Chapter 4 Chapter 4
Selena
A mantra that I've kept was that Josh would never experience humiliation. He’d finish college, get a respectable job — a qualification I’ll never have. It was a mantra I have held every time I experience pain from my workplace.
“I’ve covered everything.”
“So?”
He placed his hand on his hair, “Let me work, Selena. Working part-time will help us make more money.”
I frowned, knowing where this was going.
“ I’ve told you that I do not need you working till you are done with college, so take it off your mind and stop bothering with it.
“Then how are we going to pay the bills?”
I frowned at him. “ I have a job, remember? Can we not talk about this today and never till you finish college?”
“Your job? I saw your message last night. You were fired.”
So brutal.
“I’ll get another one soon,” I said, trying to brush it off.
“Come on, Selena. You know it's going to be harder this time. Whatever must have happened to get you fired will be spread to other companies.”
I bit the inside of my cheeks at how true his words were.
“Please, let me help you out. I could do jobs and also study for my exams. I promise it won’t distract me.”
“No. I have told you no, countless times, Josh. You should know when to stop. You aren't doing any part-time job. I can take care of us. So, leave for your room now.” My voice was stern to tell him how serious I was.
"No!" He suddenly snapped, and I flinched, surprised at his outburst.
Josh was never one to raise his voice.
"I’m 19, I’ll be twenty soon. Why do you keep treating me like I am a child? Why do you always want to do everything? I can also help!"
“Josh, stop....."
"I am not stopping, Selena. You won't let me do anything. I can't have friends because you think everyone is out to get me. You keep controlling me, and I'm tired of it!"
Speechless.
That was my state as I stared at him, pouring out his feelings.
I don't know how long I stood, but by the time I realized what was happening, Josh walked out of the room. Slamming the door behind him.
He was never one to raise his voice, and hearing his words brought tears to my eyes.
Maybe it wasn't only from hearing him yell.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated from the bed, and my hands shook as I picked it up.
Father´s name displayed on the screen, and I closed my eyes before picking. I wasn't ready for another one.
"I need some money from you, Selena." He sounded drunk as usual.
I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the tears that were threatening to fall.
“I do not have any money to give you, Dad. Please stop calling me.”
“How can you be so ungrateful to your father! You didn’t think I knew you worked at a good company, now? You have no money? You lair! You are even planning on going to a better apartment. Do you think I wouldn’t find out?
I could taste blood from how tightly I bit my mouth.
“Aren't you ashamed of always asking your daughter, whom you abandoned for years, for money? And what if we are leaving the apartment? I'm doing that to get away from you!” I pulled my head back as I yelled. Tears gathered in my eyes again.
“I don't know what you are saying, but send it now. I need to use it immediately.” His unconcerned voice sounded like he couldn’t hear me.
I laughed. Yes, I fucking laugh.
Why was everyone shitty to me? Both mother and father were the same.
"From now on, I won’t meet you, and I don't have money for you anymore, so stop calling. " I snapped, hanging up immediately.
My legs felt weak, too weak to stand, so I sat on the bed and curled my knees to my chest.
Heavy rain started pouring, as everything came crashing down. I let the tears fall in the silence of the room, but I held my mouth with my hand to muffle my sobs.
My phone rang again, and it brought more tears. I hope it wasn't Father again.
It wasn't.
It was Granny Anna. She was in charge of the building.
“Selena, I know it’s a bit late and raining, but some important people are looking for you. You need to come down immediately.” She spoke almost in a whisper and ended the call immediately.
I frowned.
Who could be looking for me so urgently when it was pouring heavily? I could only hope it wasn't a prank.
I rushed inside the bathroom and wiped my face with water. Making sure there was no sign, I cried. I pulled on a hoodie from the wardrobe and stepped out of the room to the stairs.
Granny Anna stood at the end, with an umbrella, waiting for me.
“Glad you came quickly. Here,” She handed her umbrella to me. “You should go now. The person inside is a lady, she said she knows you, so that should be okay.”
If she had checked, then it was fine, right? I rushed outside.
Truly, a black car stood at the end.
I shouldn’t think about it, because if I do, I will be running back inside for the danger that lurks around.
I walked to the car and knocked, and slowly it opened.
“Come in.”
I looked around, and I could only hope Granny Anna was keeping watch. I entered, and that was when I noticed the lady sitting inside.
Black dress with a black hat, covering her face. Though I couldn’t see her face, I could tell the worth of her clothes.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” She spoke, her tone pleasant to my ears.
Pleasure? It was like she had known me before, but how?
“Oh.” I smiled and nodded.
Her red lips curled into a smile under the hat. Then, she moved and took out a document from her bag, and then handed it to me.
My brows furrowed as I took it from her.
“This is an offer for you to work in TM Group, open it.”
I looked at her at the mention of the company. What was happening?
Opening the document, TM Group was boldly written at the top. I flipped through, and with each turn, my heart beat louder.