Loved Not

The Package - 1 It was a scalding afternoon, and Scarlet Jones couldn’t be more relieved to be home and away from the scorching sun rays. She had just restocked her monthly supply of provisions after receiving her earnings for last month. She barely made it through the final week, eating only cereal. It was all she could afford with her little earnings, but at least she had a roof over her head. Every bite felt the same—plain, dry, and repetitive. At times, she told herself it was enough, that the crunch in her mouth meant she wasn’t starving. But deep down, she knew it wasn’t ever enough to quench the gnawing hunger she truly felt on some days. Living with an Aunt who had no care for her and paid her little mind save for compounding restricting rules on her movement and using her for a housemaid was an ordeal of its own. She was allowed to get a job because her Aunt couldn’t be bothered with feeding her. To her Aunt housing her and having her mop her floors in exchange was more than enough charity. At 5’7, with straight blond hair and striking hazel eyes, 19 year old Scarlett was considered a stunner, her perfect curves accentuating the image of effortless beauty. Yet, oblivious to her charm as it only attracted the gaze of pedophiles and deadbeat men, drawn to her due to the cheapness of her daily attire. Her birthday was in one week, and she clung to the promise made by her only caring cousin, Jimmy, who lived in Florida—several hours away from Egypt. He had promised her a present, something she desperately looked forward to. As she dressed for her evening shift, she felt her hands get clammy with dread as she pondered how she would inform her Aunt that the shop owner asked her to cover the evening shift after the usual employee had called in sick. Afraid to lose her job if she refused and too feeble to protest that it wouldn’t sit well with her guardian, she was forced into bracing ahead for an unpleasant conversation and hoping her Aunt was in a forgiving mood. Her Aunt’s reaction was immediate. “How dare you sw*ne! ungrateful brat” the venom in her voice stung. “I graciously took you in and this is how you would repay me? Who’s meant to assist me with dinner, with you gone to that forsaken job? You planned this to wiggle out of your chores!” “Believe me Aunt Magda, I promise to do a thorough cleanup once I return” she begged with tearful eyes and hands folded in pleading gesture. Her stomach chose that moment to rumble, embarrassingly reminding her that she had failed to have her cereal due to the nervousness in her belly. With a look of utter contempt, “Get out of my sight this moment” her Aunt said with raised voice. Scarlet hurriedly rushed out, relieved that the exchange had gone better than she anticipated. Picking up her phone and staring at a blank screen, she couldn’t tell the time because she had forgotten to charge her old phone. Unable to suppress the feeling that she could be late with the store a fifteen minutes walk away from the house. She couldn’t afford to pay for any transportation, her only option was to sprint all the way. She ran in blind speed fueled by a longing to survive. If fate had any mercy, perhaps it would finally smile upon her. She arrived the shop feeling windy from all the evening breeze, and her lungs about to give out. “Oh my! Scarlet. Why are you late? It’s unlike you” the shop owner looked at her concern flickering in his gaze as he stared at the young girl whom the wind could take at any moment for her thin frame. He and his wife felt pity for the young girl who looked to be in school and had employed her. “I am truly sorry sir” she said in a fearful rush. “Go in and get changed. Right, a package came for you.” Scarlet froze *A package? For her?* She quickly changed into the shop’s polo uniform, attaching her name tag before returning. The shop owner handed her the wrapped package addressed to her, her gaze flickering between his outstretched hands and the object as though it might bite. She hesitated, then placed it beneath her seat. *** Prince Akil Zaid Fouad had been leisurely driving around the city when a young girl ran past him with speed that left him pondering what could have prompted such urgency. *Kids these days* he thought, his gaze drifting back to the road. But something caught his attention—blond hair. Flowing blond hair. That was rare in these parts. A foreigner, maybe. His curiosity piqued when he saw her stop in front of a small shop as he drove by, momentarily catching a glimpse of her face, and his gaze traveled down her body. His breath hitched, she was beautiful and all woman. That was no child. He fought with trying to rein in his interest and play it cool. Curiosity won and he decided to go after her. An upclose look would do and he would be on his way. Entering the shop he saw her walk into, he had to slightly adjust his 6’4 frame to conveniently go through the door. The store was relatively small in comparison to what he was used to, and instinctively his mind made a rough financial estimate of it’s worth scanning it’s average finishings. Finally his eyes settled on the prize, his subject of interest that had stirred him into this establishment and he was dumbfounded. The attraction was instant, feeling an intense pull towards her and a need to claim her left him in a haze of emotions. “What are you getting?” she asked in a soft tone that broke him out of his reverie. Her voice was melodious to him, and he found himself staring at her body encompassed in clothing that did nothing but accentuate her figure. Her boobs…they looked the perfect size to him. “I’ll have water, can’t seem to find it” he managed in his clear haughty tone. Scarlett thinking to herself that this customer was out of it, graciously went to the shelf to get him a bottle. For one he didn’t look like someone who shopped here—an undeniably attractive man, she had never seen before this day. She quickly inputted the purchase into the system, watching as he paid with a wad of bills—far too much for a single bottle of water. “I don’t need the change” Prince Akil said as he strode gallantly out the shop. Thinking perhaps that he might be visiting this neighborhood again —just to see her face. Scarlett didn’t have time to process her thoughts towards him because the store had customers trooping in till her shift ended. Her feet hit something, and for a moment, panic surged through her—until she realized it was her unopened package." Opening her package, inside were a new phone, some clothes, two bottles of perfume and a note. “Hi Scarlet, it's been a minute. Again, I want to apologize for the lost years between us. I hope we can catch up more often now that you have a better device. Add me on social @Jimmy123—I prefer sss, so create an account. I hope the dresses fit. Text me when these arrive. Love, Jimmy.” She held the note to her chest, feeling a whirl of intense emotions and a free fall of tears. Gathering herself moments later, she locked up and headed home holding onto her recent possessions securely under her arm. With her possessions kept under her pillow, she hurriedly went into the kitchen to cleanup the mess intentionally made by her Aunt out of spite. She energetically tidied up with eagerness to get back to her new possessions.