The angel he lost

Danger

Ana Maria POV 

It is almost dark when I finally finished my shift. Walking back home alone is becoming scarier, as so many men catcall me, even married ones, that I have known for years. Life has been so hard for me lately, I feel mentally and physically drained. I've never been the pessimistic type, but I am genuinely scared of what the future may bring. Now that school is officially over, the pressure to marry has been increasing, my father insists that I should marry that old man. I will never do that, no matter what I will never consent to be sell-off, in a loveless marriage.

My whole life I have dreamed and prayed for a family of my own, with a husband that will be kind and love me right. I don't want someone that only is attracted to my looks, because that fades soon with time. I pray that the man that will become my husband will fall in love with my heart instead, that he will cherish and honor our relationship, and protects me. 

Yes, I need someone to protect me, I feel incredibly lonely and intimidated, even though I try to keep my head high. Since I have started working at the factory, some people have been extremely rude, right on my face. I know this is a small town and many things, such as women working are still taboo for most, but times have changed. And besides, I am doing an honest job, which I need. What do they expect? To stay home and let my family starve instead? 

I notice how people stare at me, especially men, and I hate it. I try to dress modestly, and I never reply to the catcalling in the street, but it is still harassment. I can also feel the resentment of the women, their whispering every time I pass by, which makes me feel awful. I have done nothing to deserve this kind of treatment, why do people think it is okay to behave this way? 

Now that I am not close with Sophia, I have no one I can open up to. I miss my best friend so much, and her decision to distance herself from me hurt me so much. I cried to sleep for days, I still pray to God that we can go back as we use to be. Was I really such a burden to her? Well, with all my troubles and misery, I don't blame her for not wanting to put up with me anymore.

I only have you God, please lead the way for me. I just want a normal life, and a lovely family filled with love. That's all I ask for. 

...............................

Third POV 

"Sophia" - Liam looked at her with a straight face, but his heart sunk inside seeing her again. She was all grown up now, the burning mark of the fire that destroyed her face was still the same. The overwhelming feelings of guilt and remorse washed over him, making it extremely hard to bear this moment. 

"Brother" - she forced a smile on him and went to hug him, raising over her toes to trie and rich him. 

"Look at you, all grown up! You are a real young lady now" - he said putting his hand around her shoulders.

"Time has changed you too. You are much taller and muscular than I remembered. More handsome too" - she replied. Deep down the feeling of resentment and anger was burning her soul, even though she tried to convince herself otherwise.  "I have missed you" 

"Son" - Mary faked a bright smile, opening her arms to gesture him for a hug "Oh, how long has it been. I have missed you so much" - with a theatrical act of love she went to kiss him in both cheeks. Liam didn't respond at all, making it an extremely uncomfortable and awkward moment for both of them. 

"Take a seat" - he offered Sophia a chair, ignoring Mary, who had to make herself comfortable. Liam ordered the maid to bring drinks and food to both of his visitors, and then once again he turned his full attention, towards his sister only. 

"Are you still in school?" - Liam deep voice felt intimidating and foreign to her 

"No, I gave my last exam a few days ago. I finished the Catholic High School for Girls, here in our town"

"What about college? Do you have any ambition to study further?" 

"I would love to study fashion and art, but it is a far stretch, considering how expensive it is" 

"Fashion?" - Liam asked surprised 

"Yes... and arts" - Sophia felt shame and anger, knowing that any time she mentioned her love for fashion and beauty, people would look at her shocked, as she had no right to enjoy those things. 

"Well...you pick a college that you find suitable, and I'll make sure you'll get what you want. Don't worry about money, I will cover all of the expenses, until your graduation" - Liam gave her a sympathetic smile

"Thank you! You are so generous" - Sophia replied

"Oh, my son! You have no idea how much your father and I have missed you" - Mary said with a bright smile "Seeing you so successful makes me so happy. And you are so generous, as well" 

"Can I talk alone with your mother, Sophia?" - Liam said in a commanding voice while giving a blank cold look to Mary,

"I don't think..." - Sophia tried to oppose, but his reaction made her freeze. As she was trying to speak, Liam turned his face towards her, he radiated energy of authority and power, which could easily dominate anyone or anything. 

"I said give us a moment alone" - he said without changing his cold tone. 

"Y..yes" - Sophia nodded, her legs felt like jelly as she walked out of the studio. It took her a few minutes to calm down, and come to her senses 'What a jerk" - she said underneath her breath, feeling hateful towards her brother. 

She looked around the place, decorated with so much elegance, everything about it screamed power and wealth. So my brother may be a jerk, but he can compensate for this with his money. 

"Sophia? " - James called out her name, standing behind her. Even though he knew about her disfiguration, he wasn't fully prepared when he finally saw the irreparable damage to her face. Sophia immediately understood what he was thinking, and it hurt her every single time. 

"I am James Clark, nice to meet you" - he said, composing himself quickly 

"James Clark? Adele's brother?" - she asked surprised 

"You know my younger sister?" - he smiled softly 

"Yes, I do. But weren't you supposed to be dead?" - she asked coldly, living James stunt

...............................

third POV 

"Just one more mile, till home. And then I'll get some rest. One more mile" - Ana Maria thought to herself, feeling completely out of breath. After a heavy work shift, she felt completely drained of energy. Her delicate body couldn't handle the amount of workload at the factory, and she had been exhausted keeping up with the work, home chores, last exams, and even preparations for the church. 

"I am a total failure" - she thought, being hard on herself because she felt like she was becoming lazy. The truth was that it was becoming more common for her to feel burnt out, and drained of energy. 

"Come on, Ana Maria. Is getting too dark, I have to walk faster" - she pushed herself 

"Ana Maria" - she heard a man voice behind her back, which made her heart pound inside her chest 

"Walk fast" - her instinct told her and she used all the energy left on her to hurry up

"Ana Maria! Wait! Is me, Alan" - the young man ran after her, holding her arm to stop her. 

"Please let go of my arm" - she shrunk feeling uncomfortable "I didn't recognize your voice" - Ana Maria said with awkwardness "I am sorry, but I have to go. It's getting too late" 

"Wait, I'll walk you home" - Alan said and started walking with her

"You don't have to" 

"I want to" - Alan insisted 'I really like you, Ana Maria" - he said looking at the road straight ahead 

"What? " - she said feeling stunt by his confession. 

"You heard what I say, and I think you know this, for a long time" - he replied, feeling overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, which were driving him mad. 

"How would I have known? I had no idea! I am sorry, Alan but I can not respond to your feelings"- Ana Maria replied feeling stuck in a very uncomfortable situation. 

"Oh, come on! Stop acting so innocent. You flirt with half of the men of this town and you never noticed my interest? Why is it? Because I am poor, you can't respond to my feelings? Huh?" - he suddenly became very angry and started shouting at her 

'What? What are you talking about? How dare you talk to me like this?" - Ana felt so scared and lost for words, from the sudden verbal attack

"You have slept with so many already, you got engaged with an old man... I can make you feel better than all of them" - suddenly he grabbed her waist, pulling her soft body towards him 

"Let me go! Let go of me! Help!" - Ana Maria yelled in desperation 

"I have done everything for you! I even started flirting with Sophia the monster, because of you! Adele said that I could make a lot of money because her brother is so rich. But I never cared about money, I only care about you. And you will be mine, one way of another" - he said pulling her towards a dark lonely corner and plastering kisses on her neck. 

"Let go of me! Help" - she yelled desperately again. 

"Don't struggle, you know it will not help" - he repeated and ripped her shirt open. 

Ana Maria was crying in anguishment, in an instinct move, she reached for a big stone next to her and hit him right in the head. Suddenly, he fell on the ground, in front of her feet, as blood covered his head. 

"Oh, God! Oh, God!" - she said breathing hard. Again he moved, and tried to grab her feet "You b***h" - she heard him saying. Ana Maria run as she had never done before, without even daring to look back and did not stop till she reached her home.

"Oh, God! Help me! What have I done to deserve this?" - she cried out, falling down on her knees, as she entered her dark small room, in the basement. Little did she know that this was only the beginning of the hurricane, that was heading towards her.