OLEANDER
That voice!
I turned around, locking eyes with the stranger from school. What the hell is he doing here?
For sure, this was a public place, and anywhere could be here; this was the first time I'd see him here.
Mark's eyes narrowed, his finger digging into my skin. "Is he your boyfriend?"
"Boyfriend?" I exclaimed, partly flattered that he'd think someone as plain as I was could score someone as handsome-looking as him.
"Yes, the one you've been sharing your bed with!" Mark snapped, like I didn't know what it meant to have a boyfriend.
Duh. I was twenty years old. I knew a lot of things.
Before I could deny having any association with him and barely knowing who he was, my saviour interjected.
"Yes, she's my girlfriend. Now, can you let go of her wrist before I cut it off your hand?"
I flushed, scowling in his direction. He just shrugged at me. Unbelievable.
How could he just say that and make it seem like it wasn't a big deal? It was to me! Especially now that everyone was listening to the damn altercation and their focus was wholly on us.
"You're no longer a virgin." Mark snarled.
I was startled to see his eyes flash gold briefly before returning to normal. But that didn't stop the vile words from tumbling out of his mouth.
"I wonder if you picked this whorish attitude from your mother."
I yanked my hand free, then my palm lifted before I could stop, and it came hard on his jaw. The room gasped. Mark stared at me with bloodshot eyes and shock, his hand on his cheek.
"How dare you hit me?!" He roared, reaching for my wrist, but I took a step backward.
"One more word about my mother and I shall hit you again," I whispered, trembling with uncontrollable rage.
I never knew who my mother was. There were no pictures of her, and Father always said I looked like her, pretty and pure. Father spoke kindly of mother and never once called her names. I held that memory dear and wouldn't let anyone taint the perfect picture I had of her in my mind.
"You've got balls, I like it." The stranger murmured, nodding in approval, and I saw something akin to pride in his eyes.
"Isaac!" Mark thundered, swirling around.
I shivered at the mention of my boss's name. My eyes darted across the small diner. All eyes were still on us, and no one had moved from the spot they were in since this started.
"I'm going to teach you, stupid slut, a lesson. No one messes with me. Not even your so-called boss!" Mark pushed away from us, stalking towards the Manager's office.
For sure, I was in trouble. I'd let my rage get the best of me. I should've ignored him. I didn't know what he was going to say to Isaac, but I was certain it'd never be in my favour.
The thought of being fired from my only source of income haunted me, the hanging debts around my neck. I turned, frantic, and started towards the office. I was ready to apologize. I didn't mind licking off the blood on his toenails right now if that wouldn't get me fired. Hopefully, he wouldn't demand I do something outside of that.
The stranger's hand curled around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I tugged, but he didn't budge. He was so strong.
"Let me go!" I snapped at him.
"Just saving you the trouble. The outcome will be the same, regardless." He murmured.
"What are you talking about?" I inquired with a glare.
He merely shrugged, and I didn't get the chance to ask anything else as Mark returned with Isaac.
A man in his fifties, with a round face, protruding belly, and bald head. Obese, really. Sometimes I wondered how it was even possible for him to walk that fast.
His eyes narrowed at me, then dropped to the stranger's hand still wrapped around my wrist, then flicked back to my face.
"Follow me." His tone left no room for argument. He turned and walked away.
My heart raced. My body trembled. Sweat gathered beneath my palms, the back of my neck, and my spine, despite the freezing temperature.
"Let go of my hand," I muttered.
He released me immediately. "It's of no use," he said quietly.
I ignored him and hurried after Isaac.
When I stepped into his office, he tossed a letter toward me. It hit the ground near my feet. I stared at it, unable to move.
"What's in it?" I whispered, my throat closing up, heart pounding so hard I could hear it.
"You're fired," Isaac said flatly, still focused on the paper in his hands.
I blinked rapidly. The pressure in my chest spiked, and a sharp throb bloomed beneath my ribs. My hand rose instinctively, clutching at my heart as a painful gasp escaped me.
He didn't just fire me. No. I couldn't have heard him right.
This job was my lifeline. The only stable thing I had left. How could he fire me?
"I did nothing wrong!" I snapped, tears burning at the corners of my eyes.
Isaac sighed, exasperated. "You humiliated a customer. How is that nothing?"
"He assaulted me! I defended myself!"
"Mark is one of our best-paying customers. I need his money to pay you. Hell, I need his money to keep this place running," Isaac growled, slamming his palm on the desk.
"You think I care if he kills you?"
My lips trembled. More tears gathered, but I refused to let them fall in front of him.
"How would you feel if I were your daughter?"
His face twisted in offense. "My daughter wouldn't be stupid enough to work in a dump like this, surrounded by those kinds of men. And if she got assaulted, I'd ask what she did to provoke it. Maybe she led him on."
I stared at him, stunned.
"Circumstances brought me here," I said slowly, my voice shaking. "And I feel sorry for your daughter—if you even have one. You're a damn asshole."
"Get out before I call security!" he roared, jabbing a finger toward the door.
I didn't say another word. I turned, walked out of his office, and pushed through the doors of the diner.
The cold slapped me in the face. Wind tugged at my hair, and snow crunched loudly beneath my boots. The tears I'd held back inside finally broke free, streaming hot down my cheeks as I ran blindly down the street.
I wheezed by the time I reached the bridge, grabbing onto the icy guardrail to steady myself. I leaned forward, gasping for air, the bitter wind biting through my thin shirt.
But nothing could dull the ache inside my chest.
"I should die," I whispered in a shaky voice, staring at the inky black water. "That's what you want, isn't it? You didn't protect my family. You let them die at the hands of a cruel man. You allowed me to be miserable over and over again. Tell me, God, do I deserve such pain?"
Silence. Just like always.
My ears twitched as I listened to waves crashing against the rock. The sound echoed through the cold night air. I shut my eyes, dragging in another deep breath. If I let myself fall, I'd not suffer anymore. No pain. And I'd get to meet my father and brothers.
"It's a pity you're ending your life in this manner. Although I think you to be extremely pretty and gusty."
My eyes snapped open, and I swirled around so fast my shoe slid against the icy ground and I careened backward, my arms flailing and eyes wide with fear.
"Help!" I screamed.