• November 6, 2015; • Sunday
Vera's POVI applied red lipstick while brushing my curly, dark hair away from my freshly applied mascara. I rose up, looking down at my perfectly filed nails and checking the maids uneasily shuffling in the corner of the room.My feet shine against the carpet as I exhale. As the maids and butlers came around me, I picked up the black luggage and pulled it behind me. The wheels and my heels, like the scattered shoes, echoed along the corridor.When I saw a familiar portrait, I came to a halt and bit my bottom lips.In the photo, we were standing next to one another, but there was a space between us. I was dressed in a huge white gown, one I'd always dreamed of wearing on my wedding day. He was the most gorgeous man in whatever room we were in, dressed in an immaculate black suit. My lips were smiling, but his were frowning.I laugh and lift the frame. He made it clear that he didn't want to marry me.That night, he didn't even touch me.As I continued heading towards the front door, my hold on the white frame of what was meant to be the happiest day of my life tightened.I was done.I was done with everything.The enormous empty mansionThe workers' sorrowful, miserable expressionsthe sleepless nights.The silent criesAnd him.I was done with him.My soon-to-be ex-husbandWhen I walk into the enormous kitchen, the cooks stop what they're doing and stare at me. I threw the photo into the trash can while standing in front of it.One of the chefs approaches me and says, "Madame."I stop him from speaking more by waving my hand in the air. He lowered his head and took a step back as I wiped the tears from my bright cheeks.I took another deep breath and shuffled through my suitcase, pulling out a sheet of paper, which caused everyone to gasp.Sandy, the head maid, approached me, her sweaty hands clenched tightly together. "Please, Mrs.Thompson," she pleaded.I shook my head and slapped the sheet of paper down on the counter. I bite my cheeks as my fingers grab for the diamond ring. I twisted the ring around and placed it on top of the divorce papers while swallowing my spit."Tell him to sign it and don't worry about it." I'm not taking any money." I took my luggage.My legs, and everyone else's, come to a halt. Then something happened. My gaze was drawn to the wall clock.10 seconds.I move my gaze to the front door.9I take hold of the gold handle.8"Please, Mrs. Thompson!" Mr. Thompson will return shortly! I swear!"7Tears streamed down my cheeks as I gently swayed her hands away.6I turn the knob.5Sandy kept crying while the other maids tried to console her, her sorrowful eyes looking everywhere but at me.4I took a step outside, carrying whatever I had with me a year ago.3The sun burned my swollen eyes.2I look for his car.1The clock struck twelve o'clock.The clock had struck twelve.Our one-year contract had come to an end.He didn't show up, and I left without saying goodbye.Vera's POV: I met him on the first day of high school—the boy who would become my world for the following four years.Growing up, I was a daddy's little princess, a silver spoon-fed girl. My family wasn't as rich as the majority of the kids at Pandora Academy, a school for future world leaders, but we were doing well for ourselves.That was my first day out of homeschool, and I remembered it so well. Dad loved me so much, and he used to tell me how brutal the world is and that I shouldn't go out there until I'm ready.He was correct.On my first day of school, I understood that being a dark-skinned lady puts you in the minority. To get leverage, you had to achieve more than others your age. Otherwise, you'd be left out, or, should I say, isolated? I wasn't as wealthy or intelligent as the other ladies, but I was satisfied with where I was with my tiny circles of friends.When Lilly grabbed my shirt, I nearly choked on my chicken nugget. "Oh, my God! "It's them!" she exclaimed.I look
Vera's POV:"What? "Would you mind repeating that?""I'm sorry, Miss Brown, but you're not qualified for this position." However, if there is another opening, we will definitely contact you."In other words, get your fucking ass outta here.I nodded before dragging my legs out of the business. I can see why they would want someone with more experience and a higher level of education. I did, however, graduate from Pandora Academy. I think I'll be able to get the job.Then again, this is not the first time someone has told me that I am unfit for the post. It's always one of the three reasons. One, I'm too young and inexperienced. Two, because my high school credential is too prestigious, they advise me to go for a higher degree for the sake of my future. Third, my high school diploma is not good enough.My head hung poorly as I dragged my legs towards the glass door, almost as if I had left a funeral.I did.The funeral for my future selfThe funeral of a proper lunchThe funeral of acc
Vera's POV:Anxiety was an understatement when I received the phone call. I've been to dozens of interviews and countless verbal engagements in the past, and I always feel nervous speaking to someone who is purportedly superior to me."Yes. Yes." I make a bend toward the small cactus plant, which is in severe need of water. I hold the phone hard in both hands. "Yes. I'll be there." I try to keep the butterflies from fluttering inside my tummy.Lilly was jotting down words in her notebook on the chair across from me. She took up a chip and tossed it into her mouth while resting her elbow against the counter."Thank you for the opportunity," I added before concluding the chat. When the call ended, I flung the phone down. "I got an interview."Lilly comes to a halt in her writing, twisting the chair towards me in a perfect brow arch. "I thought I told you to rest.""I did rest!" I exclaimed, pointing to my feet's fluffy bunny socks. I jiggle it a couple times to demonstrate my ease. In a
Vera's POV: It's not surprising that everyone was staring at me. I'm a woman in her late twenties wearing a baby strap across her back. I approach the secretary, who raises an eyebrow and asks, "Are you here for the interview today?"I nodded firmly, hoping she wouldn't kick me out."Name, please," she inquired."Vera Brown," I said, shaking Marisa up and down as her small hand gripped mine. My gaze is drawn to her name badge, which reads Cheryl Yurtsever.Cheryl's smiled, a genuine and warm one. "He's a sweetheart," she said, handing me a phone number.I grab the number from her hand before leaning in, causing her eyes to widen. "She is indeed pretty," I murmured as I reached into my back pocket and slapped the bow on her head. Earlier, while I was walking in, the bow kept slipping off, so I kept it away. But now I can see why it is necessary. At the time, I was wondering if Lisa felt the same way.Cheryl put her hand in front of her lips, "That's no-"I place my finger in front of
Vera's POV:"Why do you have a baby?" Lilly rose up and approached me, her upper body bowed downward, perhaps examining the small gift in my hands. "Did you finally snap?" "Did you finally snap and kidnap a baby?""No. "I just found her."She gasped, "Holy cra-""I'm joking. "A crazy lady told me to look after Marisa while she went to take care of some business." The baby bag slumps off my shoulder including the thin strap purse. I pass Lilly the child and kick off my annoying shoes, desperate to get into my twin-size bed."It didn't work so well, did it?" Lilly inquired, sliding into the counter chair and swaying Marisa back and forth. Surprisingly, Marisa is wonderful when it comes to strangers.I shook my head and dragged my tired legs over to the couch. I buried my face on the pillow and started telling her about my day and my dramatic exit from the company. "Yeah, and then I thank them for their - are you seriously laughing?"Lilly sat up and walked slowly towards me. Due to t
Vera's POV:Lilly sat on the couch in front of us, her fingers pressed against her brow. She stared at us, breathed, and then looked down. Lisa and I were kneeling on the floor because we were too scared to sit on the couch with her. Marisa was lying down on the ground.We didn't say anything after Lisa told Lilly about her abusive ex-husband. She didn't want Marisa to grow up in that kind of atmosphere, so she placed Marisa temporarily in my care, which was completely irresponsible, while she faced him.Marisa began rolling around on the floor, laughing as she raised her legs. She nibbles on her socks with her toothless mouth open. The sight makes us all happy."We got two beds and a couch, but we need to get a crib for Marisa since it isn't safe for her to sleep beside us," Lilly went on to say.I leapt to my feet and embraced her. "Why is your heart so big?""Hey! Where is my pricey ramen? You messaged me that you got the job!" she beams.Lisa cupped her hand over her mouth, a few
Vera's POV: I blinked a few times, feeling the sun soak into my lids. I sat up, groaning and extending my sore back, to see Lisa and Lilly preparing breakfast.Marisa crawled on top of me, and I groaned some more. "I'm not ready for the day.""Fine. Then you don't have to eat Lisa's delicious quesadilla."I turn my head in her direction. "Quesadilla, count me in."We sat around the island, eating quesadillas. I look up to see Lisa feeding Marisa, who spits up the milk all the time. She sighs as she wipes Marisa's cheeks.Lilly set her quesadilla down. "Today, we will go purchase a baby crib and a few items for Marisa."Lisa lowered her head and set the bottle down. "I-I don't have any money.""I have some in my savings," I announced before Lilly could respond. "We can use that.""Didn't you say your workplace has childcare?" Lilly inquired."Yes!" I promptly replied. We can have them look after Marisa there during the day for free!" In the past, I didn't understand the appeal of free
Vera's POV:As I exited the bus, Bob assisted me in carrying the stroller. He leans forward and waves at Marisa. "Have a good day."She screamed out in sobs, prompting me to freeze for a moment. "Why are you crying?" I unbuckle her belt and grab her. Bob raised his arm and smelled his armpit. "I apologize. "Do I stink?"I rock Marisa over my shoulder before reaching for the milk bottle in the back, hoping she's just hungry. Marisa sucks against the tip right away, and I sigh, "She's probably just hungry." She refused to drink Lisa's milk this morning."Bob exhales and nods before wiping his brow with his sleeve. "Have a good day at work," he remarked as he jumped into the bus. I smile and close the door as I wave to Bob. The bus soon vanishes around the bend, along with the other soul-sucking corporate workers.I exhale and set Marisa down, fasten her up, and walk her into the company. Marisa sits there, her eyes still teary, her cheeks sucking on the bottle. The bottle falls, and I