Chapter 1

I just finished preparing lunch, it wasn't well spiced like the food the chefs made at the restaurant but it was something a human could eat, I made spaghetti.

Getting something to eat everyday has always been a miracle after the death of my mother, it wasn't like it was so easy when she was alive but at least I had a helping hand from her.

I didn't have a job that paid me much neither did she but together we always found a way to put food on the table and fix our leaking roof once in a while.

I always get scared when raining season is drawing closer, it leaves most parts of our house wet with puddles, most times I come home from work after a rainy day to meet my clothes wet.

I placed the food on an old table, the only table in the small living room located at the right side, I sat on the long bench taking a deep breath, at that moment I wondered where my sister had gone, there was nothing more to eat apart from this food so I needed to share it with her.

Anabelle walked into the house smiling "I knew it, I perceived something, gush! I'm so hungry" she said sitting beside me.

I could hear her stomach grumble and it made me laugh.

Her weight on the weak old bench made it shake a little and she giggled over it.

"I have just one spoon here, go get another" I told her waiting patiently for her to arrive.

She left hurriedly for the kitchen which was right at the corner of the living room.

A knock came at the door.

Anabelle arrived with the spoon "huh... Is that Louis?" She asked.

I took a glance at her and shook my head "he didn't tell me he was coming today" I stood to my feet.

"Wait here Anabelle and don't eat anything" I warned pointing at her.

She glared at me from beneath her eyes "don't take too long" she said in her baby voice putting her head over the table.

I was her elder sister and she was just thirteen so she always has to listen to me and do as I say.

The knock came again, I was already at the door swinging it open.

I gasped at the sight of the mann standing in front of my door with a two other men, they were all on black suit.

I got a little scared wondering who they were and why they had come to my house this evening.

I looked ahead and saw a black Mercedes G-wagon and a red rolls royce phantom parked ahead.

"Who are you people and what do you want here?" I asked almost with a rude tone.

I tried my best to hide my fear looking straight at their faces.

"Our boss wants to see you" one of them said to me.

I clutched my hands on the door handle "who is your boss?" I arched my brow.

"Mr Larry Chancy" he answered with his Chin up.

"What? What the hell is he doing here?" I asked angrily.

None of them answered.

"Tell him that I'm busy" I slammed the door at their face.

I scoffed walking back into the living room.

"Who was that Selena?" Anabelle asked.

"An unwanted guest" I answered looking a upset.

"This unwanted guest seemed to have gotten you angry" she said as we started munching on the meal.

A knock came again, Anabelle fixed her stare on me.

I bowed my head for a while and the knock came over and over again "you can continue eating" I stood to my feet.

Anabelle shook her head "don't worry I will wait for you."

I smiled at her, I was so sure she had checked the pot to see if there was more food left.

And here came the annoying knock again, I sagged my shoulders looking totally depressed, today I have a meal and someone wouldn't allow me eat in peace.

"I told you to get your ass out of here, I'm......" I paused on seeing the face of the man, I just opened the door and started yelling without looking at the face I was talking to.

"Hello Selena" he greeted with a calm smirk at the end of his lips.

"What are you doing here and how did you find my house?" I asked angrily.

The old man chuckled "don't you think this is a wrong way to welcome a guest for the first time in your house?"

"You're not my guest" I answered bluntly.

"How did you find my house?"

He shrugged "informations aren't so difficult to get around here especially when it's Mr. Larry Chancy asking."

"I see... so you had people spying on me huh? Is that it?" I asked with so much contempt.

"I would never do that to my wife to be" he said.

"What? I have told you that I can't be your wife, why can't you let me be?" I asked angrily.

"I came to the restaurant today, you weren't there" he asked curiously.

"I looked away folding my hands while leaning on the door "I was off today."

"I see...." He said nodding.

"Mr. Chancy I would advice that you stay away from me please" I tried walking back into the house but he held my hand.

I looked down at his hand which had slightly shrinked with wrinkles "I love you Selena, allow me change your life, a beautiful girl like you doesn't deserve to be in a place like this."

The disgust in his eyes when he looked at my house got me furious, I forced my hand out of his grip "I'm not a beggar Mr. Chancy and I am not complaining, I have a boyfriend, he wouldn't be so happy to see you here, please leave!"

He laughed "you mean you poor little boyfriend?"

My eyes widened in shock, I have never told him anything about myself, I wondered how he got to know about Louis.

"Grow up Selena and stop being sentimental, you and I know so well that you don't like this life your have right now, barely feeding and clothing" he touched my face.

I pushed his hand off "stay away from me and don't come here again" I warned.

"I doubt how possible that will be young lady, marry me... that's all I ask of you."

I looked away without saying another word to him, he was just so annoying and persistent with his request.

How does he expect me to marry a man old enough to be my father? I am not a gold digger and never will I be.

Mr. Chancy signalled one of the men who had earlier knocked at my door, they seemed to be his body guards.

They left for the car and returned with lots of bags and dropped it at my feet.

"Groceries, clothes, jewelries and some money to take care of a queen" he said grinning.

I gasped "I don't want your gifts, take them away!" I yelled.

But he paid deaf ears to me and went back to his car, I watched them zoom off.

I sat on the floor with my hands supporting my head "he should just stay the hell away from me" I mumbled sadly.

Anabelle came to the door, I guess she got tired of waiting for me .

"What's all these?" She asked picking the bags, she peeped inside each of them.

"Oh! My God! So much groceries, clothes, jewelries and... money!" She screamed happily.

I did not say a word to her "I stood up and went back into the house."

"You should be happy that we have enough now Selena" I heard her say.

Anabelle brought the bags into the house.

I had lost my appetite, I retired to my bedroom.

"Selena, aren't you eating anymore?" She asked from the living room.

"I have lost my appetite" I yelled turning to the other side of the bed wrapping my hands around my body, I was lost in thoughts.

"This man is really pestering my life" I thought aloud shutting my eyes.

From the very day Mr. Chancy first saw me at the restaurant, he always insists that I am the one to serve him, since it was what the customer wants, the restaurant has no other choice than to oblige to his request, so it was difficult to avoid him.

At first he started getting me gifts and one day he broke the unbelievable news to me on how he wanted to make me his wife.

Mr. Chancy is a widower with a daughter but I couldn't understand why he would want to marry a girl of my age, I'm only nineteen years old, young enough to be his daughter.

I turned to the other side of the bed opening my eyes gradually, I couldn't sleep, I sat up on my bed with my hands running through my head.

I stood up and walked over to the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was just seeing myself for the first time.

I smiled, I was truly beautiful and Mr. Chancy wasn't wrong when he called me a queen. I am tall with straight legs, very curvy with an oval face, I had this natural hyena brows with beautiful blue eyes which looked like that of a cat, red lips and very long brown hair.

Mr. Chancy isn't the first man to talk to me about how beautiful I was, it was an everyday compliment I got from people.

I couldn't forget the very day a woman had told me to join the modeling industry, well I didn't give that a second thought, it wasn't what I wanted for my self.

I have always dreamed of being a CEO and owning a very big company, most times I wondered how possible that would ever be, I'm only a waitress.

The morning came before I knew it, I really wanted to go back to bed and grab more sleep but then my alarm made it so impossible as it wouldn't stop screaming, I call it the "screaming lady."

Anabelle couldn't stop laughing the day she found out that I had named my alarm clock.

Most times I wish I could sleep and wake when I wanted but I couldn't, I didn't love my job but I needed the money, that was all that mattered to me.

I quickly got out from bed, I hurried off into the kitchen to make some food, at least my sister needed to eat. I barely had breakfast, there was always no time for that.

My mother used to be the one making the early morning breakfast and she would insist I had something to eat, now that she is gone, I had to do it myself yet.

Yes, I miss her with every single minute that swept by, she was my hero and her departure was a big blow to I and my little sister but Louis was there for us, his support and consolation during the funeral was a huge relief.

I hated the fact that I had to use the groceries Mr. Larry Chancy brought but the truth is that I had no choice, I couldn't leave my sister to go hungry because of my ego, I had no money to pay for the bus to work and got me very worried but then I recalled that Mr.Chancy mentioned leaving some money in one of the bags, I wondered which bag it was as I searched through it.

I was glad when I found it, it was more than enough to last us for the week, that was my only escape.

I got ready for work, dressed in a blue shirt and a pair of black trousers.

Well, I didn't have much clothes but the few I had, I made sure I took good care of them.

"I'm off to work Anabelle" I said waking my sister up.

She opened her eyes gradually though she was still tight on the bed, something wasn't right about the way she looked that morning.

I shrugged it off "after all... she just woke up" I mumbled.

"I made some food, you can eat it later" I informed storming out of the house before she said anything to me.

I hurried off to the bus stop to get a bus and luckily for me one had just stopped to pick the people standing.

I got into the bus sitting by the window while I looked impatient, I kept stealing glances at my wrist watch, I just hated going late to work, my boss wasn't a type that tolerated such.

"I got to work by 7:00am and resumed my duties by 8:00am, customers who had come to have breakfast had already flooded the restaurant.

I dropped my hands inside my apron praying deep in my heart that Mr. Chancy doesn't show his old face today at the restaurant.

More customers were tropping in and taht was good for business, I quickly approached them to take their orders.

When it was mid day I had to take a short break, I sat behind the walls of the restaurant with my head up while I gently munched on a sandwich, I was so hungry.

I shook my head wondering if my life would always be like this, waking up very early every morning and running off to serve people who thinks its so easy to stand for hours and listen my boss who derives pleasure in yelling at his employees.

"Selena..." I heard him yell.

I quickly threw the remaining piece of the sandwich into my mouth, munching on it quickly while gulping some water down my throat, I ran back into the restaurant hoping he doesn't scream down the building.

I met him at the kitchen.

"Where were you?" He asked looking straight at my face.

I gasped "it was my break period sir."

He walked closer to me "I hired you here to work and not to have break periods, I have lots of hungry customers sitting out there and all you do is sit with your legs crossed!"

I moved backwards "I'm sorry Mr.Charles."

"You would be more than sorry if you don't go out there, take their orders and serve them" he shouted.

I ran off at once with my hands trembling, I wished so hard that someday I wouldn't have to endure the constant yelling.

There were so many other waiters and waitresses that worked in the restaurant but I couldn't understand why he enjoys yelling at me all the time.

It was 7:00pm, I was taking a young lady's order when Mr. Chancy and his troops walked in.

I ignored seeing them but he didn't buy the idea of doing the same.

"Call her for me.." I heard him say to one of his men.

The young man walked up to me adjusting his jacket.

"Hello... my boss wants to speak to you" he said.

I took a glance behind and noticed the heavy glare my boss gave me, it was a warning that I shouldn't provoke Mr.Chancy and I understood that.

He was one of our best customers and my boss was always bent on doing whatever it takes to satisfy him.

I walked over to Mr.Chancy's table "Good evening sir, what can I get for you?"

I refused to look up at his face while I held onto the book in my hand writing on it.

"I came to see you Selena, can I have your audience?" He asked.

My eyes widened "this is my work place Mr.Chancy and I expect you to understand that."

He shrugged smiling "if you're uncomfortable here then we can as well move to a place more private and conducive."

I was getting furious and suppressing my rage at that moment was becoming too impossible.

"I am busy Mr. Chancy, I am working and I expect you to understand that, if you don't want anything, say so their are lots of customers I need to attend to" I said looking straight into his eyes.

His wrinkled face broke into a smile, I didn't care to know what he was smiling about.

"Is there a problem Mr. Chancy?" Mr Charles asked walking up to us.

"Great! Finally his errand boy has come" I mumbled.

"Not at all, I was just asking your waitress here to sit cause I would like to have a little chat with her but she insists that she's busy, I guess I should leave then" he said trying to stand.

"Just get lost!" I muttered knowing he was only trying to make Mr.Charles force me to do what he wants.

His plan actually worked out well cause my boss fell for it "no..no..no... she's not busy sir, I would actually have another waitress take your orders while she sits."

My eyes widened at my boss words but then he glared at me pulling me by the arm and making me sit opposite Mr. Chancy.

"Oh! Thanks for your understanding Mr. Charles, can I have a bottle of champagne then, a plate of salad and chicken, the food should be for two, you can ask my boys what they would like to eat" he said waving his hand at were the three young men who came with him sat.

"You would have all that sir" Mr. Charles said wearing a proud smile as he signaled a waitress to come.

I sagged my shoulders while I rested my back on the soft seat, I took a deep breath, it was so true that I hated staying close to Mr. Chancy but I really needed that break.

"I don't understand how you enjoy stressing yourself so much when you can easily say yes to me and I change your life completely" he said to me.

"I am not complaining Mr. Chancy, I'm okay with my life" I answered.

"I doubt if you are, take a good look at yourself, you look like the shadow of the beautiful Selena I know" he tried touching my face.

"Don't you dare touch me!" I ordered in a whisper.

My colleague Maryann arrived at the table with the orders in no time and from the look she gave me, I was sure I was out for a lot of teasing.

"I am not hungry Mr.Chancy" I said looking away.

He sighed "it doesn't matter, I just want to make sure something is in front of you."

I pulled out from my seat, I was at the edge of it "why can't you let me be Mr. Chancy? Isn't it obvious that I want nothing to do with you?"

"No Selena, it isn't obvious... you see, I always get what I want no matter what it is" he said eating his meal.

"This is delicious" He said with a mouth full of food.

I laughed, I didn't care about his compliment to the food "Mr. Chancy do I look like some sort of property you could just acquire because you think you have money?"

He sneered "you know Selena, the truth is... I don't think I have money, I know that I'm so wealthy, wealthy enough to buy the entire town, he raised his glass of champagne to my face and took a sip."

I clenched my fist in rage wishing I could just stand up and walk out on him, I took a glance at my boss and I noticed he was watching me. I valued my job so I had to do what he wants.

"I have told you Selena, sentiments would bring you nothing but pain in life, these shackles of poverty around you doesn't suit you at all" he said wearing a frown.

I leaned forward placing my hand on the table "if you really want me to sit here then you must learn not to refer to my life in such rude way."

I stood to my feet adjusting my clothes "I believe we are done here."

He sighed "I would be going to a very important party on friday, I need you to come with me."

I chuckled "you want me to come with you to a party? Seriously?"

"As a friend Selena, please don't say no."

I stared at him for a while wondering if he would ever give up, I walked away without saying another word to him.

I headed for the kitchen mumbling.

Mr. Charles came behind me and grabbed me by the arm "I just hope you understand how important my customers are to me."

I nodded frightened by the look in his eyes.

He left hold of my hand and pushed me by the shoulder.

I frowned feeling very upset, I felt used by my boss yet I couldn't say or do anything about it.

The day had gotten darker and it was time for me to go home, I was glad none of my colleagues said a word about what happened between I and Mr. Chancy.

I boarded a bus which dropped me off at a bus stop few walks away from my home.

I felt a warm touch across my shoulder, I was startled at first, turning around to look at the face of the stranger I smiled.

"Louis..." I called out hugging him.

I just needed that hug to heal my heavy and tired heart.

"How are you doing?" He asked rubbing my back.

"Exhausted" I responded letting go of him.

He held my hand as we walked "I can see that, it's all over your face.

I scoffed "I didn't know it was that obvious."

We started walking home together.

"Something really weird happened today" Louis said.

"What's that?" I took a glance at him.

"Who is Mr. Chancy to you?" He asked me.

My heart dropped into my stomach as I got very scared "how...how...did you get to know him?" I asked stuttering a bit.

"Who doesn't know the arrogant rich Mr. Chancy?" He asked looking a little upset.

I was quiet, I didn't know what else to ask but then I was scared wondering if Mr. Chancy told him about the gifts he has been getting for me.

"He came to buy me off you" Louis said.

I arched my brow looking even more confused "I don't understand" I said shaking my head wondering if I heard correctly.

"Mr. Chancy offered me a huge amount of money just to stay away from you" Louis said looking at me.

I swallowed hard, I knew how much Louis needed money and I feared that he might have accepted his offer.

"And....what did you do?" I asked.

He shrugged "I said no of course and he ended up threatening me, were you expecting me to accept such? I would never do such."

"I knew you wouldn't do such" I said looking away.

"That bastard...." I muttered wishing I could reap the old man apart.

"He is just so shameless" I said angrily.

"Selena since when were you planning on telling me that he has been bothering you?" Louis asked as we stopped walking.

I was silent as silent as the night, everywhere was so calm, I did not see that question coming.

"You're not saying anything Selena" he said with his hands on my shoulders pulling me.

I sniffled "I didn't know what to say or how to tell you about it."

"Selena I know you too well, you didn't think it was important that I know what's going on, isn't it?" He was getting furious, I could feel it.

I grabbed his hand "I'm sorry Louis but I just didn't want to get you involved in any of these."

He chortled "Really? so that someday you would finally say yes to his demands, isn't it?"

I gasped "why would you think of me that way Louis?"

"If you could keep something as serious and important as this from me, who knows what more you might keep from me Selena, who knows what you might do?" He asked.

I could see his eyes getting clouded with tears.

I looked away, Louis has always had issues with insecurity, he was always afriad that someday I would leave him, after all every man in the neighborhood admired me.

A lot of times, people had made jest of him that he doesn't deserve a beautiful girl like me "none of what you just said is true Louis, you need to calm down."

"Seriously?? Is that all you have to say Selena?" He asked clenching on my hand tight.

I took my hand off his "you know what Louis? I don't really care about what you think anymore, if I was interested in being with Mr. Chancy or any other man, I should have done that a long time ago."

I ran off with my heart beating every fast, I could hear him running after me and calling my name.

"If Louis could get so upset about this, what would happen if he eventually finds out that I was taking gifts from Mr.Chancy? He would never understand me no matter how well I try to explain it to him.

"Just go home Louis, I would see you tomorrow!" I yelled without looking back at me.

Louis was stubborn, he still ran after me.

We stopped in front of my house.

He was breathing heavily and so was I.

"Listen Selena, I'm so sorry" he said.

I looked away.

He walked closer to me and pulled me to him self locking me in his embrace.

"I was just so jealous and afraid of loosing you Selena" he said sobbing.

I took a deep breath, I understood exactly how he felt, I rubbed his back "I understand you Louis, I really do and I'm not upset with you."

I cupped his face in my hands and kissed his pink lips "I love you Louis and that's all that matters most."

He touched my hair, running his hands through it over and over again "I know you love me Selena, I know."

I smiled and kissed him again, he was just my prince charming.

We finally said good bye to each other as I watched him leave.

"Anabelle I'm home" I said entering into the house while locking the door behind.

But the house was quite.

I walked over to the kitchen opening the pots, I gaped when I realized that the food was untouched, that was unlike my sister who loved food.

"Anabelle!" I called out entering into the room and there I saw her lying on the bed whimpering.

"Anabelle, what is it??" I cried out sadly putting her head on my laps.

She had a blanket over her body as she continued shivering "I don't know.." She finally said in her tiny voice.

"Oh! My God!" You're body is so hot, you're sick" I said sadly.

I made her lay back on the bed, I was confused pacing the room for while.

"I would be back Anabelle, I would go get you drugs" I said running out of the bedroom dragging my little handbag along.

Few minutes later......

I returned and made my sister scoop few spoons of food into her mouth before she took the drugs.

I got some cold water and a towel to clean her body with it hoping it could help suppress the fever.

"I would like to go to the restroom" Anabelle said grabbing my hand squeezing it tenderly.

I nodded trying my best to help her stand but her legs were shaking, I couldn't understand how she got so sick all of a sudden.

I quickly lifted her up, she winced in pain as she continued whimpering.

Anabelle was done using the restroom, I carried her back to her bedroom and returned to flush the toilet.

I gaped "what the hell is that?"

My hands and body were shaking.

Anabelle had started seeing her period last week and I got her some pads, I was sure she was done with it cause I kept asking her but seeing blood in the toilet after she finished using the restroom got me extremely scared.

I ran to the bedroom "Anabelle is their something you aren't telling me?"

I had the strong feeling that she was hiding something from me.

Anabelle refused to look up at me, lowering her gaze in fear with her hands shaking continuously, I could tell from her reaction that I was right.

"Talk to me Anabelle, what's going on?" I sat beside her with tears in my eyes.

I could hear my heart drumming non stop.

Anabelle blinked her eyes severally "I'm afraid Selena, I think what happened to mum is happening to me too."

I grew chills standing up quickly from where I sat.

"Have you been having nose bleeds?" I asked in a lower tone hoping she gives me a negative response.

"Yes....." She answered bursting into tears.

This were the same symptoms our mother had when she was ill and my efforts to convince her to allow us take her to the hospital proved abortive, she believed there was no need for that since we had no money to pay the bills, we barely ate three square meal a day.

I moved away hitting my hand on the wall, I was furious "why didn't you tell me Anabelle? Why did you keep this to your self?"

"I didn't want you to feel bad Selena, I know you had no money, we barely feed and..."

"That is no excuse Anabelle" I said cutting her off "I am your elder sister and you're my responsibility" I went to her and held her up hugging her closely.

I felt so sorry for my little sister.

"I'm sorry Selena" she said sniffling.