Chapter 2: CHAPTER 2
Bella POV
She didn't want to wake up. The last thing she wanted was to open her eyes and see the dullness in her life yet again. As the bright light bathed her face, she wanted nothing more than to drift into unconsciousness yet again.
Yet, the pounding in her small door served as a constant reminder that her life wasn't hers. Not really.
"Can't you hear me knocking, Bella? Open up!"
Slowly squeezing her eyes open, she waited for a whole minute with bated breath. Maybe if there was no response, she would go away.
However, fate didn't see her worthy enough for that miracle. Instead, Bella watched in horror as the mechanical lock opened from outside. As soon as the door opened, she closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
"You foolish…," a shrill scream drowned out the intruder's remaining words. The girl watched with satisfaction as Bella jumped out of bed in fright, water dripping from her clothes.
"Why did you–"
"Next time, don't make me get the key," the girl warned as she flung the bucket on the soaked bed. "You need to go to the market. I'm having a party this evening and everything needs to be ready on time."
Bella could only watch as the girl sauntered away, a mischievous smile on her lips. This was the second time it was happening this month, and it filled her with fury. If only Gina weren't her employer's daughter, she would have…
"It's of no use," she whispered with resignation. The day she stood up for herself was the day she would quit without looking back.
Doing that now, however, wasn't an option. Not when she had bills to pay. Still, the lack of respect got to her. With a raging mind, she quickly began to clear her room.
Minutes later, she was out the door and ready to work. Until she glanced at the clock inside the kitchen. Five thirty in the morning. Her day didn't start until seven.
Bella was quietly seething when Gina and her mother walked into the room. "I can see you're finally awake. How was the morning bath?" The girl asked mockingly.
Mrs. Thorn snickered at her daughter's comment and shoved a list into the cook's hand. "We need you to get this at the supermarket. Hurry up, so you can start working."
"Yes ma'am," Bella responded and turned to go before she realized it was still too early to go anywhere in her own. "How will I go?"
"Can't you go on your own?" Gina retorted from her mother's back, a hand on her hips.
"The driver is coming in the next one hour. He'll take you," the woman said and walked off, her daughter talking behind her.
Bella sighed, her eyes going to the clock yet again as tears streamed down her cheeks. She was up till two in the morning, making a morning snack for the family, and by the time she cleared everything up, it was already past three.
There was no doubt in her mind that Gina and her mother knew this, and yet, they woke her for no reason again. With everyday that passed, she became more convinced that the family had something against her. Out of all their staff, she was the most ill treated even though it was plain to see that she worked the hardest.
Having more than forty five minutes to spare, Bella walked off to her room and brought out her secret stash. She had been saving the money for over three months, and though the Thorns' paid well, she still didn't have a sizable amount.
She counted again for the third time that week. "Four hundred dollars." It wouldn't be enough for her first semester tuition at college, let alone her father's hospital bills. She sighed again and fell back on her bed.
As the days went by, she wanted nothing more than to run away from her job and start a new life somewhere else.
"Such big dreams, Bella," she thought to herself. Where else would she find a job that paid well, even if it messed with her mental health.
Soon, the driver came and they went off to the supermarket. Throughout the shopping, she couldn't stop smiling. Anywhere that made her get out if the mansion lifted her spirits, and it took a lot of self restraint to stop her from dancing in the aisle.
She was still in a happy mood when she walked out and began to cross the road. As her favorite song played in her head, she didn't notice the car coming towards her at full speed until her heard her name.
"Bella! Watch out!"
She turned to the driver in shock, before she heard a set of tires screech beside her. That was when she noticed the car trying to avoid her and in surprise, she fell on the road and covered her eyes. Was this how she would die?
A few seconds later, she heard a voice beside her. "I'm sorry. Are you alright?"
Bella peeped one eye open and subtly felt her body for injuries. The car hadn't hit her.
"Oh shit," she murmured, her eyes falling to the scattered groceries. If anything was damaged, Mrs. Thorn would have her head.
"Did you say something?"
"No...ermm...yes. I'm fine. Don't worry about it." She raised herself up and began to scramble for her belongings.
Surprisingly, the man bent down and assisted in silence. When everything was well arranged again, she stood up and met his eyes.
"I can take you to the hospital."
"Thank you, but I'm fine." She noticed how the guy continued to stare at her, and without warning, a blush came to her cheeks. Suddneky feeling self-conscious, she turned and started to walk away.
The near accident had already set her behind schedule. She was almost in the car when the man called out.
"Sorry, I didn't get your name."
I didn't give it, Bella thought to herself, but she turned to him and frowned slightly. Of what use was it? They wouldn't see each other again.
"Bella."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone