Marriage Of Secrets

In the dusty old drawer were notes. Notes that held deep secrets. Curious eyes wandered at them, as a detective flashed his torch at them. It was 9 pm in the night, but the search was nonstop. This case was one they couldn't understand. It was one they found unusual and weird. With rubbery gloves, the notes were pulled out of the drawer. "It's from a journal," his companion said. The others agreed, and the detective released air from his clenched lips. He read the first note and a sudden calmness overwhelmed him. He could barely put the note down.

"What?" His colleague noticed his distress. "She wrote it," said the detective. The others checked out the note and widened their eyes in shock. He was right! She did write it.

*** First Journal - Karla Yina, 2022

"Isn't it funny how life works? One moment, you have nothing and the whole world is against you. The next moment you have everything, and you feel on top of the world. You're happy and fulfilled...until another moment, when you are all alone and confused. You are clueless of what to do next, and where you are headed. Everything is jumbled up in your head, until you realize who the fool is. I sit down here on my expensive seater, sipping coffee as usual. But tears fill my eyes because I know it's towards the end. It's towards my end. I remember those times I enjoyed the salon and didn't ask for anything more. I wish I could go back to that time. I do not know how much time I have left. So well...so be it."

***

There was silence. The detective sunk into the dirty seat as he grabbed hold of the second note. He couldn't believe Karla literally sat on the same seat he sat. The next note wasn't much. "I am a beast! I do not think twice before devouring my enemies. I know what I want, and get it in whatever possible way I can!" The note was aggressive! The detective placed the note back on the table, and his colleagues nodded to themselves.

"It's Anderson Stone," one said. In as much as the detective wanted to deny, he knew Anderson's writing when he saw it. He had freaking worked with that guy for years. That case was the most difficult he had ever solved, and the more he thought of it, the more his eyes got teary. "But they loved each other, right?! Why did this happen?" One of his colleagues questioned. The detective massaged his beard with a helpless look and turned to his men.

"I know how this story ended," he admitted to them. "I know what Anderson Stone did to her that night."

His detective friends gazed at each other on confusion wondering what he was talking about. If he wasn't there, how the hell would he know? Was he delulu or something?

"There is no way you know what happened that night," one of them said with a look of disbelief.

L"I do," Sean turned back to them. "Sadly, I do."

The lady smiled at the camera, as her long pink gown was adjusted by some helpers. It wasn't exactly her gown. Anderson Stone bought it for her, and she couldn't hate it more. Its silky flaps and numerous glitters were the worst she had seen. Couldn't she choose to see less of it?

"You look beautiful, Karla," her manager showed her the prototype of their next company magazine. It was herself in an expensive designer set, advertising the recent collaboration. Their recent modeling gig was pasted on the wall, and it was her face that was on it. People called her a goddess. Her beauty was unmatchable. Alright! That's enough compliments for one day. Karla Yina smiled nicely at her manager. All she wanted at that moment was to go home. Pictures weren't her cup of tea, but who was she to deny jobs? Not that they listened to her anyway. Finally, they let her go back to the office and she couldn't be happier. She walked into the luxurious room, and caught sight of the broad back of her husband. The one whose name she couldn't mention twice. He stood before her table waiting for her. She expected him, so she wasn't surprised. She went behind him, and slowly placed her hands on his shoulder. He swiftly turned to her.

"It was high time you came back," he said with a deep tone. "Thank you for everything, Anderson," she appreciated. "I do not know what I would have done without you. You saved my mother's life and that means a lot to me. I do not know what you saw in me that day or..."

His hand went in her lips, shutting it. He had a flirting look in his eyes, and his lips drew closer to hers. They were rarely close to each other. This was awkward now and Karla got shy. As his hands caressed her lips, she felt his gestures were amusing. His hands went behind her neck and he grabbed it aggressively causing a slight pain. Alright, this wasn't romantic anymore! His once flirty eyes turned cold. He has never been welcoming to her. She became nervous and began to tremble.

"I have been looking for you for a long time. Stop with the stupid act of simplicity," he said to her aggressively. His hands slipped into his pocket, and he pulled out an expensive wrist watch. "I am sure you will love this. Your eyes are only for fine things after all."

Karla couldn't believe he thought so low of her. She furiously slammed the watch on her table in disinterest. "I do not want your stupid watch. I have no interest in your stupid wealth!" She screamed with a frown. "I am only doing this for my mother! You do not know how much my heart rips apart seeing her struggle on that bed every day! Her life matters to me okay, and if she dies, I die! Keep your stupid expensive watch to yourself! I do not want it!"

She hurried into the washroom not waiting for him to speak. Her hands went to the sides of the sink controlling her trembling rage. Her heart was heavy. Her body felt emotions she's never felt before. They were just too overwhelming. She felt lost and wasn't sure of what to do. Rather than venge her anger, tears rolled down her eyes and she began to sob. Her mother had a better life now...right? Wasn't that what she wanted? Wasn't that the wealth she sought for her mother? Why was she so unhappy? What was making her rethink the decisions she has made? Those times were gone. She couldn't change them. Things weren't the same. She gazed at the mirror still sobbing, and her memory went down the lane.

2020

Karla walked out of the hair salon, feeling satisfied by the pay she received that day. She waved down a cab, and took out her phone. Since she worked for months, her money must be sufficient for her mum's treatment by then. She calculated the complete amount on her phone's calculator with a smile.

"Yes!" She jubilated loudly, ignoring the cab driver who thought she was crazy. Her heart was gladdened by this satisfaction. The money was damn complete! Those hard times were gone. Her mum would finally be alright, and she wouldn't need to worry about losing her anymore.

"Here! Here!" She tapped the cab driver as she arrived at her destination. The old man stopped, wondering what was going on with her. He stretched his hands for his fee, and she gave him a smile.

"You are one strange lady," the driver admitted. When she walked in, her mum was struggling to walk. She held her walking stick, trying so hard not to fall. The poor lady was barely 60 years, and she was already struggling with heart issues. Karla couldn't guess when it all started. And worse of all, her mother wouldn't say anything about it. Karla wrapped her hands around the woman's waist. The lady giggled and kissed her on the hair.

"What now, my baby girl?" Her mother's voice has a sudden brightness in it. "I got my full pay!" Karla announced, showing her the calculated funds.

"I finally have 1000 dollars!" Her mother's eyes widened in surprise, and Karla could tell that she was impressed. Her mother's smile faded and her face turned pale.

"You do not have to work so hard my dear," her mum said. "We can seek help elsewhere. You don't have to do so much for me." "Mama, what are you saying?" Karla looked disappointed. "I have all the money here. I personally kept track of all the funds. I can bring out my savings box if you want, and I will show you all I have accumulated. Your surgery can finally be done. You won't be in pain anymore."

"That's where you get it all wrong, my dear. The surgery is 4000 dollars and not 1000," her mother corrected. "1000 dollars can get us the drugs, but it cannot be used for the surgery." Karla's smile disappeared. She stepped away from her mum unsure of how she could skip such a detail. All the while she's been aiming for 1000 dollars. She never knew the true amount would be back breaking. She felt anxious about what else to do. "It's fine, Mama," Kala feigned strength.

"I will figure out how to help out somehow."

"Baby girl, it's okay," her mum hissed. "I am as strong as ever. If I have to go, then I will go. There is nothing we can do about it."

"Mama stop it!" Karla cried. "Just stop. You are the only family I have. Do not talk like this."

"Karla, I will always be here with you. It doesn't matter what happens today or tomorrow. What will happen will happen. Come here my love,"

Her mum stretched her hands out for a hug. Karla accepted, feeling her mum's weak hands wrap around her. She tightened the hug unsure of what step to take next. There was something about her mother's hug that felt so comforting. The same feeling that her younger self couldn't deny. Her mum was a single mother, and the lady single handedly raised her for 21 years. Karla couldn't forget the sleepless nights her mum faced, and the constant sacrifices she made. The poor girl could barely understand how strong a mother could get. As the hug lingered, she felt her mum's hands trembling. The lady began to struggle to breathe, and had lost her grip on the stick.

"Mum, are you fine?" Karla asked, but there was no response. Her mum's eyes were bloodshot, and her hands were gripping her heart tightly. "O! Goodness! O! Goodness!" Karla recognized those symptoms and felt a nostalgic feeling of helplessness. She hurriedly sat her mum down and went to the phone. "It's happening again!" She cried. "It's literally happening again!"

***

Karla thanked the doctor as he attended to her mother. He waved her to the door, ignoring the nurses questioning her mum on what she's been eating.

"We need to do that surgery as soon as possible," the doctor reported. "We cannot keep managing her like this. She is not a machine. She could die any moment."

"I am working on it," Karla admitted.

"I know it's not easy, but try harder. Her life is more important at this point," the doctor advised. She nodded and watched him scurry off with a nurse. How unfair life was?! What the hell could she do? She had no high class job nor was she educated. She wasn't as fortunate as a common layman. She pulled out her phone wondering who to even call. Her fingers barely tapped on the phone call app, when her eyes caught something that intrigued her. It was a common trend. People dressed like paupers and pleaded for money before companies just for the fun of it.

Some got lucky and were given some huge amount of money, while others were kicked out. Karla couldn't even believe she was thinking of that.

Her clothing already looked tattered, since she could barely afford new ones. She took a deep breath and walked out. She wasn't sure what company to go to. There were tons of them in San Diego where she lived. If she was lucky enough, she could stumble into a good one.

As she walked along the busy road, her sandal snapped to her anger. She hissed in annoyance and tried adjusting it. As she raised her head from the sandal, she caught sight of a fashion industry before her.

The sight of models in wealthy outfits intrigued her a lot. She smiled and hurried through the open gate without thinking. She let down her bonded hair, and sat before the entrance singing a song of gratitude.

The models were shocked to see her and they thought that she was crazy. They waved her off but she refused to leave. She showed a picture of her mother, and pleaded for their support. "What the hell is this nonsense?!" A lady screamed from the entrance.

She turned to the security guard and slapped him at the back of his head.

"Why would you allow such people in?! Kick her out now!" "Please, I just need some money," Karla pleaded.

"O! You keep quiet! Shelly doesn't give money to dirty people! Now get out!" The lady roared before turning to the guard.

"You do not understand. Your support can go a long way! I am clueless of what to do!" Karla cried as the guards approached her.

"Perhaps sleep with men!" Shelly threw a five dollar note at her, before walking back inside. The others giggled in a mockery tone, commenting on how ugly she looked.

Karla gestured to the guards not to touch her, before walking out with the 5 dollar note. She wasn't even sure why she collected it. That lady freaking insulted her.

"I can help you," a deep voice said beside her. She turned to her side, and caught sight of an expensive Lamborghini parked beside her. Inside was a very handsome guy she'd never seen before.

His dressing style was breathtaking, and his voice was freaking sexy. She looked around unsure of whether to speak to this stranger.

"Get in," he gestures to her. "We can help each other here."

"And who are you?" She asked.

"I am your future boss and husband," he smirked before opening up his Lamborghini. She still felt reluctant to go in. In fact he sounded crazy!

"I am sorry. I do not know you and..."

"Your name is Karla Yina. You are the only child of a single mother and your mother is at the prick of death. You went into my company to make a fool of yourself just for your mother. Well, it is over now, because you do not have to do that anymore. Very soon you will own this company, and hurt those who hurt you," the guy smirked. Karla was confused. How the hell does the guy know her in the first place?

"This is too much for me. I cannot..."

"Do not refuse me, Karla Yina. I am Anderson Stone, and no one refuses me. Marry me and work in my company as the face of my business. It won't take a lot for me to save your mum's life." "You are weirding me out right now. This is obnoxious. I cannot..." He wasn't done.

"Refuse me, and I will make sure that your mother dies faster," he shows her the photograph of her mother, and throws her his business card. "Choose your mum's life or your selfish interests."

Karlas feet went cold. She was speechless. Who the hell was this person?!