I looked in the mirror and immediately took the powder from my old bag. I put some powder on my face and immediately put red lipstick on my lips.
I smiled. You can't be ugly when you die. If my body is ever found I should still be beautiful.I put the broken glass next to me. I looked up at our family picture. Mommy and daddy were smiling while I was looking on the side."Daddy, I want you to pick me up when I'm there in the afterlife. We're going to be together, daddy," I whispered. I focused my glance on mommy. "Wherever you are now, I hope you are always happy. Thank you, even though you are like that, you brought me out of this world to see the beauty of the environment. Mommy, daddy, I don't have any problems in the world, it's just that there are people who mistreat other people so badly that life becomes ugly. Even though you left me, I still love you both," I added.I touched my cheek and immediately wiped away my tears. I stood up and looked for a small knife. When I pulled what I was wearing earlier, a small paper suddenly fell to the floor. I picked it up and when I found it in front of me I saw that it was the calling card the old man had given me earlier."What does this mean?" I looked up. "Do you want me to call this stranger and ask him for help? God, are you really stopping from killing myself?"I sat on my bed again. I reached for my phone that could barely read the text because it was so old."To call or not?" I asked myself.My two thumbs had a mind of their own and typed in the number on the calling card. I was nervous but it was too late when the other line rang.I was about to cancel the call but it was suddenly answered."Hello? This is Marcov Greyford. How may I help you?"I couldn't speak because of his masculine voice. It's a little husky and it's like it's tickling my spine."H-Hello?""Yes. What's the matter and what's your name, please?"I swallowed and slowly took a deep breath."V-Veronica Sterling. I'm the one you saw in the garbage dump earlier."I closed my eyes. I'm at a loss for words to say to him when our conversation goes on for a long duration. I'm nervous and I don't know if I'm going to pee or what."The beggar—""I-I am not. Maybe, I need help but I'm not a beggar."He laughed out loud. I was not annoyed by his laughter because the truth was that I liked it. I felt really weird while I was talking to him on the phone."Okay. Sorry. I thought you were a beggar. By the way, what's your problem? I can give solutions to any problem, Miss Sterling."I was given hope because of what he said. A smile full of hope was evident on my face."Really?""Yes..."Suddenly, my wide smile disappeared. Doubt prevailed in me. What if he doesn't help me with what I want? What if he is a scammer?Someone suddenly kicked in my door and I immediately hid my phone behind me. I opened the door and my aunt came in."Who are you talking to?""Nothing, Aunt Millie. I don't have anyone to talk to," I told her.I'm nervous. I squeezed the phone hard to get rid of my nervousness."You're talking to someone! Don't fool me, Veronne! Maybe I didn't beat you enough earlier. What do you want? Shall I do it again? Even harder?"I stepped back when Aunt Milie raised her hand. Even if the person I'm talking to just raises their hand, I suddenly react. I have been traumatized by what my aunt and cousin were doing to me."I really have no one to talk to. Even if I die. I-I swear," I lied.Aunt Millie stared at my dress. She even looked at my face carefully. She touched my lips and immediately spread my lipstick on my cheeks."Are you planning to go out? Remember that you can't go out, Veronne! The clothes you're wearing and the powder on your face we'll be crushed with you when you go out. Did you get it?"I nodded several times. Aunt Milie gave me an evil look before she left me alone.When she got out of my room I went to the door and made sure it was closed.I sighed because of the nervousness that came over me. Fortunately, I ended the call.I shook my head and immediately stared at my phone screen. "What the fuck?" I asked when I saw that the call with Mister Marcov Greyford was still going on.I closed my eyes. I'm ashamed because I'm sure he heard my aunt telling me those words. Turns out I hit the loud speaker when I squeezed my phone earlier.I put the phone close to my ear again. I bit my lip because of embarrassment. Two men have witnessed how my aunt and cousin treated me badly. First, the man who I believed would become my prince charming. Second, this old man who thought that I was a beggar."Well, Miss Sterling. I don't think you should tell me about your problem anymore. It was evident earlier that you are under the maltreatment of your aunt.""I'm sorry, sir. You heard it. And thank you, because even though I accidentally tapped on the loudspeaker, you didn't speak. If you spoke—""If I spoke, I'm sure your aunt would have beaten you. How many times has she done this to you?"I wanted to laugh at his question. How many times did Aunt Milie and my cousin beat me? Countless times. Even if I put my fingers in my toes and hands together, it would not be able to give the correct number of how many times I have been beaten in this house."You can't speak. That means you can't count it. Why haven't you reported it to the police? There are also sectors in our country that value women and young people. You can complain to the people in authority, Miss Sterling.""I'm afraid, sir. I'm afraid that maybe my aunt and cousin will do worse to me if they find out that I said something about how they hurt me.""What if they kill you there? Aren't you scared?""Sir?""You should have been out of there for a long time, Miss Sterling. How do you put up with their evil deeds to you? You deserve a better life. Don't you have parents anymore?"I sat on the bed. I looked sadly at our family picture."I was still young when my daddy died in a car accident. My mommy, well, she went with another man and to this day, I still don't know where she ended up in the world.""You need to leave that house, Miss Sterling," Mister Marcov Greyford told me boldly.I swallowed before taking a deep breath."Mister Greyford, I have nowhere to go. I told you that I no longer have my parents. Aunt Milie has sold our possessions, including our house and other possessions and almost all the money she raised from all of that was lost in the gamble," I explained. "That's why it's easy for you to tell me to leave here just like that because you're not in my situation," I added."Miss—""If I leave this house, it means that I have committed suicide. It's useless for me to leave here after that, I have nowhere to go," I interrupted what he wanted to say.He sighed heavily."Look, Miss Sterling, I can save you from that nightmare. Just come to me and I will rescue you."I was about to speak but suddenly someone knocked on the door of my room. I ended the call and threw my phone on the bed while covering it with my blanket. I stand. Before I got to the opposite door, I closed my eyes tightly. I released a breath because I didn't want the people outside my door to think that I was actually talking to someone on my phone. "What the hell? I've been here for a long while and you opened the door just now?""Why, Chontel? What are you going to make me do?" I don't feel like asking. It was late at night but it seemed like my cousin was going to order something again. She looked at me evilly before rolling her eyes. "Are you planning to run away?" she asked me with a full accusation in her voice."Ch-Chontel, I have no plan to do that."She pushed me so I eventually sat on the floor. She searched for something inside my room. "Where are your things? You didn't bring a suitcase so you wouldn't be caught running away?"She pulled me upright. My clothes w
I could hardly step into a fancy restaurant where I was going to meet Marcov. I was nervous for some unknown reason. There were lots of place but he really chose this one where we would be seeing each other. "Hi, beautiful!" greeted a familiar voice from behind me. I turned to him and I was mesmerized with his looks. More than forty years old is old compared to my age which is just over twenty. But, looking at him, I can't stop being amazed by his aura. What is he eating? What is his soap, why is his skin so smooth and white? He looks younger than his age. "Miss Sterling? I said let's go inside. Didn't you hear that?" he asked me. How can I hear what he said? I was deaf when I saw him. I hate this feeling. I felt the same way when I saw my prince charming across the house. I shook my head several times to bring myself back to reality. I lose myself because of the old man's looks. He's handsome."Ah! S-Sure," I said and just smiled. I let out a deep breath. I calm myself as we wa
The music played and my heart meant to dance with it. Somehow the shame I felt has disappeared. I thought that was all Marcov had ordered. But I was wrong because he also included cake for our dessert."I won't ask the price of this cake anymore. I might choke again if I know it," I told him. "You better not. We don't have water here, we only have wine, and then my saliva," said Marcov. I immediately looked at him. He was smiling at me, while his eyes were serious. I never mind him, as I thought he was just kidding."What do I do with your saliva?" I shook my head after my words.The music that was being played by the musicians around us was making the atmosphere romantic. I might be delusional but I think what happened to us was like a date. For a moment I thought of asking Marcov. I want to know why he brought me here. "Marcov," I called him, trying to get his attention.I don't want to admit it but Marcov was sexy when he removed the spread icing on the side of his lips."Yes, V
I can't say a word. I went with him without thinking anymore. I don't care where he takes me. I was shivering, in need of shelter, and still wet from the rain. Marcov's car entered a compound with a large gate. Is this a house? It feels like more than that. Para itong mall!"M-Marcov, you live here?"He nodded. There are statues outside his house. In the middle of the garden there is a fountain with various lights. Because of the rays of those lights, it's as if the water has a variety of colors, looking fantastic in the eyes.He held me, assisting me to step out from his car. My bones lost strength. I feel like I'm going to fall anytime because of the cold that almost froze me. My voice also seems to be gone. Marcov adjusted the drape of his tuxedo on my shoulders. "Let's go in," he told me. His hands rested on my shoulders as we entered together. When the big doors of his house opened, I couldn't help but be amazed. The design of his house was like a castle. The gold glitters i
The maids took me to Marcov's room. Its interior is like a VIP room in a world-famous hotel. The design is very brilliant. I'm only wearing a bathrobe now. I wasn't wearing any underwear so I was a little nervous but trying to be fine with it. I remembered what he said that he likes me. I was not comfortable thinking about that. I sat in a chair facing a large mirror. Also maybe this mirror is worth millions, its beautiful and clear, it is also thick. I saw his reflection in the mirror. I stood up and immediately faced him. He is already dressed but because of his meticulousness he always seems to be going out based on his clothes and the way he moves. He looks so expensive, no matter how many times I repeat those words I will not hesitate because that is the truth. "M-Marcov, sorry, I sat down because I was tired," I said to him, I immediately looked down. "Veronne, don't be sorry. No matter what you do in this room, I will not scold you. You are a guest here."I slowly lifted m
I have no words to respond to him. I just stared at him as tears rolled down my cheeks. I could only shake my head when he shook me twice. I think it is the end of my life. He looks like the death that would be taking me away from this life."Kalvis! Calvis, what are you doing? Stop that!"We both looked at Lita who ran in our direction. She was full of worry. "Why, Lita? Do you know this woman?! What's her right to enter in this house without my permission?!" he asked Lita. Lita snatched me from his tight grip. Only then did I feel that I was not in his arms again when Lita was slightly hugging me to give me protection."Kalvis, and when did you learn to hurt women? I didn't raise you like that! You are taught to respect women!"He was pointing at me at this moment, I looked at the floor. My vision is blurry because of the tears blocking my eyes. "That's not the point here! Why are you just letting anyone enter in this house? She's still even my mommy's favorite dress! Who is thi
I frowned, after the rain, I didn't know where to go. I don't know what tomorrow will bring me. I came out of the small space I was standing in. I felt that the surroundings suddenly turned around. I just closed my eyes when the surroundings suddenly turned black. "W-What's happening to me?" I asked worriedly. I put my hands in front of me, I couldn't see them. I heard a loud crash. I was weak, and gradually became unconscious. It was all just a dream, I slowly opened my eyes. I looked around, the inside of the room was all white. Next to me stood a pole with a white container hanging on it that only contained a transparent liquid. "Where am I?" I asked myself, staring at the small hose attached to my hand. I closed my eyes for a moment. Why am I here at the hospital? I have no money. What should I pay for the bill here? Marcov enters. Full of concern, he sat beside me. I averted my gaze from him. I guess my bad luck in life has gotten worse these past few days since he exist
I was left alone. I sat on the side of the bed, confused. Back then, I wanted to run away from my aunt and Chontel's roof, but now, I just want to serve them inside that house so that Marcov won't see me ever again. Everyone is probably waiting to find someone to love, and hoping to find someone who is ready to save them from the sadness that life brings. I was one of those who asked God for that thing, but I was afraid, and I doubted because Marcov Greyford was the person who showed me the motive. Do I believe it? Is he the answer to my prayers? I spent several days in the hospital. I could have gone out on the first day but Marcov didn't allow me to go out until he was sure that I'm really okay. He just tested everything on me, sugar level, my blood, if I have pneumonia, if I have malaria, and what else. And only then did he agree to discharge me when he found out that all the tests were negative. He said that I shouldn't be worrying about the bill because he would be carrying i