He's the man from last night, I froze as he walked in and sat at his desk. I swallowed my saliva and put on a straight face intending to behave professional.

" Mr Salvatore your order. " I spoke calmly as I placed the order and walked away,he didn't say anything but I could hear him let out a laugh and that made me cringe.

" How did he know where I work? This perverted man is going out of control. Does he want to humiliate me like last night? " I thought as I drove back on the scooter to the bakery. My heart beating rapidly as I walked inside the bakery.

Mr Wilson, my annoying manager walks up to me. " Miss Adrielle, we've got another order. "

" Okay,where am I taking it to? " I asked calmly as I tried to push my thoughts away.

" It's for Mr Salvatore. " he said as he dropped another box of pastries on my table.

" This is the second time I'm going there. Can't you send someone else ? " I queried.

" Mr Salvatore orders were strict and clear,he wants you to deliver it. So stop slacking and go! "

" Why should I do it again? " I asked as I crossed my arms,I'm not the only person working in that sector.

" Am I supposed to answer that? " My manager asked, " Here, we need serious-minded workers, not people who complain. If you're tired of the job, just let me know. I'd be more than happy to let you go, " he said as he walked away.

I bit my lip in frustration as I picked the box and walked away. He has ulterior motives for doing this and he's doing it on purpose, which is annoying.

Growing up wasn't easy for me. My mother died when I was twelve, and my dad remarried that barren bitch Miss Ophelia - that's how my stepmother wants people to address her, " Miss " instead of " Mrs ". Even though she's married.

Life became different the minute my father slid the ring on her finger, I ate once a day and my father never noticed, I stopped highschool and my father never cared. I have bruises from my stepmother on my skin and when I complain he says they'll heal.

Anytime I try to make friends, Miss Ophelia would scare them away. I became used to the loneliness. She told my neighbors that I was a witch, she also told anyone that dared to come close to me. Everyone in the neighborhood dislikes me because they think I'm a bad omen.

She always told people that I was a curse, and my mother bringing me into this world was a mistake, she goes around the neighborhood telling everyone I destroyed her womb, and it's my fault that she can't conceive till now.

As time went on, my father got involved in corrupt practices at work and he got laid off. Instead of finding something new, he resorted to drinking and doing odd jobs. Which reduced our standard of living. My stepmother forced me to go out there and earn a living so I could feed the entire family.

" It's good you're here, " my father said anytime I got back. He has turned into an unrecognizable monster who is addicted to drinking and gambling " Give me the tips you earned today. " he commanded.

" I didn't earn any, " I replied calmly, knowing what was next. It always happened.

A loud slap landed on my left cheek, and tears clouded my eyes.

" Even the customers you serve don't even like you, and that's how worthless you are to me. " he said as he fell to the couch and whispered nonsense to himself. After awhile he took out his cigarettes to take a puff and calm himself down.

Because of the fact that I didn't eat well due to my stepmother starving me and I couldn't continue my college because she made excuses about my school fees,I made up my mind to work. Work in order to eat healthy, get my own apartment and live a better life with Zack.

I smiled as his name crossed my mind, Zack is my boyfriend,he's one of the people that truly care about me,my well-being and my daily activities. Although he doesn't have much,I don't care. I just want to start a quiet and happy family with Zack.

" Mr Salvatore your order " I announced as I walked into the villa and what I saw caught my attention. I saw a half dead man being carried into a van and maids rushing out with buckets full of blood.

" What is happening?? " I asked myself and suddenly I became self conscious of every step I took. Fear gripped me when I got to the visiting room, I saw him cleaning off the blood from his hands " Welcome, " he said with a smile.

I got scared when he smiled at me, that was the smile psycho's carry when they're about to kill someone.

" Your order. " I said hastily and walked away, he probably finished killing someone, the thought was choking and I had to leave or else I'll become his next target. Or am I his next target already?

I thought as I remembered how hard I slapped him the previous night.

What exactly does he want with me especially with all this delivery? Is he trying to take revenge on me for what happened last night?

I don't want to come back here again or see him again...

I caught glances of the previous delivery, it was untouched. What does he want with me?? The thought alone was making me cringe, would I die soon?

Immediately I drove back to the bakery, there was someone outside holding a fresh set of pastries for me. " What's this for ? "

" Mr Salvatore's order. Go back. " She said as she dumped the pastries on my bike and walked away. " Okay now,this man's getting on my nerves. "

I drove as fast as I could, anyone could see anger burning in my eyes. I walked into the visiting room and placed the pastries on the table and looked around. I found him at the left wing sitting on swivel chair and smirking. " You're enjoying this,right? What exactly do you want from me? "

" Do I need to tell you that? " He asked and I still noticed that damn smirk still on his face. That smirk irritated me so bad,I want to slap it off his face. Wait,slap..

" If this is about last night, I'm not apologizing because I... I wasn't wrong. You harassed me and that was a means of self-defense. "

He stood up and walked towards me then bent and whispered in my ear " Did you like it? My touch... On your breast.... Did it make you want more?? "

" Get away from me, you fucking pervert. " I said as I pushed him away from me. How dare he, he certainly had no manners. I thought as I felt my cheeks turn red.

" Did that little talk turn you on? " he asked as he cupped my face and stroked my cheek. I turned to walk away but he dragged me back but this time I could feel his chest rubbing against mine.

" What exactly do you want from me? " I asked trying to play it cool and calm.

" Don't you think coming clean is boring? I want to torment you,I want you to crave me, crave my touch. " he said with a smile.

" I promise you that won't happen because I have a man who's ten times the man you'd ever be. " I said as I used my fingers to trace his chest.

" Really? " He asked with a smile.

" Yes. " I said boldly as I pushed him away. Zack is my man, he's ten times better than Mr Salvatore. He doesn't cheat, he cares dearly for me.

"Any more orders from that jerk called Salvatore? " I asked as I walked into the bakery. Everyone gave me shocking glances and Ivy ran towards me.

" What's up with you and Mr Salvatore? " She asked.

" Nothing is going on between us. He's just someone who's bent on making my life miserable. " I replied.

" I've gotta ask because everyone's beginning to say something about you "

" I don't care about what they have to say. There's nothing going on between us and I'm here to work not to please them. " I replied as I walked away. Is there any place or anything you'd go to or do and people won't talk?

I've gotten used to it,so their words have no effect on me. I dialed Zack's number hoping to forget all my stress. " Hey... "

" What's up,I've been unable to reach you throughout last night. "

" I was tired. Would we meet today? At our regular spot? "

" Yeah,sure. " Zack responded as he ended the call. Hearing his voice made my heart flutter. It was reassurance that the rest of my day would be better.

Andrea

I watched her as she drove out with a smile on my face. I didn't expect Julian's daughter to be feisty, bold and hard to submit.

Now this is a woman worth my interest. " So what do you plan to do with her? " Edwardo asked as he walked in

" I want to do exactly what Julian did to me. I want to ruin him, ruin his family and ruin his daughter. "

" This is going to take some time,is it? "

" Not at all. " I said with a smile." He's in debts, huge debt. Loans everywhere, his business has been flushed down the drain. He has nothing, he's just an empty shell. "

I remembered the days I wanted to play fair in business, treat everyone justly Julian felt big due too his positions, salary and company benefits.

He felt like he owned the company because I gave him too much privileges, he framed me, got me kicked me out of my own company and he ran my company as his. The board members were all in support of the decision because he got them to be on his side.

So now that I'm back they'd pay me back with things that they hold dear to their hearts. I'd humiliate them beyond measures, crush them till there's nothing left of them.

"Get someone to track Adrielle and I need a detailed information about her. I want to know that guy who's better than me." I ordered as I walked away.

Adrielle

" Where are you coming back from? " My step mother asked as I walked in.

" Work. " I replied lazily, she's the last person I'd want to see right now.

" You went to see that fool again right? "

" Zack's not a fool, I won't tolerate you calling my boyfriend names. " I retorted.

" Adrielle Julian, did you just raise your voice at me? Can't you see who I am? " She asked as she walked closely.

" I am the mistress of this house. " Miss Ophelia declared as she gave me a loud slap. " You're supposed to respect me, have you lost your manners? "

I didn't say anything, I taught myself that in situations like this, the best thing to do was to keep quiet and let the DOG bark. After talking and letting her frustration out, she calmed down and fixed her hair.

" This was not what I wanted to talk about, I'm too young to be educating a nineteen year old. " She said as she took in deep breaths and I scoffed. " You're turning twenty in three days and you'll be getting married by then. "

" What?! " This news sounded as a missile to my ears. " Get married? To who?? " I asked.

" You should be lucky that we've found you a rich suitor. Someone who's willing to take all of this bad luck. " She said as she rolled her eyes and the only person that came to my mind was Mr Salvatore. He's the only person who'd do something as despicable as that.

" Who am I getting married to? " I asked calmly. " Leandro Morgan, he's a rich second generation. So consider yourself lucky, you'd be getting married to a rich man and you won't suffer with that asshole called Zack who has poverty written all over his face. "

" I am not getting married to anyone but Zack. So get rid of those ideas." I said as I stormed into my room. I'm getting married? How? Why? And to a man I know nothing about. A man I haven't seen before. And it's in three days time?

What about Zack? What about the future we planned for each other?

" I am not leaving Zack for any man. No matter how much he has!! " I yelled hard in my room for her to hear.

" Poverty is deeply encrypted in your brain. That's why you're stupid. " She yelled back but I didn't reply rather I dialed Zack's number, I have to tell him what has happened. He needs to know, we need to get married as soon as possible.

*************************

We agreed to meet at our usual spot and talk " Zack, I'm getting married. "

Zack's face went pale, like all the blood has been flushed from his face. " Wait... What?? "

" Look, I was also shocked when I found out. My parents wants to marry me out on my twentieth birthday. " Zack held my hand in his and locked his eyes in mine.

" Let's run away together. We'll go to a place where no one knows us. We'd start our lives properly and we'd be with each other. "

"Are you serious? I was thinking we should just get married. And they'll stop pressuring us. Don't you think? " I asked because I don't want to leave this state, not until I know where my mother was transferred to.

" My family doesn't like you, but that won't stop us from being together. I still need time to talk to them so they'll like you

Look, I'm getting my paycheck tomorrow so let's meet here by eight tomorrow. We'll get on a train at the subway and we'll start a new life, okay?? "

" Tomorrow works fine by me. " I replied as Zack held me in a warm embrace and gently tapped my back, offering comfort.

I walked into the bakery, I needed to talk to Ivy, she knew everyone be it dead or alive. I needed to know who Leandro Morgan was and why they wanted me to marry him.

Because Miss Ophelia would never be interested in anything regarding me not to mention my marriage. Something was fishy and I had to find out.

I was puzzled on why my father would let me marry someone like that, does he want to sell me? Is he finally tired of me? Is Leandro one of his creditors? What exactly was going on?

" What is it? " Ivy asked as we got outside.

" Do you know who Leandro Morgan is? "

Ivy was shocked. " What's happening? "

" Nothing,I'm just curious. That's all. "

" Leandro Morgan is a beast,he runs lots of brothels, bars and strip clubs. There's nothing good about him. "

" Is that all? "

" Well, He's known for being a famous gambler, well-known for being too generous with money. And if he gives you a loan and you can't pay back, you'd have to give him something valuable in return. "

" Oh, I heard people talking about him, I didn't know he was this bad. " I said hoping to get more information from her.

" He's a dirty man, he can't resist women at all. Plus I heard he's a drug smuggler. He smuggles them and sells them to his VIP in the club. "

" Where is she?! " We heard a loud ruckus inside the bakery so we ran down to check it out.

" Where's my daughter?? " It was my father,he was making a fuss so he'd see me.

" What is it. I'm at work right now. " I said as I dragged him outside. When I got closer to him I could smell the whiskey on his breath, it smelt disgusting but I forced a smile on my face and dragged him out of the bakery.

" Adrielle my darling, you're not supposed to work anymore. Not when you have someone like Mr Leandro, let's go home. " He spoke softly and I smiled because this was unlike him, he's probably trying to curry favour with me now that he wants to sell me off.

Today was even worse, he reeked strongly of alcohol and cigarettes, this is really embarrassing. He probably had drinks to celebrate their dirty plan.

" I know,I just want to clear things up today so I'd be free tomorrow to rest. "

" Alright then. I'd be waiting for you at home. " He said with a smile as he hugged me and walked away. His steps weren't straight, he kept staggering and I wondered how stupid Ophelia made him to leave a life of fame, money and power to this.

I was utterly disgusted by his change of attitude, he's probably thinks that I won't notice it. I smiled as I watched him walk away, stumbling on his steps hoping he'd fall and hurt himself.

" Enough of that family drama, go and deliver this. It's for Mr Salvatore. " Mr Wilson said as he placed the box beside me. " Ugh... What does he want from me now?? " I grumbled as I walked to my station.

*********************

" Mr Salvatore, your order. " I announced as I walked in and met him looking at some files.

" Ah.. we meet again. " He said joyfully as he placed the papers down and faced me.

" You're making it sound like fate brought us together meanwhile it was you. "

" Miss Adrielle, I believe it's courtesy to greet your customers, don't you think? " He asked as he stood up and walked close to me. " I could leave a bad review for you and I wonder what your manager would have to say about it. "

" Go ahead and write the worst review you can think of. Your threats don't move me. "

" Really? " He asked as his eyes scanned my body from head to toe

" They won't matter to me because I'm getting married. This is the last time you'd see me. "

" You're getting married? " He asked with a mocking smile. " Here's your order. Mr Salvatore. " I said as I walked away, I didn't want to hear the rest. The mocking smile was enough for me.

As I drove thoughts of leaving this state got into my head. I couldn't follow Zack, I can't leave like this. That bitch called Ophelia framed my mother,got her imprisoned and she had her transferred to another state.

I have to find out where in this world my mother is, my father became dumb because of her seduction, he can't tell left from right anymore. What do I do now? I already told Zack, I'd come out.

I got to work and clocked out, got my pay and decided to walk home so I could clear my thoughts.

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door.

Our house is smaller than before, so the knock echoed everywhere. I heard my stepmother's voice. " Who are you? "

Suddenly, my mind drifted and I started thinking, " What if it was my father's creditors? Where they here to collect their money? We live in fear everyday which is annoying. "

" Where is Adrielle? " I could recognize that voice anywhere. I checked the time and it was nine o'clock.

" She's not here now get out!! " my stepmother replied harshly.

Zack paid no heed to her words and opened the doors furiously till he found me. For a moment, his expression turned soft, and our eyes were locked in each other's.

" Let's go, " he said, as he gripped my arm hard. My stepmother watched us as we walked away without a word.

" What is it? " I yelled, and yanked my arm from his grip, when we were outside.

" You are leaving this place right now! "

" To where? " I asked, with tears clouding my eyes." You think I haven't thought of this, of leaving this place? I have nowhere to go, " I said.

" You can come to my place. There is enough room for you there, " Zack replied.

" Your family doesn't like me, " I said.

" It's not you, it's your stepmother that my family hates. And with time, they will gradually grow to love you, just like the way I do. " Zack said, as he cradled my face in his palm and wiped my tears.

" Zack, I can't go anywhere with you. Staying here is better than roaming the streets. " I said, as I walked back inside leaving Zack speechless.

Immediately as I got inside, a loud slap sounded on my cheek. " You will obey me and do what I say. Where do you think you can run to that the powerful Leandro won't find you? You should be grateful that you are getting married to a prominent man, and we are lifting your status from a low life to a wife of a powerful man. You have no other choice. Zack Wayne is just a toy you used for sexual orgies. " my stepmother said, as she pushed me to the side and walked to the porch.

I gritted my teeth in pain, I wanted to say something, to confront her about how she talked about Zack but I couldn't. This wasn't the right time for that.