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Chapter 4

FREDERICK pov

As I got to my study room, I picked up my favorite book, "How to win in the sport of business" by Mark Cuban. I had already gotten to the third chapter and figured I should go on with it if I wanted to sign off on the business deal with Giveon Ventures. After reading for one hour, I realized I had not heard Ma Cleopatra's voice after my parents and Ivy had left.

I dropped the book and headed downstairs to search for Ma Cleopatra. I found her cleaning up the dishes and moved forward to ask what I was having for dinner.

What would you love to eat, Fred? Ma Cleopatra inquired!

I wouldn't be having dinner Cleo, I answered after being silent for a while. I figured I should go out to eat, to just clear my head. And going alone would have been a great idea. Having Kiel or Tasha around was inevitably a bad idea. What I needed at the moment was a chance to think and make the right determinations.

I walked upstairs to have a quick bath. As I took my bath, a picture of the innocent waitress at the restaurant flashed through my mind. I took that as a cue to go back to the restaurant. Maybe, I'll see her again!

I got out of the bathtub super-fast and began dressing up. I picked up my phone to call Lois, my driver, to prepare the car.

Lois, I began. "Can you get the car ready? I need to head out. I heard a swift 'yes sir' from him and then ended the call.

I have known Lois for two years and had him driving me around for one year and eight months, just immediately he got out of the hospital. I remember knocking him down one sunny afternoon. I wasn't under the influence of alcohol but I had just gotten my heart broken by a woman I once loved.

I felt bad for knocking him down. I rushed him to the hospital. There, I found out he was defrauded by a foreign investment company, mortgaged his house, and couldn't pay it back. He had nowhere to go. I offered him a job as my driver and he accepted.

Mr. Fred, the car is ready, Lois said and immediately I zoomed out of my thoughts.

Lois, I began, we are going to a restaurant just down the street. I need to de-stress.

Okay sir, he smiled and answered.

KHARIS pov

I heard movements from the other side of the room and suddenly, my door opened, ushering in a crazy woman with a bowl of water. In split seconds, I was bathed with cold water, from head to toe. It was just the early hours of the morning and my stepmother just had to be cruel and wicked...

We both stood in my room staring intently at each other. I could see hate and resentment in her eyes. What could I have possibly done to warrant an instant cold bath? I was shivering and crying. The tears kept pouring.

If my mother were alive, I'd be more beautiful. I'd be educated. I'd be happy, free, and rich. I'll have friends. But my life is a living hell. I can't sleep peacefully. Usually, my sleep is Interrupted by a slap, a hot iron on my back, or strenuous house tasks.

I let the tears flow one last time and proceeded to ask my stepmother what I had done to deserve such treatment. Well, I didn't even finish this statement and a massive slap was planted on the right side of my face.

I was extremely horrified. She had never abused my face. I stood, still shaken, and watched her leave my room, feeling fulfilled.

I sat on my sofa and cried my eyes out. I didn't know what peace felt like after I lost my momma. Worst still, I stopped schooling because my dad had asked me to. Maybe, just maybe, all of this would be over. How long do I have to wait?

After what felt like hours, I stood up and began to prepare for the days' activities. I had step-siblings but they were far away in college. So, I had to cook and clean the house every day.

I strode to the kitchen, washed the dishes from last night, and decided to prepare breakfast for the King and Queen. While I was slicing the veggies, my phone rang, it was a call from Mrs. Clinton. Figuring out why she called, I hesitated to pick up my phone. After a while, I picked it up.

Good morning Miss Kharis, she greeted.

Good morning Mrs. Clinton. How is Evans? Hope everything is alright? I responded hastily without giving her a second to answer my questions. I was such an over-thinker.

Everything is okay Miss Kharis, my conversation with Evans mother continued. I'll be extremely busy at work today and Evans has a kiddie’s photo session with a skincare brand, Miga. Now I know that you have a tight schedule, but I'll pay you extra to help me take him. She said…

I thought about the possibility of sneaking out today for the photo session and making it on time to the restaurant. I needed the money!! I was trying to save up so much to run away from the cruelty at home.

After thinking and giving Mrs. Clinton a minute of silence, I asked 'What time is the photo session?

Well, Evans has to be there by 1 pm!! She replied…

Okay, Mrs. Clinton, I'll be at your house by 12: 30 pm. Bye! And she dropped the call.

I hurriedly made breakfast and went to my room to prepare. I always stared at the mirror before stepping into the bathtub. This time, I saw a prominent mark on my face. It was terrible and I wondered how I was going to leave the house with a scar on my face.

Then, I had an idea!! I had never used makeup on my face. My late mother left her pieces of jewelry and makeup kit for me. It was a relief knowing I could cover up the bruise on my face.

I got into the bathtub and got out in a few minutes. I opened my drawer and brought out a dusty make-up box. I cleaned it with a towel and opened it. A smile formed on my lips when I saw a photo of my Mom . It seemed as if hope were on my side

I got out the foundation from the box, eyeliner, and nude lipstick. My stepmom and dad must have left the house already, I thought and ran out of my room to survey the house. As I approached the dining table, I saw a note from my stepmother on the table asking me to go grocery shopping. It read:

"Go grocery shopping for unavailable items in the house. I'll deal with you if these items are not home by the time I get back from work".

I sighed and searched for money or a credit card on the table. But she didn't leave any for me. How am I supposed to pay for these items? I screamed and walked away to my room feeling broken.

I looked at the makeup items lying on my sofa. I started applying the foundation and at the same time, releasing a tear. Do you even understand my pain? I mean this is not a life!!!

Yes, the scar was gone and that alone made me smile. I went on to apply nude lipstick since it matched my skin color. I had a caramel complexion but, on my back, it was a blend of different colors .

My alarm beeped and it was already 9:25 am. Damn, I arranged my bag and dashed out to Evans.

Getting a bus to Evans wasn't difficult and in 8 minutes, I was already at Clinton's gate. Evans was a really sweet and smart kid. He had his clothes and bags ready for our outing. As we stepped out of the house, I thought about how we were going to get to the studio for the session.

The driver had gone with Mrs. Clinton and I had little change on me. We stepped out of their mansion into the street and started walking. Certainly, I wasn't going to stress the little kid by walking to the studio. I was fighting a battle in my head - a battle between transport fare to the studio and grocery shopping for unavailable items.

Oh damn!! Why am I in such a mess? Evans already turned to look at me. His baby eyes didn't even allow grocery shopping to win. As we were about to board a taxi to the studio, a lykan hypersport pulled over. This may just be one of my lucky days, I smiled faintly.

Where are you heading to miss? The young gentleman that stole my heart in three minutes asked me.

Good afternoon sir, I'm heading to Freya studio. We have a photo session there.

Okay. Is this your child? Was his next response.

I paused for a while and smiled. As I was about to explain my relationship with Evans, he interrupted and said "Alright then, it seems like this scorching sun is dealing with you both, hop in"

Although he made me feel small by insisting that the sun was burning my head while he was chilling in a perfect car. Regardless of how he made me feel, I and Evans hopped in.

It was a quiet drive though, I didn't expect any interrogations. I'm not in his league.

As we approached the studio, I muttered a faint thank you. Well, he didn't even answer. The nerve of him. I began disliking him because of his mean attitude.

When we got into the studio, the director scolded me for bringing Evans late. I mean, we are just 15 minutes late, what's the fuss all about. I waited for the costumer to get done with Evans. And while I waited, my eyes diverted to a goddess.

She was beautiful, tall, and curvy. I figured she was the main model for the skincare brand simply because she was dressed like one. I heard the photo director address her as Ivy. After ten minutes of surveying the studio environment, I decided to take a brief walk outside. I noticed the lykan hypersport was still parked outside.

Is he stalking me? I began to assume. A little voice in my head said "come off it, would you, you are certainly not the kind of woman a billionaire would stalk". Oh well, another level of timidity dominated me.

It then clicked that I was supposed to go grocery shopping but I had less cash on me. My parents were ignorant about my part-time jobs. How was I supposed to produce money for grocery shopping?

After walking for twenty-four minutes, I went back inside the studio, to see Evans all ready to go home. I thanked the stars because it was almost time for me to be at the restaurant. I stepped out and sighted the tall model exit in my crush's car, the lykan hypersport. I sighed and realized that I'll never be his girl. How could I even possibly expect that!!!

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