Pretty insecurities

Hillary's POV

I walked into the kitchen the moment Travis signaled me to do so. It was like we were in both shoes. Hiding. I was hiding desperately not to get caught by his girlfriend and he was also hiding not to get caught by her too. We'd both face the consequences. Me, especially.

I took a deep breath, my eyes refusing to blink and I held onto the vacuum firmly.

“Are you okay? Hillary.”

“Huh?” I turned and it was one of the maids trying to confront me.

No I wasn't, I wanted to shout, scream, roar, muffle and cry into a pillow, stab someone, cry for all I care. Destroy! Destroy!

“Ah, yes I'm good.” I forced a smile.

“Okay, Anyways just concerned.” She giggles before turning to go but halts.

“Um, could you help me with something?”

“Yeah, sure. What's that?”

“Um, I'm kinda busy with Madame Victoria laundry. I was wondering if you could help me serve her and Sir Travis.”

“Sir what?” I almost burst into laughter. Didn't know why it sounded odd.

She squealed, “ you mean to tell me you haven't seen her boyfriend. Oooh. He's a fucking rich billionaire and he's so damn handsome.!”

“Ohh.” Was all I managed to say, nodding. While my tongue poked through the sides of my mouth.

“She wants Mac and cheese okay.”

“Wait, what?” I tilt my head realizing she wanted me to serve Victoria which means I'll have to face Travis.

“Yes, thank you.” She runs off before I could even decline her offer. Fuck.

You got this Hillary. The voice in my head kept on giving him hope but another was the opposite. It really made my stomach churned.

I served the meal, ensuring it was neat, organized and just the way she always liked it.

Victoria was just on his body while they watched a movie on the sofa. I cleared my throat just to alert them of my presence which worked.

“Drop it over there.” She pointed to a table and I obeyed.

“Pour me some juice.”

I shakily lift the juice box. Why was I shaking? I could feel Travis' eyes on me. It was discomforting, annoying and terrible. Like why the hell is he staring.

“Argh, you dirty, impatient scumbag.” Victoria yelled and I flinched.

“I'm so sorry ma'am.” I apologized, panicking, I had overfilled the cup without focus letting it spill into her body.

“I didn't mean to, I swear…”

“You fucking did this on purpose.” She fumed, raising and pointing her index fingers.

“Babe? Do…. something, just take a look.” she whined but Travis was silent although he tried to clean her body with a cloth. His facial expressions were nothing like he was angry but it seemed like he was being forced.

“ You're nothing but a stinky smelling baboon. Ingrate, blind fool. You can't even do as told, you're lazy and annoying. Ugly and poor and ……..”

Tears gathered at the rim of my eyes. Her voice and insults became muffled. Besides my father, I've never been insulted this way. It wasn't that it was too much. The constructive manner in which her rage took force was sending destructive stray bullets to my heart. Meet Victoria, The blunt drama queen.

“.... Asshole, you're nothing but a piece of failure.”

The muffling sounds bombed again.

“That's enough okay? Vic.” I heard Travis butt in. Of course he couldn't stand hearing her voice.

I didn't wait to be told. I carried myself out immediately. Running.

“Hey, did you give Madam Victoria her…….” The maid tried to talk to me but I brushed her off.

I wiped my tears and ran out of the villa and also out of the gate. Letting all my tears fall freely this time. My anxiety was killing me slowly and I was full of Regret.

I ran and ran till I could feel my legs no more and fell to the ground. I just needed to be someone quiet. My mind wandered off to the apartment. Our former building we lived in.

It was a total mess. Everything had been pulled off but there were symbols around the vicinity like, ‘keep off.’

I didn't mind but still went. Staring at it was very nostalgic and I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself.

Oh, how I loved the weather, calm and cool breeze associated with it. I sat down on the ground watching the view of a river that was far from me.

I wanted peace but it wasn't possible. All in the name of saving and looking for an apartment, I decided to keep on working for Victoria but she was too mean. Nahh, I won't be able to keep up, especially when I am sentimental about little things.

It's better I leave. Not just Victoria but to leave for another new environment. Travel and maybe find a job. If I stay with Bridget, I would feel like a burden. I don't want that.

“It's crazy what people do for money.”

Travis' voice kept on replaying in my head. Well, I'm a broke ass bitch and I was desperate. Who cares anyways? Maybe I should leave life the way I want.

I stood up Dusting my body and clothes and when I turned, I screamed holding my chest.

“Oh my gosh.”

“Sorry to freak you out.”

It was Travis. Bro….Seriously? I might start thinking he's a parasite.

“What are you doing here?” I asked but with a slight drop of anger.

“What are you doing here?” He answered my question with another question, both hands on his pockets, hair flying around like he doesn't care.

I scoffed, “ Do you have any idea how Wicked you are?”

“No, Fill me up.” He died.

Smart guy, he sure wanted to act all nonchalant.

“ Why did you send me a contact request on the app?”

My eyes were longing for the truth.

“When you already have a girlfriend.” I quickly added before he spoke up.

“Well, I….” He stuttered.

Right. Men are insatiable.

“Why did you pretend to be Tessa Fowler? You know I could have gotten you arrested for that right?”

“What?” I fold my hands batting my lashes.

He moved closer, his lips clenched. “ Imposing to be another person.”

I let out a laugh, “ excuse you.” I scoffed. “ Why would you arrest me for creating an imaginary name and person?”

“This really is a joke to you huh.” He gripped my hands making me look into his eyes.

“Look, I don't know how you did it or why? But there's really a Tessa Fowler who you don't know about.”

“Oh really?” I was shocked.

“ As much as I hate to admit it, You played the role well but…” he looks at me from the soles of my feet to the hair.

“But I'm really poor.”

I finished off for him and he took a deep breath.

“Why are you here? What about your girlfriend, madam Victoria? How did you leave and why did you come here?”

“Come for the job interview again.”

“What?”

“You were supposed to be interviewed the first day I saw you at my office but you ran off since I caught you. Hillary, I don't mind giving you this opportunity.”

He explained, his eyes focused on mine. This dude still wants me to work for him. Honestly, this was a big deal.

“ Fine, no interviews. Just come already. Be my assistant.”

“Oh my gosh.” I squealed. Now a bigger deal. Was it my lucky day? I thought.

“But why? I….”

“I think you have potential.”

I smiled and I was happy. I could finally get to earn. But my smile faded. Why would he give me just a free offer like that? Growing up, I understood the concept of ‘something goes for something.’

What if he had a plan? What If he just wants to sleep with me.

“What are you thinking of?” He asked.

“Um, it's nothing.” My fingers are steepling.

Remember Hillary, you want to avoid trouble, avoiding trouble means avoiding Victoria. Imagine if I accept to be Travis's assistant, then that would escalate conflict which I wasn't ready for. What would Victoria even say? From a scullery girl to the assistant of a wealthy man. Oh, not just any man. Her own boyfriend.

“I'm sorry but I'll have to decline.”

“Huh?”

“I'm sorry but, no.”

“Wait, what? Why?”