Fired and framed
1124 Words
Abi broke down in tears. What was she going to do now? Where would she find another job that paid five thousand dollars monthly—so quickly?
Unemployed again.
Who would help her now that her already miserable life had taken another blow? They say from grass to grace, but she felt she was going from grass to thorns.
“Abi,” Riley said softly, shaking her.
“Yeah?” Abi wiped her tears and slid her bag over her shoulder.
“What did he say?” Riley whispered with a smile.
Abi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “Really, Riley?” she asked.
“Oh come on, babe. He must’ve said something to you when he held you like—”
“Bye,” Abi hissed and stormed out of the restaurant.
How could Riley ask her that after she got fired? Was she supposed to care about her friend more, or about some man?
The breeze hit Abi’s face without warning, sending her hair flying. She chuckled bitterly and ran a hand through it.
“Aargh!” She clutched her chest and glared at the man responsible for her firing.
“Careful with those eyes,” he said flatly, looking at her without emotion.
“Are you checking me out?” Abi asked.
“In your dreams. You could never be my type. You look like a pig,” he said.
Abi scoffed and glanced at her reflection.
*This bastard doesn’t know what ‘fat’ means,* she thought.
Abi was slim with the right curves. Not too slim, just enough fat in the right places. She had the perfect round ass, perky big boobs, toned arms and legs.
Delicate fingers. A slender neck. A slim waist and hips that defined perfection. A soft, crystal-clear voice.
Sharp facial features. Fair, spotless skin. Soft, pink lips. Almond-shaped brown eyes.
She was far from a pig. But those beautiful eyes now glared at the man who almost scared her to death.
“What do you want?” Abi asked.
“I’m afraid I’m responsible for what happened in there. I wanted to give you this,” he said, stretching out a tube of ointment.
“I’m fine,” Abi said and brushed him off, but he grabbed her hand and sighed.
His fingers went to his forehead. She rolled her eyes.
“I didn’t ask for this. I don’t care if you’re fine or not—you’re not my responsibility. Why should I give a damn about you? But if I say I’m responsible for your burn, then I am. This is the least I could do,” he hissed.
Abi watched him speak coldly and said nothing. She was hurt. But what could she say?
Why should she be tied to a man like him?
“Give it to me then,” she muttered, trying to take the ointment.
He ignored her and forcefully applied it himself. Silence followed.
Once he was done, he turned and walked away.
“Th-thanks,” Abi called out quickly. She didn’t want to seem like an ungrateful “pig.”
He might’ve heard, but he said nothing. A black SUV pulled up, and he walked into it majestically.
“Rude brat,” Abi rolled her eyes and walked home.
---
Adrian held the remote in his left hand, eyes glued to the television in disgust. His wife stood behind him, wearing the same expression.
“How did this happen?” she cried.
“Ask your son when he returns,” Adrian hissed, rising from the sofa.
“Don’t you dare walk out on me, Adrian! We’ll be a laughingstock if he’s anywhere near that cheap slut!” she ranted.
“It’s your fault, Pen! If he’d married that heiress from Hay Company, would this have happened? Now I see why he’s a bastard!” Adrian spat.
“What did you say?” Penelope trembled.
“You heard me,” he said lowly.
Pen said nothing, turning to walk away in small, heavy steps. Tears welled in her eyes, threatening to fall.
Adrian wanted to speak but stayed silent. He left the room with mixed emotions.
Pen pulled out her phone and made a call. She wiped her tears and cleared her throat.
“Hey, Jay,” she said brightly.
“Penelope?” Jay replied. He was the family hacker, recruited for his elite skills. Penelope had discovered him and secured his contract.
Lately, he was in high demand, working with major companies. But he still respected the family that changed his life.
“Are you busy?” Pen asked.
“No,” Jay lied.
“Great.” Pen exhaled. “I need a background check on a woman. You’ve seen the news about Leo, right? The woman in the footage with him—check everything about her and get back to me ASAP.”
“Is that all?” Jay asked.
“For now… yes,” Pen replied, thanking him for his time.
---
Abi took off her gloves and inhaled the aroma from the sponge cake she’d just baked. Sometimes, she craved something simple and delicious.
Other times, she went for something expensive—anything that made her happy. After all, this was her *one* life, not nine.
Her sister Ava ran into the kitchen to steal the tray.
“Hey!” Abi yelled. Ava had planned it all—she was already wearing gloves.
“What’s with you, Abigail? I’m so glad you’re indoors,” said Jessica, Abi’s best friend, walking in with a large nylon bag.
“What’s that?” Abi eyed it and ignored the question.
“Just junk. Don’t worry, I’ll stay for a few days and leave. You must be traumatized, my baby,” Jessica said, cupping her cheeks.
Abi stared at her like she was crazy. No one invited her for a sleepover. And thanks to the guy who gave her ointment, she was now jobless again.
How would she feed her family? And now Jessica was moving in, uninvited?
“What’s with that look? You can’t hide things from me anymore. I’m your freaking bestie, Abigail,” Jessica laughed, taking the tray from Ava as she returned.
“You’re crazy, Jessica. Take your things and go home—we’re broke. This cake is our dinner. We eat like rich kids tonight and fast like church kids tomorrow,” Ava laughed.
“You both haven’t heard the news. Why are you acting so calm? It’s not funny!” Jessica hissed.
“What news?” Abi asked. How could she have heard anything? They had no TV or phone. That’s how poor they were.
“You were involved in a scandal with the almighty Leonardo Grey,” Jessica said.
- Writer
