Chapter 9 What Will Stella Do Now

Stella

I went to the Harley's. As soon as I could. As I was already running late. Due to the unexpected visitor and problem at my head right now arrived at my doorstep. I'm seriously the most unluckiest person in this whole world. My life has been a clusterfuck since the day I was born. I don't even know why I'm alive. I should have been dead. Instead of dealing with this useless life.

Then I remind myself how I have reached here. And what I've done to arrive at this point in my life. I'm stronger than I look. I just have to bear this for a little while. And I know one day everything will be fine so I just mustered up the strength I have left. I just have to be a little patient.

I walked into the diner and the smell of grease hit my nose with full force. I look around and found Gary talking rudely to a waitress. I'm really scared to talk to him. I am not sure about how I am going to ask him for money. I am not even sure if he would help me. But, I have to try some thing.

I recalled Parker's offer. And how it can solve all of my problems in one sign. I can have a million dollars in my bank account if I just put up with that arrogant bastard.

I will probably have a House too, as seeing I live with him when I married.

A million dollars would definitely Get Me Out of the depth and loan I've taken over the years and it could set me up in a free lifestyle and a better life. For the rest of my life. And all I had to do was to marry Parker.

I can also move to Paris and start my schooling in the fashion schools. A dream that was only a dream that had no intention of coming true seemed like it can come true right now. I just have to give up a year. Of my life.

How hard can it be? Well, yes, I have to also give my sanity, my virtue and my self-respect away with a year.

Will I be able to fight my attraction towards Parker Morgan? I don't think so. Despite his awful and rude behavior yesterday. I know I was attracted to him. And living with him in the same house for a year would definitely have me acting upon that attraction.

He did not mention anything about the intimate parts of our marriage to. How would that be contracted? I wondered. He did propose to me But he despises me and I know it for a fact.

I don't think he would want to exercise his marital rights with me. Firstly, I am too young and inexperienced for him. And, he also did not seem to like me in a romantic way.

I also don't want to go down that road with him as it is wrong on so many levels. Not only his told for me, but also He does not love me in any sort of way. We are two opposite poles. Also, he will be paying me to marry him. Signing for this marriage would be like being an high-end prostitute who will have to wear a ring temporarily for a year.

Why am I even thinking about his stupid contract? I've already rejected it and I'm not going to sign it, no matter how badly I have to need of money.

I was waiting the tables at the diner. And my mind was clustered with the thoughts of Parker and this new problem. With Daniel I have on hand.

My mouth turn showered when my eyes settle on a familiar face. I realized it was Mac Harlow. You are the total sales by, but he always paid good tips to me. That's why I'm bothered by his presence but then I have to tolerate his sleazy behavior.

He scanned the diner and looked at me. His eyes lit up with excitement as he watched me serve the man.

He tries to talk to me a lot of time, then I know a few facts about him. Such as he worked at a law firm and was in his mid 20s. He liked classical music. He was a good looking man and was attractive to many waitresses here but to me he just seemed a little bit sleazy.

He was too over friendly with all the waitresses at the diner. He was always having a special interest in me though. He asked me out a few times, but I rejected him politely. He shouldn't have asked me out in the first place as I am way too young for him and not only that, he even asked me out when I was just nearly 15 years of age.

I just realized one thing that he is younger than Parker and yet I was attracted to Parker so I shouldn't play the age card. Though he's a sleazebag anyways.

Why am I comparing everything to Parker? It's like suddenly all of my life revolves around him. That is not true Stella. Keep your mind straight. I remind myself sternly.

Mac stared at me with interest and his filthy eyes. He gawked at my legs. Especially. I had the urge to shudder at his gaze but instead I just ignore him altogether.

Just play nice Stella. I felt disgusted by myself. As I'm letting men ogle me. And yet I berated Parker - as he politely or maybe not so politely - asked me to marry him. Even though it was just for money. Everything that goes around money and yet I can't. Seem to marry Parker for one year.

Why is that so? Why is everything in my life so difficult?

"Hello Mac," I greeted him blandly." What should I bring for you today?" I asked him in a robot like voice. Which held no emotion.

"Come on, Stella, why do you have to talk like that with me? I'd rather talk dirty with me. Not in all business tone." He said Sleazily and winked at me. Then he moved his eyes a little lower and he ogled at my breast.

I had the urge to punch his face but instead I just clenched my fist and endured his bullshit. So much for been a virtuous little virgin.

I just started at him blankly he looked a bit uncomfortable under my stare and then said, "Okay, fine. Get ne something sweet and luscious." He said in wanna be sexy voice. I had the urge to roll my eyes.

" Okay, I will get you a milkshake then, Which flavor would you like to have?" I asked him.

"Chocolate, I even prefer that flavored condoms." He winked at me and said.

I ignored him and got him his milkshake and start to walk away from him after serving him, just then he groped my ass. My brain just snapped then and every ounce of control I had was lost.

His constant sexual remarks even after dismissing him, his sleazy hands on my body without my permission upset to no bounds. And, I smashed the gas of milkshake on his head.

"What the hell?" he screamed at me. I just stood there in anger and satisfied by myself with the retaliation of his harassment.

I looked only to see that every pair of eyes in the diner were on me.

Including Gary's.

Oh, fuck.

Mac glared at me with a tight expression. With flaring nostrils. He come in front of my face. His face was gone complete red under the left over remains of milkshake. He was furious at me.

"How dare you? What is this nonsense? What are these bad manners? You need to be punished for this act." He said while stabbing his finger at me in anger. I looked at him dumbfounded, he was the one who should be punished.

I feel my blush creeping up to my neck as everyone in the diner was staring at us. And Mac shouted loud enough for everyone to hear.

Can my life get any better? I don't think so.

My eyes were wide with embarrassment, and I took a few steps back from him, just in case he does any thing stupid.

"Will you stop shouting you dumbass? I'm not sorry for dumping the milkshake on you." I said to him angrily, add eventually raising my chin up in defense.

"Where is the manager of this diner. Gary! Gary!" he began to shout.

Gary came rushing towards us with a murderous expression towards me. Oh.. No... Fuck my life!

"Mr. Harlow, I am right here. I apologize for this mistake. I'm sorry. Please be calm and please have a seat." Mac did not budge from his seat so Gary insisted furthermore. "Please. I will solve your problem right away." Gary said to him with a stammering voice usually he is not such a scary cat. Around the staff he is always barking orders and look at him now. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his panicked state.

Gary looked at me with a sharp look and then, came towards me and grabbed me by my shoulder and started walking with me and yanking me along with him by my shoulders. Well, this is not how it was suppose to go.

"Stella dear can you come with me for a second." He said with a seething voice and anger lacing beneath his calm bravado.

Then he turned towards that Mac bastard an said in a cheerful voice, "Mr. Mac, please enjoy the rest of your complimentary meal. Bon appetite. I'm sorry for all the trouble." Gary said to him with his fake pleasing smile.

When we were out of everyone's sight. Gary turned towards me and seethed at me.

"Stella, how many times have I warned you not to mess up with the customers? Why can't you just listen to me?" he scolded me with an irritated expression.

"Gary, it was not my fault, he groped me." I insisted with my brows frowning in confusion.

"It is not up to you Stella to teach the clients." He reminded men, not so polite now, are we?

"OK, I'm sorry, I won't do it again." I mumbled nit meaning it really. Because, it was not my fault but I had save this job if not my home today.

"Shut your mouth. I'm so angry at you right now. If you don't shut up right now, I'll ask you to pack your things and leave this place right now." He uttered harshly.

"Gary, you know I already need this all really badly. Please don't fire me Gary, please. I also wanted to talk to you about something else. I actually needed $80,000 right now. I'll pay you back, but can you please lend me some money?" I asked him, finally! Phew.... There I said it. I looked at him with the most innocent puppy dog eyes I could ever have. But, he just narrowed his eyes at me and said, "Let me think about it, till then you have the job to empty the trash in the dumpster in the backyard alley." He instructed harshly

"Okay, fine." I murmured.

I stepped out of the diner into the back alley. I grabbed one of the trash cans on my way to dump it into the dumpster.

After dumping the trash can, I stretched my arms over my head. So that my muscles wouldn't get locked due to all the weight I carried.

Phew... this work is tough. I am definitely going to be so tried tonight.

Just then a muffled sound startled me. I watched as a man stepped through the back door and walked towards me.

"Who are you?" I asked with a false bravado in my voice to surpass my fear.

Just then I saw Gary. It was Gary. I released of breath of relief. I thought that sleazy Mac is here in the back alley.

"You don't Recognize me, Stella." Gary asked me in a weird voice. I think his voice was like that due to the alcohol. Because that cause slurring, right?

"Oh, I don't know. Actually didn't show you before so I didn't recognize you." I explained him the situation politely.

"Oh, OK. Now here's the thing Stella, you want money. I'll give it to you."

Happiness, bloomed into my chest. Yes! He will help me. That means I don not have leave my house. Yay!

"Oh, really, thank you so much. That would be great." I said to him with a happy smile. I was really grateful for his kindness.

"But here's the catch." He continued oh, so he has some terms? Maybe it will be about when to return the money. "I'll give you however much money you need. You just have to let me fuck your brains out."