My Mistake

Arielle

I had never been this worried in my entire life, not even over my pet, much less a total stranger. I didn’t even realize I was still at work until Tessa yelled my name as she prepared to leave.

I snapped out of my thoughts immediately. I grabbed the card from the table and slipped it into my pocket.

It didn’t mean I was changing my mind. Ever.

I rushed to join her. I pulled down the curtains, turned off the lights, and locked the door behind us. Then we began walking home together.

Her place wasn’t far from mine.

As we walked, the question slipped out before I could stop myself. “Tessa…” My voice was calm but abrupt. “What would you do if a man forces you to marry him?” The question came out childishly.

She stared at me before answering. “Okay… if I like him, I don’t see anything wrong with it. But if I don’t, I’d probably run away to somewhere he’d never find me. Ever.” She shrugged.

I exhaled quietly.

“Why do you ask? Who are we talking about?” she pressed.

My head snapped up. “Huh? Uh—no one.” I forced a chuckle. “I was just…imagining.”

“Hm.” She nodded. “Good, because I can’t afford not seeing you at work. It’ll be boring with just me and our boss.”

I laughed softly. “Aww, that’s sweet. But Sean and Jessica are there.”

“Really?” She scoffed. “Sean and Jessica? Those clingy lovebirds? Always kissing and rubbing each other’s bodies even at the counter? You think they’d notice me?”

“Before I came, you and Jessica were always together. Sean told me that,” I teased.

“Well, Sean lied. Jessica’s not my friend. You are.”

Her words warmed my chest. When we reached the front of my house, I paused. “Do you think I’m good enough to be anyone’s friend?” My voice cracked a little.

Tessa stepped closer. “Of course. A hundred percent. Forget about Sylvia. You’re an amazing person. Don’t change that. Okay? You’re smart. You’re stunning.” She laughed, and so did I.

“Thank you, Tessa. You’re a great friend too.”

She hugged me. “See you tomorrow, yeah? Don’t run away, Ari!” she shouted as she walked off.

“I won’t! I promise!” I called back.

I waited until she disappeared inside her apartment before going into mine.

Tiffany was already asleep, a deep sleeper as always.

Classes had kept us apart these past days. It was either she left before me or didn’t come home at all, but back then, we always found little moments to talk.

I showered, opened the fridge, found my leftover pizza, ate it, and washed it down with orange juice. I picked up my phone to check on Lilith, but it was late, and her phone was dead. My heart sank. I hated feeling helpless.

I tried to sleep, but exhaustion wasn’t enough to quiet my mind. At least I had a free morning before work. I stayed up until sleep finally dragged me under.

The next morning, I walked into the kitchen and found Tiffany making breakfast. I smiled.

I hadn’t seen her properly in days. I hugged her from the side. “Ari, you’re awake! Your face has been hard to find lately,” she said.

She was making pancakes.

“Yeah, I know… I’m sorry. Work and everything.” I sat down. She gave me a look that demanded answers.

“What?” I asked.

“Tell me everything,” she said with a grin.

“Oh my God, Tiffany—”

“Yes! Tell me everything. School. Work. Everything.”

She always assumed exciting things happened to me. “Nothing happened.” I shook my head.

She put the pan aside, turned off the gas, and faced me fully. “Arielle Chelsea Hills, I dare you.”

My brow rose. “Fine! I’ll spill. But I want some pancakes.”

“Oh, honey, I wish I could, but they’re for Blake. He called this morning. He’s getting worse.”

My brain went blank. Who was she talking about? “Who’s getting worse?” I asked.

“Blake. I just said his name.” She stared at me. “He’s sick, so I’m making him his favorite.” She smiled softly.

I rolled my eyes. Blake? Of course. “Oh. Has he been sick long?”

“Yeah. I haven’t been able to see him because of classes.”

“Well… someone told me they saw Blake last night on his bike,” I lied.

“What? How would they know my Blake?”

“He’s popular. Everyone knows him.”

She shook her head. “No. Blake’s been in bed for days. We FaceTime twice a day. It wasn’t him, I’m sure.”

“Yeah… you’re probably right.” I dropped the argument. Tiffany wouldn’t believe anything without proof. She loved Blake too much.

“So… spill. Was it at work?”

“Oh, that?” I swallowed. “Yeah. I met him again.”

“Wait—who? Don’t tell me– the man from that night?”

I nodded, laughing briefly. “He’s been threatening me.”

“Threatening you? For a small accident? He looks rich enough to replace ten cars.”

“Right?! That’s what I also said. But he wants me to marry him for three months just because I owe him.”

“What?! Marry you for three months? Is he insane? What does that even mean?” Her eyes flew open.

“He absolutely is. He said I should marry him or pay for the damage.”

Then I remembered the more urgent matter. “Tiffany… can I borrow some money? Grandma’s sick. She’s in the hospital right now. I haven’t gone because I don’t have anything on me. I’ll repay you once I get my salary.”

Her face softened. “Ari, I’m so sorry about Grandma. But I don’t have much right now. I gave everything to Blake last night for his treatment.”

I gave her a look. Blake again.

“But I promise, I’ll get you some money before the weekend,” she added.

“Alright. Thank you,” I whispered, holding my cheeks. She really needed to know the truth. Blake isn’t all that. He doesn’t deserve all she was doing to him.

“That’s the least I can do. But back to that man, what’s in it for you if you marry him? There’s gotta be something, right?”

I blinked. I hadn’t even considered that. He was rich. Surely there was something I could gain. “You're right,” I murmured. “Thank you for saying that, it just occurred to me”.

She smiled as she packed Blake’s food into a flask and placed it in a bag. “Whatever it is, update me later. I’m heading out.”

“Okay. Bye, Tiffany.” I watched her leave.

It was already past eight. I went back to sleep until it was time for work. I arrived at exactly 12:55 p.m. The first person I saw was Miss Sylvia, her face sharp and hungry for drama. “Good afternoon, Miss Sylvia,” I greeted.

“What was Mr. Darius doing here last night? I saw you standing with him when I drove by.” Her voice was loud enough to scare potential customers.

“He just came for food,” I lied quickly. “He was in a hurry, so I packed it for him.”

“I don’t want to see you with him again. When he comes, let Tessa attend to him. Do you understand?! And my nephew said you were rude to him yesterday. Do you want another job?!” she barked.

“I’m sorry, boss. It won’t happen again.”

I was grateful she didn’t go further. She used to slap me for less. I hurried to the back, put on my apron, and handled everything alone, orders, takeaways, and cleaning, without sitting down once.

By 12:56, Tessa still hadn’t arrived. I started worrying. While washing plates, my phone rang. Mrs. Lilith. I balanced the phone against my ear. “Hello, Mrs. Lilith. How are you? How’s Grandma? I tried calling last night, but your phone was off.”

“Arielle, the doctor said they need money for your grandmother. I deposited what I had, but it’s not enough. Grandma still hasn’t woken up since yesterday—”

I slipped. The plate fell from my hand and shattered into pieces.

“Arielle? What was that? Are you okay?” she asked me over the phone.

I hung up immediately and dropped to my knees, panicking as I gathered the shards. I didn’t even notice Miss Sylvia walk in until I saw her heels. I panicked. “I’m so sorry, Miss Sylvia. It slipped, I didn’t—”

Her hand cracked across my face before I could finish. The slap was sharp and hard. “How dare you! Look at this mess! You’re useless and careless!” she screamed.

I shouldn’t have picked up the call in the kitchen. I was disobeying the rules.

She hurled a fork, a spoon, a small knife and stainless plates at me. I dodged what I could, but still got cut. Blood trickled down my hand. “Get out of my shop!” she shouted.

I grabbed my bag and rushed toward the door. As I reached for the handle, Tessa arrived. “Oh my God, Ari! What happened to your hand?” she gasped.

“Nothing. I cut myself with a knife,” I lied.

“Ari, let me treat it, hold on-”

“I can’t. I have to go.” I slipped past her and left.

I didn’t know what my life was turning into. All I knew was that I was doomed. Miss Sylvia would never take me back.

At home, I cleaned the wound and lay on the floor until Tiffany returned. “Why are you sleeping on the floor?” she asked.

“Nothing. I just felt like it.” I forced a smile. I was tired of life itself.

She laughed lightly and lay beside me. Then a knock came. “Are you expecting someone?” she asked.

“No.”

She opened the door. Relief washed over her face. “Hey, Tiffany. Is Arielle home? She forgot her phone at work.”

Tessa.

I shot up. “Thank you, Tessa. I didn’t even notice.”

“How’s your hand?” she asked. Maybe she finally knew the truth.

“It’s better,” I lied again.

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to her for you,” she promised before leaving. Tiffany closed the door and turned to me. “I didn’t even see it. What happened to your hand?”. She rolled up my sleeve.

“No big deal. I cut myself at work.”

She stopped me. “Ari, we’ve lived together for years. I know when you’re lying.”

I sighed and moved to the couch. “My boss hit me with a knife because I broke her plate.”

“What the hell? Sylvia again?”

“She’s always been that way. I’m used to it.”

“You should quit. Come work at Sunset Vista Hotel. The pay is way better. That lady would kill you one day.”

“Don’t worry, Tiffany. I don’t want to be a burden to you.”

“You’re not a burden,” she insisted. “Don’t say that”.

“I know I am”. I smiled and looked at her.

“Fine, if you choose to be silly. So, did that man show up again?” Her words sent my mind spinning. I grabbed my bag and pulled out his card. Tiffany’s eyes widened. “A card? He gave you his card? That’s… thoughtful.”

“He told me to call when I’m ready to accept his offer. What do you think?”

She inhaled slowly. “I think you should call him. Hear him out. Make your own deal. Opportunities like this don’t come twice.”

“You think so?”

“Ari, there’s nothing to be scared of. Just call.”

I nodded, swallowing my fear. I picked up my phone, dialed the number on the card, and pressed it to my ear.

I didn’t breathe until the line connected, and his voice came through.