LIA POV
The leaves rustled through the driveway, mourning my loss with me. The Human Resource personnel's voice echoed in my ears. "We're sorry but we can't hire someone like you at the moment."
Like me?! What did she ever mean by that? I bit my lower lip and shot the building behind me one last glance before walking out of the compound to the park. I had just lost a job. The 5th job I got interviewed for in two weeks. Luck was never on my side but this was worse. They could all go to hell but I cared because I had tons of bills to pay. My mind had wandered off so I didn't see a teenager on a scooter approaching me.
"Hey watch it!" he yelled and I almost fell onto the grass but a hand caught me with such swiftness and speed, I bet my heart would melt if it wasn't as cold as the ice queen's castle.
"I hope you're not hurt? Kids these days," he said, dusting off nothing my eyes could pick from my clothes.
"Take your hands off me," my gentle voice whispered and I struggled out of his grip.
"Oh! Sorry," he replied.
"Thanks for your help," I replied back and continued my walk through the park. I admit that I was a bit sensitive but my horrible past made me who I am.
"You don't have to leave in a hurry. Would you mind lunch?" the same stranger said with a deep voice that sent shivers down my spine.
"What do you want from me?" I spilled because he was starting to make my blood boil. For the first time, I twisted my body to behold a dark, fine young man with blue eyes, muscles as big as pineapple with braids shoulders. He was a total black American on fleek.
He dipped his hands in his pocket and locked his face into mine.
"Hazel-eyes, plump pink lips, and wooow!!!! Red hair. The stubborn type," he said and probably ate his words because it came out wrong, at least, it did to me. Did he just size me up? Men are so predictably horrible. My head hurt at the sight of him, giving me a kind of nasty feeling.
"That definitely came out wrong. I meant to say that I mean no harm. I just want to be of help to a beautiful woman," he replied.
"Your lines are outdated and that trick doesn't work anymore. I don't need any help so butt off," my legs moved like a newly powered engine but he managed to catch up with me. I was sick and tired of having men around me. I wish I could live my life in Themyscira so I wouldn't have to worry about seeing men.
"I don't mean to be a pain in the ass. I noticed you've been dragging your feet absentmindedly since you left the art gallery. I actually witnessed your job rejection scene and I don't mean to be nosy but you deserve a better place than that," he said.
I halted my steps, looking over my bag at my feet. I didn't need charity. He was knocking on the door of disgrace.
"Is this how you do to everyone?! Probing into other people's affairs?" I asked, my mind begging for details of his unwanted interest.
"No! I just seem to lose all sense of morals and etiquette when I meet a beautiful woman. Trust me, I've got high taste so I don't see them often," he replied.
He's just trying to sweet-talk me. "You better stay away from me this very minute or I'll scream that you're harassing me," I quickly thought of something to say to scare the shit out of him but he was totally unfazed.
"I could help you get a better job if you'll let me," he said.
"I don't need your help," my head moved sideways, hoping that he'd get the hint.
"Right! Whenever you've thought about it, call the number on this card or simply send a message if you're uncomfortable calling," he forced his business card into my palm and moved away in the opposite direction.
I had never had such an encounter in my life. He didn't play with words. I heard him clearly when he mentioned that he could find me a better job. However, I could not stop contemplating the possibility of being played by Fred, my adoptive tyrant elder brother and exploiter. He had a thing for smashing my happiness with rods of torture and trauma.
Sixty minutes later I was already in Richardson Villa, the place where I grew up.
"What took you so long?" Fred asked, his hands trailing my hips. "I'm sorry" I mumbled. In a matter of seconds, we were in his room.
He took off his clothes and tore my newly bought office dress into two, ready to devour my body. I walked gently to the bed and lay facing the ceiling. In the flash of light, Fred's hand was all over my thigh to my tummy then to my chest. He packed my hands over my head so I wouldn't object then moved into my body, rocking me like an old woman's rocking chair. I shut my eyes and let the darkness looming overtake me.
A loud smack jolted me to reality, "moan, bitch!" Fred yelled, I felt underneath me would explode. While he shut his eyes as well, enjoying the moment, I lifted my eyelid and wished I could kill him right there.
*******
"Hey, young lady! I want the rest of my 500 bucks lying on my table tomorrow morning. I've done enough for you," my landlady bolted my door while I was in the yard to put out the trash.
"Mrs. Willow, I'm trying already. I'll get your money. Give me a little more time."
"A little more time, you say? I've given you 10 days so I've done enough. Your bag's gonna be lying in the rain if you don't get me my dollars, understand?!" she yelled, unlocking the door, her squealing voice echoed into my house.
I nodded then shut the door behind me. I needed a job right now and would do anything for it. Anyone would wonder why the adopted daughter of the rich and famous Richardson family was struggling to get a job but I didn't get a normal life like everyone else. The first day I asked Fred for money and he beat me up pretty bad and threatened to release my sex tape. My adoptive father, Mr. Pat Richardson was no better so I had to find my own way. In his words, I've got the ultimate legacy he could ever offer me - education.
"What do you think you should do right now? You've got no choice. That weirdo offered to help so you've got to try your luck," I said, whispering to myself in the mirror. I raced to my torn dress in my basket and brought out the weird guy's business card.
"Miles Connor," I read out his news which was the only thing on the card apart from his phone number. He was getting weirder. No occupation or address. Nothing!
I dialed his number and he picked up almost immediately.
"Miles Connor, how may I help you," his deep voice resonated through my speaker.
I cleared my throat, "Hrmmm! This is Lia Anderson, the lady you met at the park the other day."
"Oh! You called! I thought you wouldn't. What's up?" he asked.
"Does your job offer still stand?" I inquired.
"It's always open for you," he replied and his outright response made me cringe. He was clearly hitting on me.
"Can we meet today? To be honest, I need a job so bad. Can we meet right now?" my desperation was getting the better of me but this wasn't the time to wear pride. I've got my mouth to feed and a house rent to pay.
I heard him chuckle, "I don't mind. Let's meet at the same park."
The clouds were more sad and depressed than I was. The sky gradually became gloomy erasing its brightness away in a rush. I already had my coat on because the sky could let out its tears anytime soon. At least, I wasn't the only one who was sad and gloomy. The sky felt the same way I felt.
"Sorry, I'm late. Had to turn back to get my jacket," Miles said, taking off his glove.
"It's fine. Thanks for meeting up," I replied and suddenly felt he was looking into my soul with his blue eyes. I looked in the other direction to avoid his glare but he grabbed my hand all of a sudden. That's it!
"What are you doing?!" I demanded, pulling my hand away. I never thought my fist would jerk into his tummy and he let out a scream. What did I just do to my helper? I'm so screwed.