked like every other person there. Clara followed Alex reluctantly and they hadn't said a word to each other. But Alex was walking side by side with her like they were couples. Suddenly, Alex received a phone call. It seemed urgent and he urged Clara to wait while he quickly addressed the matter. “I will have the driver drive me to the office for some clarification. Please, don't go anywhere, I will be back in twenty minutes.” he urged her and before Clara could say anything,
At the airport, a young beautiful lady was seen standing. She was dressed in a jumpsuit and a red heart with sunglasses. She looked more like a model and she spoke with an accent. “Mum, is he not going to be the one to pick me? I saw the driver you sent here.” Mrs. Peters at the other end tried to explain to Annie Cooper that Alex was busy at the office. “You don’t have to worry about that, Alex as the CEO is quite busy but he’s got more surprises for you.” “OK, Mum. Got it.” Annie replied and hung up. She pouted her lips, flung her hair, and matched to the spot where the driver was waiting for her. Mrs. Peters had just lied to Annie Cooper. Even though Alex didn’t plan anything, she knew that with time, she would be able to convince him and until then, Annie would be staying in the five-star hotel. Alex gazed at Clara for a while, she was still asleep. Due to their exhaustion the previous day, they weren’t able to talk about the condition and now he was off to work. “Wooo,” Cla
Clara was startled by the scream of Mrs. Peters. She didn't expect her and she also didn't know when they came in. “Good morning Ma.” She greeted politely to show some respect but the old lady was going to find fault. “What did you just do? Greet me? Do you think that will change the fact that my son brought a prostitute to his home?” Clara tucked her lips to the insults Mrs. Peters laid on her. She didn't dare to open her mouth and speak while the Lady still spoke. Annie Cooper rushed to where Mrs. Peters was standing. She had been looking at the glass design on the wall but because of the way Mrs. Peters spoke, she wanted to know what was happening. She had just finished examining Clara and turned to Mrs. Peters and asked her. “Mum, who is she? I was thinking the servants should have a room close to the kitchen or outside.” “Mum, is she the head of the maids? She must be really annoying and that is why you are yelling at her.” “Did Mr. Alex pick her up from the streets? I hear