Chapter 1 - Lola

"I swear, we haven't been paid yet Charles, why would i lie to you?", i shouted in pain as he continued to hit me. "You wanna leave me huh? You are saving money to leave me you bitch!!" at that point i welcomed the darkness that was calling me because the pain was too much for me to bare.

I woke up to the sound of a heart monitor, again. I needed to find a way out of this but i had no where else to go, Charles was my rock and i know that he was behaving this way because of the gambling debt that he had. He used to be the most romantic guy in the universe and he treated me like a queen but now it was like he was a completely different person. "Lola, can you hear me?", Shit! It was Doctor Summers again, why did it have to be her all the time, she never stopped pushing for me to open up to her about my situation with Charles but i kept on telling her, everything is ok, and am praying that one day we finish the debt and go back to they way things used to be, i pray that it happens sooner. "Yes, Doc?", "How are you feeling?", "Am ok, can i go now, i need to go to work", "Lola you have been out for three days, i called your work place and told them you were hospitalised so you can relax until am done with the examinations ok?", she told me while looking straight in my eyes, I knew she was looking for answers that i would give away but she had no right to question my relationship. "Ok Doc, thank you for talking to my Boss", she only replied with a nod and went back to writing some notes. I was released an hour later, went straight home, i was happy that Charles was not there, i cleaned myself up and went to work.

I have always been alone for as long as i could remember, my parents died when i was five and i was taken into an orphanage, i grew up and they had to let me go, i got a job at a boutique as a cleaner, didn't last long, got fired because they caught me sleeping in one of the closets during working hours. I had been living in a one room apartment for a while and sleeping in it was a challenge due to thin walls. After a month or so i got a job as an assistant in an advertising firm, wasn't doing much just fetching coffee, preparing the boardroom for Miss Amanda and take notes sometimes. Amanda was an amazing woman and she was good to me, she has taught me all that i know. I am good at my job and it was able to upgrade me to an extent. One day i went out with my colleagues and met Charles in the process, we fell in love and it was amazing...well until now.

"Good day Ma'am, apologies for being late", I apologised to Miss Amanda when i walked in her office in a rush only to find her in the middle of a meeting with two Asian men. One was older than the other, although he was still good looking he didn't matter compared to the younger version of him. They seemed rich and their suits fitted them perfectly. "I am truly sorry, i will come back later", i rushed out not giving them time to reply and went to sit in my cube that was right outside her office. A few minutes later the door was opened and they walked out laughing and telling Miss. Amanda not to be a stranger now that the contract was signed, meaning she had won yet another client. My eyes landed on the man who had my attention earlier and found him looking at me, i averted my eyes quickly and grabbed papers that were on my desk pretending to arrange them. I heard footsteps approaching me and by the shoes i knew who it was, i started by looking if my boss was around only to find that it was just the two of us. "M-m-may i help you?", i pretended to be confident while my insides were a shaking mess. My reply triggered a smile on his face making him even more handsome. "Am Xander Tan, you?", his voice was so deep and sexy that i felt butterflies in my belly but then i though of Charles, as tempting as it was, i would never cheat on my boyfriend. "I am someone's girlfriend, do you mind stepping back a bit, i like my space", I told him not knowing where my confidence came from making him chuckle, music to my ears. I had nothing against him but ever since Charles started having a temper it made me become claustrophobic. "I will if you tell me your name", he said in a whisper, the voice did things to me that made me feel guilty, i love Charles why am i feeling this was. Before i could answer someone cleared his throat making us both turn to the hall way, "Am done, you are coming?", his older version said with a smirk. "So... someone's girlfriend, i'll be seeing you around", he told me while walking away.

Miss. Amanda returned after lunch, a smile on her face and told me to follow her in her office. "Seems you have caught the attention of hospitality industry's finest", "What do you mean?", she laughed making me even more confused. "I think Mr. Alexander likes you", "Oh don't be silly Ma'am, he was just teasing me to get a reaction out of me". I took a deep breath and told her, "Am sorry for missing work", her face turned serious the moment i mentioned it. "Lola, you need to stop defending him, he is hurting you", hurt was all over her voice as she explained to me but i just could not look past the fact that she knew about my personal life. "I don't know what you are talking about", i tried looking everywhere but her eyes. "Your Doctor called me to get approval for more medical funds, by company policy we need to know what we are paying for and broken ribs don't come from tripping on your own living room, you need to break free and live your own life, he is dragging you behind, believe me i know", she was now sitting next to me and holding my hands. "He is just going through a phase, it will be ok?", it came out as a question because even i did not believe myself.