Author's Note: Hi! This Book is also on Wattpad! It's only on Wattpad & Webmovel. So, if you ever see this book elsewhere please report it!
There are advance chapters on Wattpad! I'll slowly be putting those chapters here!
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Chapter 1: What is a job?
"You are what again?! You're fired?! How am I supposed to feed you and your cousins now?! What did you do at work?!" My aunt's voice echoed through the dining room, filled with rage and frustration.
Sitting at the table, I kept my head low, avoiding eye contact with my furious aunt. It felt like being scolded as if I were a child who had forgotten to eat her lunch. But I was a twenty-five-year-old woman who had lost three jobs this year alone, and it wasn't the most pleasant situation, I know, and I'm working on it.
Meanwhile, my spoiled cousins, whom I didn't particularly care for, were in their room, immersed in their expensive PCs, taking turns sneaking glances at me and laughing-typical bullies straight out of the novels I used to read. I wished I could give them a good punch, but I knew I'd only end up with a bright red mark on my face.
We lived in a simple city apartment with three rooms, accommodating my aunt, uncle, two cousins, and me. It wasn't the grandest place, but it was home.
Home when my dear aunt and cousins are not home.
"... your boss! You seduced your boss, didn't you?! And you got caught!" My aunt's hand slammed on the table, making me flinch. Her accusation took me by surprise, and I raised my brows, widening my eyes, still refusing to look at her, my gaze fixated on the poor dining table that endured her angry fists.
"... I spent so much money on you! Do you have any idea how much I paid for your college tuition?! And this is how you repay me?!" My aunt continued her tirade.
I fought the urge to snicker, managing to hold it in. I rolled my eyes, my gaze still averted. I was certain my aunt had taken the savings my mother had left me-savings worth more than my college tuition. I had attended a public state university, I didn't even consider applying to private ones due to my aunt's influence.
"... are you even listening to me?! If you had an affair with your boss, you should have been more careful! And now look at what happened!"
The thin line of my patience snapped, I lifted my eyes to meet my aunt's fiery red hair and furious eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, probably from anger. It suited her well-the red, just like her soul.
My humor is getting dark because of her.
"I wasn't fired because of an affair," I calmly stated, staring back into her blazing eyes, surprised at how composed my voice sounded despite the alcohol in my system. I'm usually a mess when I have as much as a drop of alcohol in my system.
"I don't believe you, Irene!"
"There was this creepy pervert who tried to grope me! I didn't know he was an important investor, so I kicked him!" I defended myself, my hands involuntarily gesturing as I spoke.
Deep down, I knew I would have kicked him even if I had known he was important. I couldn't stand someone violating my personal space like that and someone touching me as if he were allowed to. Who would?
My aunt glared at me, her hands firmly planted on her hips.
"I kicked him pretty hard, but I didn't mean for him to go flying across the room and break his arm!" I continued, my hands illustrating the incident.
I was shocked when a disgusting hand grabbed my chest while I was organizing files for a meeting. Without hesitation, I kicked the owner of those perverted hands, and before I knew it, he was screaming on the other side of the room like a banshee. His screams irritated me to no end, and I wished I could have shoved a towel in his mouth to silence him.
I'm not a violent person, but when I'm pissed I can become one.
Thankfully, my bosses arrived and witnessed the pscene before I could worsen my "sin." They were shocked by what they saw-a large man writhing on the floor, screaming, and a slender, enraged girl standing nearby. I was certain they would remember that scene for the rest of their lives.
Just as I had hoped during my interview, I had made an impression. Not exactly the kind of impression I had envisioned, but I had achieved my goal. I just wished I had done it in a less embarrassing and infuriating way.
"It's because of your clothes! Why did you choose to wear that? You're just like your mom!" My aunt exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger at me.
"What's wrong with my clothes? They're perfectly decent," I retorted, rising from my seat and twirling around in front of her, further fueling her anger.
I wore a long, loose skirt that reached below my knees, paired with a brown blazer over a white polo. I couldn't see what was wrong with my outfit and what it had to do with my mother.
"Just like your mom! She came here with a big belly! We don't even know who your father is! I won't be surprised if you show up with a big belly too!" my aunt fumed, smoke practically billowing out of her ears.
My patience reached its limit, and in a moment of defiance fueled by the alcohol in my system, I couldn't help but blurt out, "Well, at least she gave birth to a beauty like me! Unlike you!"
My aunt gasped, a look of surprise and betrayal crossing her face. I scoffed and rolled my eyes, trying to mask my shock at what I had just said. I couldn't believe those words had come out in front of my aunt.
I'm usually very careful with my words. Damn alcohol.
But what I had said was true. I was indeed beautiful, with my black raven hair contrasting against my pale blue eyes. My body was slender yet strong enough to send a grown man flying across the room, as had happened earlier. I often exclude a cold and harsh personality, quite the opposite of my true self, if I may add.
"Are you saying my kids are ugly?! How dare you!" my aunt retorted, anger flashing in her eyes as she scrutinized me from head to toe. "You're the ugly one here! My children are fine and beautiful!"
"Their faces may be fine, but their personalities are far uglier than their looks," I shouted, pointing an accusing finger at my cousins, who stared at me in disbelief.
Anger consumed me, releasing years of pent-up frustration. I had never felt this liberated and angry before. It was an oddly satisfying feeling.
I should have done this more.
"What are you saying, you b-" My cousin's words were cut short by my aunt's stern glare.
"Look at you! Such foul language!" I accused my cousin, my eyes wide and filled with judgment. My aunt's glare turned into anger, and she slapped my hand away, leaving a stinging red mark on my skin.
Rubbing my hand, I glared back at my aunt, a defiant expression on my face.
"You! Shut your mouth!" she exclaimed, raising her hand, ready to strike me across the face.
My eyes widened, and my hands instinctively shot up, prepared to catch her hand. But then the door clicked open, and we both froze, our hands suspended in mid-air.
Standing in the doorway was my uncle, my real uncle, the brother of my mother. Unlike my demonic aunt, he was handsome and kind. I had always adored him, and it was unfortunate that his children hadn't inherited any of his traits. Sometimes I wondered what he had done in his past life to deserve such a stroke of bad luck.
"What's going on here?" he inquired, his voice laced with concern.
Hello! Welcome to Chapter 1! If you read the introduction, you'll know that this is already on wattpad. The cover here is different but it is still me!
Anyway, if you guys want advancè chapter go over to wattpad!
Bye bye!
Love lot!
See you!
Chapter 2: Go Find a Job
As my uncle walked in, my aunt rushed to his side, relieved to have a backup. She started spewing lies, blaming me for the fight, while her children blindly supported her. I sighed and rolled my eyes, letting myself collapse onto the couch, exhausted from the morning events and the argument.
My aunt had a knack for draining the energy out of people, and whenever we fought, I felt myself growing older. I closed my eyes, seeking a moment of respite. I hope our neighbors live a long life despite being neighbors with my aunt. Because I sure as hell won't.
My uncle sat in front of me, placing his suitcase on the coffee table. Concern laced his voice as he asked, "What happened at your job?"
"Some pervert tried to touch me, and I defended myself by injuring him," I calmly explained.
Uncle Irvine looked back at my aunt and said, "I don't see why you're mad, honey. Irene was just protecting herself."
"You can't be sure she's not lying! Who knows what trouble she got herself into?" my aunt responded, clearly displeased that her husband wasn't taking her side.
I felt oddly happy because my uncle was not buying my aunt's word blindly.
Uncle Irvine stood up for me, saying, "Irene wouldn't lie. I've known her since she was a child. Instead of being mad at her, you should be furious at the guy who tried to touch her."
I almost nodded in agreement. My uncle never disappointed me. He was the kindest person I had ever met, and he always supported me against my aunt's wrath. He is protective of me qnd he treated me like his own child. Without him, I'll probably end up in the street.
"Are you upset because she got fired? I can provide for all of us. Just calm down and take a shower. I'll take care of dinner," Uncle Irvine guided my aunt to their room, wrapping his hand around her shoulder. Her body relaxed in response to his touch.
As much as I tried to deny it, my aunt and uncle's marriage was full of love and sincerity. Despite my aunt's demon-like personality, I couldn't deny that she genuinely loved my uncle. It was their sincere relationship that kept me in their lives over the years. My uncle's pure heart balanced out my aunt's foul personality.
A perfect match, Sadly it is.
I stood up and made my way to the kitchen. Seeing my uncle's tiredness, I realized that even if I couldn't contribute financially, I could at least help at home. The kitchen was clean and organized, not no hint of clutter or mess. I set the table with five plates and utensils, ready to serve the meal my aunt had already cooked.
We ate in silence once my aunt had calmed down. Though she still shot me hateful glances, it was a relatively peaceful dinner. Uncle Irvine did most of the talking, sharing stories about his day and creating a comfortable atmosphere.
After we finished eating, I quickly washed the dishes and retreated to my room. It was the smallest room in the house, but it provided enough space for me alone. Painted in white and brown, I hadn't had much time or money to decorate it. Some remnants from my childhood still lingered, giving the room a touch of nostalgia.
Simple yet warm, it consisted of a large bed with light gray sheets, a small wooden desk, bookshelves filled with neatly arranged books, and a small closet housing my usual attire. Posters and paintings all over the walls in an attempt to make it more lively. Key word, attempt.
Feeling the need to release my stress, I grabbed my phone and called my best friend, Megan. Her voice answered, already in her self-care mode.
Oh, how I wish everyone could have their self care time.
"I was fired," I blurted out, unable to contain the news.
Megan didn't respond immediately, and silence hung in the air. I wondered if she had hung up on me. I hope not. I mean, I admit that I always complain about getting fired almost every time I call her, but still, she's my best friend.
"What else is new? And what did your aunt do this time?" she replied casually.
"Well, she almost kicked me out," I sighed, lying face down on the bed. "I want to get out of here and be free from her volcanic mouth." I groaned at the pillow.
"Do you need money?" Megan asked, concerned. "No, what you need is a proper job where you can grow. And guess what? I have the perfect opportunity for you." I can already see her eyes glinting in determination.
Megan's determination made me nervous. The last time I heard that tone, she left her house, suitcase in tow, while her clothes were being thrown after her by her mother. Her determination is out of this world! Or the milky way galaxy! Heck! It can surpass the universe!
"What kind of job are you talking about?" I asked cautiously.
"I'm sure you'll love it. It's a secretary position for an executive in the company where I work," Megan said confidently.
"A secretary? I just got fired as a secretary a few hours ago. I seem to have bad luck in that role," I sighed, burying my face in the pillow.
"But this time it's different," Megan insisted. "I know who will be your boss, and he's a wonderful person. He's like the father figure of the whole company. The previous secretary got married and moved away, so he needs someone new."
I hesitated. "You work far from home, and I can't just leave my uncle with his demonic wife."
"Irene, what you need is a change of scenery. Get out of that polluted city and come here," Megan urged, her voice tinged with exasperation. "And don't forget, your aunt may be a demon to you, but she's an angel to your uncle. What's holding you back?"
A demon disguise as an angel in front of my uncle.
"I'll think about it and call you tomorrow, okay?" I replied, considering Megan's proposal.
"Okay, but make sure you call me. I'm hanging up now to put on my sleeping mask. Goodnight!" Megan said with a hint of annoyance.
"Yeah, goodnight," I mumbled before Megan ended the call. I groaned and placed my phone by my side table, staring at the moon that was hiding behind a tall skyscraper outside the window.
Oppurtunity. It just poofed in front of me. Who am I to reject it?
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