Chapter 2 Thunder Claps And A Million Thoughts

Victoria. Victoria “Vic!! Vic!! Vicky!!!” Grace called in excitement, jolting me out of my thoughts as I yelped in fright. “What the hell?” My eyes widened in surprise. “Look, look.” She waved her phone excitedly in my face. I took the phone and was stunned by the notification on the screen. “BILLIONAIRE ALESSANDRO ROSSI HAS CONFIRMED SPLIT FROM SUPERMODEL WIFE, ROBERTA ROSSI!” My eyes involuntarily locked on the incredibly handsome man in the photo. Alessandro Rossi's features were perfect, as if he had stepped out of Greek mythology. His deep eyes and cold expression were like a finely crafted sculpture. I unconsciously traced his face with my slender fingers, almost as if I could feel his unique aura. Even though he was always photographed with a faint, fake smile, it never hid his inner charm. He seemed like a man of integrity and kindness, and I couldn’t help but fantasize that if I ever got close to a man like him, I would hold on tight and never let go. Only a crazy woman would give up a man like him. “This is unbelievable! After only two years of marriage, they’ve announced divorce. But there are rumors that Roberta betrayed him,” Grace interrupted my thoughts, her excitement palpable. “Rumors, Grace. Rumors.” I muttered under my breath, placing a bag on one of the shelves as I moved on to the next. “This is true though. I always knew that woman was not worthy of my Alessandro.” Grace groaned as we walked back to our counter. We worked as sales assistants in the mall, busy day after day. “Don’t take the gossip too seriously, Grace,” I encouraged her. “That’s their life. We just need to focus on doing our job.” “God, Victoria! It’s closing time!” Grace’s voice, tinged with anxiety, broke the quiet of the mall. “Oh! I have to work on extra shifts.” I told her. Grace slowly nodded. Although she seemed a bit worried, she understood my situation. I needed the extra income to pay the bills. My regular work hours didn’t cover all my expenses, so I had to work overtime to make up the financial gap. “Alright, babe,” she muttered, letting out a long sigh, clearly uneasy about my constant hard work. “I need to get home early. I’ve got a ton of posts to follow up on.” I smiled at her, waving lightly. “See you tomorrow.” “Goodbye. I’ll fill you in on all the latest news,” she said with a wink, and we both laughed. Immediately after Grace left, I was called in by my boss Ronald. A frown played on my lips as I walked to his office. I hated his presence and tried my best to avoid him. I hated the way his eyes lingered on my body for too long and I was not a fool. I knew exactly what was going on in that head of his. “Do you need anything?” I asked in a cautious, tone, making sure to stand by the door. “Yes, dear. Actually–” He sighed, standing up from his table. Dear? “I wanted to talk to you. You know, maybe we can meet up sometime. You know you're a very beautiful lady. Victoria.” He licked his lips, as he directed a lustful gaze at me. “You're married sir.” I stated, reminding him of that fact. “And so? How does that matter? All you have to do is spread those legs for me. I'll pay you. Handsomely. I know you need money.” He smiled, everyone knew I was. “It’s impossible!” I bluntly refused and proceeded to leave his office. “Stop right there, Victoria!!” He snarled, grabbing me by my wrist before I could even take another step. “Let me go!” I gasped, fear creeping into me as he held me tight. “Who do you even think you are?” He hissed, pushing me to the wall the next minute. “I can get whatever I want without even asking. I was just being nice by deciding to pay you.” He pinned me to the wall, his fat hands roaming all over my body as his Stinky breath hit my nose. God!! I was going to puke. “I'm going to fuck you like the whore you are. Bitch!!” He hissed and I cried out as his hands landed on one of my breasts. Squeezing it hard. Bile formed in my throat as I thrashed under him. "Let me go, don’t touch me..." I almost choked on the words, pleading in a trembling voice as I struggled desperately to free myself from his grip. "Don’t move!" he growled, his voice full of menace, his palm tightening around my arm. "Be good," he ordered coldly, like it was a command. "Be a good girl, and you’ll be rewarded." A wave of nausea hit me, and I closed my eyes. I would never let him win—never! Summoning all my strength, I shoved him away and slapped him as hard as I could. "How dare you!" I roared, my chest heaving with anger. He cupped his flushed cheek in shock, disbelief and rage flashing in his eyes. "Victoria, you’re fired!" he spat through gritted teeth, as if the words declared his victory. I ignored his rant and angrily walked out of the office and mall. The thunder roared and ravaged the earth as it rained cats and dogs. I laid curled on my worn out mattress, tears staining my torn pillow.My life feels like it's going nowhere! I’m drowning in debt. I just lost my father, my mother is a drug addict who ran off with a boy to God knows where, My rent is due, my food will probably not last till the weekend, I just got fired and humiliated! Another thunderclap and I jumped right out of my bed and sprinted to a far corner of my tiny bedroom, my two hands covering my ears. I didn't like the thunder. I stayed curled into a ball bawling my eyes out till the thunder claps subsided. The storm was over as it seemed but not the storm inside me. As I stayed curled up, my left hand placed on my forehead as my right hand played with the hole in my worn out night dress, a million thoughts racing through my mind. Life was really cruel, I thought. Nothing worked out in my favor. I sat there for what felt like hours till I got the strength to do what I must do. I got up and took slow hesitant steps to my tiny cooking area that can't be classified as a kitchen. As my feet stepped into the area, I took a good look around, bearing in mind that it would be the last time I would see the space I had grown to love, no matter the size. I grabbed the kitchen knife with a shaky hand while exhaling a large amount of air from my tense body. I made my way back to my bedroom, closing the squeaking door behind me. I mentally prepared myself for the pain. I lifted up my heavy sad ocean eyes to the Mother Mary figurine placed neatly on my reading table, beside my favorite books. “Forgive me mother, I don't have the strength or will to go on anymore, I have lost everything, my heart is heavy and my very soul is shattered. Accept my soul oh pure virgin”. I finished as a lone tear slipped from my beautiful sad eyes. My attention went back to the knife in my hand. Grabbing it with both hands, I lifted it above my head and closed my eyes. I took a deep breath because I knew what I was about to do was not easy. Before I could swing my hands that held the knife into my stomach…… DING! I opened my eyes in a flash, staring at the now lit up screen of my phone. Unknowingly, the knife dropped from my hands as I made my way to the bed. "High-Paying Nanny Position Available!"