Monday, July 6.

The sun was setting. People were rushing, rushing to get home.

To people who they haven't seen for the past 8 hours.

Some rushing back to the kids waiting for them at home. And others rushing back to their spouses at home.

Some to their friends who lived with them. Friends like families.

They were all rushing back to people who loved and cared for them.

A family who would welcome them back home with open hands and smiles and probably would have a dinner set for them.

But I?

Nah, I'm not that lucky.

Well it's not a surprise, I've always had bad lucks. The people around me have always made it their job to remind me that I'm a bad luck.

Even my own mother died after my birth, I guess my bad luck affected her too.

She should have just aborted me.

My father tells me that every time he has the chance to. He thinks I'm the cause of her death.

Maya

That was my mother's name. She asked my father to name me that before she passed away.

Poor her.

If only she knew what an excuse of a child she gave birth to she'd have preferred to name a dog her name.

Not me.

Taking out my watch I saw that the time was 8:00pm. Two hours past dinner time.

Liza and her kids would be done eating by now and would have been getting ready to settle for the day.

Liza is my step mother, like in the Cinderella's tale she's just as wicked to me and spoils her already rotten children. And unlike in Cinderella's tale my own father treats them better than me. He treats them like they're his own children. And also unlike in Cinderella's tale I have no happy ending.

Cinderella was beautiful, I'm not.

The only people that hated her was her step mother and sisters but in my own case the whole world hates me.

It's me against the whole world. Even people I don't know look at me like I murdered their children.

I've never had any friend. Not that I try anyways. I've always preferred the company of animals to humans.

My life hasn't always been like this don't get me wrong. I had happy times but that was a long ago.

When I still lived with my grandma.

Well...when I said nobody liked me I didn't actually mean it like that...it was an hyperbole because my grandma really loved me.

She is my paternal grandmother and she loved my mother and took her as her own child. That is before she died.

I lived with her for the first 7 years of my life while my dad was recovering from my mother's death.

I still remember the day he came to take me.

Granny had woken me up early that day and told me to get ready for a surprise. After waiting for hours for the great surprise I had heard a knock at the front door.

I opened it to see my dad smiling at me.

The following conversation had taken place between my dad and granny.

Granny: (whispering) will she be good to her?

Dad: oh yes, Liza is a good woman. In fact she and her children can't wait to meet her.

Granny: Are you sure about that?

Dad: yes mom, you worry too much.

He had pecked her and took my hands. I didn't know what they were talking about but I had a bad feeling about it.

My grandma had pecked me and said.

'Whatever happens always know I love you. And if things become too hard for you just know your mother is there watching it all'.

My dad had carried me and deposited me in his car. Then he entered and drove off.

I remember looking at my granny waving to me through the rear mirror.

I had thought. 'Well it's not like this is the last time I'll see her. I'll always come to visit'.

If only I'd known.

My dad had stopped at a flower shop and told me to pick a flower to give to my sisters when we got home.

I had gladly picked roses. Happy at the fact that I was gonna have sisters whom I thought would love me.

When we got home I immediately loved the house. It was a high rise building and it had a beautiful garden at the front. A dog which I later knew to be Roddy was wriggling its tail and jumping at my dad.

Then I saw her. She gave me a smile which I thought was warm but soon figured was a fake smile.

'Welcome home Maya, your sisters can't wait to see you'.

'Oh, here comes Sophie'.

'Sophie come greet your sister'.

She was standing at the last stair and looking at me with a blank face.

Then she smiled and made her way towards me.

'Welcome home--sister'. She had made the word 'sister' sound the same as 'intruder'.

'Thanks'.

'Where is Sadie, Sophie?'. My dad asked.

'She's up in her room'.

'Sadie? Come on down here to greet your sister'.

'Coming'. She had grumbled.

Then she had appeared in her glorious fake form.

She had dyed her hair blonde and even did makeup. At what age again? Six.

Yes, I am older than her with a year just as Sophie is older than me with a year.

She had scowled at me. 'She's ugly'. Then she turned back and ran off.

'Sadie? What's wrong with you? Come back here right now'.

'Nooo'.

Liza had sighed. 'I'm so sorry Maya she's probably in a sour mood'.

Sophie snorted. 'She's always like that'.

Liza had thrown her a cold look. 'Come on, Maya let's see your room'.

She had led me upstairs and we entered into the room. The room was beautiful but unlike my former room at Granny's house it was.....dusty....

Very dusty.

She had acted surprised. 'Oh My God! I didn't know that the maids didn't clean it up--i'm sorry but you'll have to clean it up yourself. You won't mind right?'.

'Uhm--it's fine I'll clean it up right away'.

'Well-it's not like you have a choice'. She murmured and moved to go out of the room'.

Then she turned. 'We won't be expecting you for dinner, after all you won't be done by then'. Then she shut the door.

I sighed and got to work.

Back to the present.

I looking at my watch again, I saw that the time was 10:05pm they should all be asleep or in their various room by now. I stood up from the roadside bench which I always sat on.

I took a cab and it dropped me off at home.

The lights were off already so I took out my phone and switched the lights on. I had just made my way to the top of the stairs when I heard someone clear their throat.

Bursted.

I looked up to see Liza. 'Err- hi'.

She narrowed her eyes at me.

'Did they accept you this time?'.

'N-no'.

'Of course, who would want someone like you to work for him. Just get your annoying self away from me'. She dismissed me with a wave of her hand.

Wow, she's in a good mood today...lucky me.

I entered my room which has been my safe haven for 15 years.

I quickly had my bath and wore my pyjamas. I laid down on the bed not feeling sleepy.

Another unsuccessful attempt at getting a decent job. It seems accountancy isn't meant for me. Maybe I should start looking for another job. Maybe I'll see a vacancy for the job of a cook.

I doubt it though. Everything in the world is always against me...except the bad things of course.

¶°¶°¶°¶°¶

I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter. Do not forget to vote and comment.

'Miss, wake up'.

'Madam says you should come down for dinner'.

I woke up to the sound of my door being banged accompanied by the shouts of the maid, Zina.

'Miss, please wake up or madam will get angry'.

'Okie, coming I'm coming. No need to bring my door down'.

I heard her giggle and I rolled my eyes.

'Zina?'.

'Yes ma'am?'.

'How many more times do you want me to tell you not to call me miss or ma'am before you'll actually listen to me and stop calling me that?'.

'Err-- I'm sorry ma'am. So sorry'.

'There you go again'.

She giggled once more. Sometimes I wonder if I'm that funny or she just finds everything funny.

'You should get ready,--- Maya'.

'That's better. Now go tell 'Madam' that I'm coming right away'.

'OK, Maya'. I heard her footsteps as she hurried off.

Sighing I got off my bed and made my way to to the bathroom.

I stared at my face for a while in the mirror taking in my brown long hair with blonde strands.

Granny said I look a lot like my mom with my big ocean blue eyes and heart shaped face but I don't think so.

From what granny and dad said anytime they mentioned her she was very pretty and tall but I?

Well let's just say I'm an average height, ugly looking woman (Sadie always point that out to me anytime she gets the chance).

She had full blonde hair. I think whatever is behind giving people hair didn't know which hair colour to give me and decided that mixing my dad and mom's hair would do just great.

Obviously it was wrong, people don't even know what to call my hair so they just go for blonde which I'm not.

I moved to get my tooth brush and started brushing my teeth.

I sniffed the air trying to perceive the odour Sadie said always comes out of my mouth every morning but didn't perceive any.

I shrugged and rinsed my mouth then moved to shower.

¶•¶•¶•¶

'I really need to change my closet'.

My closet were full of old clothes all faded and old fashioned.

I'm not the type that keeps up with the latest fashion but that doesn't mean I can just wear cloths that have been worn and forgotten since in the 90s.

Not that I care about how I look in them but interviewers nowadays will scrutinize you from head to toe.

And just assume you can't do your work properly when you dress shabbily not considering some of us that hates fashion.

I picked up my phone and checked the time.

Holy Mary, mother of God, or was it Jesus?

Liza is going murder me with her looks.

I rushed down in jeans and shirt while holding my coat in one hand..

They were all seated and were almost done with their foods.

In a normal family they would have waited until everyone was present before they started eating but you can't say this is a normal family so I didn't mind a bit.

Sadie was busy on her phone, Sophie was pushing the food around the plate and staring at the food dryly while Liza ate with great etiquette.

Being a popular film producer she was invited to many social gatherings where many rich and famous people were so you can imagine why she'd have good eating manners.

She always practice the manners even at home but her children didn't take after her. They prefer to eat with manners outside but not in the house.

And I?

I have a really bad eating etiquette but who cares?

Your step mom.

My subconscious self told me.

Ah, let me introduce you to my other self. Her name is also Maya but she's totally different from me.

She's always saying what I can't admit to myself so even though she's inside me and I can't see her we're like enemies.

Yeah, whatever. It's not like she likes anything I do.

I retorted.

'Good morning everyone'. I greeted cheerfully and was answered the same way I've been answered for the past years.

Sadie didn't look up from her phone, Sophie eyed me from head to toe and looked away while their mother made a disgusting sound at the back of her throat.

And then the usual:

'Why did you bother coming at all?'.

'Oh, I could go back if you want'.

I moved to pick my food but she stopped me.

'Stay! I don't want your dad thinking I'm not treating you like my child'.

'You don't have to worry 'bout that he himself doesn't remember I'm his child'.

'Still--'.

'Ok, if you insist'. I shrugged.

'I hope you find a job so you can get your insufferable self far away from us'. Sadie imputed.

'Me too'. I agreed.

She gave me an unbelievable look.

'You don't think I enjoy staying among people who would always find a fault in me'.

'No, you can't just bear the people who'd tell you the truth about yourself not find faults in you. Anyways you can say that too your whole life is full of faults. And you're a mistake'.

I gripped my spoon very hard and tried not to let them see the effect that had on me.

'Just as you're fake'.

'What did you say?'.

'How dare you talk to my daughter like that?'.

'Daughter? You think you raised a daughter? No, you raised a dog'.

'How dare you say that about to me'. Sadie stood up and stalked to me.

'What?. Can't you bear to hear the truth?'.

'My. Daughter. Is. Not. A. Dog'.

'Hmm, maybe you're right. After all it's normal to **** the men involved in the production of films to get a part'.

Dad who was sitting on the couch in the sitting room turned abruptly with his mouth hanging open.

He had been busy on his laptop totally ignoring our bickering but he couldn't just ignore the bomb I just dropped.

'That's not true'. Sadie screamed and started crying.

Dad had already made his way to the dinning area. 'Is that true Liza?'.

'James, listen to me. You know that Maya can be a little ---'.

'Just answer my damn question'.

She looked down unable to answer.

Dad nodded and went to pick his laptop then headed out of the door with Liza following him close behind, begging.

'See what you've caused now'. Sophie shouted at me. I barely heard over Sadie's noises. She was sounding like an animal in pain.

Totally different from the soft and tiny voice she pretends to have.

'What? I just said the truth. And just like you told me earlier on. Bear it'. I said and picked up my bag from the table.

'See you in the evening'.

¶•¶•¶•¶•¶

The hall was bustling with people. They were all hurrying about. Trying to do their various works.

I made my way the receptionist sitting behind the desk. She looked in her early twenties.

'Good morning'. I greeted.

She looked up and surveyed me. She scrunched her nose up in disgust, probably not satisfied with my dress. But I've gotten a lot of that so it doesn't affect me anymore.

'Good morning to you too'.

'How can I help you?'.

'I-uh' I cleared my throat.

'I'm here for an interview for the post of an accountant. Can you kindly lead me to where it's supposed to take place?'.

'This way please'. She led me through a narrow door I didn't notice before and it led into a bigger room where at least fifty people were seated waiting for their turn.

I turned to thank the receptionist for her help but she was gone.

I shrugged and took a sit beside a lady.

Well, you can't say she's a lady if you consider the wrinkles on her face.

'Good morning'. I greeted.

She made a sound similar to that of my step mother's when I greeted her in the morning.

Amazing how people can make such a wonderful sound at someone just trying to be polite. Note the sarcasm.

The lady beside me opened her bag, picked a rosary and started praying rather noisily.

'Uhm-- excuse me'. I tapped her.

'Do you mind reducing your voice a little?'.

She stared at me for a while then:

'No!'.

'Father Benedict asked me to pray with the rosary if I want to get the job. I won't listen to you'.

'Go away, devil'.

Oh, maybe she went a little too far. I mean, I was just telling her to reduce her voice and not stop praying.

I might be ugly but I'm very sure I don't look like a devil. Thank you.

And from what I heard the devil is pretty.

'I'm going to get the job. You'll see'.

'OK then, let's wait and see'.

She threw me another look then resumed her 'not so silent' prayer.

I sat for another hour hearing people being called for and some leaving with sour faces while others danced out.

Then I heard 'Mrs stone'.

The woman beside me stood up and made her way into the room.

So she was married after all. I wonder who in his right senses will marry someone like that.

Obviously ,someone like her.

Maya rolled her eyes.

I agree. For the first time agreeing with my subconscious self.

I hope she doesn't get the job.

Me too.

And our wish came to pass. Minutes later Mrs whatever they called her came out crying.

Another person was called in, ignoring her wails.

She kept wailing until she got to where I sat then she turned abruptly.

'Don't think you've won. You won't get the job too. Devil'.

She spat and continued to cry her way through.

Another person like her was called and after being rejected she came out and started talking to herself about how the company is bad and won't pity poor single mothers.

After about 2 hours and everyone was almost gone I was starting to wonder if maybe my name wasn't even there after all.

And that's when I heard it : Miss Bakker?'.

'Sir?'. I shot up and almost ran into the room.

Finally.

¶•¶•¶•¶•¶

'We're sorry miss we won't be able to accept you. We hope you find a job in another company'.

He said the words I've been hearing for the past months.

The door man gave me an apologetic look and I nodded back at him.

The two ladies that remained threw me curious glances.

I ignored the both of them and walked out of the room. I got to the reception area wore a fake smile.

The receptionist shouldn't see me like that.

I knew going out with a forlorn look will make her jest, seeing as she didn't think well of me.

I walked confidently and with my nose in the air towards her and smirked at her.

She looked at me with her mouth hanging open then looked at my dress and shuddered before resuming her work.

Other people walking around the hall too gave me looks. Not me exactly but my dress.

But they're not that old, why the stares?.

Of course they're not. You've just had them since you were fifteen. My stupid subconscious self told me.

And what's wrong with that? It's not like I grew bigger or taller than the cloth.

You don't get it do you?

No I don't...

K.. Whatever it's your life...

Exactly, that's why you shouldn't butt in.

She decided not to give me a reply for that one.

I stopped a cab and got in but did not head home. I headed straight to the biggest mansion in the area.

I had seen a vacancy for the job of an assistant cook there while passing the day before but I didn't think I'd apply.

I mean. I'm supposed to be an accountant right?

The cab dropped me at the front of the shiny black gate. I could see some police and bodyguards in front of the house.

It was a senator's house.

I took a deep breath and whistled drawing the attention of someone in a uniform.

'What do you want here?'.

'Good afternoon to you too, isn't it a wonderful day?'.

He narrowed his eyes at me and made a move to leave but I called him back.

'Are you ready to talk?'.

'Yes, of course sir'.

'So....'.

'What Sir?'.

'Young lady do not waste my time here I have things to do'.

'Yes sir, right away sir'.

He cocked his head.

'Err-- I saw the vacancy for the post of an --err-- a cook?'.

He sized me up.

'And....?'.

'And I want to apply for it, sir'.

'You?'.

'Yes sir? Anything wrong?'.

'No of course not,follow me'.

He opened the gate for me and I entered.

He led me towards the entrance of the house past the waterfall and we stopped at the front of two bodyguards.

He whispered something in their ears and they nodded then one of them walked toward and scanned me with something that was probably an iron detector.

He stopped when the thing made a noise when it got to my belly area.

He made a move for me to raise my shirt and I did, bringing the ring I had pierced into my belly button into full view.

He nodded and the other man led me inside the building.

I followed him into the house and tried my best not to gape at the beauty of mansion.

We finally stopped at what I assumed was the kitchen and he spoke to an older woman who I assumed was the head cook in a language I couldn't identify.

'Come on, young lady'. The woman led me deeper into the kitchen and she stopped at an area where many cupboards were.

She dipped her head into a cupboard and brought out a dress along with a head cap.

'You should begin your work today'.

'OK ma'am'.

'Call me Katherine'. She said and smiled at me.

'What's your name dearie?'.

'Maya'.

'What a lovely name'.

'My mother named me that before she died'.

'Oh, I'm so sorry dear'.

'It's fine'.

She took me by the hands and we went back to the main kitchen where the other workers were gathered.

They all introduced their selves to me and I did too.

Some were happy to have me among them while others did not.

But anyways I've finally found a job. A job though different from what I wanted to do initially will earn me enough money to live on my own without any step mother or sisters bearing down my neck.

I've found a permanent job.

Temporary you mean.

Shut up! I told my subconscious self.

I mean, what could probably go wrong?

Plenty.

¶•¶•¶•¶•¶