Boy With Luv

MariGold's POV

I briskly walked faster than my legs could carry me. I even tripped at intervals and got people looking at me with weird eyes. I was just trying to get back home before this heavy rain pours down on me. I have a problem with pneumonia and getting showered by cold water from the sky will do more harm than good

The wind began to blow vehemently, carrying my hair about and blinding my vision. I quickly brought out a band from my pocket and fastened it over my hair. I then braided it and it was in place

I began to run as little drops of water fell to the earth. It soon began to drizzle and the traders by the roadside began to pack their goods.

"Mari" I heard my name. I looked back while running, it was Eliza my best friend and former classmate in highschool

"wait" she yelled as she began to run towards me

""I can't" I yelled back

I began to run faster

"your auntie"

I stopped immediately. My auntie?

She continued to run until she got closer to me. She was out of breath so I quickly ran to her

"what's it with my auntie?"

She lifted up her hand and unfolded her palm. A wrapped white paper was in it. I gasped at the recognition of it

"oh my God" I muttered out as I took it from her

"it fell down while you were braiding your hair" she whispered partially

Eliza's shop was around that side, she sold fresh fruits with her mother

"thank you so much for bringing it for me" I hugged her

It was the very reason I was running back home, so I won't keep my auntie waiting or else I'll be seen with purple and red bruises across my face

"go on now. Make sure you hold it tight. Or just keep it in your pocket" Eliza said and I nodded

A loud bang raced across the sky and sent strong electric flashes to the earth. We screamed and bent down, covering our heads. God knows how much I hate thunder strikes

"bye Mari" she waved at me and zoomed off. I stood up gently and released my head. I looked up at the sky and water began to pour down. It's too late to run away from the rain now

"but it's not to late to escape auntie Denny's harsh slaps" with that, I took off, running as fast as I could and holding tightly unto the substance in my hand.

By the time I reached home, I was totally drenched by the rain in and out. I doubt if any part of me is still dry. I was also covered with mud because I slipped three times. In this side of Manila, mud is our best friend.

I gently rinsed my leg in the large puddle that formed in front of our house. I stepped into the house and closed the door

"what took you so long miss?" that was my auntie. I closed my eyes and opened them

"I'm sorry... The rain"

"the rain stopped you from walking?" she asked, getting closer to me

"I'm sorry"

She scoffed and stood in front of me then brought her hand. I gently placed the damp paper wrap on her palm

She was standing in my way and I wouldn't be able to move except she leaves there. And who the hell gave me the guts to ask her to excuse me

Right in front of me, she unwrapped the paper then immediately gave me a blow across my face. I was taken unexpected and I gasped at the striking pain then staggered back and hit the wall

"why is this wet? How I'm I supposed to sniff it if it's wet?" her voice was so coarse

"I'm sorry. I didn't want it to get wet" my eyes were teary and I could feel the blood seeping out from my inner cheek unto my tongue

She looked me over and hissed

"now I have to put it over the fire" she said as she was going towards the kitchen. I sighed and found my way to my room. I sat down on my bed which is actually a set up of building blocks put together to form a rectangular box. The blocks were covered with old clothes, rags, and anything that is made from fabric. Then on top of all those junk is a brown bed sheet which covered everything and made it look attractive

The water from my body dripped down unto the sandy floor. Yes, my room is on sand, it was not plastered with cement like my auntie's own.

I took my wet and muddy shirt off then released my hair. A bug fell from the ceiling unto my cheek and I unknowingly slapped it.

Well the bug died, but it brought the pain that was subsiding back to life

Sometimes I wonder why my auntie doesn't slap normally with a flat palm. Instead she makes her hand into a tight fist then she hits your cheek with it

Maybe she knows it's very painful. I just thank God I came home with the cocaine, what would I have done if I found out I didn't bring it

I entered my self-made bathroom. It was just a place where I covered with some planks and an old zinc. I took a bathe and rinsed off all the mud off my body.

I came out and wore a red shirt and a black short jeans just below my knees. I was feeling very hungry so I checked to see if the coast was clear.

I was feeling cold already and my teeth began to gnash but food is my number one priority now.

I decided to check on my auntie. I tiptoed to her room and saw her sitting on the floor, sniffing her life out. I smiled and hurried to the kitchen, I uncovered the pot and saw a tantalizing chicken soup. I gasped

Nothing is stopping me today.

I quickly went back to my room, took my personal plate and spoon and went back to the kitchen. I have my own plate because of undercover jobs, like when Eliza comes to my window asking to give me some of her fruits or her food without my auntie's knowledge. Or when I want to steal food and can't use her numbered plates because she'll catch me if she finds out one plate is dirty or missing. So, I have my own plate

I went back to the kitchen, took the bottom chicken then arranged the ones at the top to make it look like no one touched it. I then poured out some of the soup and covered the pot.

I stopped to listen to any sound from the house. Though the heavy rain was creating noise, it was obvious they was no movement from my auntie.

I moved to a covered flask and saw a heap of fried potatoes. I sighed and dished out lots of it. I don't care if she finds out about this one, though she won't because before the effect of the drug wears off, her boyfriend or should I say man-friend will be here. That old man is old enough to be her father. He's so disgusting, eww!

I quickly moved to my room and closed my door then blocked it with a stone so it won't open by itself.

I ate everything with alacrity and I was so filled.

The only way I get filled is when I steal to eat. It's not my fault, I hope God forgives me

🌸🌸

I watched as my skin was slowly turning red because of the heat from the sun

I've been washing clothes under this harsh sun for hours. All of auntie Denny's clothes, her wretched clothes.

After I washed all of them, I spread them on some logs. I rinsed the bowls I used then rinsed my legs before carrying my wheelbarrow to collect some steel materials or anything made from metal. I took my woven hat and gloves then left the house. I continued to gather lots of metals. I even went into the main city, though I didn't reach the heart of the city because it's busy with cars and trucks and important people. And also there's no way I'll find a metal there, their cans and metal plates that are out of use are always thrown into a garbage can for the truck to take

So today I'm just going to go round the streets of Gabrielle. It's one of the best streets but some children do throw out soda cans into the lawns so I'm just going to pick them.

After going through the lawns for ten minutes without seeing what I was looking for, I decided to open their garbage cans to check. I really needed to sell them off before I would be able to buy a new dress for church. My old dress is so worn out and can't be sewn again

When I opened the can, I saw something shining against the sun light. It was silver. I smiled and put my hand in the can, I tiptoed in other to reach it since I'm not tall. My hands gripped it and I pulled it out. It was covered by a banana peel and some candy packs. I removed them and gasped, it was a phone. An iPhone 11

What would it be doing here in a garbage can? I looked into the can again and picked out a silver wristwatch. It was studded with green gems and as I moved it in the sun, it glittered and even changed colors

"this is beautiful" I muttered

I heard a hoot so I looked up, the garbage truck was already picking the garbage can and pouring the content in.

I can't return these things into the can or it will be crushed in few hours. I ran back to my wheelbarrow and dropped them inside then ran off with it

Wilbur's POV

I woke up from my afternoon nap and sat up. I yawned and rubbed my eye lids. I looked beside me and didn't see my phone and wristwatch on my nightstand.

"oh no!" I jumped off the bed and looked at the nightstand again. It wasn't there. I checked my bed, under my pillows, under my bed, on my book shelf, I checked my closet. Even my bathroom. I didn't see it.

I rubbed my temples frustratingly, I just knew Winifred will play an expensive prank on me.

My phone

I wore a red vest and left my room. I raced down the stairs and entered the living room.

I asked a maid

"have you seen Winifred?"

"she left the house few minutes ago sir"

I scattered my hair.

This girl wants to give me a heart attack.

I stood akimbo, wondering where she might have kept it. I don't even care about the watch, though I just got it yesterday

I decided to check her room.

While racing up the stairs, I kicked my foot on a stair. I groaned and began to walk slowly instead.

When I got to her door, the stupid girl had locked it before leaving.

I just hope my phone is safe. I hope she didn't give it out to a street thug like the last time

This phone is too important now. All the documents and files containing my shares from dad's business is stored there. I refused to make them into paperwork because it was stressful, and now I'm going to be doomed if I don't get it before the next stakeholders meeting coming up next weekend.

Then an idea popped in, let me call her and tell her how important that phone is to me, to us because her shares too is included.

I went to the telephone and dialed her number. Of course she didn't pick. I kept trying until she picked with a groan instead of hello

"ughhh what do you want?"

"Wini, my phone!"

"what makes you think I have it?" she said with a tone of sarcasm

"I don't know who else can enter my room while I'm asleep to take my things without being questioned except you. Please I'm begging you, give it back. Our shares are stored there" I said, pleading and knowing how stubborn and adamant my twin sister can be

"huh.. Shares... I don't get you"

"ugh, dad gave us some shares from the company. I'm supposed to transfer them into paperwork but they are still stored as documents in my phone"

"OMG! Check the garbage can in front of the house. I dropped them there, quick!" she yelled

I dropped the phone and went outside with a maid because I'm not going to dip hands into any can and get diseases

The maid opened the can

"Sir it's empty" she announced

My eyes popped open

"what??"

"I think the garbage truck passed already" she said

"no no no. Let's check the other cans. It has got to be inside!" I protested

After checking all the cans, we found out each of them was empty. The garbage truck really passed.

I was both angry, sad and scared. I stood speechless for minutes.

Then I saw Wini's red car driving home. I huffed out hot air

I'm going to murder someone today!

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To Be Continued

Written by Hossy

So what do you think?.... I hope you like this for a start.

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200 shares and 200 comments. Let me see if you want me to continue with the story

Love you 💋 😻🌺

MariGold's POV

After selling off what I gathered, I divided the money into two. I passed by Eliza's shop and gave her one half

"hide this for me Eliza. I don't want my auntie to snatch it off"

She rinsed her hands in the little bowl of water. She just finished eating with her hands

"where did you get it?" she asked, taking the money from me

"I just sold off the steel I gathered" I replied and wiped off the sweat that had soaked my hair and making it stick to my skin

"okay I'll hide it. It's just fifty peso"

"yeah. I'll gather more next time, so I can buy a dress for church"

She nodded

"are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?" she asked with sincere eyes

"I'm okay. I'll check up on you later, that's if I can" I said and held my wheelbarrow

"bye Mari" she said, waving.

I ran off to the house with my barrow making so much noise. The phone and wristwatch were tucked into my trousers and covered by my shirt.

I parked the barrow truck at the yard and opened the back door. I began to hear moaning and groaning from the house

I tiptoed to the living room and met my auntie and her man-friend making out and moaning. I almost threw up at the sight. So ugly

They were so engrossed with whatever they were doing so I walked into my room and closed the door. I sat on the bed and brought out the phone and wristwatch. I dropped the phone and lifted the watch. I smiled as it sparkled against the ray of sunlight from my window

"it's beautiful" I muttered and raised it up. I stood up and walked to the stool by the wall, I picked my broken mirror from it and looked at my reflection with the watch beside my face.

No doubt, being rich suits me.

Well I would have been rich if auntie Denny didn't become addicted to drugs. We were doing well until she sold everything to get drugs.

I sat back on the bed and took the phone

"wow" I turned the back and smiled. The pouch is a combination of pink and purple. Must belong to a girl. I stared at the camera heads. Wow, this girl must be the daughter of a senator

I turned on the screen and wowed at the lockscreen wallpaper. It was a very handsome boy. So so cute

"and he looks like a girl" I muttered out with a laugh.

Or maybe it's a girl that looks like a boy. Whatever. Either way, they look good

I stood up and tucked the phone under my clothes so my auntie won't see them and sell them to buy cocaine

Wilbur's POV

I walked in through the gate and hurried to the garage. She came out of her car

"did you see it Will?" she asked, tucking her bob hair behind her ear

"no I didn't Wini. I didn't!" I yelled

"gosh! What are you gonna do now?"

My eyes widened

"what I'm I gonna do? Don't you mean what are WE GONNA DO?"

"hey, stop yelling at me. It's not my fault?" she held her bag well and smoothed her hair. I huffed

"so it's my fault that my phone disappeared into a trash can for a garbage truck to take and smash into molten state" I blurted out and she sighed

"is it my fault you were dumb not to put the info in your laptop instead?" she rolled her eyes and walked past me. I heaved a sigh. Wini's right. I should have transferred it to my laptop instead.

I can't believe I came home to get into trouble. If I had known, I'd have stayed back in my house.

I placed one hand on my waist and the other on my head. I ruffled my hair and bit my lower lip intensely that it even hurt me. I'm so not happy about this. Where should I even start? Should I go to the recycling center? Isn't it too late for that?

No, it's better late than never

I hurried up to my room and took my keys. I came down and drove out my car to the recycling center. I asked where I can find the recently deposited trash. I gave them all the info about my address and all that

They searched the huge metal container but didn't see my phone or wristwatch. They even told me they'd put more effort into finding it and I thanked them and went to see Jay, my cousin to report Winifred

She was cooking when I arrived.

"Will, what brings you here? What did Wini do again?" she asked and picked a pickle jar

She knows whenever I barge in without calling her on phone first, I'm there to report Wini. You know how things are usually opposite? That's exactly how Wini and I are

I'm the good one. Wini is the worst. Always finding faults with people and picking up fights

"she threw my phone and new wristwatch into a trashcan" I said, picking up a piece of coconut from a plate.

Jay chuckled softly

"and what do you intend doing to her?"

"Jay, dad gave us shares from his company and all the information is stored in that phone. The worst is, the garbage truck took out the trash already"

She quickly looked at me

"what?"

"you see how serious this is? You know how strict my dad is. He's going to kill the both of us and this is our last hope of getting those shares"

"Wini went too far" she said and returned to her cooking

"just kill her for me when you see her" I said

She smiled a bit

"where's Annie?" I asked

"in her room upstairs" she replied

Annie is her daughter of five years. Jay is married to Alvin Miguel, a barrister. And she's around 29 years of age.

I'm just 24

MariGold's POV

I became hungry so I decided to get something to eat. I walked to the living room and saw auntie Denny serving Monalito food. The old man was sweaty and gross

"good afternoon auntie. Good afternoon sir" I hailed and bowed my head

"where are you coming from? How did you get inside and when?" she asked. Maybe she thinks I saw them doing the dirty

"about a minute ago. I got in through my window because the front door was locked"

Wow, liar liar pants on fire

"go get me some pregnancy pills from Luigi" she said, eyeing me like I'm the one who's in need of a pill.

"okay ma'am" I stood still, waiting for her to give me the money

"what are you waiting for?" she asked with her usual threatening voice

"money" I replied timidly, moving back just in case something comes my way

"stupid girl. Use your money" she yelled and sat beside Monalito

"I don't have any money" I retorted. She glared at me then looked at her man-friend. He looked back at her

"I don't have any money" he said and auntie sighed and rubbed her hands on her thighs

"just excuse us okay?" she said in a very impolite way. I gently found my way out of the house. It's afternoon and I haven't even drank water today. Eliza offered to give me food and I refused. What was I even thinking?

I hurried to her shop and saw her leaving there

"Eliza"

"Mari, hey girl"

"where are you going?" I asked

"going to get some pain relievers for my mom" she replied and lifted the money

"what's wrong? Is she sick?"

"not really. Just a headache"

"let me come with you" she nodded and we walked on together

"I caught my auntie and Monalito having sex when I got home"

She screamed and covered her mouth. I laughed

"OH my God! Are you serious? What did you do?" she asked with excitement

"I tiptoed to my room and they didn't even notice. After that, my auntie said I should go and buy pregnancy pills for her" Eliza laughed and I laughed along

"that old groggy man. He's so dirty and disgusting" she said and I laughed

"and he even wanted my mom to be his lover before. I can't imagine if my mom said yes" she said and wrinkled her face, quite disgusted

"then you'd be the one serving him like I'm doing" I said

"no way. I wouldn't do it. You know I'm stubborn" she said and I smiled

"anyway I'm so excited. We can finally get into the University" she said and that drew my attention

"how?" I asked with anticipation for the answer

"well, my mom got information that the Federal Government has reduced the tuition fee for Federal Universities. And that with just three thousand peso, you can study and get a diploma. And guess what, with a diploma certificate you can get a job and earn about fifteen thousand peso"

"OH my God! Wow! This is great news. It's so great!" I said, jumping up happily

"the diploma form is coming out in about a month. I can't wait!" she exclaimed and held my hands

"how much is the form?" I asked

"just 500" she replied and I smiled

"then I'd have to pick more metals and babysit more kids" I said, grinning

"well, you can get 500 in two weeks. That's without your auntie taking anything from you. And if she wants to take something, then you can put more effort and get the money in three weeks" she said and we walked on

"you're so lucky you know. Your mom can help you get some money. You don't have to work yourself out" I said sadly.

"it's just fate Mari. Everything happens for a reason" she said and squeezed my hand

"so which university are we choosing?" she asked, diverting from the new topic.

"we'll have to do research. We'll choose the one farthest from here. So we can be on our own" I said

"but what about rent? The farther we go, the more expensive the house gets" she said

"come on, Monte isn't that expensive. Isn't it?" I raised a brow at her

"we'll figure it out" she said with a smile

We were silent for some time. We reached Luigi's shop and Eliza bought the drugs and we headed back

"next two weeks is the Sanders' twin birthday. They'll going to show it on TV this time. It's going to be live" she hopped around me and made funny dance steps

I rolled my eyes. Eliza and celebrities. She knows all of them by name and nickname. All the musicians, all the actors and actresses. Even models.

Well, they have a television.

"so who are the Sander twin?" I asked and she stopped dancing. She loves to tell me things I don't know. And truly, she knows lots of things that I don't know

"their names are Wilbur and Winifred Sanders. The Wilbur is the boy, he's so cute and it's funny, he's favorite colors are pink and purple" she said

"what? Pink and purple? He's gay" I quickly concluded and she laughed

"no he's not. He's just the guy who loves pink. He's also known as the pink model and it looks good on him" she said and grinned

"okay, so tell me about the girl" I said and crossed my arms to listen

"she's WiniRed. That's her nickname because her favorite color is red. She's the bad girl. Some say she has pride but she's still the one with most of the fans"

"and why is that?"

"because she shows them love. She's only proud towards other celebrities"

"wow. So are they identical?"

"So identical! You can't tell the difference between them. They're the same height. Except when Wini wears heels." she said and held my hand, pulling me from the front of an incoming motorcycle

"don't worry, I'll make mom give me the television when going to school. So you'll get to see these celebs" she said

I chuckled

We got to her shop and gave the drugs to her mother. Eliza offered me some avocados and brought out a magazine

"I was so lucky to find this on the ground last month. It's a magazine about entertainment and fashion" she said and placed it on my thighs. I cut in half the avocado with the fruit knife and looked at the magazine

"who's on the cover?" I asked

"Eduardo Ortiz. Wilbur Sanders best friend." she said and sat beside me

"he's handsome" I said and ate a piece of my fruit

"yeah, I don't like him though. He has a hot temper" she said and opened to the middle.

"Now that's Wilbur Sanders" she pointed to a huge picture of a brown haired boy with red bright lips and a beautiful smile. The headline was Pink Belongs To Him

"this is the Wilbur Sanders?" I asked her, when I recognized one of the pictures

"yeah" she replied not looking at the magazine

Well all the pictures on this page look like each other. So it has got to be him.

Now about the phone, it's either the owner is a fan of this guy. Or it's this guy himself

How I'm I gonna return that phone to the person?

Should I sell it and get myself in the University?

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Mari's POV

I was already on my way back home. I have things to do which includes making raffia hand fans for auntie Denny. And I'll have to do lots of it so I can sell them and gather money. Of course that would be done undercover. She won't be so happy to see me doing things to get money on my own. According to her, I don't need money. She still sees me as fifteen years. And I'm twenty two.

Auntie Denny is my mom's elder sister with two years. My mom is a hustler. The other type of hustle. Let me just say it, she sells things illegally and she also works as a prostitute.

The last time I heard from her was when I was eighteen years. When we were still leaving fine, she used to come and see me. Buying me lots of things and promising me heaven on earth some of which she fulfilled. She promised to quit her illegal business and come back home fully after the last one she was about to go for. Unfortunately, the day she left for Dominican Republic was the last day I heard from her. I don't know what happened to her. But she never returned from that supposed two weeks journey. It's already four years

I know my mom had me out of wedlock and she probably doesn't even know my father, but I love her. She refused to abort me and when she had me, she took care of me. Everything she got was now used for me. I had the best childhood because mom was always by my side and gave me everything I needed. Love, care, assistance. She gave me everything.

Auntie Denny took care of me too, whenever my mom was away I stayed with her and she was the best. Even after mom disappeared, she was still nice to me. Well, until she began to need money for drugs. She made me give her all my money and as time passed, she sold all my mom's properties. Since my mom wasn't around to give her money and we couldn't communicate with her, she resolved to getting the money from our things.

Long story short, we're in the slums and I finished from a high school that had no windows.

I finally got to the house after passing through a pathway of itchy grasses. My legs were itching me and I couldn't stop myself from scratching them. They soon turned red

I got into my room and took some balm, rubbed it on all the red lines then went to my auntie's room. She was sleeping so I gently took the sack of raffia and left the room. I entered the living room and began to make hand fans. I was good at it so it didn't take much time before I made a basket of them. I was supposed to make five baskets in seven hours but I needed an extra basket in order for me to sell and get money for myself.

I won't be able to do that if auntie Denny is around. I closed my eyes and muttered a prayer "God please, take auntie Denny away from here. Please let her go to Monalito's house and spend the night"

I opened my eyes and beheld auntie Denny looking at me with her hands crossed

"when did you start becoming insane?" she asked gently that I wanted to chuckle cause it sounded funny

"I was just thinkin" I replied and continued to weave the fan in my hand

"thinking with your eyes closed and your mouth murmuring inaudible words? MariGold you're becoming insane" she stated and walked past me to the kitchen, probably to get a rum.

I looked at my legs that weren't itching like before, a mosquito landed on it and I gently released a hand and hit it quickly. Thank God it died, I always feel like I've lost a fight if I target a mosquito and the idiot escapes.

"Mari I'm leaving for our province this evening. I'll be staying for one week. I'll need you to make about fifteen baskets of hand fans before I come. But make sure you don't sell them. I'll come back and do that my self" she said and sat down on the only sofa in the house

Oh my goodness. Is this how God answers prayers?

"okay ma'am. My regards to grandma" I said for courtesy sake, my grandmother hates my mom and hates me.

"OH yes I'll send your regards. But not when she's in a good mood cause your regards would ruin" she said and smirked, drinking from the small bottle of rum

"auntie, you're going to travel today. Should you be drinking?" I said, not minding her next reaction towards that suggestion.

"and how is it your problem little Missy? Your mouth is becoming big these days. Maybe I should buy a padlock and make you experience what the African slaves experienced

I sighed and continued to weave.

My mind then went back to Eliza and I discussion earlier. I really hope to gain that admission. I really need to leave this hell of a house. My life would be so happy and pretty better than it is now if I don't have anything to do with this woman sitting here. Sometimes I wonder if it's actually the drugs she takes that changed her from good to evil. Or if she has always been evil but was kind to me then because she benefited from my mom.

I looked at the old ticking clock on the wall, it was still afternoon. That clock belongs to me. The only property I had then that is still with me.

"you went off to pick steel right?" she asked

"yes" I replied, not sparing her a look.

"where is the money?" she asked

"it's... I... Used it to buy some pads" I replied

"give me the pads, I might need them"

Oh shoot!

"it's just two. I'm using one now" I replied looking up at her

"how much did you even get?"

"50 peso"

"that can buy only one" she said, looking at me like I was lying. Well I was

"Luigi gave me two because I helped him find his specs" I lied. How just one lie leads to another

"go to the road and get me a motorcycle that can take me to the bus station." she said and stood up to go to her room. I heaved a sigh of relief and left the house. As I stood by the roadside, hoping to see any man with a motorcycle that could help my auntie, I saw Eliza running towards me. Hopefully, she's with another news

"hey" I said immediately she got to me

"hey" she replied, literally out of breath

"did you run all the way here?" I asked as I laid my hand on her back, patting it to normalize her breath. She nodded and I smiled

"just relax, so you'll breathe fine" I said and she heaved a long deep sigh

"I got a job opportunity" she said immediately

"really? What type of job?" I asked

She heaved another sigh

"waiter. In a classic restaurant "

"classic restaurant?"

"yes. It's a branch of KFC" she said

"wow, how did you get the job?" I asked

"Mr Amonga works there. He said they needed a dishwasher and janitor"

Mr Amonga is the man wooing Eliza. He's married but he wants a pretty side chick. Eliza has been duping him and taking his money saying she's still thinking. Crazy girl...

"so you chose?"

"the dishwasher and you're the janitor"

"OH my God! You got for me too?"

"of course I did. We can start work tomorrow. But it's based on shifts. You have to look good please. Your hair should be in a bun. A tight bun and be early always so you can change and clean the place you're allocated." she said, playing with my hair

"thank you Eliza. Thank you so much"

"your pay is 500p per week, that's if you don't miss your shifts"

"OMG, that's the money for the form"

"yes, that's why I'm so happy"

I hugged her tight

"thanks dear. I'll come to your house early tomorrow morning. My auntie is traveling today" I said and just then I heard her scream my name

"oops! Bye!" Eliza waved and ran off. She's terrified of my auntie.

I quickly moved into the road and looked up and down the road like I was looking for a motorcycle. My auntie came up with two bags

"what sort of rubbish are you portraying?" she yelled at me

"I'm sorry, I haven't seen any motorcycle" I apologized and looked afar off the dusty road.

"and you just stood here? What if they're not on this road, did you bother checking the other roads"

"I'll do that now"

I ran off to look for one. Luckily I saw Gracie's brother coming with their father's old motorcycle

"hey Gareth, wait!" he looked at my face and stopped. I walked up to him

"please can you take my auntie to the bus station?" I asked, covering the top of my eyes with a flat hand because I was facing the sun and it was hurting my eyes.

"is your auntie travelling?" he asked as he started the engine again

"yes, she's just down the road" I said, pointing to the route I just came out from

"okay. I'll drop her off" he said

"thank you Gareth" I appreciated and he nodded and rode off. I followed after him running so my auntie will see me behind and know that I called him. If she doesn't see me, she'll think he was just a coincidence and she might even scold me for not looking around well.

She climbed on the motorcycle and I waved at her, of course, for courtesy sake.

I heaved a deep sigh of relief when they took the turn towards town. Thank God she's off my neck for the next seven days.

Wilbur's POV

I paced around my room waiting for the call from the recycling center. Hoping they found my phone. After hours of waiting, the call was for the negative. I sat on my bed and palmed my face. This is not good

My door opened and I looked, Winifred.

"so what's the news?" she asked, sitting on my sofa

"no good news" I replied and palmed my face again

"is there any way we can get the original from dad?" she asked and I looked up and laughed

"dad? You know what you're saying is the same thing as going to Lucifer to get back your joy he stole. You'll get burnt in hell if you do that" I replied and fell on the bed facing the ceiling

"if not for you, we'd be planning our birthday now" I added and she stood up and walked about. I'm sure Jay talked some sense into her, that's why she's worried now. She knows how much we suffered to get those shares. We have an elder step brother who is the apple of our father's eyes. He loves Lucas so much and he is his next of kin. Our mother is dead. She died at childbirth. If she was alive, maybe she'd be fighting on our behalf and force dad to at least, give us a share of his business.

But all our lives we've been struggling to please him while he has been struggling to please Lucas.

Lucas' own mother divorced our dad when Lucas was Six years old and dad married my mom when he was eight years. She gave birth to us when he was ten and she died. He didn't even marry my mom out of love, he married her out of jealousy. That's what Jay told us. And that's what her mother told her.

Anyway I'm just trying to show you how hard it was for us to get those shares and how hard it will be to get them back if I don't find my phone.

"how about we meet his secretary?" Wini suggested

"that could work. But dad doesn't need to know" I said, sitting up

"and that's risky" she said and sat beside me

"we don't even need this shares" she said and I looked at her

"we have our own money. We don't need his" she added and I chuckled

"do you know it's up to 500,000 US dollars?" I asked and her face widened

"oh my God! We can increase our net worth with that! Selena Angelo won't have a place near me. We have to find that phone or risk it and talk to the secretary"

I huffed. She only cares about her reputation among other celebs.

"why do you care only about your reputation?"

"cause I was born to be the best"

"what if you were born alone? Who would have heard your name?"

"don't try to take the glory. If you were born alone too, no one would have heard your name. Besides I'm the reason you're who you are today" she blurted out and took a napkin from my glass table. She faced the mirror and gently dabbed on her face

"if I didn't win that contest, you wouldn't have been known" she added

"remember what you did to the manager before the end of the contest. You fought with her and left finger marks on her pretty face. You were going to be eliminated. Actually you were eliminated and I came to pick you up. The chief judge was surprised that you had a twin brother who looked exactly like you and you forced me to beg him to bring you back" I said and crossed my arms. She faced me

"that's a boring story. You only did me a favor there"

"so is getting a role in a movie because I was kind to the Producer a favor also. Remember it was that movie that shot us to popularity not your stupid beauty contest"

"okay you win the argument. Whatever! I'm going to take a shower" she said and left the room

I smiled.

I remember that day when we got the role. It was because we were identical and it was quite rare to find grown up twins who are of different gender but still identical. We were eighteen years then. I didn't like coming out but Wini was the bee. Always in different places as long as its not in the house.

Then the thought of my phone came back in. I'll need another phone to make some calls. I even need to call Eduardo.

I wish I had backed up my documents to Google, I would have been able to restore it in a new phone.

I walked down the stairs gently with my hand trailing the rail. I got downstairs and a maid ran up to me

"Sir I heard you're looking for your phone. And that it was supposed to be in a trashcan. Actually, before the garbage truck passed today, a girl was taking things out of the can right in front of the house. I saw her" she stated and my eyes widened

"are you serious?" I asked

"yes. But I don't know if she took the phone."

"thanks I know what to do now" I said and she bowed and left. I went back upstairs and knocked on Wini's door. She opened it, she was wearing a bathrobe

"a Maid said she saw someone picking things out of the trashcan earlier, before the garbage truck passed"

"really? A girl or boy?"

"a girl"

"why don't you track down the phone and see where it could be?"

I sighed

"you know I'm not the nerd kid. I don't know how to do that"

She smacked my head

"idiot, go to a computer center or a sci-Tech avenue"

"hmm, okay. I'll just get a new phone and call Eduardo first"

"whatever! But make sure you arrest whosoever stole your phone when you track it down. I'm sure it's one of those random people who survive on trash"

Then she closed her door in my face.

Of course I won't let the thief go free. She made me suffer today

.