I open my phone, scroll through the notifications from Drifter, then fire off a quick text.
Me: Be back soon. Just out for a ride.
He doesn’t need to know where I am.
I scroll through the messages and come across the last message from my brother. We were in the Marines together, but only I made it back. I could have saved him, but I let some fucking woman come between us, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.
I look up at the window and watch as Belle closes the blinds. How could someone be so lost?
Chapter Two
Bella
My alarm echoes around the room, like some sick, twisted joke taunting me that I got zero sleep and that, yes, I’m still here to live through the same crap over again.
I slam my hand against the off button and pull the duvet up over my head.
Suddenly, there’s a profuse knocking against the door of my bedsit. I lie there silently, hoping that whoever it is will kindlyfuck offand leave me be. But the loud thudding continues.
“I know you’re in there, Bella,” my landlady screeches. Her voice is like someone scraping their nails down a chalkboard. I outwardly groan, throwing the duvet off me and stomping the few steps to my door.
“What?” I snap as I yank it open. She pushes her way past me, into the already cramped space. I clench my jaw to prevent me from saying something that will have me kicked out of here. It costs me a small fortune for this small room, all my wages goon this shitty little place. I couldn’t get anything else because honestly, I’m terrible with money.
She looks around the space shaking her head at the mess scattered around the room.
“How can you live like this? It’s disgusting,” she tuts in her usual condescending tone.
“Come in, why don’t you, Felicity,” I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
“This shit pit needs cleaning.” She places her hands on her hips, and I find myself inwardly groaning. “I also need your rent money. You’re two weeks behind, and I can’t wait any longer. I already made an exception for you because I feel sorry for you.”
Pah, feel sorry for me. This bitch makes my life hell. She’s her daddy’s little princess. He bought her this project, and she runs it however she pleases.
“I’ll get it for you today,” I reply, as I busy myself picking the dirty clothes up off the floor, placing them in my wash basket, under her watchful, judging glare.
“You have until six o’clock tonight,” she snaps, before turning on her heels and walking to the door. She pauses, her hand resting against the handle.
“And, Bella, if I don’t have it by that time, you’ll need to be out tomorrow.” She gives a satisfied smirk, like she’s enjoying every minute of my downfall, and then she leaves.
Fuck!I had no intention of still being here to pay the damn rent, and now, it looks like my duvet date plans for today are ruined. I have no choice but to go into work and beg for an advance on my wages.
It’s a short walk to the coffee shop where I work, which is one of the only perks of living where I do.
As I stroll through the door, the place is bustling with customers. That can only mean I’m late . . . again.Great.Millie looks up from serving a customer and gives a strained smile, meaning my tardiness hasn’t gone unnoticed. Marco darts out from the back room, his arms flailing in the air.
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you,” he hisses through clenched teeth, like that will somehow prevent the customers from hearing him. I pat my pockets, looking for my phone, then it dawns on me that it’s in a hundred pieces on the M1.
“Shit,” I say under my breath. “Sorry, Marco, I dropped my phone yesterday. It’s completely wrecked.”
I push my way past him and head into the back room, shimmying out of my coat.
“Bella.” He appears in the doorway, and we make eye contact for the briefest of seconds. It’s enough for my eyes to fill with the threat of tears as I silently pray he doesn’t fire my arse. The silence stretches between us, and then he inhales sharply and holds his arms open, “Come here,” he whispers, dragging me to him. I let him, and the tears finally fall. He pushes my body back to look at my face. We stay like that for a few moments, then he takes me by the shoulders and holds me at arm’s length.
“Oi, no tears. I can’t have my staff with panda eyes. It’s not a good look.”
I let out a laugh, wiping my tears. Trust Marco to be more bothered about my appearance. He always lets his campness shine bright and doesn’t care about what others think. If he wasn’t my boss, I think we’d be good friends.
“Look, Bella, I’ll let you off because, clearly, you’re having a hard time at the moment, but for God’s sake, I need you to be here on time. The other girls can’t see me making exceptions for you.”
