AGAINST ALL ODDS.

Her again.

Liv stirred, her eye lids flattering open to bright lights and the faint scent of antiseptic.The soft beeping of machines filled the silence.Her head throbbed,and her back ached.Slowly ,her mind pierced things together.

Home. Her father .The bag.The stove.

She inhaled sharply pushing ,her self upright.

A nurse rushed over careful you were hurt badly.

Liv blinked at her disoriented

"My family...where's Milan??....my mom..where are they??!"

"They are safe ." the nurse said.

Relief washed over, and then the dread returned.

Her father,the money,what happened after she blacked out?

The doctor approached checking her vitals."Your lucky ,a little more force and you could have had a skull fracture you need rest and proper care."

Care.The word felt foreign to her.

She looked at her hands,thinking,why does he hate us?Why are we never enough?

A shadow felt over her.Her heart clenched the aura around this person was suffocating- dark ,commanding.She slowly looked up.

A tall man with a firm built body stood before her,dressed in black ,his firm features were expressionless but his eyes held a silent authority.

"Your coming with me ," he said.

Liv stiffened," Who-"

Before she could protest his strong arm gripped her arm."Don't fight it!"

"Am not going anywhere."she struggled trying to pull away.

Hopeless his strength was inhuman.

Miles gave her a sharp look "Boss orders."

Livs breath caught boss??

Her body was still weak .She had no choice but to let him lead her out of the hospital.The moment they stepped out a sleek black car waited.

As the door opened her eyes widened.Inside Milan sat beside there mother looking confused but unharmed her mother ....was smiling.

Relief mixed with fear they were safe but where were they going.

AT J.W s OFFICE:

J.Ws anxiety suggests that Liv hold something crucial to him-something unspoken but undeniably important.His concern goes beyond simple Interest:it as if her suffering personally affects him,thought he may not understand why.

As the arrive at Emo Pride (the company where milan was hurt)Miles instructs them to wait in the lobby.They comply unaware of the storm about to hit them.The moment they settle,Andrea appears,her presence venomous.She doesn't hesitate hurling cruel insults at them, her words cutting deep, more people gather,drawn like

vultures each one adding to the chorus of mockery.The insults are merciless striping away there dignity as if they have no worth in this place.

But why ? Why do they seem all determined to humiliate them.And why does J.W feel soo much unease about Liv's situation?

Andrea stuttered towards them, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.The moment her gaze locked onto liv and Milan ,her lips curved into a smirk of pure malice.

ANDREA:well well what do we have here? the little beggar and the sickly mutt of a brother. Did you come here hoping for left overs from our trash bins?

Laughter erupted from the surrounding employees emboldening Andrea.

LIV(firm but nervous):we're just waiting here ,we don't want any trouble"

ANDREA (mocking ):"Trouble? ooh, sweet heart, trouble flows filth like you.Do you even know where you are?This is Emo Pride- not a filthy slum .People like you do not belong here.

A woman in the crowd scoffed loudly.

EMPLOYEE 1:I heard she tried seducing Mr. Walker for money,pathetic ,really .Imagine, thinking a man like him would even look at her.

EMPLOYEE 2:Seduce? more like beg! she probably threw herself at his feet,crying like a rat caught in a trap.

ANDREA (giggling):wouldn't be the first time. Girls like her dressed in rags,desperate for a rich man's attention- they will do anything for a few coins.

Liv clenched her fists, feeling her face burning with humiliation. Milan clung to her arms his small fingers trembling.

ANDREA (eyes narrowing at Milan):And this thing- your little parasite of a brother- ugh just looking at him makes me sick.Is he even alive? Or are you just drugging a corpse for pity points?

The crowd erupted into laughter cruel and deafening.Milan's body stiffened his tiny frame flinching at every word.

EMPLOYEE 3:someone should throw them out before they start stealing.

EMPLOYEE 4:or spreading disease who knows where they have been?

ANDREA : actually i should call security.Or better yet the police then we can get rid of this pests for good.

Tears stung Liv's eyes, but she held her chin high refusing to let them see her brake.Milan buried his head in her side .His Breath uneven.

Then ,just as Andrea reached for her phone,the elevator chimed and the room fell into a hushed tension .J.w stepped out.

The moment the elevator door slipped open,silence fell like a Thunder clap.J.W came out his presence cold and commanding his piercing eyes scanning the gathered crowd.His gaze landed on Andrea,who straitened, up flipping her hair as if she had done nothing wrong.

J.W said coldly"What's going on here?"

Andrea's lips immediately curved into a pout her voice laced with feign concern.

ANDREA: ooh Mr.Walker, it's just awful! This filthy little thief and a sick rat of her brother were loitering in the loby, probbaly waiting for a chance to rob as blind .I was just handling the situation before they embarrass the company any further.

The crowd nodded in agreement, there murmurs of support swirling like poison in the air.

EMPLOYEE 1 : she's a gold - digger.She thinks throwing herself at rich men will save her from the gutter.

EMPLOYEE 2 :Her brother looks half -dead. I wouldn't be supprised if he fakes his illness to be sympathized.

ANDREA(snikering);Honestly,Mr.Walker just look at her.Pathetic .She looks like she hasn't bathed in weeks.Did you give her that bag because i swear a trash like her can't afford it.

Laughter rippled in the crowd but it died just as quickly when J.Ws smirked appeared.A slow dangerous smirk. He took a step closer to Andrea,his tall frame towering over her.

J.W(low and smooth):say those words again,Andrea.

Andrea blinked confused by his tone.

J.W(leaning in,voice cold):go on say those words again ,and i will personally ensure that you lose your tounge permanently.

A deadly silence fell.Andrea's face drained of colour. some employees gasped,others quickly averting they gaze pretending to be busy.

ANDREA(stammering): Mr.Walker i was only trying to-...

J.W (cutting her off,tone still calm but terrifying).No you were only running your mouth.Like a fool and i do not tolerate fools.

Andrea swallowed hard.Her hands trembling as she backed away.

Then in a sudden shift of tone.J.W turned to livs mother who had just steeped in from outside.Concern written all over her face.His entire demenor changed.His expression changed to something that almost represented respect.

J.W (politely):Mrs .Harper ,what a pleasure to meet you.

Gasped filled the room the same woman they had just mocked- Liv's mother - was being addressed with such respect by Mister walker.

Andreas eyes widened in horror.Liv's mother confused but composed,nodded "Mr.Walker."

Andrea was nearly shaking at this point. But as J.W turned back to Liv Andrea leaned closed to her ear her voice dripping in venom.

ANDREA (whispering):You think ur something special don't you?just because he looked your way?ur still nothing.No matter now much he pitties you ,ur still trash.

Liv clenched her fists but said nothing.She refused to give Andrea the satisfaction of seeing her break.

With that J.W gestured for Milan to follow him.They worked through the lobby,their heads high,leaving Andrea face burning in humiliation.

The second they exited whispers exploded behind them.

EMPLOYEE 3:Fid you see that.He threatened Andrea for her.

EMPLOYEE 4:and he knows her mother who the hell is her?