Are you in or not?

Elina keep glancing at the clock on the wall, that has been the only thing she’s been doing for the past hour while eating her pancakes. She wanted a distraction, something to take off her mind off Ray, the look in his eyes, when she asked him out. He looked disgusted and totally off it. That’s what she’s been so scared of. Being rejected.

Shithead!

Who would want her anyway, she’s pretty. Plump and clumsy. Partially blind, couldn’t see a thing without her glasses.

Tears prickle at the corner of her eyes.  She’s not wanted.

Shove the plate of pancakes aside and buried her face in her hands. With an already lost appetite.

How’ll she face him now, her plans were to stay in the Carols but she had to walked home, upon reaching home, she throw herself in the bed, crying to sleep.

Her eyes were all puffy and swelled when she woke up, which was quite unusual she had to use a mascara.

Lifting her head and staring at the clock again, time to leave the house. Taking nothing but her small pulse. And her phone.

“I thought you were on leave?”

“I ne’er thought you could do that. Where did all those courage came from.  The super shy Elly Who won’t look up to a boy in the eye. Asked a guy out. Look at you all grown up.”

“Oh please Barbra.” Elina whispers with a hint of embarrassment down her throat.

“How’s your mom? Carol thought me she was sick that’s why you took a leave, I didn’t except you to get back so quickly.”

“It wasn’t anything serious, she fine now. Apparently My elder sister came back from her trip yesterday, so here I am.”

“It’s good you’re back, this place has been suffocating while you’re away.”

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“You just sounded like Ray. I’m fine, it’s nothing to worry about. Am sure it’ll pass.”

She place a hand on Elina shoulders. She touched her hands on hers. And squeeze it a little, giving her an assuring smile.

Barbra was like an elder sister to her and her best friend. The only female she talks to.  Who understood her and try her best to be their for her, she was few months other than her. She was eighteen. Elina would be, in a couple of months away. But you would think is either sixteen or fifteen, because she didn’t look quite her age. Elina was taller. To her Barbra was prettier, she had always admire those perfectly curved face. Her cute eyes.

She was the only one ugly. And always gets mad when she keep on insisting she was pretty. Her own friend, mocking her was something she couldn’t bare. Like she didn’t have a mirror at home. Her eyes weren’t sexy or cute. She slightly escaped being called fat. And not to talk of the pimples on her face.

Pretty huh?

“I understand why you had feelings for him, he’s been with you for years. Loving, caring and he’s super cute.”

Elina rolled her eyes, something she hardly does.

“But What isn’t there to like about you, you’re smart, you’re sweet, you’re...you’re.. well there’s something good about you.”

“You’re worse than Ray.” She slapped her hands of her. With a playful glare. Speaking of Ray, what would he be feeling, she just ruin their relationship of ten years. She couldn’t have just concealed it, like she’d always done. Pretended she never like him. Now she had made the situation difficult for them both.

She was about replying Barbra when a customer enters, she shut her lips and turn to the customer.

“Duty call” Barbra whispers in her ear.

The day ran quite fast, and they had being so busy attending to customer which rarely happens on a normal. Monday, well it could be because Ethan was here yesterday, that was it.

She snapped her finger.

Though she keep staring and wishing Ray would pass through the door. But he didn’t. Not even his shadow. Guess she was right, she had pushed him away. She hit the spoon on her head.

Stupid!

She was stupid.

“Okay?” Barbra gave her a questioning stare. She nodded with a small smile. And turned away from her.

And finally they were done from the day.

She took her purse. And pulled her uniform away from body...

“Bye Elly baby.”

“Bye.”

She waved at Barbra and waited for her to   get into the bus, she waved again and Barbra waved back and until the car bus took off.

She watched solemnly towards her own path, dragging her feet with her bag slung on her shoulders. Ray.

She missed him.

This was all her fault.

She opened the door and enters. Throwing herself in the couch, and shut her eyes. Her life, humph! She couldn’t even say anything about it. All she need was a change. A good one, which she would be happy and free. With lots of money.

“This is the rathole you live?”

She snapped her head quickly, too grateful it didn’t break. At the density which she had snapped it.

She was standing beside the door, examining the house. The word was hanged in her throat, she keep blinking her eyes at the intruder, she didn’t shut the door while she came in.

“How did you get In here?”

“You left the door wide opened. Excepting someone?”

“Non of your damn businesses. What’re you doing here?”  She yelled, jumping off the couch, she misplaced her feet and fell on her face.

“You’re really are clumsy.”  He chuckled and step in fully into the house with his shoes on.

“Ethan, what do you want?” He gritted her teeth. And stood up from the ground. Curling her fist into a thing ball.

He glanced around the house, shaking his head.

“You’re not just clumsy you’re dirty as well.”

“How did you know where I live?”

“Am sure you’re fully aware of who I am. Or you need an introduction. Am Ethan Brennon, the handsome son and last of the Brennon, who always gets what he wants”

“Since when did being handsome become a quality.”

He looked around again.

“What is this?”

“Just get out!” She gritted her teeth again.   The annoying bastard, he could be around nineteen or twenty. Couldn’t be more than that. She gave him a disgust look. And hissed at him.

He smiled and tucked his hands on his pocket.

“I came here to offer you something beneficial, and before I do that, you’ll have to smile. At me.”

“Is that the way to make me pay, huh?” He smirked lower his head so he was the same height with her.

“Do you want to know what my offer is.”

She moved her head backward. And he moved his head closer.

“I don’t want to hear any stupid offer from you, just get out. Now!” She yelled.

He only laughed. And stood erect.

“You’ll love the offer. Cause it would bring you a lot of money. And change your life forever.”

Was this the change she was talking about, but why was it from someone like Ethan, who would perhaps want to ruin her or something.

She looked at him with a little curiosity, it won’t do any harm just to hear what the offer was right?

“What’s it about?”

“You wanna know? I told you to smile remember, smile.”

“Just say it and get out.” She glare.

Forcing a smile. “ What is it all about?”

“Am offering you a job..”

“How much?” She blurt out before she could stop herself and slaps her mouth a little.

“A million bunk.”

“To work at your  place?” She butted in.

“Not really my place. But somewhere you would love.”

“How much did you say it was again.”

“A million bunk. Or more “

Her eyes bugle and her jaw dropped, didn’t mind the drool dropping down her mouth.

A blessing in disguise.

“Are you in or not?”