Chapter Three: Shadows
1066 Words
Lucas arrived home later that night and Thaila was patiently waiting for him.
She heard the sound of his car arriving at the parking lot and went standing at the entrance.
Lucas sighted her looking all beaten up, like she had just had a fight with someone. He was about to approach her as he got out of his car, only for her to yell at him. He didn't see that coming.
“I know where you were earlier, Lucas.” She yelled.
Lucas stood there confused and began to wonder what she meant by that?
“Oh, you are surprised. The workers told me about all the little games you have been playing at the bar lately.
Thalia confronted Lucas with no iota of fear.
“A cleaner, Lucas? Are you serious? Like are you damn serious? She’s using you! Can't you see it?”
Lucas rubbed his temples. “Stay out of it, Thalia. She’s not like that.”
“She’s a gold-digger. A damned b***h, You don’t even know her!”
“I think I know enough already.”
Thalia’s rage boiled more as Lucas defended Rosa. She wasn't ready to allow this lowlife woman to stain their family name.
“Lucas, you can't be with a lowlife, we have never done such in our family. If you want to have a taste of her and more girls like her. We can fetch them, we have the money too.” Thaila sounded more calm this time, realizing that her yelling wasn't helping matters.
“I want her, it's beyond just some random s*x. I have found the one that seems to heal me even in ways I can't explain and you have to accept it.”
“I won't accept it, Lucas. I won't ever accept her into this family.”
“Suit yourself Thaila, I am off to rest. Had a strenuous day. Goodnight.” Lucas lastly said as he excused himself into the house, leaving Thaila all by herself by the entrance.
Thaila grumbled as she walked to her room, she couldn't wait to unleash it all on Rosa the next morning.
______
It was morning and the weather was beautiful as always, only for Rosa who couldn't notice and she couldn't get enough sleep either. Her mind reeled towards the call she received from Thaila now and then, asides the fact that she had to wake up earlier than she used to to prepare Lilian for school.
It was 6:45 am and Rosa had just made breakfast. She decided to take hers to work and have it as brunch rather than arrive late at the bar. Her work was at stake, the only likelihood she had.
She immediately headed to the bar, only to meet just the bartender inside it. Where was Thaila then?
Rosa sat that down for over 30 minutes waiting for Thaila before she finally arrived.
“Good morning, Miss Thaila” Rosa greeted, ignoring the fact that she came in late, not as they discussed.
Thaila disregarded her greeting and she gave Rosa a dangerous look.
“Well I guess you know why I am here. I don't want to see those tiny legs of yours close to my brother.” Thaila drew closer to Rosa and she said the words with so much weight.
“I didn't do anything….” Rosa felt hurt.
“I just warned you, unless you intend to kick your job goodbye. Be warned Rosa, no one toys with me. Ask the bartender to keep you updated, you gold-digger.” Thaila spat in disgust as she turned and left Rosa there with the bartender. She was done communicating.
Rosa watched Thaila leave. She couldn't stop asking, what she had just gotten herself into?
She gently sat on a chair close to hear as she processed all the threats and all that had happened just a few minutes ago.
“Do you need some shots?” The bartender offered.
“No, I am fine. Thank you.” She lied.
It was obvious Rosa was nothing close to fine. She couldn't get herself together as people started trooping in. They noticed how devastated she looked, but no one could tell what transpired. Even the bartender wasn't fit to disclose what had happened, about how Thaila harassed Rosa earlier that morning. He loved his job and wasn't ready to make that costly mistake of losing it.
Rosa finally got herself together and started working when Lucas entered the bar.
“Hello, Rosa.” Lucas greeted, trying to start up a conversation about yesterday's ride.
Rosa wasn't in that mood of giving a response but she just had to. He was her overall boss.
Lucas noticed Rosa wasn't looking bright like she used to and that's quite uncommon.
“Is anything the matter?” Lucas asked in concern.
“Nothing at all.” Rosa lied, she could barely look him in the eyes.
Lucas knew there was something off about Rosa's attitude and he was bent at knowing what it was.
“Rosa!”
Lucas tried drawing closer to her when one of the coworker's approached him.
“Boss, your sister…..” the coworker said.
“I am busy at the moment the message can wait.” He wailed as he had his gaze fixed at Rosa while talking to the coworker.
The coworker left with Lucas pestering Rosa to know what's going on.
“I don't want problems sir. Your….” Rosa wanted to confess before she was interrupted.
“Brother! I have a surprise for you.” Thaila immediately interrupted their conversation.
Rosa had to excuse herself because deep down she knew Lucas could shut Thaila down like he did to her coworker and it could make matters worse.
She ran to the worker's dressing area feeling so miserable.
Broken
Sad
She had lost her parents and all she wanted was to make her little sister's dream come through.
Not all these hatred.
Bitterness.
And aggression from Thaila, she felt so much pain. But the most painful part is that she couldn't help her heart.
She was falling deeply In Love with Lucas despite the fact that it was forbidden.
Rosa couldn't tame her heart.
Here was she in between choosing livelihood, and the man her heart now beats for regardless of him being feared by everyone.
Lucas was now becoming her choice.
- Writer
