3
722words
"Take it.If I catch you stealing again,you're gone."
No CEO throwing cash at me like in my fantasy.Ethan scrounged up$8.50.
"I usually just swipe my card.Don't look at me like that!"
"I know you tried,young master.You're robbing the rich to help the poor.Good job."
"Don't misuse idioms like you’ve actually read books!Take my card,use it.Your wages don't go to your mom anymore."
I didn't hold back,buying cosmetics and dresses.
When Ethan called,I hadn't even had the chance to wipe the cream on my face even.
Downstairs,rich kids lounged,Jessica smirking,ready for a show.
I recalled my sister's letter:"the trigger of all malice."
"They forced me to confess,denying my past,present,and future."
"We were prey in their hunting ground,born to be chased."
Now,I was the prey.
As I reached the first floor,a spotlight blinded me.I reached to shield my eyes,but they still stung.
"Wendy,admit your fault.Are you ashamed of yourself now?"
"Wanna know?Turn off the light,and I'll tell you."
"...Turn it off!"
I took a moment.As Jessica grew impatient,I spoke slowly.
"What's my fault?I love ogling foreigners'abs,making a quick buck,and my cooking's so good the young master gained ten pounds.Where's the crime?"
Ethan coughed at what I said,he sat straight up as if that way no one would notice that he had actually gained a few pounds.Jessica pressed on.
"Coveting what you don't deserve,swiping Ethan's card—You don’t consider that your fault?"
"I also love the moon and every hot guy.Why aren't they judging me?"
Implying:mind your own business.
Caleb,loving the drama,clapped.I glared;he grinned wider.
"Now,take off all your clothes, hop up, and crawl like a dog,or I'll have Ethan fire you!"
It must take a villain to deal with another.I ignored Jessica's order.
She fumed—nobody dared embarrass her like that.
"Can't understand?You guys,help her."
As burly men approached,Ethan sat still like a statue.I had to seek another’s help.
I grabbed Caleb."If I fight and get fired,can I cook at your place?I'll also be your cleaner and guard."
Caleb,delighted,pulled me toward his embrace.I broke free.
Shrugging at Ethan,I kept performing.
"Young master,you're a letdown.Can't even protect a nobody like me—what good are you?"
"Mountains still stand and rivers still flow.But we're done.I wish you and Jessica,that psycho,a rock-solid love."
"Tch,hold it."
Firelight danced on Ethan's face,casual yet refined,exuding wealth and grace.
"Jessica,this trash is mine.Don't go too far."
Great.I jujst went from dog to trash.
But my pay doubled,and my room was huge.I'd endure.
For a long time afterwards,Jessica wouldn’t let me off her hook.
On the street,her crew in a convertible snatched my bag.I hurled a rock,smashing it.When Jessica,wounded,came to complain,I chopped loudly on the cutting board.
"Young master,my bag's gone,so no salted fish and eggplant stew.But I hear new bags cure all."
Ethan's gaming hand paused.That night,I got three new designer bags.
Seeing I wouldn't go out alone,they spiked my dishes with"extras."
Silently,I fed a spoonful to Ethan,shaking his head as I did.
"Young master,it's bitter and salty.They're trying to kill you."
Ethan,gagging and rolling his eyes,yelled,"You know it tastes like this,and you made me eat it!"
I feigned fear,returning to the table,relieved to see Caleb being the only one picking at the food.
"Eat this cursed dish,and I'm yours for life!"
Before Caleb took the bowl,Ethan snatched it.Our faces were tragic.
"Caleb's too frail for your nonsense,"Ethan said through gritted teeth.
Later,Caleb worked out without his shirt on at the Harper’s estate almost everyday.
I didn't expect Jessica to truly want me gone.
On Ethan's birthday,she brought old newspapers from River City.
"A girl guarding her stall clashed with a group,killing one and injuring two when they attacked her."
"Reports say the girl was domineering since an early age,sabotaging rivals'pots with roaches and spiders.We urge parents to curb such behavior."
Jessica,smug,eyed me after her dramatic reading.
"Self-righteous scholar big sister,delinquent thug little sister.Both clinging to Ethan like vampires."
She thought this would break me,like it did with my sister.But I'm not her,and I know no limits.
I replied coolly,"Think I want to hear your crap?How funnt.My skills allow me to support myself anywhere.That reporter lied—it wasn't ‘serious injury.'One lost his dick and half a leg.Another's blind,the other will live with a catheter forever."
"Jessica,I just want to make a living.You mess with me, and I’ll make your life miserable.The poor never fear the rich because they have nothing to lose—you get that,right?"
