The Billionaire’s Redemption

Marla, we’d like to invite you for an interview tomorrow,” the voice said. “Yes, sir, I’ll be there tomorrow!” Marla exclaimed, her voice trembling with joy. As she dropped her phone, Marla sipped juice, envisioning a brighter future. Her face glowed with anticipation, and her mind raced with possibilities. Four hours later, Marla woke up from her deep slumber, feeling refreshed. But as she glanced at the clock, her smile faded. “This is past six,” she said, concern etched on her face. “Why are they not back? This is quite unusual.” Fear crept in like a thief, stealing her peace. Her mind began to race with worst-case scenarios. She dialed Isabella’s number, her hands trembling slightly. “Hello, mum... guess what? I got the job! Your prayers worked!” Marla exclaimed. But instead of her mother’s warm congratulations, the sound of an ambulance siren pierced the air. “Mum... are you listening to me? Mum?” Marla called out, panic rising. A stranger’s voice replaced Isabella’s, sending a chill down Marla’s spine. “Hello, may I know who I’m speaking to?” Marla’s heart sank. “Who are you? Can you give the phone to the owner?” Marla demanded. “The owner of this phone... was involved in a ghastly road accident... and she has lost her life.” Marla’s world crumbled. “You mean... you mean my mum?” she stammered, tears streaming down her face. The stranger’s sympathetic tone offered little comfort. “So sorry for the loss... her corpse will be in Danmus mortuary.” Marla’s phone dropped from her palm, shattering on the floor. “My mum... she was here just yesterday,” Marla wailed. She sobbed uncontrollably, her body shaking like a leaf. “Daddy, pick up, pick up!” Marla pleaded. Daniel’s phone rang before an unknown person picked up. “Daddy... daddy,” Marla said. The stranger’s words cut through her: “Are you related to Mr. Daniel?” “Yes, he’s my dad.” “His corpse will be in Danmus mortuary... we tried revitalizing him, but we lost him.” Marla’s screams echoed through her apartment. “Daddy, daddy!” she wailed. The stranger’s voice faded as Marla’s grief consumed her. “I’m finished,” she sobbed. “How do I start all over again?” Marla’s cries grew louder. “Mummy!” she screamed. Tears streamed down her face, blurring her vision. Memories flooded her mind: laughter, birthday parties, family vacations. “No, no, no!” Marla screamed. Friends and family rushed to console her. Her world had shattered. Marla’s heart felt like it had stopped beating. Her parents, her rock, her everything – gone. The once vibrant apartment now felt empty and cold. Photos of Marla's parents adorned the walls,their smile traumatizing her. The scent of fresh flowers from the garden,her mother's favorite, lingered,a painful reminder. Marla holds Isabella picture amidst tears Shouldn't you have waited longer? shouldn't you have held onto my hands so we won't be far from each other? shouldn't you have beckoned to me so I can be a bit closer? shouldn't you have taken me so we can be much better? Mummy.......she wails,you left without a license or notice,she breaks down in tears as she slowly falls on the floor. Marla,they want you to be strong for them, I know they're here waving the reignition of hope Marla,Mrs Edward, Marla's neighbor said as she pats Marla's shoulder,Marla soon falls asleep as she is laid on the bed. ******************************************** At 8:00pm,shadows danced across the walls as dusk fell. Marla's sobs echoed through the silence. Outside the world moved on, oblivious to Marla's pain. Marla staggered towards the sofa to find a leaning support as she woke up. Marla's mind drifted to her childhood memories. Her parents cheerful laughter. “Danny, you're just a joker,”Isabella giggling memories resurfaced. Her father's guidance on her painting passion sparked her creativity,Marla to be an excellent Painter,you need to draw with full concentration so you won't keep dotting the drawings,hmm, Daniel used to say this to Marla with a smile. So Marla,2+3+2 is equal to what? Isabella would ask to see if she understands. “9,” Marla said with a smile. “No my love, it's 7. You see, 2 fingers + daddy's 3 big fingers and mummy's 2 medium size gives us 7,Ok Marla? Isabella would ask. Yes mummy,Marla would respond to Isabella. Marla’s screams faded into silence. Her dreams, her hopes, her future – all shattered. In the silence, Marla’s thoughts whispered: “I’ll never see them again.” Marla’s body trembled. Neighbors were already leaving after hours of consoling her. “Why did this happen?” she thought. Her mind raced. “Could I have done something?” “Should I have called them?” The questions swirled. Marla’s grief deepened. She felt lost. Alone. Abandoned. The world outside seemed to move on. But Marla’s world had stopped. Frozen in grief. Marla’s tears fell like rain. Her sobs echoed with a broken heart Again and again. Marla suddenly screams amidst tears Mummy as she throws a glass cup to the wall as she wails more holding her head. Marla's tears were unquantifiable as she weeps at every slightest memory of her parents, having wept for hours,she falls asleep. Marla's dreams were filled with visions of her parents. She saw them smiling, calling out to her. But when she woke up,reality crushed her. Her hands trembled as she picked up the shattered cup's pieces, each fragment piercing her heart like a painful memory. She placed them gently in a box, a makeshift coffin for her shattered dreams. As she cleaned the floor, tears fell like rain, washing away her strength. But with each wipe, she scrubbed away her despair, replacing it with determination. Marla stood, her eyes red-rimmed, and gazed out the window. The world outside seemed unfazed, moving forward without her parents. "How can it?" she whispered, her voice cracking. "How can life go on without them?" But life did. And Marla knew she had to. She took a deep breath, the pain still suffocating. She remembered the laughter, the warmth, the guidance. Now, only silence. Marla's eyes fell on the shattered cup, its fragments mirroring her broken soul. "Why?" she whispered, her voice lost in the abyss. As grief consumed her, Marla's thoughts swirled: Memories of her parents' smiles, their encouragement, their love. The ache of their absence threatened to destroy her. But amidst the devastation, a spark within Marla flickered. A resolve formed, born from the ashes of her shattered world. Marla slowly stood, wiping away tears. As she lay amidst the shattered remains of her world,a haunting question crept in: “Was it really an accident? Or was it something more sinister? Was I the target? Will I ever find out what really happened? Will justice be served? Or will the truth remain forever hidden? And what about the job interview tomorrow? Should I still go? Can she face the world without her parents? Will she ever find the strength to move on?