Chapter - [ 4 ]

Anna Harris

Uncontrollable tears, a contant ache in my chest and a numb mind, I am walking on the streets with my handbag which contains a few dollars and my academic documents. I am thankful to Aiden who managed to fetch them for me at the mean time.

I would probably start hunting for a job but it seems crying for the moon after the news of my Dad's arrest and our company going bankrupt spread like a wildfire. I am not unknown to this city. I regret joining my family and my friends to the high profile parties and night clubs. They know me well and the constant stares from the passing by peddlers. It is like a poison that I have to swallow down my throat.

I deserve it all.

I stopped by a small cafe by the side of the road to grab a latte to give peace to my throbbing head. A cup of coffee isn't pricey at this place which would help me to save money for rainy days.

Well, I am facing a stormy day.

I walk inside the diner, covering my face with my scarf to avoid unnecessary attention. I stand by the counter to order my coffee. The waitress working behind the counter gasps when her big blue eyes recognize me.

"Can I have a cup of creamy latte, please?" I ask her politely ignoring the judging expression on her face.

"Sure, just give me a minute. I'll be right back." She nods her head frantically and scurries away. I look down at the the floor so the few customers inside the cafe and the workers won't figure out my personality or I'd be leaving with an empty stomach but a bucket full of abuses and humiliation.

The same waitress returns after three long minutes with other two waitresses. Their stares are the proofs that they're going to make a scene there.

I quickly grab my coffee mug and place the bill on the counter. Without saying a word, I rush out of the cafe but I hear them laugh behind my back.

"Look at the whore of the nation. She's probably hunting another rich dick to spend the night. Thank God! We're not rich bitches like her. At least, we can screw men without being noticed by the public."

Their words hit like sharp arrows but whom should I blame? I brought it upon myself and I must suffer the consequences till my last breath.

I wipe my tears and continue walking on the roadside. I tried calling my best friend, Eda but her phone directly went to voice-mail. I can't just go to her apartment without a prior information.

While, I am busy contemplating with any possible options, my phone screen flashes with Eda's number. I wasted no time in picking up the call.

"Eda..."

Tears again break from my eyes. The thin wall of confidence, I built an hour ago slowly crumbles down.

"Hey, calm down baby. Sorry, I was working late night so I switched off my phone before going to bed. I heard the news of your father going to jail and you..." She paused, I know what she was going to say next.

"I am all over the social media, the nation's slut, exclusive mistress, Daddy's sex doll, billionaire prostitute etcetera etcetera." I finish for her.

"Don't mind these shits, Anna. I know you haven't done anything wrong. That son of a bitch framed you." She sneers, I can feel the hatred she has for Benjamin in her words.

"The damage is already done, Eda. He ruined us. I don't think I can ever come out of this nightmare. I gave him the leverage to walk over me." I sob silently standing under a tree.

"Let's not talk about the past, Anna. Tell me where are you? I am coming to pick you up." She says changing the sour subject.

"Where's is Frank?" I ask her about her boyfriend.

"He has left for his work." She answers.

"Then I am coming over to your place. You don't need to take the pain of coming over here. I am just a ten minute's walk from your apartment." I stop her from coming all her way to give me a ride.

"I am your best friend, Anna. It is the least I can do for you. Now, hang up and come here. We'll figure out something." She says and disconnects the call.

I throw the empty cup in the trash bin and navigate my stroll in the direction of Eda's apartment. Luckily, at this hour, most of her neighborhood either stay indoors or left for work. I speed up my pace to reach at her place as soon as possible.

This time, the luck worked in my favour. I successfully made my way to her apartment's door and press the door bell. The door opens in next couple of seconds like she has already been waiting for my arrival.

"Hey, come here." She pulls me inside and shut the door before anyone could catch a glimpse of me. I am not a stranger in her neighborhood as I spend most of my weekends at her place.

"Eda, I am doomed." I throw myself in her arms, tears seem to become my best companion since the morning. No matter, how many times they dried up, they come like fresh waterfall everytime I loose control over my emotions.

"Shhh...calm down, Anna. I know the things are more complicated than I am seeing them but there's nothing that we can't sort out." She tries her best to comfort me but we both know, nothing would change any sooner. The storm has left a long-lasting aftermath.

I pull away from her embrace after I pour my pain out in front of my best friend. She didn't misjudge me like my family, it's a relief but I am desperate to come out of this mess as soon as possible.

"Please go and take a refreshing shower till then I'll prepare a quick breakfast for you." She encourages me to do something productive rather than mourning over my doom.

"I am tired, Eda. My whole body aches like someone has pricked thousand needles in my skin." I hug my arms, a sob escape from my mouth.

"I know darling, a warm bath will help your muscles to relax." She strokes my hairs softly.

Eda helps me to stand up on my weak legs and gently lead me to her bathroom.

"I'll pick out some nice outfit for you to wear. I see luck is still on your side. I received a mail from my cousin that they need a designer on urgent basis and your name immediately popped up in my mind. I mailed him your documents and guess what? He wants you to come for interview at 1:00 PM. We still have two hours to prepare for the interview." She exclaims in excitement but it doesn't excite me.

"What is the name of the clothing brand?" I ask her.

"The Belle." She replies with a sparkle in her eyes.

My eyes widen in shock when I heard the name. The Belle comes from an Italian clothing brand. They establish themselves in New York a few years ago and now, they're one of the thriving apparel brand in the country.

"The Belle?" I blink my eyes to confirm whether I misheard her.

"Yes, The Belle. They want freshers from college as they believe in innovative talents and you, my dear Anna, are the mine of talent with high grades in a prestigious college's degree." Eda states proudly about my academic achievements but it doesn't help in the reduction of my anxiety.

She leaves the room to prepare a meal for us while I let my numb body prune under the luke warm water running down from the shower.

The events of last night floods inside my brain. I can only remember bits and pieces from it except the magical touches of the stranger whom I mistook as my Benjamin. I slept with some stranger, a good looking luckily as I can still remember his piercing green eyes with warmth coated in icy coldness. It made me cry silently, the one thing I preserved for my true love is now gone and I don't know the person who robbed it from me.

But a huge part of heart says I did the right thing. It was better to loose my virginity to a vile monster like Benjamin, who turns out to be my biggest tormentor in the disguise of my gallant lover.

After spending good thirty minutes under the shower, I quickly change into the new outfit that Eda picks out for me to wear for the interview. I just pray to my God that nothing would go wrong this time. My family's survival depends on this only ray of hope.

The dress she selected is a maroon shirt with black tight fitted skirt. She chose this sophisticated yet professional dress for me, it is opposite of my taste but beggars can't be choosers. I slip into them in no time and apply minimal make up from the kit I left at her vanity table, in case, we get ready at her place. Honestly, it happened often.

Once, I feel satisfied how I look, I make my way into her kitchen. I spot her serving the grilled sandwiches on two plates with pomegranate juice.

"You're looking ravishing girl." She whistles. I can see approval in her eyes.

"Thanks Eda. I owe you a lot." I say with a faint smile.

"Oh come on, Anna. That's why I am your best friend. Now come and eat before they get cold." She says sitting on one chair. I take slow steps as the pain in my most private part makes it difficult for me to walk.

We finish our breakfast in silence. I am thankful that she never bring up the topic of Benjamin or the last night.

Two hours later, we're standing in front of a magnificent building. The logo of brand sparkles in the sunlight. Sweat beads form on my forehead as it will be the first time I'd be facing the real world, a job I've always dreamt, a fashion designer who wants to revolutionize the fashion industry but when the times finally come for me to transform my dream in reality, I want to run away.

"Let's go inside, Anna. I am sure that you'll get this job." An always chirpy Eda laces our hand and lead us inside the building.

The interior screams of rich aura. Certainly, no average income person can afford their clothes. They're custom made for only rich people. I had a vast collection of their exclusive dresses but now they're gone, locked in my closet and sealed by police.

The receptionist sends us on the third floor where the interviewer is waiting for us. Luckily, I have no other competitors means the job might be mine if I do my best.

"Randy isn't the typical Boss you seen in the movies, Anna. He trusted my recommendation because he had seen your potentials in your portfolio." Eda says as we make our way to the elevator.

I feel out of the place when I observe the employees dressed as high class professionals. They don't acknowledge us until I hear something I shouldn't on the big flat screen in the mail hall.

The news anchor is reciting my scandalous night in the most poetic manner with the same clip playing that Ben sent me to blackmail me.

"Here's is the true face of Harris family. We have spotted Liam Harris with different women in the past but we never knew, his own daughter follow her father's footsteps like religion. Anna Harris, is an example we always stereotype rich girl as spoiled brats."

His mocking words pour hot lava of humiliation over my head. I feel all the oblivious eyes zooming on me.

"Anna, please don't mind them and go for your interview. I hope Randy wouldn't mind such gossips and see your talent than this shit." Eda grabs my hand and tries to pry me away from the judging glares.

"It would be a shame for our company if such low grade slut join us." One of the female employe remarks as she walked passed us.

Tears of shame pool in my eyes.

At the same time, the receptionist rushes in our direction.

"Sorry, Miss Harris but we have to cancel the interview. I am sorry for the inconvenience but we've hired someone else." She tells me without matching my eyes. It was a lie to get rid off me.

"Nonsense! I will call your boss Mr. Randy Fisher. I know there's some kind of misunderstanding." Eda rebels.

"No, Miss Karim, we're not allowed to let Miss Harris enter in the main building, it's a strict order from Mr. Fisher." She says with pity.

Damm!

It was the last drop my confidence. I turn on my heels and run out of the place where people don't hesitate to call me different names on my face.

I heard Eda yelling my name but I ignore everything going around me. All I wish to run far away from this cruel world and never turn back.

Congratulations Benjamin, you officially ruined my present and whole future.