I Left With Nothing

Fake

I was still stuck in my thoughts, but then Joseph came closer and broke my reverie. He jeered, "What are you doing here?"

Teresa was holding his arm. With pity, she commented, "You're strong, Selina. Got back to work straight out of the hospital. Me? I can't even do a thing. Joseph wouldn't let me tire myself out."

He kissed her forehead. "She's not you. If not for her heartless behavior, I'd never have run into you. You're perfect."

The sight of them being so in love was making the track marks on my arm prick. I refused to watch this any further, so I went around, but Teresa stretched her leg, and I tripped.

"Oh, be careful, Selina."

I fell to the ground, my files sprawling everywhere.

Gasping, Teresa picked up the files. "What is this? Are you going overseas, Selina?"

It was a cheap house I got for myself. A cemetery sat right beside that place. I had enough savings to afford the down payment.

Joseph took the flyer. "No wonder you wanted money." His face fell, and he hurled the flyer back in my face. "Can't find a place to stay in the nation? You think you can spend my money on luxury overseas? As if!"

She spoke up. "You shouldn't have asked Joseph for travel money. You've leeched enough off him."

Me? Leeching off him? The best joke I'd heard my entire life.

They left, but before they did, Joseph told the boss he would end the partnership unless I went to his place and apologized to him myself.

Though I had no idea what I did wrong, I could not say no to my boss. Not when they were giving me quiet looks of pleas.

I had to go.

…

I stood before Joseph's house and rang the doorbell. The butler opened the door and led me into the living room. Teresa was lying in Joseph's embrace, simpering at him.

I went ahead and said quietly, "I'm sorry."

"Then, show me that you are," ordered Joseph arrogantly.

I clenched my fists. "What do you want me to do?"

Teresa smiled. "Well, I won't make this hard for you. It rained yesterday. See the marks on the windows? Wipe them clean. And Bailey needs the daily walk. Do it for me. Oh, and we haven't had anything to eat, so cook for us."

She laughed.

Joseph chuckled and scratched Teresa's nose lovingly. "Of course." Then, he turned to me. "She can't have anything spicy. Put even a single piece of chili in her food, and you're done for."

They left. The butler came and pointed at the room of tools. I clenched my fists again, but I loosened them up. I was powerless.

Joseph never let me cook. He told me my hands were perfect and that cooking was for servants.

Yet now he would make me cook just because Teresa wanted me to. While I was wiping the windows on the balcony, I heard them flirting in the room next door. Clearly.

The cloth was getting colder, and the chill was hurting my heart again. I pushed the pain down as hard as I could, but sweat poured down my forehead.

I cleaned until night had fallen. Only then did the two come out of their room.

When they came out, I was wiping the sweat off my necklace. That sight alone was a challenge for Teresa. She clenched her teeth and held back her fury.

"Oh, that's a lovely necklace, Selina. Can I have a look?"

No. I covered the necklace with my hand.

Joseph saw the necklace, and his eyes darted away. His mind was probably elsewhere.

Displeased by my action, Teresa darted ahead and yanked my hand away. The necklace was getting pulled off my neck. It was already not sturdy to begin with. Her pulling only made it snap, and it fell to the ground.

Diamonds and pearls rolled everywhere, covering every corner of the room.

That piqued Teresa's interest. An evil smile curved her lips. "I'm so sorry, Selina. I didn't mean to. That necklace must've meant a lot to you. I'll pick them up!"