The Footballer's Forced Marriage.

Izzy's POV I ran holding fast to the one bag my hands could quickly grab. I couldn't remember it's contents, I hope it will be just enough to start over I kept running, without looking back, my feet stomping hard on the trail in fear. I had no spare time to think, I continued. I got to the nearest train station, lucky for me I had some money left, barely enough for a train ticket. I set out for Pasedena, I had no idea what it looked like, I solely wanted to be far away a little too far probably so I could forget everything that had happened. Nate was literally my world. He was basically the only person I knew. We didn't have the best childhood, we stayed in the orphanage home almost throughout childhood. Nate didn't enjoy it there and always suggested we left. I was always bullied and made fun of because of my stature, I was always called Tiny Izzy,Nate hated it. We moved out eventually and started living on the street. Along the line, Nate got involved with drug dealers and unfortunately got caught up with the police. He was arrested, tried and sentenced to prison. And I was left alone to face the drug dealers on my own. I thought of everything I could have done to avert what had happened during the transit. What if we hadn't left for the streets to begin with? What if events played differently? The ride to Pasedena was quite long so I had time to sleep. I really needed it. My legs were strained, my feet had gone sore. I had dreams reminding me and making me regret a lot too. The sleep I really wanted was truncated by the incessant crying of the baby adjacent to where I sat Haven't I suffered enough already? I couldn't sleep amidst the crying child and her frustrated mom. I had no other option than to look at the view, it was quite a beautiful one. The train got to the station in Pasedena and I alighted and kept walking left to nowhere. I just kept walking. "Do you need a ride?" I heard from behind me "Ride to where?" I thought and chuckled lightly "Yea, whatever " I replied and got in the car "That'll cost 20 dollars ma'am," the voice continued "Say what now?" I replied in shock and jumped out of the car. I started laughing immediately, "20dollars? From where?" I whispered and laughed at myself I got hungry and got a hamburger and Chapman. It was getting late, I still didn't have a place to sleep. "Only a fool threads this lane at this time" I was startled by a feminine voice across the road Thread? I was planning on sleeping here. I thought to myself "I don't seem to understand you," I replied trying to get more information from her "You're definitely new here" she answered crossing over to meet me "Heyy,I'm Stella " stretching out her hand "Ooh ooh,I'm Izzy,nice to meet you" I replied "Are you here for the football season?" She asked There is a football season? "Umm,I don't think so" I replied "You don't know? Then why are you here at this time?" She continued, getting me uneasy already "I don't know, please I need to go" I snapped and walked out "To where? you obviously have nowhere to go girl" she chuckled and dragged me the opposite direction. I sluggishly followed her. We heard footsteps behind us "Ay, what are you doing here at this time?" "Nothing sir,we are leaving already. Sorry to bother you" Stella dragged me closer and rather alertly. "Ay,ay wait there" this time it was chorused. The numbers added "Baby girl, its time to run" I never knew I had the sprinter spirit in me till then. I ran,way faster than Stella surprisingly Life on the streets sure taught me something, you've got to be alert at all f*****g times "Hey, hold up, I think we are far enough" Stella trying to catch her breath called my attention cause I sure was willing to sprint another mile if necessary I didn't escape all that back home to be killed by random men We continued walking in silence except for the occasional whistling Stella made which were unusually soothing. I occasionally looked over our shoulders once in a while , I didn't want anyone sneaking on us and putting a bag over our heads. I think a whole lot crazy, I know "This is it finally" She said stopping at a garage for old buses and trucks You've got to be kidding me, this is what? All the sprints, for this? "Ooh,okay" I replied in confusion "You need to see your face right now " she laughed loud "C'mon, its getting late" she continued and led the way deep into the scary looking garage We walked a little further and we came to what looked like a community It was an abandoned bus garage, they cleaned it up and turned it into an estate but with buses. Quite creative if I must add. It's definitely better than all the places I've lived. I saw a lot of people surprisingly trooping in and out happily "Stellyyy, you coming right?" A voice some meters away screamed "Yes, def" Stella answered "She wants my help in killing those wicked creatures in her crib" Stella stated without me asking "Where have you been b***h? you got me worried " another voice spoke again but closer this time. I'm sorry boo" Stella apologised throwing kisses in the air Everybody seemed to be talking to Stella all at the same time. They were all coming out from one bus or the other. We eventually got to Stella's crib according to her. The facade of the bus was tattered and dusty but we stepped in and she really did a good work with the interior. One would forget it was a bus "Make yourself comfortable, I'll bring food soon" she replied tying her blonde hair into a bun. How am I supposed to live in a place like this? How long will I stay here for? How will she take care of me? She definitely doesn't have much So many thoughts raced my mind Why is she being nice? She doesn't even know me? "You haven't changed yet?" She asked pulling me out of my thoughts Changed to what? I thought. I didn't bring any clothes save the ones on my body. I literally ran off like a bird, clothes weren't my priority then "I don't have any clothes " I whispered in embarrassment "Ooh poor thing, nothing to worry about love, I gat you" She reassured me She led me where I took a shower and she gave me a comfortable nightie to put on. "Do you wanna eat now?" She asked "Yes please " I replied eagerly "Okayyy " she replied giving me a plate of porridge. "Uhh, this is delicious" I was amazed "I knowww" she replied smiling like a baby "So,what's your story? You definitely have one, don't you?" She asked "Umm, not really. You cooked this?" I deflected "Yeah, I did. Now back to you, what's your storyyy?" She answered sternly focused on me This made me feel really uncomfortable I finally explained everything to her and I could restrain the tears that followed. "Yeah, that's it. I landed here" I replied letting out a sigh "Heyyy, babe,its okay,you're safe now. We all got stories but we don't let them define us" She encouraged me. She went on telling me about every person there and how they've survived one crisis or the other "And meee,I was left out on my own since I guess 9 and trust me it was no f*****g vacation, I survived babe and you will too" she went on to say After all the intense moments of truth and little tears, she dragged me outside for their usual Friday party. I felt safe after a long time So Stella unofficially became my best friend. Her blonde hair and contrasting sharp blue eyes made me confused on where she was from exactly. She was happy with no apparent reason to. It motivated me in some kind of way. I finally slept and she woke me up quite early the next day. "Wake up sleeping beauty, we've got work to do" Stella said yanking me off the bed "I worked at a bar basically a club for a while but I stopped. I couldn't keep up with the stress. The pay was quite good. I'm working as waitress now at a restaurant and I want you to work where I used to. Get ready let's get going " Stella went on and on. She didn't let me say a word "Sooo?" She asked with a tone "What are you waiting for?" She continued motioning her hands telling me to stand up "Umm, nothing. What were you saying exactly?" I asked in confusion "Gosh" she laughed "What don't you get? You are getting your ass dirty at the club today, is that clear enough ma'am?" she stressed "Oh wow, can I say no?" I asked because I didn't imagine myself working in a club "Do you wanna go back to the street?" She fired back. "I'm joking, I'm joking, yikes!" She laughed when she noticed the shock on my face "Hahaha. Very funny" I answered sarcastically "But for reals, if you are interested, it's yours. It's a good one" she continued as if she was selling a product to me "Okayyy, I've heard. I'll check it out" I didn't have a choice. I was grateful for Stella and didn't want to get in her bad books She took me to the club. It was quite far but it was worth every step. It was beyond my expectation. It was gigantic and colourful, it was just beautiful and the people that trooped in were the really rich ones mostly footballers, coaches and other football related professions "So what do you think?" Stella asked joyfully "Why exactly did you leave this place? Its heavenly " I said still admiring the edifice "To be honest, I regret leaving now" she laughed "So you're taking the job right?" "Yesss, Stella, Yes" I replied fed up with her questions "That's my girl" she rent out in excitement We went back home and I started preparing for the next. I couldn't afford to screw things up. Pasedena has been nice all these while, I've got this one. "You'd be taking night shifts most of the time so it'd be better if you leave early, probably 5pm everyday so you wouldn't meet the drunks and other hooligans " Stella suggested "Yes mum" I answered sarcastically and rolled my eyes I set out to leave in so much glee. I wasn't expecting to be happy and settled early after all that had happened. I left a little past four in the late afternoon because I didn't want to be late on my first day. Stella made sure of that. I kept walking, surprised I could still remember the route. I hummed sometimes, whistled at other times. I thought of what and what I could get with my first paycheck, all the bags, shoes, food. I needed a clean break I deserved it. "What the actual fuckk!" I screamed. A car just splashed filthy water on my dress "Why? The fuckk! On my first day for f**k sakeee!!" I kept on screaming. I was pissed and it kept getting worse by the minute "Ooh, was that me?" a baritone voice asked pointing at my soiled dress "f**k yeah, it was, dumb ass" I replied in rage "You shouldn't have stayed close to the road. Next time walk farther away or use the pedestrian lane" he continued and zoomed off "This can't be happening. Who the f**k does he think he is? And where the f**k is the pedestrian lane if not here?" I asked in rage "You son of a b***h, rot in hell" I shouted. I knew he couldn't hear me but It still felt satisfying thinking he did. I got to work and had a change of clothes. Tim was instructed to show me around Tim was in charge of all the waitresses, he was the middle man sorta between the waitresses and board of directors. "You'll begin from the basics now, serving drinks to the ground floor, if you do well, like exceptional then you'll be promoted to the first floor away from the regulars. Welcome on board. Goodluck!" Tim said I rehearsed my lines over and over again and I still stuttered. I started serving tables, I was beginning to enjoy it to my surprise and he walked in. He was tall and sturdy, even in this relaxed environment, his pose held power. He looked like one to stare at his own reflection before getting into the shower every morning. His eyes looked divine I felt unworthy to stare at them. I wandered wild and it suddenly hit me like a thud. It was him, the son of a b***h that ruined my dress.