The Forbidden Apple

"What's your name?" The woman asked smiling, Kiara knew the woman. Well, everyone knew the woman, Iris Brooks, the woman was married to the richest man in England, Adrian Brooks. The woman's blue eyes met Kiara's green ones.

"Kiara, Kiara Adams" Kiara said looking down at her feet. The woman's friends were all looking at Kiara who cowered. She feared losing her job and being called by to the table by the woman, she was frightened "Mrs. Iris, if I did anything wrong, I apologize, but please..."

"Mrs. Iris is very much pleased with your work, Kiara" my manager said stopping the worried girl who frowned in confusion looking at him. The manager had hired her after she begged him to, having lost three jobs already, the girl couldn't afford losing the forth. She had a sister to take care of, as well as rent to pay. That is at least until her sister got her first pay check.

"Yes, I spoke to Mr. Gustave and was wondering if you were interested in working as a waitress in the Brooks company. My husband has a strict diet and I need someone to tend to his needs when I'm not with him and you know, when he's at work. Well, I can't really be sure what he is or he's not eating and I don't want him getting ill" Mrs. Iris said casually. Her friends looked at her with envy, everyone who knew the woman was impressed by her, the way she walked, talked, dressed. The woman was always the center of attention wherever she went.

"Me? But..."

"I am willing to offer you triple what you're being paid here. Whatever the job is, and you'll also be my concierge during my events during the weekends, and I'll be paying you a hundred pounds per hour for the job" Mrs. Iris said stopping Kiara from questioning anything, she wanted to be sure that the girl accepted the job. But she didn't want her questioning her, she simply wanted her to accept, and by making such offers, she knew that there was no way that the girl would reject her offer.

"Of course, I'd love to work for you Mrs. Iris, but what if you don't like my work? or your husband? You know, I have never been inside a company let alone worked in one" Kiara said looking at the woman with frightened eyes, she didn't want to lose the offer. But she wasn't going to lie about her abilities, the girl hadn't even entered college, the chance that she had escaped her fingers when her mother sent her and her sister to London. The two were to find a way to survive and Kiara wanted her sister to complete her studies, to go to college and get a degree. Therefore, she made the choice to work double and sometimes triple shifts to be able to get enough income to pay for her sister's university fees, rent, water and electricity, and of course, for them to be able to survive the tough, expensive life of London.

"A training will be offered by my maid Maria, don't worry about that. She will let you know how everything goes, she'll show you what to do and what not to do, the job should be easy for a smart girl like yourself" Mrs. Iris was a sweet talker, everyone knew that. Even Kiara, magazines were always filled with her pictures and different comments from her. She loved being in the spotlight, at least that is what Kiara saw "this is my driver's number, if you're interested, call him and he'll pick you up wherever you are and bring you over. Maria will explain everything to you and you can start with your first job as my concierge. I'll see how you are and we'll discuss further details"

"And if you don't like the job, your place is always open in the restaurant whenever you wish to return. I already spoke to Mr. Gustave and he's agreed to my terms, you don't need to worry" Mrs. Iris said smiling.

"We all know that she's the best in her job, otherwise you wouldn't have chosen her Iris" A woman, Mrs. Iris's friend, Kylie, said smiling at me. Her brown eyes met Kiara's green ones as she moved her hand in front of the women while she spoke, clearly showing off the ring and watch she had on. Another thing that Mrs. Iris didn't do, the woman never showed off what she wore. At least not in front of media, but everyone spoke of her beauty.

"It would be an honor working for you Mrs. Iris, thank you so much for this opportunity. I won't let you down" Kiara said and the women looked at one another, both of them smiling as they watched the girl who was about to jump from excitement. The amount was larger than any that she's ever earned. Hell, the job that she was working offered one of the highest minimum wages she's ever earned.

"Well then, I should be expecting you tomorrow" Mrs. Iris said smiling and Kiara nodded at her. Mr. Gustave smiled at Kiara and put his hand on thee woman's shoulder, he squeezed it gently and Kiara looked at him.

"Kiara, go out the door without telling anyone of anything. Pick up your things and just go" Mr. Gustave said lowly, he obviously didn't want the other workers to know of this, they would be jealous and might cause an issue that he didn't want in front of the costumers.

"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow Mrs. Iris"

"Until tomorrow, Kiara darling"

Kiara:

"What do you mean you quit?" Grace asked me with wide eyes. I rolled my eyes at my little sister who came to conclusions without even waiting to listen. Though I didn't really expect her to listen. I already expected her reaction.

"I did not QUIT Grace! I got a better offer, three times my salary to be the waitress of Adrian Brooke, and a concierge of his wife when she had her events, plus bonuses, plus yearly raises!" I said looking at her, she nodded not looking excited. Well, technically Mrs. Iris didn't state the whole offer, but going through my phone, I checked the payments of the Brooke Inc. and bloody hell were they great.

"And what are you going to become afterwards? Head of waitresses or head of concierges?" Grace mocked and I rolled my eyes at her "Kiara, why don't you do something for your future? go back to college, maybe start over? You've stopped so many opportunities since..."

"You know what happened the last time I tried doing so Grace, and these bills need to be paid, my college expenses will be too much for us to handle" I said looking my sister in the eye. Her eyes softened knowing what I was talking about. She was right, I did stop many opportunities. Some which I was forced to stop myself from taking, but now wasn't the time to talk about this.

"I can work for the two of us, you have done that for me before..."

"Grace, no! You saw how exhausting it was for me and I don't want you going through the same thing" I said stopping her from finishing her sentence "plus, when I'm married to Thomas, I won't even need this job"

"Marry Thomas? Kiara, you and I both know what he's after, please stop lying to yourself about a hopeless relationship with a man you don't even love!" Grace snapped and I glared at her as she raised her voice making her shy back "I'm sorry, that's not what I meant"

"I loved once Grace, you saw how it ended. Both of us ended up broken, it would've been a hell of lot easier for us if there was a reason behind our break up, but there was none! Okay? No bloody damn reason! Therefore, when I choose to marry money instead of love it's because of a fucking reason!" I snapped at my sister who was now taken back my reaction. She took a step back, I rarely snapped out of being frustrated or broken, and especially not at Grace.

"You still love him, don't you?" Grace asked and I closed my eyes and wiped the tears that fell from my eyes. My sister's eyes softened and she took a careful step toward me, wrapping her arms around me hugging me as I tried calming myself down, my heart clenching and unclenching as I relived the pain of a heartbreak again. I hated being this way, and I hated what happened and how it happened. But I couldn't turn back time now.

"Go love, do what you see right. I'll be by your side through every step okay?" Grace said pulling away to look me in the eye. She wiped the tears that fell from my eyes and kissed my cheeks like I would do to her when she would cry, which was a rare occasion. But it did happen every once in a while when everything got too much on her, which was one of the main reasons why I never exposed my pain, not wanting to add on her worry about things about us. Having seen us rise from bottom, the two of us came to London with nothing but a rented apartment which had food as mother had rented it for us when she forced us to leave home as to be sure that I never got back to him.

I gave her a weak smile, and tried calming my breathing as my phone rang. Checking the caller ID, I found that Thomas was calling my eyes widening as I remembered that we had agreed to meet up for a date. Clearing my throat, I answered the phone making sure to keep my voice under control as I didn't want him hearing my voice being weak or sad.

"Hello love" I said calmly.

"Hi beautiful, are we still on for tonight?" He asked.

"Yes, I just need to get ready, I just got back from work, then we can go, yeah?" I said calmly.

"Sure, meet me at The Grill at eight?" He asked. He had never come over to pick me up until today, I had never objected or cared. But after four months of dating I figured that he'd at least want to know where I lived, maybe come over to watch a movie, but nothing, he never even asked to.

"Alright, see you then"

With that said we hung up and I looked at Grace who smiled. Nodding for me to go and get ready which I did quickly not wanting to be late as it was already seven.

***************************

"How do I look?" I asked Grace turning around. I was wearing a royal blue sleeveless shirt and a white jacket on top of it, not wanting to look cheap, and white skinny jeans.

"You look lovely" Grace said smiling. Her hands messing my curly hair adding volume to it. I had already applied a light shade of makeup, making sure to spark my blue eyes with mascara, and nude colored lipstick.

"What time is it?" I asked Grace. I had showered, fixed my hair, and got dressed as fast as I could, though I didn't know what time it was. Hoping that I wasn't late, I looked at my phone checking the time and gasped when I saw that it was already seven forty and I had twenty minutes to reach The Grill.

"I'm going to be late!" I said kissing her cheek and Grace shook her head at me helping me wear my white coat, and I ran out the door to catch the bus at the bus stop.

"Good evening miss" the bus driver said smiling. He was a middle-aged man who was used to seeing me running toward the bus that it stopped phasing him since I used to run to get on the bus and of the bus when I had two jobs.

"Good evening Mr. Gerard" I smiled getting inside to sit down. Not even bothering to show him my bus pass as he already knew that I had it with me.

It was twenty-five minutes later when we reached The Grill and I mentally slapped myself at being five minutes late. But I could just say that it was traffic, it wasn't like I would be lying.

"Hi" I said walking inside, consierge smiled at me "Thomas Brooke"

Yes, I was dating the Thomas Brooke. Son of Mrs. Iris herself, despite me knowing the man's mum. He never bothered bringing her up to any conversation and knowing him, I was well aware that he lived in his own apartment. Though he never really invited me there, but rumors had it that he sometimes stayed at his parent's mansion.

"He's inside, let me show you your table" the concierge said smiling. I nodded and walked in behind him as he guided me toward the table, finding Thomas sitting and having ordered water for me as he knew that I didn't drink and whatever drink he was drinking.

"I'm sorry I'm late" I said smiling. Thomas got up and kissed my cheek before walking to my side and taking out my chair for me allowing me to sit before he went back to his seat, both of us smiling at one another.

"How are you? I went to the café today but didn't find you, did something happen?" Thomas asked sounding concerned.

"No, no, I got a better job offer, I'll be checking it out tomorrow" I said smiling, Thomas seeming uninterested nodded not saying a word. Him and I had met at the café, he used to come there almost every day with his friends, and our meetings were on a daily basis. Then he started getting busy when he became a partner of his father's company that he came once a week, though the change would've bothered any other female, it didn't bother me. I was honestly proud that he was building himself, I never even asked why we wouldn't meet for weeks, as long as we called one another, or texted, that was enough for me.

"How's everything with you? Dad's company?"

"Everything's fine, a little hectic, but it's going well" Thomas said smiling, I nodded giving him a soft smile "look Kiara, my family is out of the house for tonight, and I was thinking that maybe we go back to my place since it's empty"

"Excuse me?" I asked frowning in confusion.

"You know, spend time, intimate time, you and me?" Thomas said smirking, his eyes darkening in a look which I did not recognize.

"Unless I'm going to meet your family, why would I be going to your house, Thomas? And especially that way, in hiding like some criminal" I asked frowning in confusion.

"Why would you be meeting my family? Of course, the house would have to be empty for you to come over. Do you realize what would happen if my family or anyone found out about us?" Thomas asked and my eyes widened at his words "I wanted to hang out for fun"

"Fun? You mean you wanted to get into my pants?" I asked raising my voice slightly. Not caring that I was catching the attention of the people who were sitting around us. Thomas frowned and looked around trying to hide his face.

"Why would I want anything else to do with a girl like you? Have you seen the difference between our classes? Where you come from and where I come from?" He mocked. My eyes widened at his words and I quickly got up, rushing out of the restaurant not even looking back at him.

I reached the door and closed my eyes before going back and throwing a few pounds on the table knowing that they were a hell lot more than what my water glass cost. If it did l cost anything to begin with, my face inches from the man who was sitting looking at me with wide eyes.

"Don't you ever call me again" I warned turning my heels to walk out of the restaurant.

"Why would I? You were nothing but a pawn to me" he yelled making my heart drop at his words. I didn't bother looking back at him, having no answer to give him as I wiped the tears that fell from my eyes, women and men were looking at me, all of them sharing the same apologetic look, some even gossiping between them.

"Fuck you Thomas, I will show you who the pawn is"

Kiara:

"How'd it go?" Grace asked when I entered the house. She was yet to see me since she was in the living room. I could tell by her nearing footsteps that she was walking toward me, her expression had changed from excited to worried the second she laid eyes on me. I didn't blame her, I knew that I was nowhere near being in a good state. Hell, I was far away from that.

"What happened?" Grace asked. My eyes were bloodshot red from crying, and it wasn't out of heartbreak, I honestly couldn't care less about Thomas, sure I liked him, but that was all that there was. I didn't fall in love with him, I was just looking for a man who fit mother's 'perfect man' criteria. His words broke me far beyond comparison and the thing is, I couldn't say anything about them. I was there for money and he was there for pleasure.

"Nothing love, don't worry about it" I said taking off my coat and heels.

"Nothing? Kiara your eyes are swollen from crying, please talk to me" Grace begged looking me in the eye. I shook my head, remembering Thomas's harsh words to me, the pity or disrespect some had in their eyes. Everything was coming to me kicking me in the gut with every passing second. I knew that the media might even talk about this and that itself worried me. My reputation would be in stake and if Mrs. Iris saw the news then there was no way that she would let me work in her house. Especially not to serve her guests.

"Thomas just saw me as a pawn. He asked me to come with him to his house because it was 'empty' and he wanted to have his way with me. K was just for his pleasure, he didn't see me as anything else" I said looking at my sister. I was expecting her to tell me 'I told you so' because she technically has, many times. But it was me who refused to believe it, and now my dignity was stepped on. Yes, my intentions toward being with the man weren't exactly the purest. But I never saw him as a bank account. Hell, I was choosing him because I knew that my mum wouldn't accept me being with any other man otherwise, I was also hoping that I would maybe fall in love with him in the future. That option too, went down in vain.

"I know you warned me and that I didn't listen but..."

"But nothing, how about we watch a movie? Get rid of this bad boy energy. You've got a big day tomorrow, and we don't want to ruin it with a dickhead that didn't deserve you" she said smiling "but I will say a quick I told you so because I did"

I laughed and wiped my tears with the back of my hand making my sister smile and wrap her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I was thankful for her being here with me, the girl left her home, family, and friends because of me. Mum had punished her because I fell in love. But she never once rubbed it in my face, on the contrary, she always supported me no matter what, and knowing the state that I was in when we first got here, she always and I mean always stood behind and supported me through every decision I made.

"You go freshen up, wear something comfortable, I'll make us some hot chocolate" Grace said softly. My eyes widened upon hearing that she'll be entering the kitchen, but she rolled her eyes at me making me laugh.

"I've made drinks before, don't worry, I won't be burning your kitchen" she rolled her eyes making me laugh. She was never one to cook or enter the kitchen unless she was helping prepare the kitchen. For known reasons but I preferred keeping the kitchen intact for as long as we lived in this house.

"I won't be long" I said entering my bedroom. Choosing my clothes before entering the bathroom and stripping out of what I was wearing for the cursed date that I went to.

"Alright, shower up then choose the movie while I get everything ready"

************************

"Grace! You have to wake up, come on!" I said waking my sister up who seemed to have a tractor sleeping on top of her as she refused to open her eyes "Grace Adams, either you wake up or please help me God, I will pour this cold-water bucket on you"

"You wouldn't dare!" Her eyes snapped open to find that I did have a water bucket by my side and was willing to pour it on her if she didn't wake up. Especially since I've been waking her up for the past fifteen minutes, and she had to be at work in an hour. Therefore she needed to be sure to catch the bus stop, otherwise the girl would seriously be late.

"Good morning to you too" I rolled my eyes at her, she smiled cheekily before glaring at me for waking her up with such a threat. But it wasn't like she gave me another option. I didn't want her losing her very first job on her first week.

"Get up, we fell asleep watching the movie and you need to get ready for work. I'll go prepare breakfast" I said looking at her. I was still wearing a long-sleeved baby pink shirt which reached my mid-thighs, socks, and no pants. But then again, that didn't make a difference as it was only Grace and I in the house.

"Okay" Grace said checking the watch realizing why I woke her up in a rush. Of course, the girl would never put an alarm, which meant that it was up to me to wake her up. I didn't mind though, I was a big sister for a reason, note the sarcasm.

I prepared eye eggs and turkey bacon, grilled toast, and poured us both glasses of orange juice while the water was heating up to make us both mugs of coffee.

"Is that turkey bacon I'm smelling?" Grace said a few minutes later as I was setting everything on the table. I hummed in response finding her fixing her hair by the door mirror.

"I love you!" She said excitedly making me laugh as she sat and we started eating making sure to keep careful eye on the watch as we didn't want her to be late for work.

"When are you going to the Brooke house?" Grace asked as she got up after finishing her breakfast wanting to wash the dish.

"Don't worry, I got it..." I told her turning off the water faucet "at around eleven, I'll just fix everything up here then I'll get going"

"Okay, call me and tell me what happens, and if they mistreat you just leave, these are rich people and I don't trust them" Grace winked, I rolled my eyes reading her underline words. Especially since the bastard was technically their son. But this was work I was talking about and I wasn't going to let my emotions get in the way of a golden chance like this one. Not again anyway.

"Bye love" I said giving her a lunch bag which I had prepared for her. She clapped her hands in excitement. I prepared it knowing that she probably spent the whole day yesterday without anything to eat as she was too lazy to prepare anything, and knowing my sister, she wouldn't want to be spending unnecessary money on junk food. Hence was why I made her something to eat while she was there until she came home to find a proper meal to have as lunch.

"Bye, I'll call you when I get there" Grace said kissing my cheek before closing the door. I handed her the house keys, As of course, she was going to forget them had I not handed them to her, she smiled cheekily at me before I locked the door behind her using my own keys.

I looked at the messed-up living room and drew myself a plan to get everything done before leaving the house, not wanting to put pressure on my sister when she got back from work. I knew that working from nine till five and getting home at almost six is exhausting, she might as well find the house tidy.

"Well Kiara, time to get things done"

***********************

"Um, is this the Brooke house?" I asked a maid who opened the door for me. This place was a mansion not a house. Despite Mrs. Iris giving me her driver's number, I preferred coming here with a taxi. If I lost the job because of what happened yesterday. I'd simply manage to find my way back home myself.

"You must be Kiara" the maid said calmly. Her brown eyes cold as she looked me up and down, I was wearing blue jeans and a white buttoned up shirt which had its sleeves rolled up, my hair was left in its natural curls. I nodded at her and she moved away from the door to allow me to walk inside.

I waited for her to close the door and followed her inside the mansion. My eyes widening as I looked at the expensive chandeliers, couches, dining table, different paintings, carpets, plush pillows, the garden which seemed to be endless, everything in that house spoke money and power, how were these people not from the royal family was the first question that swarmed my mind.

"These are your office clothes" she said handing me a black pants and white shirt "and this is for you to wear today for the reception Mrs. Iris has, go wear change, the bathroom is the third door to the right, and I'll let you know what you need to do. Oh, and please tie your hair in a bun"

Nodding as I took in her instructions, not having anything to say. I smiled at her and went to the bathroom, following her guidance. Taking a breath of relief when I saw that I didn't lose the job. I put on the white knee long short sleeved dress and what looked like a white waist apron, I tied my hair in a bun and checked my appearance smiling as I felt satisfied with my look, my makeup was a lighter shade from yesterday's though I made sure to spark up my blue eyes.

"Maria?" I said calling her, entering the kitchen to find her looking at me with a raised eyebrow, wanting to know why I had called her "I was just wondering where I could put my clothes?"

My voice was hesitant as I asked. She gave me a small smile and opened a closet handing me a small black bag "you can keep the bag, Mrs. Iris already knew that you would probably need it"

"Thank you" I said smiling. I put my folded clothes inside it, my phone was inside the dress pocket, and I surprised that the dress had one to begin with. I put the bag back in the closet where Maria had taken it out, and Maria smiled as I closed the closet.

"These are the juices, you go around the women offering them to her, from right to left, usually Mrs. Iris is sitting on the far left, which means that since she's the hostess of the reception. She's the last to be offered" Maria explained showing me the crystal glass cups which were filled with what looked like different fruit juices, and I nodded

"We need to take these out, Mrs. Iris should be down soon to check how everything's set, therefor we need to be quick before the guests arrive" Maria said and I nodded taking two plates in my hands. Holding them up expertly, working at the restaurant proved worthy.

I helped Maria set the table in no time and we were done before Mrs. Iris came down, Maria smiled in satisfaction with me and I found myself returning the smile as Mrs. Iris walked down the stairs to find me.

"Kiara darling, how are you?" Mrs. Iris smiled. My heart raced as I worried about her talking about anything, but the smile on her face told me that so far, everything was going good.

"I'm fine Mrs. Iris, looking dashing as always" I complemented her. She wore a white long dress, which exposed her breast finely, her collarbone popping up.

"Merci" she smiled at me "Maria dear, did you explain everything that Kiara needs to do?"

"I have Mrs. Iris" Maria said nodding her head.

"You can count on me Mrs. Iris; I won't let you down"

"I'm sure you will not dear, tomorrow you'll be at the office of my husband at eight, he goes in at eight-fifteen, have nuts and coffee on his desk. He'll already have had breakfast at home, but he will need snacks, try making sure that he doesn't have too much sugar" she said carefully and I found myself admiring her care for her husband. Making a mental note of everything she said, I smiled and nodded at her.

"I'll be sure to have everything as you wish Mrs. Iris, thank you for your guidance" I said politely. She raised an eyebrow at me and nodded satisfied by my answer.

The doorbell rang interrupting us, and Maria went to open the door while I followed her to take the guest's jackets. Hanging them like Maria did in the closet which was by the door.

All while Mrs. Iris kept her eyes on me...