While the city streets were bursting with activity, I was left standing still, as if I were caught in an ocean of hopelessness and were suffocating in the harsh currents of existence.
My fingers shook as they brushed against the crumpled job applications inside the old bag, and I gripped it even more tightly. My responsibilities appeared to weigh too heavily, crushing my hopes under their relentless strain.
The interviewer's voice reverberated,
"I'm sorry, Miss Anderson, but the position has been filled,"
Each word conveying an echo of sadness. I had gotten used to hearing stories about doors shutting one after another. My goals of becoming a well-known doctor were vanishing into the night, sliding through my fingers like sand.
I kept walking through the packed streets while a jumble of emotions swirled inside of me. Not only were my goals at stake, but also the welfare of my family.
We were trapped in the devastating eye of my brother's deteriorating health, which had turned into an unrelenting storm. The growing medical debt served as a constant reminder of our helplessness.
The air was thick with the fragrance of sorrow when I entered our little flat. My father, who used to be active, glanced up from his mountain of overdue bills. His expression was a combination of tiredness and resignation as his weary eyes met mine.
"Elah, I'm doing all I can, but your brother's operation," he groaned, his voice heavy with the weight of his fears.
I quietly spoke, "I know, Dad," my heart breaking at his absolute weakness.
"Somehow, I'll find a way."
I looked out the window, watching as the city lights created a glittering mosaic on the glass. Another night of restless tossing and turning while fighting the never-ending wave of anxiety that seemed to envelop me.
There was a growing mountain of debt from the hospital visits that I had no clue how to climb. After the tragedy that had befallen our family, our financial well-being collapsed, and I was left looking for means.
Despite being hurt, my father found comfort in a little garden that was flourishing behind our home. He carefully tended to it, treating each plant as if it contained the deeper purpose of existence.
He found refuge in the garden, where his commitment to supporting our family physically yielded fruit. He simply harvested enough from those plants to keep us going.
The formerly vibrant and exciting ambition of becoming a well-known doctor was now dimming like a faraway star. My fingertips traced the borders of the medical textbooks that were scattered over my desk as I groaned. How did life become so oppressive and intolerable?
"Elah?"
When I heard my brother's frail voice, I turned around. David was fragile and pallid, lying in a hospital bed. His once-vibrant eyes had become dull due to illness and pain. When I saw him, my heart broke, and I rushed to his side, clutching his feeble hand in mine.
"Hello David, how are you feeling?"
I made an effort to smile in order to hide the continuous presence of my sadness.
His eyes were filled with a combination of love and worry as he forced a feeble smile.
"Elah, I know you're trying your best. But every time you look at me, I can see the concern in your eyes. It is eating you."
I bit my lip while trying to remain calm. "I only want you to get better. All that counts is that."
David's fingers became more tightly around mine as his stare fixed on mine. Elah, "There might be a way."
I frowned in perplexity. The question "What do you mean?"
He inhaled quickly, scarcely raising his voice above a whisper.
"I overheard some doctors talking to each other. Ethan Stone was the subject of their conversation. Elah, he is a billionaire. He offers a hand to those in need and gives them money. Perhaps he could assist us."
I glared as doubt tore at my convictions.
"I can't simply depend on a random stranger's goodness, David. And I don't want to owe anyone anymore."
He gave my hand a flimsy squeeze. "Consider it, Elah. You've taken all the necessary steps and then some. If there's even a possibility…"
My thoughts were racing, caught between pride and despair. I couldn't bring myself to ask for assistance. But when I turned to face David, I saw how much his life depended on me. My resolve became shaky.
Days passed into weeks and the weight of my inadequacy got heavier as David's health deteriorated.
"I lost my mother, and I won't lose another family, either." I said quietly to myself.
And so, I found myself in front of the Accuzy Tech Company's magnificent entrance with a devastated heart. My hands were sweaty with anxiety as my heart raced.
I was led into a magnificent office where a man was sitting at a sleek desk assessing me with a keen glance. He had a strong sense of control over everything, and his stance was unwavering.
"I presume that you are Miss Anderson?" His voice was cool and deliberate.
In an effort to calm my anxiety, I cleared my throat.
"Yes, my name is Elah Anderson."
He steepled his fingers as he sat back in his chair.
"I am Ethan Stone!. I'm out of time, so let's get to the point. I've heard you need financial support?"
Even though my cheeks were burning with humiliation, I hunched my shoulders.
"Yes, the cost of my brother's medical bills is out of control, and I'm not sure how much longer we can keep up."
Although there was a hint of a grin on Ethan's lips, it didn't extend to his eyes.
"In exchange for something, I can give you the financial assistance you require."
A chill ran down my spine, and my heart sank. I was expecting it.
"What do you want in exchange?"
Leaning in closer, he kept staring. "Miss Anderson, marry me. A marriage by contract that is just for show."
The earth seemed to have been pulled out from under me. to marry him? A total stranger? However, as soon as I thought of David, I realized there was no other option. Once again, I felt the pressure of responsibilities bearing down on me.
With a trace of amusement flickering in them, Ethan's gaze locked into mine. "Miss Anderson, do we have a deal?"I inhaled deeply as my voice shook. Mr. Stone: "Yes. We have a deal."I had no idea that I was about to enter a web of treachery and power that was far more complicated than I could have ever imagined.I said to myself, "I can't believe this is happening," as I stared intently at the elaborate decorations that adorned the large ballroom. The aroma of expensive flowers and the quiet chatter of elegant visitors filled the air. I was alone and standing at the door of the room when I felt my heart grasp at me.When I questioned him as to why my father wasn't there, he said, "Ethan insisted that only dignitaries and people of status should attend." I scanned the hall, trying to find a familiar face among the sea of strangers, while the words resounded in my head. However, my father, who had always been there for me, was nowhere to be found.There had been just a couple of gues
"Tenacious?" I choked on a reply. It was obvious that he had a very negative impression of me. We constantly clashed, like oil and water.However, something unexpected started to stir within me among the conflicts. There was an unmistakable magnetism that pulled me in behind the layers of his stern persona. His ability to dominate a space and his intense stare was both offensive and enticing.Our encounters evolved into a delicate ballet of tension and reluctant respect as the days stretched into weeks. It seemed as if two hostile groups were striving for control of the situation. However, there were short, silent times when I saw vulnerability in his eyes.One evening, he stopped me with a single word as I was ready to leave his office. "Wait."I whirled while posing a doubtful brow.He paused, looking at me intently as if he were looking for something. Then, in the quietest voice I'd ever heard, he murmured, "Thank you."His genuineness threw me off guard, and I blinked in shock. H
In pain, I withdrew my hand as my chest ached. "You... you made me think it was a mistake all these years? You made me think that my mother was taken from me without cause?"He couldn't look up at me, so he glanced down. "Elah, I believed it was best."I was torn apart inside by anger and confusion as well as the misery I was experiencing. "So, Dad, what do we do now? How do we handle Ethan and all of this?"His shoulders sagged as he moaned. "I'm not sure, Elah. But we must stop this cycle of retaliation. We cannot allow more lives to be lost as a result of this."Ethan had to meet me at home before he returned, so I left. "What are you doing here, Elah?" I was sitting on Ethan's bed when a voice from behind me drew my attention away from my thoughts.Thomas was staring at me with worried eyes as I turned around. Thomas, who at one point seemed to be a buddy, suddenly held the key to something more significant and risky.He is an aura of peace in my life, always ready to provide
I was consumed with thoughts of my father's passing when I abruptly heard Ethan's Father.As soon as I caught sight of Mr. Jakes, Ethan's father, my heart raced. It was clear how shocked and surprised Ethan was as his eyes widened."What are you doing here?" Ethan's voice trembled, a mixture of uncertainty and perplexity.Mr. Jakes looked his kid in the eye, his face cold. "I came to complete what I began,"Ethan spoke with a mix of doubt and urgency in his words. "You killed Elah's father, did you?"With a menacing glimmer in his eyes, Mr. Jakes grinned. "The father of your beloved Elah was at a loose end. Just like your own father, he knew too much."I was stuck in place as I crouched down in the vehicle, the revelation coming over me like a tsunami. My father was shot by his father, not Ethan.While speaking, Ethan's voice quivered and was tinged with rage and uncertainty."Why did you kill him, though?"Mr. Jakes raised the pistol and stared emotionlessly into Ethan's eyes. He w
A few years backI walked into the Academic advisor's office and clenched my fingers together as I walked slowly towards his desk. A feeling of fear and worry wrapped around my face as I tried to compose myself. Seated with both legs on the table, a large newspaper covering his face was the dramatic Academic advisor. As much as I tried to avoid meeting him in a private place, I just couldn't ignore his meeting this time around.Stood in front of him as I came to a stop."You asked to see me, sir,"Quickly flapped the papers he was holding, and gave an outrageous look. Bent his face slightly trying to get a clearer look without his glasses. "Miss Anderson." He sounded as official and polite as he could ever be. "Have a seat." He said stretching his hand to the seat in front of me. Dropping the papers he held and leaning forward on his chair.He snorted, "Is there anything you'd like to talk to me about?" I was confused, "I don't understand."He stared at me abruptly. "Your grades ar
"Dad!" I stood trying to compose myself. "How long have you been standing here?"He looked pale and full of sorrow. With each passing day gradually drew life and hope away from him. Looking at how he gets to fight each day, struggling to stay alive for me and my brother, gives me determination to keep pushing. "I was contacted by your advisor." He said trying to maintain steady eye contact as if there was something he was looking forward to hearing from me. My heart froze. "Why would he…" immediately I noticed the change in his countenance, I knew I had failed him. I knelt immediately. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was only worried about David. But I'm promising to…." He suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders, inflicting shock on me."What are you talking about Elah?" Immediately, I stood up, looking like I had seen a ghost. "You said my academic advisor contacted you?""Yes. He did." He said and sat down on the floor of the basketball court. "And what did he say?" "Is there somethin
"Oh, Mitchell!" Quickly dropped my hand, trying to act normal."You were going to hit me right?" "Not at all.""I was only joking." She said and a little smile played around her cheek."Everyone's gone, why are you still in class?" "Nothing. I just want to do something reading before I leave." "Elah, I know it's them." She pointed to the guys outside and I sighed. "Come, I'll drop you off." I looked at her with surprise, I couldn't have asked for more. I hurriedly threw my books into my small bag and followed her. "My driver is outside the class, I'll have him come into the school so he can walk us to the car. At least, that way they wouldn't dare to come close to you."I shook my head in appreciation as we walked majestically to where her car was parked. The boys gave me an angry look but all that mattered to me was the freedom I got. We got to her car and I hopped in. Words couldn't describe how comfortable and expensive the car was. Mitchell is from a wealthy family, she is th
"Is everything okay?" I asked with anxiety in my voice.She sighed but didn't say a word. I pushed the door open and stepped out. As much as I wanted to know what the issue was, I didn't want to miss my appointment at the bar. I walked into the Celab bar, which operated as a restaurant during the day but at night, runs a bar session. "Good day ma'am," I said to the lady at the bar counter. She looked at me and then continued arranging the bottles and cleaning the cups. "I'm sorry but, I have an appointment with your manager." She turned and faced me, looking as if I said something out of point."Can't you see I'm busy, go ask another person.""But you work here and you can as well tell me where to find him.""Is anything wrong with your ears? I said, go ask another person. Leave!""Okay, okay, sorry." Just when I was about to approach another bartender, she called out to me and said,"That's him over there." She pointed in a direction. "Thank you.""Good day sir, I'm Elah Anderson