Tangled Embers

I paced to and fro the room dialling Mr. TK, slapping my cheeks several times to wake up from this nasty dream. I refuse to believe what I just heard. That Tema Inc- the company I invested all my life's savings in is a Ponzi Scheme?!

"No No, this is not happening" i said plopping down on the floor as the call kept going to voicemail. Mr. TK had stopped responding to my calls 3 months ago when I transferred the deposit. I should have known then. My sixth sense should have kicked in! But no, I was too gullible to grab the get-out-of-jail-free card turned scam that was a better option than my cleaner by day and waitress by night job as Mr. TK had promised.

I only wanted to get a head start on my student loan.

"Don't tell me you put your money in that, '' Khloe said slowly. Her voice was on the verge of losing it as she looked back and forth between the TV and I. The news anchor announced Tema's CEO fleeing the country after being found guilty of fraud.

I was mute as my mind raced. Where do I start from? Where do I go from here? My breathing was shallow with hot tears streaming down my cheeks.

"Never have you volunteered to pay for the water or light bills in this house but you have enough money to throw away?" She yelled.

"How much lower can you stoop, huh? All your years of education were for what if you can't beware of scams?"

Mom please...

"Your mates are relieving their parents of some responsibilities. Buying them houses and giving them a better life but here you are wasting the little you've acquired" she continued angrily removing the ingredients from the grocery bags.

Please ma.. don't add insult to injury.

"I can't boast of something you've done to benefit anyone else in this house. You're always so selfish"She said washing her hands aggressively

"Your mates are also leaving properties and trust funds in their children's names but what am I left with? Poverty and toxicity? If not for your pressure would I have jumped into this fire? Would I have been so desperate to get money and land here? What? Education? That you didn't pay for? That you clearly told me was not your responsibility?" I wanted to reply so badly but my mouth was numb.

"What's the point of having a grown ass daughter like you when there's nothing to write home about. I have to feed and clothe your dumbass"

"Have a child they said, it's a blessing they said but what use are you to me. I don't know why I skipped my goddamn birth control pills." Khloe screamed throwing a ceramic plate on the floor, smashing it in pieces

"Maybe if you were logical enough and not so blinded by "love". I would never have existed,saving you the stress" I managed to utter.

"Oh young lady, you don't speak to me in that tone. And you definitely do not speak in that manner of your father" she said, turning to me sharply. Her gaze was shooting daggers.

"Father?" I scoffed "where is he? I'm not so sure I remember what he looks like or when he'll make one of his infamous comebacks " I said slowly standing up from the floor and stormed off to my room.

Bawling my eyes out as I packed my stuff. Staying here any second more would be hell, I've had enough. I like to think I would be the best daughter in the world if I had the money pouring in. Another reason why this scam just sucks. That was my only ticket, my only shot at upgrading my life and family. It would take a century of cleaning and waiting tables to buy the house and car mom so eagerly wants. I would end up scrubbing toilets at 60 to get a measly paycheck. Like mom.

Our relationship- Khloe and I is hanging on a thread. It was only a matter of time before one of us is fatally injured from this toxic WWE championship of who-can-hurt-who most.

I'm tapping out, I need to nurse my bruises and dislocations. I can never be the perfect daughter. I'm too flawed for that and Khloe doesn't care to understand me either. I guess it is what it is then.

But it wasn't always like this. Mom used to be cherry blossoms in spring. She exudes the kind of peace and warmth you just want to snuggle in and stay there. It's felt safe. That's now trapped in what's left of my childhood memory- The few not traumatic ones.

I rolled my suitcase down the stairs daring not to make eye contact with Preston, else I'll loose my will again. For the 9th time. I'm leaving for real this time. For me, for us.

Khloe gave her self to this stupid love fever going around. The one that makes people act like they're on crack, all over each other- makes me puke. They say it's blind. Is that why she couldn't make a logical and rational decision and spare me the trouble of this damned reality?

The man she was so "in love" with literally ruined her life and vanished. Making sure to reappear once in a while with tales of how he went to sought for greener pastures for us and she would forgive him. Every-damn- time! Just until he had enough room to steal her savings, jewellery, spend on strip clubs and go incognito again.

I hate love, the idea of it and everything it represents. If that's what love is. I never want to have anything to do with it. I'm good.

My life is worrisome enough anyways. I'm a mess. It's at this point that the Prince Charming usually comes to save the princess- the damsel in distress and they live happily ever after in those lame Disney fairytales. which is very abstract from reality because No sane person would want to deal with all this crap. Once again a huge lie being peddled and sold to the gullible lonely minds. and they sure do gobble it all up. I might be a fool once but I won't make the mistake of falling for a love scam. Ever.

Finally, it's out. Everything that had happened all these years was leading up to this moment. And now the battle line has been drawn. Well it's been drawn pretty much since I was born but now it's drawn with a red marker.

Dad just announced his retirement and in classic Martinez tradition, the ultimatum to decide his successor. We- Anton and I are to increase the revenue of our respective GMT Groups jurisdictions by 60% in a year's time- the annual stakeholders meeting.

"May the best man win" everyone cheered as he led the toast. I scoffed. They're probably picking their sides now. The most profitable camp they can milk to soothe their never enduring greed. I looked around at their pretentious smiles and rehearsed speeches that perfectly conceals their innate ability to pounce on the slightest loophole of their "friends" and foes alike as long as it benefits them. That's why I don't even bother. It disgusts me. I don't need friends.

Everyone is dressed to nines as befitting for my supposed welcome ball. And my eyes fell on a redhead at the corner. She drank with reckless abandon, a rather unrefined behaviour for a gathering like this. It's usually the superficial niceties and insincere schmoozing that makes my skin crawl.

Honestly, I'd rather be drowning myself in alcohol right now than be here.

My gaze lingered on her a little more than is polite. Her glistening red dress perfectly accentuating her hourglass body..

"Hey there trophy son" Anton said blocking my line of sight. Ugh.

"How does it feel to be used knowing you can be disposed of at any time" he continued.

My face was blank. I won't give him the satisfaction of ruling me up "Hello Anton, yes my stay in the UK was amazing. You should consider furthering your education. That is if your brain still has such capacity"

He laughed, "You see, that's what you don't get. I don't need a Ph.D. or any qualifications to take what's mine. It's been mine from the start. So you can try to collect all the badges you want. Enjoy the temporary attention while it lasts, because no matter how hard you try, you can't have it. Trust me to make sure of that." He said, flashing me a devilish grin as he walked back to his friends.

Yep. My daily dose of emotional drain. How I've missed that. A hard reminder that I don't belong here. But I gotta do what I got to do, to survive. It's not like I have that much of a choice anyways. I have to keep being the goody two shoes. The one that ticks all the perfect son boxes. I sighed. Great. Redhead was not at the corner anymore.

"Come here Karl" Dad- Mr. Martinez beckons

"Oh Karl my boy, the London gentleman smeared real good on you. You look quite dapper since I last saw you" Mr. Otto said with Sierra on his arm, smiling widely.

"Oh really? then I'm afraid you didn't take a good look. I've been dapper since birth. Sire." I said with a toothy smile I hope did not seem forced, 'cause it is.

He gave a hearty laugh and turned to dad " I love your boy Martinez"

"You should, he'll be your son-in-law officially in a few months" Dad said rubbing his temples "And Sierra is looking just as gorgeous tonight, isn't she Karl?"

"Of course" I said, bowing my head to kiss her hand in courtesy.

"I'll leave you two to catch up now" Dad said, directing the men to another table.

Ugh.I'm not in the mood for any yapping right now

"You rarely picked my calls in London. Where are you with another girl?"

"There's something called time difference Sierra. Maybe if you called at the appropriate time. I would've answered" I still wouldn't.

"So no other girl?" She quizzed. I furrowed my brows "just checking, don't like sharing what's mine you know, it could get messy". She said with a serious expression on her face. Is there a "mine-fever" going around that I don't know of.

"Am I some sort of property?"

She giggled "you're so cute and clueless. I love it"

She was raising her head to meet mine-

"WHAT!" I thundered, spinning around to see who'd just spilled wine on me. It was Redhead.

"I'm so sorry. Let me pay for your laundry" she said, quivering. She's..pretty. Her small oval face would fit perfectly in my palm. Her succulent heart shaped lips might need some pruning. But this- I stared at the wine stain formed across my crotch area like I peed myself is so old school. Trying to get my attention? At least be creative. What a pickme.

"Of course you would. Follow me" I said sternly jogging up the stairs, seizing the opportunity to slip away from Sierra. Redhead came just in the nick of time.

I peeled the stained clothes off my body and slipped into a bathrobe in the suite room.

"I need them good as new, anything short of that you'd have to get me the whole Dior summer '23 collection"

I saw her swallow hard. Her eyes fixated on my sculpted abs. The corner of my lips twitched up in a smirk. I make 'em speechless, I know.

"I'll need a change of clothes." I said to Jose, my P.A

She walked forward to take the clothes, not taking her eyes off me. I caught her just in time before she collided with the marble tiles as she tripped on her dress.

"Just how clumsy are you, Miss?" I leaned in with a grin "or should I say thirsty?" I tightened my grip on her waist and she shivered . A little fun won't hurt

"I'll just take the clothes... thank you" Redhead said, Wiggling free from my hold. She's not a very good liar.

"Why do you deny yourself heaven?" I said, closing the gap between us "There's more where that came from" I said using her hands to trace the contours of my abs.

She fought so hard to rein in her emotions, but it was a losing battle, as she bit her lip in a futile attempt to stem the tide of her turmoil.

"Are you sure you don't want this?" I whispered, placing my lips on her neck. I traced my tongue along her neck in a tease, kissing her collarbone, cheeks softly, everywhere but her lips.

A moan escaped her mouth. she pulled me, crashing my body on hers and reaching for my lips as if begging me to kiss her.

I pulled away staring into her ocean blue siren eyes.

"It's supposed to be my welcome party but it's a mess down there" I said with puppy eyes "Do you think you can cheer me up"

"Yes" she said breathlessly, almost inaudible.

"Good girl" I crashed my lips on hers and she kissed me back like she's been starved. I raised her thighs to wrap her legs around my torso, leading her to the bed.

I devoured her mouth like I knew each nook and cranny. Like we'd done this a thousand times. Like old couples, So familiar .

We peeled off each piece of clothing, till we were in our birthday suits. Damn she was beautiful. Her hair was scented with roses and her body was carved to perfection.

Her hard nipples made me ravenous. I explored the path that laid between her legs with my fingers and our bodies danced in perfect rhythm, so mythical the world faded into silence. I just wanted to get lost in it. It's odd that I don't want this to end. It's just a fling.

Just before her phone shrilled, shattering the spell of this perfect trance.

"You almost cashed in your V-card?!" Ana said with a mixture of shock and excitement as I recounted the experience, the night of the ball.

"It's not that much of a big deal" I said rolling my eyes, rubbing on the purplish marks on my chest and collar bone. We were about to go on the next phase when Ana's call came in.

"To you duh! You just want to get done and over with. It's supposed to be with someone special, a memorable experience" she said wistfully and I rolled my eyes so hard they almost fell out of their sockets.

"Well, whatever. You see, coming with me was not such a bad idea after all "

Ana had to drag me to the ball so I wouldn't wallow in self loathing .I'd been crying since I moved in. I missed Preston. I wasn't going to leave him just yet, especially with mom working her ass off to keep up with the bills, she'd be very emotionally unavailable to a "whiny" teenager . He only has me. And it pains me all the more that I'm not stable enough yet for both of us. Financially and otherwise.

"So you heard from him?"

"Who?"

"Karl of course."

I scoffed "Nope, and I'm not expecting. It's a one-night stand, not a marriage proposal" I said with a one-shoulder shrug "He might even be hitched to one 2nd generation conglomerate princess. It'll be greedy to ask for more"

Ana furrowed her brows at me like I was speaking Mandarin "How can you be so emotionless"

"What? I'm only being realistic. We are two worlds, planets, universes apart. Parallel to each other. No point of interception. It is what it is" I said, letting out a deep breath. "The sooner you accept the truth, the better. It'll save you a lot of baseless expectations and building castles in the air." I tried to convince Ana and myself.

I've been thinking a lot about that night. I just scurried out of the room after Ana's call came in. He said to forget about the laundry and I low-key wished he didn't cause then, I would have a valid reason to see him again. But that's just because I feel guilty for spilling wine on him right?

"There's a rumour he's gay tho"

"He didn't seem gay to me"

"Of course he didn't" Ana said, bouncing her brows in a teasing way.

I laughed "But why"

"Uh, he rarely talks to women, there's never been an ex or scandals..so they said"

"Ugh. I'm calling it bluff" I said, because where did he learn to work like that? That could easily pass as the best sexual activity in my dormant sex life. He didn't seem like an amateur. Goosebumps surge through my skin at the thought of his hands on me.

"Yes please" she said, snapping her fingers. "And just so you know, baby girl. Mr. Love? He doesn't need your permission. He badges in and out of your heart as he pleases."

I laughed "bet it can't penetrate the bulletproof, firewall fortress of this heart"

A message notification popped up on my phone and my mood dampened immediately. It was a reminder that I was long overdue on my student loan. It wasn't meant to get to this. I worked so hard. That darned scam.

Apparently, my bachelor's degree cannot get me a decent job. I had to have a PhD or Masters degree from an Ivy League University and 10 years of working experience to get the lowest contract employee slot in any of these companies. All 26 of them that I've tried. I'm beginning to think it's a curse. I've been racking my head on how to earn money some entrepreneurship stuff.

Ana wasn't complaining but it aches my heart even more that I was freeloading off my friend with no financial capacity to contribute or even appreciate her. Blame me for being used to Khloe's toxic hounding but being this loved made me uncomfortable, like I was unconsciously bracing myself for the worst to happen. We'd been roommates in College and she's stuck with me ever since. Even now she insists I move my broke ass in with her when I finally left mom's house.

******

I sat in the waiting room of GMT TOURS, alongside other interviewees. 43, was the number tag on my chest.

I'd given up on interviews but Ana applied here without my knowledge and I passed the first phase assessment. Things were looking up, I hope. I kept my fingers crossed trying not to get too excited so I didn't jinx it. I've learned to temper my enthusiasm, knowing that the crash back to reality can be jarring when the dopamine wears off.

It happened with Dad. I was happy whenever he came home and at the peak of it, He dips. Disappearing into the shadows. So whenever he reappears, I prepare for the storm that surges when he leaves. Mom being on the edge, always annoyed and transferring aggression, depressed. It's a whole rollercoaster.

I wasn't so nervous, I'd done this several times and it has almost become a muscle memory. Number 42 came out of the conference room and I couldn't read the expression on his face. I stood up and adjusted my shirt as I prepared to go in.

"It's nothing out of the ordinary, the worst that could happen is that I don't get the job. Whatever happens happens" I muttered under my breath as I opened the door.

My legs went wobbly and I blinked rapidly to make sure I wasn't hallucinating.

It was Karl, he was one of the interviewers. I breathed hard and shuffled to the seat apportioned for me. Tugging at my blouse to cover up the souvenirs of our passionate night lined on my collarbone, I pulled myself together putting on a blank expression that perfectly conceals the absolute chaos going on within.

His burning gaze at me didn't help as I adjusted uncomfortably on my seat. I knew he headed one of the GMT Groups subsidiaries but I didn'tknow it was GMT TOURS. And that he would man the interview specifically.

"Why should we employ you, Miss Zena?" His cold but familiar voice said. I liked the way my name sounded when he said it. Like music to my ears.

I cleared my throat "While the labour market is filled with generic CVs and particular qualities required to be eligible for a job. I don't prize myself as the best candidate in that regard but I'm willing to employ everything in my arsenal; unlearning, learning and relearning whatever I need to" I said, acknowledging my weaknesses and highlighting my strengths.

The rest of the interviewers asked me questions which I managed to answer to the best of my ability.

Stealing glances at Karl who seemed to be smiling, was I impressing him? As lame as that sounds I actually wanted to, just a tiny little bit.