CHAPTER ONE

Anna's POV

With my hands clutched together around my chest in a fruitless attempt to stop my heart from pounding, Ethan's massive mahogany desk was in front of me.

In sharp contrast to the tense workspace, the glittering metropolitan skyline outside the floor-to-ceiling windows appeared to mock me.

Ethan's eyes were like ice, piercing me with their intensity. He yelled, "Get these documents filed immediately, I don't pay you to stand around." He threw the papers at me with a flick of his wrist, his voice stern in a bid to mock me as he stares at me with scorn.

The sound of rustling paper filled the room as the sheets flew in the air like autumn leaves. My hands sprang up as I froze, but I was unable to catch them all.

Like thrown rubbish, the documents drifted to the floor after slipping through my fingers.

I bent to pick them up, as the sob I had been fighting to hide excaped my lips.

A sensitive acknowledgment of my fragile self lingering in the air.

Ethan's black eyes were steely, his jaw tightened, and his face held a smirk as he mocked me.

"Ethan!…" I yelled, my voice shaky. "You're the one doing this to me?" With tears in my eyes, I asked.

"All right…, all right..., I step down, I quit this job, I’ll leave now, I yelled.

My blood was boiling as my face turned red with rage.

"My life isn’t tied around your bidding".

Ethan grinned, a chilly look on his face. "All right, that is the door, Go away", he replied without remorse.

Just give me my money", I cut in.

"Not again," Ethan muttered in a frustrated tone, his brows arched as he spreads his hands. "You gave me money to help my business, and now you want it back?, Did we sign any contract?" Ethan asked.

My heart broke into a million pieces, and I couldn’t hold back the hot tears as it slid down my check continually.

"You're illiterate," Ethan fired, breaking my heart even more.

"You need to have signaled if you wanted the business, but no!, you didn't, Anna, I'm doing everything I can to help you now that you've given me the money." Isn't the fact that I owe you a job sufficient?", his tone was low now, but the words bore a wound with pain sharper than a hot red sword.

I experienced a new surge of pain as his words pierced deeply. My voice cracked as I reminded him, "Ethan, I gave you all the money from my business to help you establish yours, For your business to survive, I mortgaged my restaurant"

"Although everything went smoothly, you never returned the money I paid, I now have to follow you around because I lost my business". "You pay me less than even the janitors; was this the plan?"

I trusted you, Ethan, I continued, my fury growing rapidly, with pure determination I told him, "I'll go right away if you just give me my money.

Since you no longer love me, blinded by wealth.

I hate you!", I hate you, Ethan…" I yelled flinging the documents he gave me at him.

his eyes glinting with sharpness that chilled me to the core, Ethan's gaze remained unwavering.

"Get it together," he yelled, you can always start afresh Anna, you are are strong girl, you always praised yourself haven't you?, he smirked laughing as he left the office.

Tears streamed down my eyes unto the papers, I was left alone as the door slammed behind him.

With trembling hands, I grasped all of the papers as more tears ran down my cheeks. The faint rustle of papers on the floor seemed as if it could hear my anguish.

I was drowning in heartbreak.

A recollection of Joy rides in Fun Parks' roller coasters, sunshine, and laughter crept in as I picked up the final sheet.

The once warm and sincere Ethan's smile now appeared to be a faraway fantasy.

He had lost the warmth that had once filled his beautiful blue eyes.

I recalled how his hand cups mine perfectly and how his eyes crinkled at the corners when he laughed at my jokes. My heart was wrenched by a twinge of want. However, that Ethan had vanished, to be replaced by a vicious outsider.

I took a deep breath and wiped away my tears while holding the documents firmly. I brushed my skirt straight, made a silent promise to myself: surely I would get through this, and I’d make sure he regret treating me like a piece of trash.

I organized the documents, moving robotically. I took out a blank sheet and started writing, making scratches with the pen. However, I found myself down again, thinking about Ethan and how he used to be. I recalled our calm evenings, our adventures, and our laughs.

Once friendly, his eyes now appeared calculating and frigid. His once-sincere smile now seemed contrived. My fingers were racing frantically across the page as I just sat sketching and stroking lines on the paper, as my thoughts kept drifting and more tears rolled off my eyes.

Time had passed without me noticing. I was shocked to discover that it was already 10 PM when I looked at my watch.

The workplace was empty, and the quiet was deafening.

After gathering my things and putting on my coat, I left the building. The darkness seemed to engulf me, and the night air was cold.

I was alone, the broad shadows created by the streetlights were my only companion, greeting me as I staggered with blurry vision.

my small comfortable flat, a refuge from my hectic day.

This was my haven, my reprieve from the ruthless, calculating world of Ethan.

I sat down on the couch, the comfort of my surroundings came over me, giving me a moment's tranquility. I was too exhausted. The peaceful atmosphere was broken by my phone buzzing.

The screen flashed Sarah's name. "Where have you been, hello? After work, I waited for you, but you disappeared." Sarah texted.

I let out a sigh, regretting not answering sooner. "Hi, Sarah. I'm so sorry. I was delayed at work. I texted back, "I lost track of time." "Is everything alright?, "You weren't returning my calls", Sarah questioned.

"Yes, I'm all right. I only needed to complete a few forms for Ethan". I clarified, "I didn't realize how late it was."

"Watch out, Anna. You're being taken advantage of. How little does he pay you, and you work like an elephant? All the other staff received a pay increase, but he didn’t increase yours. And why? Because he feels that you are not worth it...

Sarah's worry flowed through the screen. "You deserve better." She continues, "He knows how good you are; that’s why he doesn’t send you away, Anna. Be wise". I grinned after reading Sarah's text, appreciating Sarah's encouragement. "Yes, Sarah, I am aware. I appreciate your concern. I'll see you tomorrow".

With a sense of relief, I put my phone down. The one person I could confide in and who truly understood me was Sarah.

I try to shrug off the thought of Ethan as I went to my meticulously organized kitchen and cracked eggs into a bowl. A reassuring familiarity permeated the air as toast and scrambled eggs sizzled.

as I ate, the thought kept coming. I'm still perplexed by Ethan's transition from an affectionate boyfriend to a heartless businessman. His success had altered him or maybe exposed his actual character. The man I loved had been erased by his successful rise to riches and power.

"Why did you change, Ethan?" in my empty room, I muttered. The recollections persisted, serving as a melancholy reminder of what was never possible.

Let's see what tomorrow brings Ethan, you can't betray me and enjoy your life just like that, it's too easy, it shouldn't be, I'll make you pay Ethan", I promised myself.

"Money can indeed bring out the best in individuals, you'll also see the best of me", I fondled my bracelet until I fell asleep.