Sophia's POV

What!

I looked around like a lost puppy in the middle of nowhere.

My eyes drifted back to the card in my hand. I couldn’t understand what just happened. He had so much audacity, what even made him think I would work for him.

I was still trying to make sense of the whole thing, when my taxi arrived.

I quickly stuffed everything into my bag and got in.

The drive home was a total haze. I was there physically, but mentally, I was gone. I almost forgot to pay the driver when we got to my place. I just got out of the car and started walking away.

Walking down the street felt weird, like I wasn't really in my body anymore. My legs were moving, but my brain was somewhere else entirely.

I stopped by a supermarket and bought beer before heading home.

As I opened the door, I froze. I couldn't believe my eyes.

The house was scattered, like it was just being robbed. I didn’t need to guess who did it. Only one person had the right to, since I hadn't paid my rent.

My knees gave way as the weight of everything crushed down on me.

I slumped to the floor.

“Why?” I cried, dragging out the word.

I pulled out the beer, and twisted the cap.

I turned on the TV and increased the volume to the highest, anything to drown the silence and the screams in my head.

Tears streamed down my face as I gulped down the beer, talking like there was someone there to listen to me.

“I’m cursed. No wonder nobody wants me,” I whispered. “My mother left me. My father remarried and dumped me with my grandmother.”

The pain choked me, but I kept going.

“And my grandmother died not long after I started living with her. That just proves I’m cursed. I bring only bad lucks!”

I cried, screamed, and drank like there was no tomorrow.

The next morning, it was the sound of the doorbell that woke me up. I groaned as I clutched to my head like it will fall off my neck if I let go.

“Who comes to visit someone this early?” I muttered, forcing myself to sit up on the sofa. As I stood up and walked to the door.

I peeped through the hole, and then I saw Beatrice.

I opened the door, trying to look as normal as possible.

“Are you okay? I have been ringing the bell for ages, even called you,” she said, as her concern was evident in her voice.

“I’m okay. I was sleeping,” I replied, trying to sound casual.

“Sleeping? By this time? Are you sure you’re, okay?” she asked again, stepping closer, scanning me from head to toe.

And then she noticed I was bare footed. “Why are you barefooted? Don’t you know it’s cold?”

“Come in,” I said weakly, unable to stand for long.

I turned to walk back to the living room, but I felt dizzy, and just as I was about to hit the floor, Beatrice caught me.

“What have you done to yourself?” she asked.

I wanted to lie, say I was fine, but even the words didn't come.

She helped me to the sofa, and I lay there while she headed to the kitchen. I tried to rest, but I couldn't, my head was pounding really hard.

A few minutes later, she returned with a bowl of noodles and handed it over.

“I checked the kitchen. And there's nothing in there. No groceries at all,” she said.

" I was planning to go shopping today" I replied.

" It's fine just eat" she said.

After I had taken few spoons, she looked at me again, her eyes softer this time. “Sophia, you need to go to the hospital.”

" I'm fine, I just have headache, I’ll get some drugs, and I will be fine,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You have to go to work. Don’t worry about me.”

She sighed, clearly not convinced, but nodded. “Promise me you’ll at least step out and get something for the headache.”

“I promise,” I said, trying to smile.

After she left, I managed to drag myself into the bathroom. I took my bath slowly, changed into fresh clothes, and stepped out to get some medicine.

As I walked down the street, I saw a restaurant and without thinking, I walked in hoping I could get a job.

But not long after, I came out disappointment sinking deeper.

Not even the world wanted me anymore.

So, I just went to the pharmacy, like I had planned got drugs, and went back to the house.

The moment I stepped in, I went straight to the kitchen, used the drugs, and went to the bedroom to rest.

When I finally woke up, it was already late in the evening.

My stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I needed to eat something.

I reached for my phone on the bedside table, but I couldn't find it.

That was when I remembered.

I hadn’t seen my phone since last night.

I groaned, as I managed to get out of bed.

And then I saw it on the sofa I had slept last night.

I picked it up.

Eight missed calls.

All from Beatrice.

I stood there, staring at the screen, unsure whether to call her. Thinking she would be busy, but I later made up my mind and called her.

“Hello, Sophia,” she answered immediately, as if she had been waiting for my call all day.

“Hello,” I replied.

“Why weren’t you picking up? I was so worried, I thought something was wrong,” she said, her concern evident in her voice.

“Beatrice, I’m fine,” I replied softly.

Just then, I heard someone call her name from her end.

“I need to go now, take care of yourself,” she said quickly, as she hangs up.

And then I opened the food app and ordered some takeout.

I dropped my phone on the table and leaned back with a sigh.

And then I saw it.