Chapter 2

Lana

I waited the whole night but my husband never came back home, not like this is the first time he's sleeping outside, but for the past 10 years I somehow sees myself waiting for him, staying up and standing by the door almost half of the night hoping he would come back, hoping our past love can be rekindled, but the more I try the more he slip away, he doesn't even consider me a wife anymore, since he stopped making love to me.

At first he was all over me, then the withdrawals came, it got to a point he touched me once in months, and even with the bad and tiring days at work, I did not complain I was ready to render my duties as his wife, I wanted to rekindle our bonds, 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, 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 thing we have 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 which  I left by the side

*Good morning honey, this is your breakfast, you can heat it up if it's cold, I love you and take care* I left the sticky note beside the tray of food and left. I'm actually earlier than usual because I wanted to stop by the hotel I passed by yesterday while coming back from work. I saw a signboard which stated they are in need of cleaners so I was hoping I could secure the space if I'm earlier. 

I'm trying so hard to quicken my steps but the pain in my knees is no joke. It kept on 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 on saying I'm making low income so I figured out if I make something decent that 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 was not looking friendly, 

“Good day sir” I greeted but instead of replying me, he gave me a quick run down check with his eyes,

“Go back, people like you are not allowed in here old woman” he said with a disgusting look 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 smiling face, 

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

He paused for a moment and 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 into the place, it was so beautiful and luxurious, my steps were calm, cause I might breath inappropriate and be thrown out, as I got to the receptionist they were already people present, lucky me I came early so I was able to make it to number 10, still I need to be fast so I won't be late at my other job, 

I sat with everyone else, as more people kept on coming, I kind of felt way out of place because everyone else was dressed so perfectly except for me who was looking so out of place, but still I was hopeful. 

Almost one hour later the interview began, I was already worried because I'm obviously late at my other jobs, I just pray I make it through with this one, 

“Number 10” I heard my number and stood up immediately 

“Wait, is that you?” The lady that was calling the number asked and I nodded, she glanced at me from head to toe, 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 could not believe my ears, I don't know whether to cry or scream, gathering up courage 

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

“I’m sorry but we don't hire beggars here” She said and everyone else bursted out laughing while they point at me, 

I couldn't utter a words, it was already a miracle that I'm not exploding in tears, I could literally feel my whole body trembling, which means I'm going to breakdown soon, and I'll hate to do that in front of strangers, so quietly I left, not minding their ugly words and remarks about me, 

I walked past the gate looking like a ghost, I was not even given the opportunity to be interviewed, they rejected me straight up,

I was literally fighting my tears. I don'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 work as a dish washer, but instead of replying me, she ignored me and went ahead and dialed a number on her as she began to laugh and talk with the person on the line, I waited quietly by the side, 

Seconds, 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 out with a bucket of water, 

“Boss” I called but before I could finish half of it, emptied on my hair, 

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

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

Outside I kept on looking up to the sky to blink back my tears, refusing to breakdown, 

I made it to my second place of work where I work part-time as a dry cleaner, but I could not even go in the transparent glass door was locked which is unusual, so I knocked and knocked but there was no response so I decided to stay outside and wait, a lot has happened this morning I was already tired, 

Standing outside for close to two hours my legs were almost shaking, my body was hot and the sun was not nice either, 

After what seemed like forever I heard the door opening and I sprang up immediately as the manager that hired me came out, 

“Here” he passed 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 already went inside and jam the door on my face, I was burning up but that was far from the palpitations my heartbeat is doing right now, I'm so scared,u hand was literally vibrating as I opened this letter

                    *You're Fired* 

As soon as I read the headline I didn't need to read the rest, my heart skipped, and I was no longer seeing properly, everywhere was suddenly spinning and my visions was getting blurry, I don't know what's happening but I still managed to continue walking,

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

What should I do?

What should I do? 

I need to think of something 

“Piiiiiiiiiiiii…….!” I heard a sound, and slowly look up and saw a car approaching me, I almost forgot I was crossing the road, but why am I not moving, why am I stuck, I could feel the car coming but I can't move, I wanted to…..but my legs are not, 

The car was almost two inches away when it suddenly stopped, I still felt rooted, and the world was going round in circle, I saw the car door open, but the man on the driver's seat went and opened the door at the back, from my blurry vision I saw a man stepped out, 

He was Oozing of luxury, untameable aura, and generational wealth, but his eyes was exuding 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 pants pocket, 

“Are you one of those beggars that wait for rich people to run you over so you can charge them to court and sue them of millions hoping to make a living off them, people like you are so pathetic and I hate your kind so much, here” He threw some bundles of cash at me, 

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

I ignored him I don't have anything to say to people like him that looks down on other people and thinks everyone is after their money, I turned around, but suddenly a wave of dizziness washed through me, as I staggered, my vision became worse, I couldn't see I tried to steady my steps, but it became worse, 

Darkness washed over me, I became weaker, I was no longer in control of my body, and slowly I felt myself lowering 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 his arms, 

An intoxicating lemon scent hit me as I slowly passed out.