Chapter 5 CH 05

//+ASHLEY+//

I woke up early this morning and quickly prepared for work. Like I told you, mom never had time for my schooling and my neighbours assisted me throughout 1st to 6th grade when they stopped assisting and offered to look for a job for me. I was glad and the job really helped me in school. Mom eventually got to know about my job and started depending on my earnings. It was too little for the both of us so I had to stop school and look for more jobs. I currently work in three places;- MALA'S PLAZZO, Pizza delivery and mail delivery.

I love the last two because I get to go places. But right now, I need to hurry to MALA'S PLAZZO before Mala gets to scold me for late coming. Besides, Mala pays me more than the two others and she is consistent in paying me my salary. I really hate that place but I pretty much have no choice. That's the only place where I get paid really well you know. Who will try to jeopardise her pay? I was done preparing for work and walked my way out of the house.

I saw mom on the floor. She slept off in her drunken state. I wanted to walk and pass her and go out of the house but she called me back even before I could think otherwise.

"Ashley!" She groaned and rubbed her eyes. She looked at me from head to toe and arched a brow.I know that kind of look.

She fumed angrily, "You were going to leave without telling me, right." She asked and I shook my head even though I wanted to leave without seeing her.

"Liar!" She snarled at me and grabbed me by the arm. I winced in pain but she held unto it so tight.

"You little wretch. You are the reason I got drunk and you won't give me money for medications huh!" She scolded and I sniffed, tears already making my vision blurry.

"No mom. I don't have money on me now. I will buy your drugs once I return, I promise you." I told her. She looked at me intensely before releasing me.

God!! The place hurt really bad. This woman surely did some weight lifting when she was younger.

"Fine! And make sure you don't return without those drugs." She said and I nodded.

"And did you make breakfast?" She asked and I shook my head.

"But why? Now I have to go into that kitchen and cook." She groaned while slapping her forehead.

She caught me staring, "What are you looking at? Just count yourself lucky if you see food to eat in this house when you returned." With that she left and I just walked out of the house looking all grumpy... I went to MALA'S PLAZZO and regained my cheer as soon as I saw Clara.

"Hola!" I greeted her as I entered.

"Hey! You are early today girlfriend." She spoke and I smiled.

"Yea right!" I simply said but she didn't reply. She just kept looking at me for long.

"Did she hurt you again?" She asked and I took in a deep breath, then sent it out. I nodded and she shook her head. She knows when I am upset. So it's never an option trying to hide the truth from her.

"It's ok. That woman will realise the angel she has as a daughter." She comforted me and I smiled.

"At times I wonder if she is normal. Why will she blame you for a man leaving her?" She asked.

"Honestly I don't know." I shrugged.

"And I don't want to know." I added.

"Is boss around?" I asked her and she shook her head. Thank goodness she's not around. I picked up a rag and started cleaning it up. My morning shift is always cleaning and Clara too does clean as her morning shift.

**NORA**

"... And why should mom know about this?" Nora asked her manager as they both walked into De Granda's complex.

"Nora please. What do you expect when you are a celebrity? He replied and she just scoffed. There wasn't too much of a crowd as they entered the company unlike the outside where she managed to pass.

People in there began to take out their phones and cameras to take snapshots of her as she entered.

🚺Wow! It's Nora.

🚺Nora eunnie I love you.

🚺Have you seen her hair? The blue strand has diamonds decked on it.

🚺She's back here. I knew she never dissed the commercials.

🚺I wish she was my sister, friend, I don't know.

🚺I hope she releases her new single with RV.

🚺Yes! She and RV are so perfect together.

🚺I heard they are dating.

🚺I heard she's carrying his baby.

🚹When will she star in another movie? We loved Horror Night.......... There were numerous people saying numerous comments, all good ones of course. The comments were just too many.

I ignored them but they won't understand and entered through another door into the actual company itself with the help of my body guards.

"Nora! Welcome my dear." Mr Granda walked up to me and offered to peck both sides of my cheek which I permitted.

"Thank you, Mr Granda." I answered in the perfectly plastered smile I had put on.

"I am so sorry for everything. I heard of what happened yesterday." He said and the little smile Ihad furrowed to a little frown.

"Well it's ok sir. But with due respect, you have to fire those jerks." I said with the least sympathy whatever. My mind wasn't even on the issue. I was just trying to impress him with my professional ethics.

"Hmm!! Ok. We will see to it that they get cautioned." He replied and I smiled. I just nodded and we proceeded to the photo house.

🌹ASHLEY🌹

We were both done and we walked down the streets. We had been discussing throughout so it shortened our distance. All I realised was that we were just in front of her house. I really wanted more talking time with my bestie.

"Sure you won't come in?" She asked and I looked at her house again.

"Nope." I shook my head. "Maybe not today." I added with a shrug.

"Ok then. I would have loved for you to meet Stephen." She added and I shrugged. I've never met this her fiance before and I just blew the only chance I had to meet him.