Chapter 9
Reyna Cruz:
I grasped the loaf of bread and the carton. As I turned around, I caught sight of Tara embracing him. It pained me deeply when Hunter noticed me and enveloped her in a tighter hug.
“And you know why I adore you, Tara!” he admitted, his gaze locking with mine. As if they hadn’t inflicted enough agony on me, now I had to witness their affection for each other.
All the self–assurance I had mustered to hide my misery crumbled as I observed Hunter behaving this way‘ with her. All those beautiful moments when I used to be in his arms flashed before my eyes. My anguish overwhelmed me, and before I could break down like a shattered soul in front of them, I sprang to my feet and bolted out of
the store.
Once I was out in the open air, tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision as I cried loudly, much like a child. “This isn’t fair,” I bawled, rushing to cross the road. My ankle gave way, and I ended up sprawled in the middle of the road. The bread was flattened beneath my weight, and the carton’spilled its contents. It was my last bit of savings, and it seemed that nothing good ever happened when those two were around..
“Hey, get off the road!” a man yelled from his car. I got up unsteadily, clutching the shattered bread, and then dashed back home. I had scraped my chin, elbows, and knees, but the ache in my heart was the most intense.
I rushed into the house in such a hurry that I forgot I would encounter Polline there. She stood up from her chair and witnessed my sobbing. I promptly sobbed and managed a feeble smile. “Oh, thank you,” I said with a heavy voice and a broken, eerie smile as my trembling l*ps forced themselves into a quiver.
“Did you find this in the trash can?” she asked, arching an eyebrow while looking at the bread in my hands.)
“N–no!” I squeaked, “I was so full… I didn’t want to get anything,” I fibbed, sobbing and trying to smile simultaneously. I didn’t even know how to express my feelings properly. I was soaked in milk as well, so I didn’t know how else to explain it.
“Okay,” she said, walking past me and leaving the room I called my home.
I placed the bread in my lap and sat on the floor, taking bites as my l*ps trembled. I knew Nera felt as much pain as I did. ‘That’s not fair. They were so happy,‘ I thought.
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‘Karma doesn’t exist,‘ she continued, but I couldn’t manage a single word amidst my excessive tears.
‘Karma never catches up with rich and powerful folks, you silly wolf, I breathed heavily, finally forming a complete sentence. The bread tasted delicious, and I wanted to focus on that.
“Ummm! It’s sooo yummy,” I sobbed, grinning oddly, as the door swung open, and I realized I hadn’t locked it. Polline walked in with a tray of food in her hands. She came closer and stood before me, prompting me to raise my head to meet her gaze.
“I don’t know why your mate couldn’t see your worth all those years. But one year was enough for me to recognize the kind of person you are, Reyna. You’re not what they say about you. I can tell you didn’t cheat,” she said unexpectedly. These words made me start wailing even louder. She quickly placed the tray on the floor and sat down, gently cupping my face in her hands.
“They are soooo happy!” I cried, tears streaming down my face as she caressed my cheek. “Then be happier thant them. And remember, you’re not alone anymore. I’m with you.” In those miserable moments when I doubted the existence of karma, I realized the Moon Goddess was real. Polline hugged me tightly, and all the earlier pain. began to fade.
She was right. Today was a harsh reminder that nobody would come to make me happy; I had to find happiness within myself.
“Now, let’s eat well so you can focus on your work,” Polline pulled the tray of warm food closer to me and sat
down beside me.
“How did you know I’m working?” I asked in surprise.
“I saw all the pages under your pillow. I can tell you’re very talented, and I have high hopes for you to get this job,” she smiled, indicating that she had read about the part where I had written about the online job interview: The rogue king had sought a copywriter to promote his ventures, and he needed skilled writers to create promotional articles for them.
“I wished to, but my interview is scheduled for around 2 am,” I sighed, recalling how devastated I had been when I realized my little lie on the CV had put me in a bind. I had claimed to have internet access at any time, so when they told me my interview was set for after midnight, I wanted to kick myself.
“No library will be open at that time, and that’s also when Turner decides to turn my world upside down.”
“Oh, that’s not a problem,” Polline snapped her fingers and quickly rose from the ground, hurrying out of the
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room without explaining. I wondered what had happened, but the enticing aroma of fresh pancakes and milk tea kept me in my seat. I began devouring the toast, boiled eggs, and pancakes. It had been so long since I’d enjoyed a meal this good. The only time I’d had something remotely satisfying was when I gave birth to Turner, and the neighbors came to help me. That same night, they discovered my identity and decided to cut ties with
me.
Polline returned with a laptop, and my hopes soared. “Can I use your laptop for the interview?” I asked as I rose to my feet and smiled.
“No,” she shook her head, but before my smile could fade, she added, “you can keep this.” She offered me her laptop, and I found my hands trembling at such a generous gesture.
“No, that’s too big of a favor,” I protested gently.
“It’s fine, I don’t need it. Some girl I helped gifted it to me. Now I have five of these lying around, and every time I look at them, I wonder whether to sell them or let them gather dust. Here, use it. I’m sure you’ll do great tonight, and while you’re giving the interview, I’ll watch little Turner.” She placed the laptop on the bed and gave me a side hug.
I couldn’t quite grasp it. How could someone be such a stranger and so comforting at the same time? It made me realize that outer appearances didn’t matter much.
“Thank you. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for this,” I said, holding her hand and beaming.
“Oh, I’m not doing it for you,” the sudden change in her tone alarmed me. I looked into her eyes and saw a depth, of emotion.
“I had a lost daughter who would have been your age if she had lived. She needed me, and I was too caught up- in alcohol and partying. When I looked at you today and read all those things you write when you have no one to talk to, I felt like the Moon Goddess had given me a chance to do what I couldn’t do for my daughter. I’ll be happy to watch
you thrive.” Polline shocked me with the weight of the sadness she had carried in her heart.
“I promise, and I’m sure your daughter is proud of you. Anyone would be to have another person like you,” I couldn’t express how much this meant to me and what a great mother she was. My own parents never bothered
to check on me; I was left as if I never existed.
That night, she looked after Turner, and I gave my best during the interview, falling asleep around 5 am. I awoke to email notifications.
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Chapter 9
“Good morning,” Polline entered the room with breakfast at the same time. I got out of bed and checked the emails for the results.
As my eyes locked on the screen, I gasped, and she rushed over to check on me.
“What is it?” she asked, but I couldn’t even respond to her. “Hey, it’s okay. Failure is just a part of–,” she began, running her fingers through my hair to calm me down when a bright smile lit up my l*ps.
“I got the job in the biggest rogue project ever!” I exclaimed joyfully, hugging her. Perhaps this was the start of my new life.
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