The angel he lost

Judgmental people

third POV

"You are doing a mistake! And you know it" - James repeated again in frustration "Why would you even consider to go and live in a small lost town, now that your business is skyrocketing and you are quite literally, the richest man in the country?"  

"Don't get it confused, this is too a business move. I know what I am doing" - Liam replied with calmness while looking at the rapports in his desk. "With the new deal I will sign, I will be the biggest owner of minerals and gold mines in the States" 

James signed in a dramatic way, rolling his eyes "It's really hard to hate you right now, when I am also in awe from your ambition, and how that sneaky mind of yours work" 

"Well, it brought me till here, didn't it?" - Liam smirked 

"I will miss you, though. Your parties always attracted the best people. When you go live in the middle of nowhere, it won't be the same, it will be... dull" 

"You won't miss me at all, because you are coming for some time with me. I have ordered to prepare a room, at the Grand Farm for you as well" 

"What? Never? I will not! I don't care even if you fire me, I will never return to that … stupid town, full of hypocrites, superstitious and judgmental hyenas" - James's face darkened, he seemed not only angered, but also hurt, as the vivid memories of the past flashed before his eyes. 

"James? I have already bought the mine, the textile fabrics and the Farm I will move into. I will be in continuous negotiations and agreement to buy the land and the mines across the place, I need you to handle the arrangements for me and to put some order in everything. This is business" 

"Liam! The day that I left that … cursed town I promise myself to set afoot ever again! I was only 18 years old, with a little money, and completely lost" 

"I won't say you had a little money! You were well set off when I first met you! And you knew all the high society hyenas in the city too" 

"Oh, come on! You know what I mean! I had only my part of the inheritance of my late grandma, but nothing more than that. My family is pretty rich, and they kicked me out with nothing. The honorable Clarks couldn't tolerate having a gay son!" - James shouted, but then took a deep breath and sat back on his chair, trying to calm down 

"Don't you desire to take revenge for that? Everything you have been through may serve as a fuel for you to come back at whoever hurt you" - Liam said as a dark spark lighted up in his eyes

"I already did... I wouldn't say revenge, just getting back even. Didn't I gave you all the information you need to buy off the textile fabric, the cotton plantations, and the "Grand Farm?" I know my father must be drenched in alcohol right now, while the rest of my so-called family are going crazy. Their self-worth relies only on the amount of money they have. There is nothing more they value more than money... and their good appearance of course.. My mother, in particular, is so determined to keep everything picture perfect, for the outsiders, even if it means sacrificing her own children's wellbeing"- James smiled in irony, but he felt a sharp pain of sadness inside.

"But now you have the chance to get back on all the people who once hurt you. You are successful and rich on your own terms, while things have drastically changed for them all" 

"Stop messing with my head, Liam... You are my best friend, but you can't possibly understand what I have been through. They treated me as I was some sort of a sick monster, my mother use to send me to these special praying groups in the church, to "cure my gayness", as it was a disease of a sort. And everything was secretive, it made me feel so much shame and guilt, at such a young age. When my father found out, he kicked me out of the home. Everyone was so... mean! And the worst part is that they use their religion to justify their evilness. Because that's what they are, just a bunch of evil closed-minded people." 

"Well, now these people will count on your grace to keep their jobs because I am appointing you as the Chief Manager of Anderson Enterprises. From this moment on, you will fill me in, in everything. After we settle the main issues with the mines deal, you can return to the city, to run the office from here" 

"Wait, what?" - James looked at Liam with wide eyes

"You are my most trusted person, very efficient, and have all the connections. You are also much more... finessed than me when communicating with people. And after all this company wouldn't even exist if it weren't for your trust and money, your first investment was practically a gamble" 

"Yeah, but you tripled that money, paid me back in three weeks, and made a fortune out of it" 

"I wouldn't have without you, though. You have been a true friend James, and I am forever grateful for that, even though it doesn't show" 

"Yeah, I know" - James replied, struggling to keep back some tears "Behind that rough appearance of an alpha crazy man, is in fact a gentle soul. Thank you, Liam! I am so grateful to you too" - he smiled and gave him a brotherly hug

"Well, that's enough with these sentimentalisms, we look like little girls right now. And nothing about me is gentle, just for you to know. I am indeed an asshole. Just a noble one" - Liam smirked "I want you to come in the Rosaria town, with me. Just for some time, then we will make it work. I am asking this as your friend, not just as your boss" 

"Okay" - James sighed "You just can't take no for an answer, can you? I will come with you, in that superstitious place, with the most boring people ever" 

"Thank you" - Liam smiled 

"But I warn you, there are no beautiful women there, so forget about the romantic adventures. And all the old ladies in that town will try to marry off those ugly offspring's of theirs with you" 

"Is that so?" 

"Yes! But you can't marry some boring, closed-minded woman, who can only speak about sewing and church. That would be awful. So you will be lonely and miserable there" 

"Well, maybe there is a beautiful woman, who can catch my attention, even in that forgotten place. Never say never" - Liam laughed and turned his attention to the file he was reading.

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

Ana Maria pov 

"Maria?" - the teacher yelled at my name, scaring me off. She was also a nun in the church, and frankly very intimidating, I tried to stay off her guard, as much as I could.

"Yes, sister Jane?" 

"You are almost falling asleep at the desk! The finals are in two weeks, and you are already behind in many of the topics" 

"I am sorry, I will try my best to catch up with the class and pay attention" - I replied, hoping that she would just drop it, I was feeling embarrassed enough already

"I do not tolerate laziness, Maria. So you better keep that in mind" - I could feel myself blushing so hard, from shame. I wasn't lazy at all, actually, I was extremely tired from being overworked. I just can't keep up, with so many responsibilities and with no help at all. But before I could say anything at all, I heard the voice of a girl from behind my back, making a comment which put made me even more uncomfortable. 

"Ana Maria doesn't need to study, sister. She is so beautiful, anyone would love to marry her. What does she need a college for?" - I turned around to see Christina, looking at me with half of a smile. 

"I would love to be a teacher, someday. Or a nurse" - I replied "I think education is just as important for women, as it is for men" - unfortunately, even though the time had changed, in the little town I lived in the mindset of the people, often seemed stuck in the middle ages. Lately, I have been getting many comments like this, since I started working at the factory, and as much as I tried to not let it get under my skin, it still hurt. 

"Well with this weak academic performance of yours, is probably for the best to only nurse and teach your future children. Let's hope someone descend will marry you, despite the reputation of your family" - sister Jane said to me in a harsh tone, I felt tears stinging in my eyes, from shame and humiliation. 

"Well, maybe you should focus more on the teaching than on gossips, sister Jane. It would be a shame if someone important learned how you treat your students, and who knows? You may lose your job" - Sophia intervened in an angry tone, leaving everyone shocked. 

"About the exercise two..." - sister Jane returned to the teaching, acting as if nothing happened, but I couldn't focus on anything. My hands were shaking so badly, I lowered my head so no one would see my tears. Thankfully, I heard the ringing of the bell, and the class was dismissed. 

I gathered my belongings quickly and almost run out of the place, I needed some time alone to process what just happened. 

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

Third POV 

"Sister Jane is so... harsh" - Christina said with a said voice while playing with the food in front of her 

"She is a total b***h" - Sophia replied

Adele looked at Sophia with wide eyes, shocked at her use of language "Oh my God! You can't talk like this for a nun! Or for anyone really. It's not ladylike"  - her voice had an undertone of judgment, that she tried to hide. 

"Is the truth! She is also a hypocrite. The only reason she didn't expel me from class, is that she knows that my brother is rich, and is afraid that the church may lose the donation. But she doesn't care about Ana Maria at all, because she is poor. Is that simple" 

"Ana Maria is so beautiful, like an angel. She can marry anyone, even someone rich" - Christina said with a dreamy voice 

'Not every girl wants to get married and poop out babies every year. Some of us have more ambitions and dreams in life"- Sophia replied annoyed 

"Well, she can also be a model or even an actress. I would love to see her on a cinema screen. Out of all the girls in the town, she is the most gorgeous. No one compares to her" - Christiana smiled "You know my brother has a crush on her, I wish he'll marry her in the future. Ana is so kind, I would love to have her as my sister-in-law. Can you imagine?" 

"Can you just shut up?" - Adele glared at Sophia 

"What did I say?" - Christina blushed

"You are annoying the hell out of us. Ana Maria is pretty yes, but she is not all that. I don't see this obsession of yours with her. Besides have you seen her family? They are terrible. Her father is a total drunk addict, and her stepmother...well she has quite of a reputation lately" 

"Ana is nothing like her family" - Sophia replied in a cold tone, with her eyes fixed in the ground 

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, they say. So, I wouldn't bet on that" - Adele smirked, raising her eyebrow in a meaningful manner

'What do you mean? " - Christine asked with a sparkle of curiosity in her eyes. "You know something, don't you? Tell us!" - she lowered her voice, but her tone was exited

"Well... I am not sure of it... but ... they say that every woman that works at the factory... has had to ... sleep with the manager, to earn the job" - Adele said with half a smile, making Christina gasp in shock. 

"The manager? You mean Mrs. Susan?" - Sophia looked at her in disbelief 

"What? No! I mean...Mrs. Susan is the manager? Isn't Mr. Jeffry?" - Adele asked confused, not knowing how to cover up her lie. 

"Yes, Adele, Mrs. Susan is the manager. Jeffry died three years ago. And the factory's owner was your father until lately. A horrible owner I must say, since the working conditions were terrible, and the workers are still underpaid. Your father has hired a lot of women also, for the sewing process, not just Ana Maria" 

"Well...." - Adele's face darkened, not knowing how to react "No descend young lady would work at the factory or any work at all. My mother says that a lady goal in life should be marrying a descend man and take care of her home, and her children" 

"I am sure your mother has a lot of opinions on every single person in this God-forgotten town" - Sophia pulled her chair with force, took her bag, and left the cafeteria. 

"Hey, where are you going? You can't leave like that" - Adele raised her voice from behind her back, but Sophia didn't feel like she had any energy left to deal with a person like her anymore.