Chapter 2

Lana

I waited the whole night, but my husband never came back home. Not like this was the first time he had slept outside, but for the past ten years, I somehow found myself waiting for him, staying up and standing by the door for almost half the night, hoping he would come back, hoping our past love could be rekindled. But the more I tried, the more he slipped away. He didn't even consider me a wife anymore since he stopped making love to me.

At first, he was all over me, then the withdrawal came. It got to a point where he touched me only once every few months, and even with the bad and tiring days at work, I did not complain. I was ready to fulfill my duties as his wife. I wanted to rekindle our bond. I'm trying so hard to do everything possible to make him see that I love him. I don't know what else to do. Mentally and physically, I'm tired.

I woke up the next morning and got ready for work, but I made sure to fix breakfast for Magnus with the little we had at home. It doesn't matter if I'm starving as long as he's okay. That's all that matters.

I served his breakfast on the dining table and covered it properly with a note that I left by the side.

*Good morning, honey. This is your breakfast. You can heat it up if it's cold. I love you. Take care.*

I left the sticky note beside the tray of food and walked out. I'm actually earlier than usual because I wanted to stop by the hotel I passed yesterday while coming back from work. I saw a signboard stating that they were in need of cleaners, so I was hoping I could secure the job if I got there early.

I'm trying so hard to quicken my steps, but the pain in my knees is no joke. It keeps slowing me down. I would have taken the bus, but Magnus took away every penny I made yesterday, leaving me with absolutely nothing.

The reason I'm taking this job is because he keeps saying I'm earning too little, so I figured if I made something decent, it might at least impress him. I don't know... at this point, I'm desperate for anything.

I finally made it to the hotel, but standing in front of the gate, the security guard didn't look friendly.

“Good day, sir,” I greeted, but instead of replying to me, he gave me a quick once-over.

“Go back. People like you are not allowed in here, old woman,” he said with a look of disgust on his face.

I'm not angry. I'm not offended. I get that a lot. I'm used to it. I took a deep breath and still put on a smile.

“I understand, but I'm here for the cleaning job. Please, can you at least let me go in?”

He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on me. I guess he took pity on me and signaled for me to go in.

“Thank you.”

I bowed respectfully and stepped inside. The place was beautiful and luxurious. My steps were careful because I felt like I might breathe the wrong way and be thrown out. By the time I got to the receptionist, there were already people waiting. Lucky me, I came early enough to get number ten. Still, I needed to be fast so I wouldn't be late for my other job.

I sat with everyone else as more people kept coming in. I kind of felt out of place because everyone else was dressed so well except me, but I was still hopeful.

Almost an hour later, the interview began. I was already worried because I was obviously late for my other job. I just prayed I would make it through this one.

“Number 10.”

I heard my number and stood up immediately.

“Wait... is that you?” the lady calling the numbers asked.

I nodded. She glanced at me from head to toe, her eyes filled with irritation.

“I'm sorry, you can't go in. You need to leave. Number 11, please go in.”

“What? But why, ma?” I tried stepping forward.

“Stop right there. Take the door and leave.”

I almost couldn't believe my ears. I didn't know whether to cry or scream. Gathering my courage, I spoke.

“Ma, you are clearly letting everybody in, so why does mine have to be different? I even came early and waited here like everybody else. At least let me know what I did wrong.”

“I'm sorry, but we don't hire beggars here,” she said.

Everyone else burst out laughing while pointing at me.

I couldn't utter a word. It was already a miracle that I wasn't bursting into tears. I could literally feel my whole body trembling, which meant I was going to break down soon, and I'd hate to do that in front of strangers. So quietly, I left, ignoring their ugly words and remarks.

I walked past the gate looking like a ghost. I wasn't even given the opportunity to be interviewed. They rejected me outright.

I was literally fighting my tears. I didn't want to cry on the road like some lunatic. So what if they rejected me? There are so many other places that might have a place for me. I'm stronger than this. I won't allow people's criticism and mockery to get to me.

“Boss, good morning,” I greeted as I stepped into the restaurant where I worked as a dishwasher.

But instead of replying to me, she ignored me and dialed a number on her phone as she laughed and talked with the person on the line. I waited quietly by the side.

Seconds passed. Then minutes. Almost half an hour later, the call finally ended.

“Boss.”

“What are you still doing here? Can't you see your services are no longer needed?”

“I'm sorry, boss, I…”

“You're still here?” She glared and stormed inside. My eyes widened when she came back out with a bucket of water.

“Boss…” I called, but before I could finish, she emptied the bucket over my head.

“Now get out if you don't want the rest on you.”

“Bo…” I wanted to call out, but tears choked my words. I wiped my face and left quietly.

Outside, I kept looking up at the sky, blinking back my tears and refusing to break down.

I made it to my second place of work, where I worked part-time as a dry cleaner, but I couldn't even go in. The transparent glass door was locked, which was unusual. So I knocked and knocked, but there was no response. I decided to stay outside and wait. A lot had happened that morning, and I was already tired.

After standing outside for close to two hours, my legs were almost shaking. My body was hot, and the sun wasn't helping either.

After what seemed like forever, I heard the door open, and I sprang to my feet immediately as the manager who had hired me stepped out.

“Here.” He handed me a letter.

“What's this, sir?”

“Read it. You'll understand. You don't have to come here anymore.”

“Sir…” I tried to stop him, but he had already gone inside and slammed the door in my face. I was burning up, but that was nothing compared to the palpitations my heart was having right now. I was so scared. My hand was literally trembling as I opened the letter.

*You're Fired*

As soon as I read the headline, I didn't need to read the rest. My heart skipped a beat, and my vision became blurry. Everything around me suddenly started spinning. I didn't know what was happening, but I still managed to keep walking.

Staggering from one side to the other, the only thing ringing in my head was how to get another job. If I didn't, Magnus was going to be very angry with me. The fact that I was going home empty-handed today was already a problem. I didn't want him to use me as a punching bag. I didn't have money for the hospital.

What should I do?

What should I do?

I need to think of something.

“Piiiiiiiiiiiii…!”

I heard a loud horn and slowly looked up to see a car speeding toward me. I had almost forgotten I was crossing the road. But why wasn't I moving? Why was I stuck? I could see the car coming, but I couldn't move. I wanted to… but my legs wouldn't.

The car was almost two inches away when it suddenly stopped. I still stood rooted to the spot, the world spinning around me. I saw the car door open, but the man in the driver's seat got out and opened the back door instead. Through my blurry vision, I saw a man step out.

He was oozing luxury, an untamable aura, and generational wealth, but his eyes were filled with anger. I blinked rapidly, trying to see his face clearly, but I couldn't. He walked straight up to me with his hands tucked into his trouser pockets.

“Are you one of those beggars who wait for rich people to run them over so you can drag them to court and sue them for millions, hoping to make a living off them? People like you are pathetic, and I hate your kind so much. Here.”

He threw bundles of cash at me.

“Take that and feed your poor generation. I know you've never seen that kind of money in your entire life.”

I ignored him. I had nothing to say to people like him who looked down on others and thought everyone was after their money.

I turned around, but suddenly a wave of dizziness washed over me. As I staggered, my vision became worse. I couldn't see. I tried to steady myself, but it only got worse.

Darkness washed over me. I grew weaker and weaker until I was no longer in control of my body. Slowly, I felt myself collapsing to the ground. I thought I was going to hit the hard floor, but a pair of strong arms caught me as I fell into them.

An intoxicating lemon scent filled my senses as I slowly passed out.