Lola Tanner

The cold seeped into my bones. I pulled my coat tighter around me, but it did nothing to block the sharp wind cutting through my skin.

I had been sitting on this park bench for hours, my legs too numb to move, my stomach empty.

I had nothing left.

I could just as well die...

After getting discharged early, I spent days at a cheap motel until the money my parents gave me ran out.

Then came the shelters, the endless job hunts, the rejections. The few jobs I managed to get didn't last.

A café owner fired me after a week for being "too slow." A housekeeping job let me go when I fainted mid-shift from exhaustion.

What was the whole world expecting from someone who just lost a kidney?

I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my stomach. I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

People walked past me without a glance. The entire world was moving without care, comfortable in the warmth of their own coats and those who managed to turn to me only looked away, their faces indifferent. I used to be one of them-until I wasn't.

A crumpled newspaper sat beside me on the bench, blown by the wind. My eyes fell on a familiar name printed in bold letters.

"Lucius Kensinger, the rising business mogul, makes a grand entrance at this year's charity gala."

My breath caught. The article had a picture-a clear shot of him stepping out of a luxury car, dressed in a sleek suit, flashing that same confident smirk. The man who had vanished after taking my kidney.

Alive. Healthy. Rich.

I sat there, stunned, the paper crinkling in my trembling hands. He was living his best life while I was rotting away.

Something inside me snapped.

By the time I shot up from the bench, my mind was already made up. I was going to find him.

I was going to get answers.

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

I stood outside the grand venue of the charity gala, staring up at the towering building. Luxury cars lined the entrance. There were guests stepping out in designer gowns and suits.

The security at the door glanced at me once and turned away, not even bothering to ask if I belonged there.

I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and walked in.

No one stopped me. I didn't know if it was confidence or the sheer determination on my face, but I slipped past security and into the lavish ballroom with the best dress I could afford... which was far less than what I was seeing other women wear.

I navigated my way through the corridors and into the main ballroom.

And there he was.

Lucius Kensinger.

My heart pounded as I took in the sight of him, standing near the bar, talking to a group of businessmen. He looked different-sharper, more polished-but it was him.

The man who had disappeared on me.

I didn't think. My feet moved before my brain could catch up.

"Lucius!"

His name left my lips in a breathless gasp, but it was loud enough for him to hear.

He turned, his dark eyes locking onto mine.

And then-nothing.

No flicker of recognition. No shock. Just polite confusion, as if I were a stranger.

"Can I help you?" His voice was smooth, indifferent.

I froze. "Lucius... it's me. Lola."

Silence.

His brows furrowed slightly, but the confusion remained. "I'm sorry. Do I know you?"

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

I searched his face, waiting-praying-for something. A flicker of memory. A shadow of the man who once held me, whispered promises to me, told me he loved me.

Nothing.

"Lucius," I tried again, my voice shaking, "it's me, Lola Tanner. You-"

A hand slid onto his arm, and I stiffened as another voice joined in.

"Is there a problem, darling?"

I turned-and there she was.

Scarlett.

No other but Lucius' vicious ex girlfriend! The same one that once slept with his friend!

What was she doing here with him?

Lucius hated her!

She looked stunning in a blood-red dress, her lips curled into a knowing smirk.

She glanced at me once before leaning into Lucius as if she belonged there.

I felt the air leave my lungs.

"Scarlett?" I whispered.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Oh? Do you know me?"

My nails dug into my palms. "What the hell is going on?" I turned back to Lucius, desperate. "Lucius, what are you doing with Scarlett? Are you both back together? I was there with you through thick and thin! I was with you before your surgery. I even-"

Scarlett's laugh cut me off. "Oh, sweetheart, there must be a mistake."

I flinched.

Scarlett smiled, her nails tracing Lucius' sleeve. "Lucius, darling, I think she's confused. Maybe a fan of your work?" She turned to me in the most degrading way. "It happens all the time. Poor thing."

Lucius frowned slightly, looking at me again, but there was no warmth in his gaze.

I shook my head violently. "No. No, this isn't right. Lucius, how can you not recognize me! I was with you before... before you-" My throat closed up.

Lucius sighed. "Miss, I don't know who you are. If you're looking for a donation or something-"

"A donation?!" My voice cracked. "Lucius, I gave you my kidney!"

The moment the words left my mouth, the air in the ballroom changed. The guests nearby glanced our way.

Lucius stiffened.

Scarlett's eyes darkened.

I breathed heavily, watching Lucius' face. There had to be something-anything-that showed he remembered.

That this was just some twisted joke.

But all I got was cold detachment.

Scarlett laughed again, but this time, it was sharper. "Oh, honey, now I know you're mistaken." She wrapped herself tighter around Lucius. "I was the one who saved Lucius. I was there for him during his surgery. I'm the reason he's alive."

My blood ran cold.

"What?" I whispered.

Lucius gave me a final, dismissive look. "I think you should leave."

I stared at him, my mind spinning, my chest caving in.

"Lucius..." My voice broke. "Please-"

Scarlett signaled to a security guard. "Escort her out. She's disturbing the guests."

I barely processed the hands grabbing my arms, dragging me toward the exit.

"Lucius, it's me, Lola!" I screamed. "You know me!"

He didn't move. Didn't react.

He simply turned away.

The doors slammed shut behind me, and I was thrown out, slammed hard to the ground, onto the cold pavement outside.

Pain immediately rammed through my stomach as I laid on the filthy ground. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to cry.

How was it that Lucius had forgotten me? Was that even possible?

As I slouched away from the building, I knew I had just caused a scene and everyone was literally watching me, but I didn't care.

The hurt and betrayal was just too deep.

Lola Tanner

"You look like hell," Chloe muttered beside me, throwing her gloves into her bag.

I shot her a dry look. "Thanks, I was hoping I looked like paradise."

She smirked. "If paradise smells like bleach and despair, then maybe."

I slammed my locker shut, exhaustion pressing down on my bones. Another shift done.

Another day wasted in a place that treated us like garbage.

I'd been working here for over a year now, barely managing to survive after the world turned its back on me.

For five years, I couldn't count how many odd jobs I'd done just to survive. I'd tried getting a decent job, but no one would hire a twenty three years old school drop out like me. I was stuck with all these, barely managing to survive and saving the little money I could.

I let out a tired chuckle, running a hand through my messy ponytail. My cleaner uniform stuck to my skin, damp with sweat after hours of scrubbing floors and wiping down office desks.

"I swear, if one more executive messily leaves their half-eaten food on a table for me to clean up, I'm throwing hands," I muttered.

Chloe groaned. "Right? And don't get me started on the managers. I swear, they think we're invisible until they need someone to blame for something."

"Like this morning," I mumbled, tightening my fists.

Chloe's expression darkened.

"That poor girl. Just one mistake, and they humiliated her in front of everyone. I mean, it was a coffee spill, for god's sake."

I nodded, my stomach twisting at the memory. The girl had been practically in tears, apologizing over and over as her supervisor berated her like she was dirt.

And we had all stood there, watching, unable to do anything. Because if we spoke up, we'd be next.

"I can't do this anymore," I said, exhaling sharply.

Chloe turned to me, studying my face. "You're serious this time, aren't you?"

I nodded. "I've completed my online classes, and recently got my degree. I sent out applications last week. I don't know where I'll end up, but I can't stay here. I refuse to spend the rest of my life being treated like I don't matter."

Chloe nodded slowly. "I get it. You deserve better, Lola. We all do. But until we find a way out, we're stuck in this cycle."

"Not me," I said. "Not anymore."

**********

Fate finally smiled upon me shortly after and I was called upon for an interview for a secretary position at the prestigious Goldberg Corporations.

I wasn't ready for it but I was definitely ready to leave my previous job as a cleaner at that godforsaken company.

Still, I wasn't ready...

Not physically, not mentally, and definitely not emotionally.

As I stepped into the grand, glass-walled skyscraper, I felt so painfully out of place. Plus, it was easy to tell I was not welcome, judging from how the receptionist buried her head in the desk even with my presence.

My cheap, secondhand blazer suddenly felt like an insult to the elegance of the room.

"Name?" the receptionist asked without looking up.

"Lola Tanner," I answered, trying to sound confident. "I have an interview for the secretary position."

Her gaze flicked up briefly, scanning me like she was assessing whether I was even worth speaking to.

I clenched my jaw but forced myself to stay calm.

"Top floor," she said. "CEO's office."

I blinked. "The CEO is conducting the interview?"

She sighed like she was bored. "Obviously."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and turned toward the elevator. I was even more nervous now but I couldn't turn back for sure.

I pressed the button, stepping inside as the doors slid shut behind me.

The numbers ticked upward.

12th floor.

18th floor.

23rd floor.

With each passing second, my heart pounded harder.

The doors finally slid open, revealing a sprawling, modern office space. A woman in a sharp gray suit motioned for me to step forward.

"Mr. Kensinger will see you now."

Kensinger.

My stomach dropped.

No.

No, it couldn't be.

I stepped forward on shaky legs, my breath catching in my throat as I pushed open the doors-

And froze.

Because sitting behind a massive, glass-topped desk was him.

Lucius.

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.

He was right there.

The man I had once given everything to. The man I had suffered for. The man who had been my entire world-

And he didn't even flinch when he looked at me.

"Take a seat," he said, his voice cool.

Like I was just another applicant.

I sat down, gripping the arms of the chair to keep my hands from shaking. That was when I noticed the other man present and my mind ran down memory lane.

Derek!

He was Lucius' very good friend back then and when our eyes met, something flashed in his eyes... recognition.

He recognized me!

"Your name?" Lucius asked, glancing at the file in front of him.

"Lola Tanner," I managed, my throat tight.

He still didn't react.

Not even a hint of familiarity crossed his face.

I swallowed hard.

"What qualifications do you have?" he asked, his tone detached, professional.

What qualifications?

Did almost dying for you count?

Did five years of struggling alone after being abandoned by my family and friends because of you count?

I forced a breath, keeping my voice steady. "Its all in my file. I'm also hardworking, organized, and quick to learn."

Why was I even still doing this?

He nodded, flipping through my file. "You've worked as a cleaner for the past few years. Do you have any experience in office administration?"

No.

But I wasn't about to let that stop me.

"I can handle schedules, paperwork, and client calls," I said firmly. "I may not have formal experience, but I can assure you that I am more than capable."

He looked at me for a long moment. And for one brief second, I thought I saw something flicker in his gaze.

A trace of something buried deep within him. But then it was gone, and he exhaled, closing my file.

"The position requires discipline and discretion," he said. "I expect complete professionalism."

"Of course," I said in a low voice.

He tapped his fingers on the desk, then finally nodded.

"You're hired."

My breath caught.

Just like that?

"Report here on Monday," he continued. "7 AM sharp. Don't be late."

I stood, my legs feeling weak beneath me. "Th...Thank you."

His cold gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned back to his papers.

I shot another final glance at Derek. He was staring now with a knowing smile playing on his lips.

As I stepped out of the office, a sudden realization dawned on me...I would be working for Lucius Kensinger.

My heart instantly began to burn with revenge.

After seeing him at that party, he had vanished. I never saw him again-until today.

Maybe fate was finally on my side. Maybe life had seen how much I'd suffered and handed me this chance to get even.

I smiled to myself. I would slip into his life, gain his trust, and then destroy him. He would pay for everything he did to me.

An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.

Lola Tanner

As I began working for Lucius and silently earning his trust, I only grew more and more curious as to what may have happened five years ago, and when I couldn't take it any longer, I reached out to the next closest person that could have the answers I needed.

Derek

He remembered me...I could tell on that day of the interview. It was written all over his face even though I hadn't seen him around since then.

Derek was Lucius' old time best friend. Personally, I didn't like him because of his negative influence toward Lucius in the past, but I was desperate for answers.

I sneaked into Lucius' office one day and got his number from his phone.

I dialed Derek's number as soon as I had the chance. The call rang twice before he picked up.

"Hello?"

"Hello, who is this?" His voice came smooth.

"It's me, Lola."

A pause.

"Well, looks like she can reach out after all," Derek's voice slid through the phone, sounding as smooth as ever, almost like he was patiently waiting for me. "I didn't expect to get a call so soon from you, Lola."

The next thought that filled my senses were; Did he know about the kidney transplant?

About everything else? He sounded like he knew.

I sighed before responding back. "I need your help, Derek. I need to know what happened."

A beat of silence.

Then a low chuckle.

"Straight to point, huh? No 'how've you been, Derek?' No 'I missed you, Derek'? None of those to an old pal."

I clenched my jaw.

He continued, "Since I'm not getting one, I should hang up-"

"No, please." I quickly cut in.

"How are you doing, Derek?"

"I'm pretty great, how about you?" He asked sarcastically but I remained silent.

"I really need your help, Derek. You know I wouldn't have called if it weren't important."

"Alright then. What do you want, Lola?"

"I need answers."

"To what exactly?" Derek wasted no time in asking back. I didn't respond and he knew what I was on about.

"Alright then," Derek added smoothly. "I might be able to help you."

"You can, really?"

"Yeah, meet me at the Royal Crest Hotel later tonight," he continued. "I'll tell you what I know."

"Why a hotel?" I asked, feeling off about meeting him at a hotel.

Derek let out a low chuckle before responding. "Because you're the one seeking answers, not me. Unless you aren't interested..."

"Fine," I muttered quickly. "I'll be there," and hung up.

I didn't like the idea of this meeting but if it meant I would finally get an answer to what ruined my life, then I was going to take it.

********

Later that day, I arrived at the Royal Crest Hotel.

Derek spotted me and waved from afar, his outfit a simple all black, along with a charming smile on his face.

"Lola, you made it." He voiced out as he walked closer to me.

"You thought I wouldn't?" I arched my brow.

"Wouldn't blame you." He grinned, slipping an arm around my waist as if we were close, making me tense up.

Derek had always been the touchy type which was why I didn't really like him when Lucius and I were together. Yet, for the sake of the truth, I decided to just overlook it.

"Come on, let's get a drink at the bar."

I followed him through the dimly lit lounge, the rich scent of leather and expensive liquor filling the air. He led me to a booth in the corner, away from prying eyes.

He signaled to the bartender without asking what I wanted.

A drink was placed in front of me minutes later-a dark amber liquid swirling in a crystal glass.

I frowned. "I didn't order this."

Derek chuckled, lifting his own glass. "Trust me. This is the best in the house."

I hesitated. Deciding not to think too much about it, I took a small sip. The burn slid down my throat smoothly, but something about the way he was watching me made my skin prickle.

"So," I said, setting the glass down. "You said you had answers?"

Derek leaned back, swirling the liquid in his own glass. "Yeah, Lola. I might have the answers."

Derek's eyes met mine and for a moment, there was a flicker of hesitation on it. "Derek I need this..."

"I know you do. After what happened, I can only imagine how much it kills you inside to know why Lucius seem to have forgotten about you." He gulped down the rest of his drink and signaled for the waiter again.

I didn't like how vague he was being, how he was subtly dodging my questions. "You said you'd tell me what you know, Derek. What do you know?"

I pressed him more, determined to get a hint or clue but Derek just shot me a glance before asking.

"You've barely touched your drink? Do you want to top it?"

"Derek!!" I yelled, slamming my hand on the table loud enough to get his attention.

"What?" He asked, unfazed.

"At least let's have a drink while we talk, can't we do that?"

"Fine." I leaned back.

Maybe what he was about to reveal was big and I needed to settle down before taking it in.

I picked up my glass, about to down the remaining content in it, and that was when I felt it... the sharp pain that made my stomach twist.

I paused, looking down at my drink.

At first I didn't see anything wrong, not wanting to start suspecting, until my vision started blurring.

Then it clicked.

The delayed answers. The insistence that I drink more.

The way he seemed so damn patient.

I wasn't stupid. I knew the stories. I had seen enough women walk into situations like this and never walk out the same.

Calmly, I pushed my glass away.

Derek's smile faltered. "Something wrong?"

I stood up. "I need some air."

He grabbed my wrist. "Lola, wait-"

I yanked my hand free. My legs suddenly felt off, slightly heavy, but not enough to stop me. I hadn't drank much-just a sip. Maybe two. But that was enough for his evil plot.

How could I have been so stupid?

His expression hardened as he realized I knew, but he kept his eyes on me.

Watching.

"I...I need to use the restroom," I muttered and stood up.

I headed to the restroom. I could feel his eyes on my back, so I tried to keep my pace steady.

The back door was only a few meters from the restroom.

Out of the corner of my eye, I quickly gauged the distance.

The moment I pretended to step into the restroom, I turned sharply and made a swift move toward the back door.

The second my foot hit the pavement outside, I broke into a sprint, my feet hammering into the ground with each step.

The world blurred around me almost immediately, my head light, my vision slightly off. But the fresh air helped.

I just needed to get away!

I barely made it across the street before the roar of an engine split through the night.

Bright headlights flooded my vision, blinding me.

A sharp honk came, followed by the screeching of tires.

I narrowly avoided the rushing car.

Then I bumped into someone.

In all my dizzy desperation and state of panic, I couldn't believe the next thing I did!