Owned By My Step Brother

Chapter 18 - The Liberian

Alice’s Point Of View

My eyes caught the ink curling around his forearm, just around his sleeve.

“What does it mean?” I whispered curiously, tracing my hand along his forearm.

His entire body went rigid almost immediately.

He lifted his face from my neck and looked me in the eyes for a long time, but didn't say anything.

“That's not for you to worry about,” he said harshly, standing up from the bed.

He left after getting dressed without another word.

I wondered about many things that night, barely getting any sleep.

Morning came quicker than expected, and with it came distraction from the thoughts that plagued my mind, and for that I was grateful.

“It's time to get my life back,” I whispered firmly, my eyes filled with determination as I stood in front of my mirror.

I had lost my job and my relationships, but my life wasn't over yet.

I would rebuild my life from the rubble, no matter what.

“Good Morning, Mom,” I greeted happily, relieved to see her walking around.

“Morning, Alice darling, where are you going so early today?” She asked curiously, an eyebrow raised.

“I want to go to the library and try to apply for new jobs,” I said plainly, my smile widening as I tried to hide my nervousness.

“Oh…” she said quietly, her face falling.

“Good luck then,” she finally said after a few minutes.

“Thanks Mom, I need it,” I said calmly, as I began to walk away.

I didn't see Reynolds or his father that morning, and it filled me with relief.

I had decided to focus on the things I understood and could control for now.

“They make things difficult,” I muttered to myself as I walked out of the house gate.

Pushing those thoughts to the side as I neared the library, I was prepared for whatever detours the day was going to bring.

“Morning, Alice,” the librarian greeted with a bright smile.

“Good Morning, Mrs Charles,” I responded, returning her smile.

“Heard you moved back in with your mom,” she said in a low tone, sighing under her breath.

“Yes,” I responded quietly, lowering my eyes to the ground.

“Oh dear, poor girl!” she exclaimed, her face filled with pity.

That was the last thing I needed. I didn't want pity, not even an honest one.

“I have forgotten the job aisle, please could you point me to it?” I asked calmly, my face emotionless.

This was my best effort at changing the topic, plus I had genuinely forgotten.

“Don't tell me you lost your job too,” she said in a sad tone, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Mrs Charles,” I responded quietly, trying to hold back my own tears.

“Fourth aisle to the right,” she said calmly, clearing her throat.

“Thank you, Ma’am,” I responded quietly, turning in the direction she had pointed me.

“Good luck,” she whispered softly, as I began to walk away.

I didn't respond, just nodded slowly and walked towards the job aisle.

“There is nothing here,” I finally whispered after hours in the library with no progress.

I had called different firms that advertised job openings, but all of them had been filled.

Others claimed that I was either underqualified or overqualified for the job.

The day had begun to darken, but despite all my efforts, none had been fruitful so far.

“Any luck?” A familiar voice asked curiously, almost startling me.

“None,” I responded quietly, voice breaking.

I didn't even look up because I already knew it was Mrs Charles, the librarian.

“It's okay, dear, you can come back and try tomorrow,” she said calmly, sitting on the bench close to me and taking my hands.

“Good things take time, my dear, hang in there,” She said in a soft tone that made my heart break some more.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked in a shaky voice, as I struggled to compose myself.

“Nothing dear, just promise me you will be back tomorrow to try again,” she replied softly, squeezing my hand lightly.

“No, Ma'am, I've been here all day, I should pay for the time I spent here,” I said anxiously, finally turning to face her.

“No, Alice, you are like a daughter to me, especially since I don't have one of my own. Please let me help you just this once,” she pleaded urgently, tears rolling down her face.

On hearing those words, I broke down in tears.

It felt like all the emotions I had bottled up were coming out.

We sat there in the empty library for a while, and she held me quietly as I bawled my eyes out.

“You will be fine, Alice, I promise,” she finally whispered, taking a handkerchief out of her purse and wiping my face.

“You need to go home now, I'm sorry for keeping you so late,” I said hurriedly, looking out the window.

“Not before you eat something,” she said firmly, handing me a small food flask.

“No, please, I can't keep you anymore,” I said urgently, but she just smiled and held the food out to me.

“It's not like I had anyone to go home to,” she said quietly, a sad smile spreading across her face.

I finally took the food flask from her hand and began to eat.

The food was still warm and delicious, for some reason that made me begin to tear up again.

Even my mom hadn't paid this much attention to me in a long time.

“Thank you so much, Ma’am,” I said gratefully, as I finished the food.

“You are most welcome, my dear,” she responded heartily as we walked out of the library.

I waited for her to finish locking up and escorted her to her house.

“You didn't have to,” She said quietly, her eyes filled with gratitude.

“I did,” I responded calmly, helping her settle in.

I stayed with her for a while, and then I started walking home.

A shadow passed by me in a dark alley; the features of this person looked familiar, too familiar to ignore.