Chapter 1: CHAPTER 1
Austen POV
"It's almost your birthday, dear." His mother sang immediately when she entered the room. Like always, Austen sighed and shook his head. She had been doing this since the beginning of June, and it was becoming annoying. Not to mention the fact that he knew why she was actually reminding him.
Still, he faked a smile and watched as she moved to stand beside him. "You'll soon be three decades old. Oh, I can't believe it."
"Of course you can, mom." Her ability to make the tiniest things so special never ceased to amaze him. It was exciting during his younger years, to have her make so much fuss about incoming celebrations. Now it was annoying and just served the purpose of refreshing a discussion he thought was over.
"And he still isn't married," another voice chided, and Austen rolled his eyes. The real star of the show was Mr. Trevor, CEO of Trevor Corp.
"Darling, don't be like that," his mother answered cheerily, a bright smile on her face. "This year is the year. I'm sure of it."
"You've been saying that for the past three years," his father growled. "You need to man up, Austen."
"I'm trying my best, Dad. It's not like I can just step out of the house and see a suitable woman."
"You can. I know a lot of families with eligible daughters. Take Mr. Thorn, for example. His two children are girls, and I'm sure you can charm one of them into marriage."
Something about his father's tone seems mocking, and it annoyed Austen. He made it seem like getting married was an extreme sport.
"I know them very well," his mother piped up as she made her way to the kitchen. She always liked to be active in these conversations, and as she poured wine into three glasses, Austen knew his parents wouldn't rest until he promised them a bride.
"Gina and Bridget. Lovely young ladies with an air of grace and intellect," his mother praised.
"Yes, my dear. Their father is also very good at his work. It would be nice to have him as an in-law. Right, dear?"
"Of course. I like their mother too, she seems very…"
Austen turned away from his parents, blocking out their conversation. Every time they brought up the issue of marriage, it upset him greatly. There were still so many things he hadn't achieved yet, and getting married was not part of them.
His personal business was just getting off the ground, so a lot of his capital was still invested there. His main focus was on acquiring more wealth and steadying the company's business. Not marriage.
Having a lifelong partner was not a matter to be rushed into, but his parents wanted nothing more than to see him walk down the aisle with someone.
He stood up and picked up his car keys from the tabletop. "I'm going out for a ride."
"Where are you going?" His father's thunderous voice called out after him, but he continued walking away.
"To clear my head, Dad."
Driving was his own way of figuring out the best thing to do. However, he couldn't concentrate. It didn't help matters that his parents constantly made him feel like a failure. He didn't know which was worse.
His mother's mocking tone or his father's constant bickering. "Or are they tired of me?" He thought.
He shook his head, and adjusted the brake. He highly doubted that. As the only son, he was spoiled and never wanted for anything. Growing up, he had the best schools, toys, playmates, and plenty of money to go around.
Not once did he feel the absence of a sibling—until now. Maybe if there was someone else, his parents would have less time to disturb him. Austen sighed and used his free hand to rub the spot between his brows. Where did it all go wrong?
Deep in his thoughts, he didn't notice the young girl crossing the road until it was nearly too late. Their eyes met and she suddenly stopped in the middle of the road, transfixed in shock as he tried to think.
"What the...?" he mumbled while attempting a sharp swerve to the right. The tires screeched for a few seconds before halting just a few meters away from the girl.
Austen sighed and closed his eyes for a moment, trying to take in deep breaths. By the time he looked at the road again, the girl was nowhere in sight, and his heart skipped a beat. Did he...had she...?
In a daze, he climbed out of the car and began to look for her. He had not gotten more than three steps forward when he saw her, hunched over a pile of groceries. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be shaking.
"I'm sorry," he began, confused on whether to touch her or not. "I wasn't being focused. Are you alright?"
He watched as the girl nodded her head slowly and then began to stand up. "It's...it's okay. I'm fine."
Still, Austen felt guilty. Usually, he wasn't so reckless with driving, but his parents had pushed him to the edge. However, it wasn't enough reason to hit an innocent person.
He bent down and began to arrange the items that had fallen down with her. Luckily, none of them were damaged, and soon enough, everything was packed neatly.
"Are you sure? I can take you to the hospital if..."
The remaining words died on his lips as the girl finally met his eyes and shook her head. She was easily the most beautiful person he had seen in a long time. He couldn't get over how her eyes seemed to take him in.
He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice her begin to walk away until she was at the other side of the road.
"Sorry, I didn't get your name," he yelled slightly.
"Bella," she responded absently as she tried to gather the groceries. Before he could say anything else, she entered into a black car and zoomed off.
Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2
Bella POV
She didn't want to wake up. The last thing she wanted was to open her eyes and see the dullness in her life yet again. As the bright light bathed her face, she wanted nothing more than to drift into unconsciousness yet again.
Yet, the pounding in her small door served as a constant reminder that her life wasn't hers. Not really.
"Can't you hear me knocking, Bella? Open up!"
Slowly squeezing her eyes open, she waited for a whole minute with bated breath. Maybe if there was no response, she would go away.
However, fate didn't see her worthy enough for that miracle. Instead, Bella watched in horror as the mechanical lock opened from outside. As soon as the door opened, she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
"You foolish…," a shrill scream drowned out the intruder's remaining words. The girl watched with satisfaction as Bella jumped out of bed in fright, water dripping from her clothes.
"Why did you–"
"Next time, don't make me get the key," the girl warned as she flung the bucket on the soaked bed. "You need to go to the market. I'm having a party this evening and everything needs to be ready on time."
Bella could only watch as the girl sauntered away, a mischievous smile on her lips. This was the second time it was happening this month, and it filled her with fury. If only Gina weren't her employer's daughter, she would have…
"It's of no use," she whispered with resignation. The day she stood up for herself was the day she would quit without looking back.
Doing that now, however, wasn't an option. Not when she had bills to pay. Still, the lack of respect got to her. With a raging mind, she quickly began to clear her room.
Minutes later, she was out the door and ready to work. Until she glanced at the clock inside the kitchen. Five thirty in the morning. Her day didn't start until seven.
Bella was quietly seething when Gina and her mother walked into the room. "I can see you're finally awake. How was the morning bath?" The girl asked mockingly.
Mrs. Thorn snickered at her daughter's comment and shoved a list into the cook's hand. "We need you to get this at the supermarket. Hurry up, so you can start working."
"Yes ma'am," Bella responded and turned to go before she realized it was still too early to go anywhere in her own. "How will I go?"
"Can't you go on your own?" Gina retorted from her mother's back, a hand on her hips.
"The driver is coming in the next one hour. He'll take you," the woman said and walked off, her daughter talking behind her.
Bella sighed, her eyes going to the clock yet again as tears streamed down her cheeks. She was up till two in the morning, making a morning snack for the family, and by the time she cleared everything up, it was already past three.
There was no doubt in her mind that Gina and her mother knew this, and yet, they woke her for no reason again. With everyday that passed, she became more convinced that the family had something against her. Out of all their staff, she was the most ill treated even though it was plain to see that she worked the hardest.
Having more than forty five minutes to spare, Bella walked off to her room and brought out her secret stash. She had been saving the money for over three months, and though the Thorns' paid well, she still didn't have a sizable amount.
She counted again for the third time that week. "Four hundred dollars." It wouldn't be enough for her first semester tuition at college, let alone her father's hospital bills. She sighed again and fell back on her bed.
As the days went by, she wanted nothing more than to run away from her job and start a new life somewhere else.
"Such big dreams, Bella," she thought to herself. Where else would she find a job that paid well, even if it messed with her mental health.
Soon, the driver came and they went off to the supermarket. Throughout the shopping, she couldn't stop smiling. Anywhere that made her get out if the mansion lifted her spirits, and it took a lot of self restraint to stop her from dancing in the aisle.
She was still in a happy mood when she walked out and began to cross the road. As her favorite song played in her head, she didn't notice the car coming towards her at full speed until her heard her name.
"Bella! Watch out!"
She turned to the driver in shock, before she heard a set of tires screech beside her. That was when she noticed the car trying to avoid her and in surprise, she fell on the road and covered her eyes. Was this how she would die?
A few seconds later, she heard a voice beside her. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
Bella peeped one eye open and subtly felt her body for injuries. The car hadn't hit her.
"Oh shit," she murmured, her eyes falling to the scattered groceries. If anything was damaged, Mrs. Thorn would have her head.
"Did you say something?"
"No...ermm...yes. I'm fine. Don't worry about it." She raised herself up and began to scramble for her belongings.
Surprisingly, the man bent down and assisted in silence. When everything was well arranged again, she stood up and met his eyes.
"I can take you to the hospital."
"Thank you, but I'm fine." She noticed how the guy continued to stare at her, and without warning, a blush came to her cheeks. Suddneky feeling self-conscious, she turned and started to walk away.
The near accident had already set her behind schedule. She was almost in the car when the man called out.
"Sorry, I didn't get your name."
I didn't give it, Bella thought to herself, but she turned to him and frowned slightly. Of what use was it? They wouldn't see each other again.
"Bella."
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