Toxic Marriage

In the busy streets of the city, I reached my workplace late, not because I wanted to, but because I missed my bus.

I tiptoed and entered the grocery shop silently, but Edward caught me; the manager who was giving me a death glare, caught me. I gulped and passed him a smile,

"Good Morning," I greeted.

He scoffed and left. I let out a sigh and went to my counter.

Since we don't have enough money to pay for my education because all the money is spent on the medical expenses of my brother.

I have just graduated and was working as an accountant.

Let me introduce myself, I am Sophie Skye. I turned 21 just a few weeks ago and actually have nothing exciting to tell you about myself.

My mother, Amelia Skye, gives home tuition to elementary kids. My brother Eugene Skye has been in a coma for the past 3 years; he is my twin brother.

The money I earn goes toward my brother's treatment, and the money my mother earns goes toward household expenses.

‘It's not like we are in a state of crisis. We are doing just fine.’

I was working, as usual, even though I don't like this job, but I have to work hard. I give it my all.

To be honest, I want to become an English Professor.

I want to do a Master's in English Literature, but it seems like fate has something else in store for me. It's not like I can do anything about it.

I sighed deeply and continued my work, but I felt a presence behind me and saw my boss, Edward. I flashed a smile and asked,

"Do you need anything, Sir?"

"No, I want to give you this." He said, handing me an envelope.

Hoping deeply that it might be the bonus check, but it was something I never expected.

"You are dismissed," Edward said. My lips began to quiver with horror, as I never thought I'd be fired.

"Please don't do this, Sir," I said, praying that he might understand.

"I can't." He said, giving me a sympathetic look. "Why?" I asked.

"Why? You are coming in almost a month late. Last time, you gave me the wrong quotation. And you haven't given me the recent one, too," He continued to scold me as I almost cried.

"I am sorry." He said as he turned away and left.

I bit my lip to stop myself from crying, took my stuff and left for home.

Now that my job is gone, all the expenses will be upon my mother.

I took a deep breath and entered. I saw my mother cooking lunch, and she tilted her head in confusion and asked.

"You're home early."

I nodded and hugged her. She chuckled and kissed my forehead.

"I have lost my job," I said as her eyes widened in shock.

She shook her head 'no,' and I shook my head 'yes'. She began to pant,

"Oh my God, what will happen now?" She said worriedly.

I hugged her and said, "I will search for a new job tomorrow. Don't you worry," I said reassuringly.

She took a deep breath and said, "I believe in you." I smiled back.

It was night, and I was lying in my mother's lap, having a feeling of solace that calmed my very soul. She ran her hands through my hair as I snuggled closer to her,

"Sophie.." Mother trailed off. I hummed in response as she continued,

"Have you ever thought about marriage?" She asked.

"No, I didn't. I can't leave you guys behind." I said. I sat up and looked at her and said.

"I won't marry until I assure a better medical treatment for Eugene and a big house with lots of servants, including me, to take care of you." I smiled widely.

Mother hugged me and said, "Oh, my love."

I giggled and spoke up again.

"Besides, I am very much interested in meeting the Knight Aunt Eleanor told me about."

We both chuckled, and my mother replied, "Maybe that Knight is coming for you?"

"I hope so." I chuckled.

“A knight will descend for you…” I mumbled what my Aunt used to say and slept in my mother's embrace.

The next day, I was getting ready for work. I went to a library to apply for a receptionist job, but was rejected.

I searched for a job in a couple of places, but to no avail. I even gave an appeal for a job at the Employment Center.

After spending the whole day, I came back, Mother smiled and came to me.

I hugged her and went to my room because her mother was giving her tuition classes to the kids. I sighed and plopped myself on the bed.

“Huff. Great. Now become a burden too.” I stared at the ceiling, feeling utterly helpless.

I shouldn't feel low in just one day. I should search for a job and believe that one day, I will get a decent job.

The next day, I have no choice but to apply for whatever job is available. After wandering in the streets, I came back in the evening being jobless...

1 Month Later:-

“Fuck,”

Becoming depressed that we were short on money and I was still jobless.

Since Eugene's medical expenses were far more important, we had to compromise with our home expenses. Mother's money is not enough to run all this.

Our money was equally distributed, and we don't have any savings either.

I am feeling so powerless that I can do nothing but search for a job.

Today, once again, In a dire need of a job, I left home. I prayed from the bottom of my heart that I would get a job today.

After struggling for a while, I received a call from the Employment Center.

"Hello," I said.

"Hello, Miss Sophie Skye?" She asked.

"Yes, I am," I replied.

"There's a job at the Amber One Hotel. They are offering the job of a waiter." She explained.

"I'll take it," I said firmly, and she cut the call, saying she'd tell me the details.

Amber One, it was a five-star hotel. I am sure that I might get paid generously, not too much.

I was shouting and running around the house in glee that I had gotten the job. I grinned and hugged my mother,

“Finally!" She hugged me back and asked,

"What about the salary?"

"It's not as much as the previous one, but it's fine. There’s a difference between an accountant and a waitress," I replied monotonously.

She nodded, and we both began to have dinner.

The next day, I woke up early, tidied up and left for work after receiving blessings from my mother.

The day before, I even went to see Eugene to tell him that his sister finally got a job.

I reached my workplace, and my hand began to sweat in nervousness; the hotel was unimaginably big and luxurious. Of course, it will be lavish.

I walked in and asked the receptionist,

"Hello, I am Sophie Skye. I have been offered the job of a waiter here." She passed me a smile and said, "Give me a minute." I smiled back.

After a few seconds, she said, "Come with me." I nodded and left with her.

She gave me a uniform, gave me instructions and left. I took a deep breath and wore the uniform. It was a green skirt with a white buttoned shirt.

I walked out and saw a girl wearing the same uniform as me.

She walked closer and flashed me a smile. I smiled back as she asked,

"New?" I just gave her a nod.

"I am Candice Whale. What's your name?" She asked.

"Sophie Skye."

"It's a beautiful name." She complimented.

I smiled and said 'thanks'.

I then left for work. The day went normally, and I worked hard. This time, I will give it my all, just like before... Anyways, I should be happy that I am not jobless anymore.

It's been months since I started working here.

Today, we were told there would be a party tonight and that if anyone was willing to work a night shift, they would receive a bonus. Obviously, I agreed, and so did Candice.

"They think money is everything." She said bitterly.

"Money is everything," I said, because I knew its importance.

She looked at me and said, "No, it's not." She argued.

"You can't buy happiness with it." She said again.

"But you can give your mother a big house with money and pay for the expensive medical treatment for your brother so he might be able to recover," I said as an empty laugh escaped my lips.

She gave me a sympathetic look and patted my back.

"I am sorry." She said,

"It's okay, don't worry about it." I smiled as I left for work.

It's been six months since I started working in the hotel. My shift starts from 12p.m to 6 p.m. It's like a loop of shifts that change every six hours.

Just like every other day, I came back from work. I returned home and saw no kids. I raised my eyebrow and called,

"Mother! I am home!" Mother quickly ran to me and began to pant. I held her shoulders, worried.

"What happened, Mother?" I asked, tensed.

She took a deep breath and said, "Someone is here to meet you."

Being perplexed as to why she was panting about such a trivial thing. I went to see the person.

There are two men, well dressed and obviously wealthy. I remained still because I don't know any rich guy. Regaining my posture, I smiled radiantly at them and walked closer,

"Good Evening, you need me?" I asked modestly. They hummed in response. That's rude.

I took a seat and asked, "Well, why are you here?"

"We are here to ask for your hand in marriage for our Boss, Christian Elvis."