My billionaire partner in crime

Freda's POV

"But I said I haven't been paid yet, please give me more time" I pleaded with Nancy Kumar, my stepmom.

"Yet, you had money to go on a spending spree for your boyfriend". Becky, my stepsister hurled at me.

"I did not spend on him,I only gave him a loan of which he promised to pay back soon." I snapped losing my cool.

"Wow, you even had money to give out on loan, yet you don't have money to contribute at home". Nancy Kumar said as she folded her arms giving me a wry smile.

"I promise to give you some money when I am paid", I pleaded again.

"You think I'll let you pass the night here without that money?You must be the joker of the year". Nancy Kumar said as she reclined on the sofa in the sitting room.

Becky Kumar bursted out in a hysterical laughter and I felt resentment and hatred well up inside of me. I was more pissed that Becky, my younger step sister whom I have tried helping in many ways, could join her mother in making me go through hell. I didn't know when tears slipped from my eyes.

"Get out", Nancy Kumar thundered looking at me with disdain while Becky continued laughing loud. I took my bag and stormed out through the door, sniffling and rubbing my eyes.

*****

I stepped out of the house, the rain pouring down on me like a cold, unforgiving blanket. My eyes stung from the tears I'd shed just moments before, and my heart ached with every step I took. I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about how they'd treated me. It was nothing new, but it still hurt. I had always tried to be a good person, to help out whenever I could. But it seemed like no matter what I did, they would always find fault.

As I walked down the street, the rain soaking through my clothes and making me shiver, I couldn't help but feel a sense of despair wash over me. Why did I always seem to be stuck in this rut? Why couldn't I just get ahead? I quickened my pace as I looked at my wristwatch realizing that I will be late if I stopped at a shade for the rain to subside. I was lost in my world of thought when suddenly a car screeched to a halt.

"Get out the way, bitch." A voice said from the car. I stepped back and looked intently at the owner of the voice who was seated at the backseat. He was seated tall in a confident posture, his broad shoulders showing strength and vitality. His features looked like a sculpture, with a strong square jawline complimented by a hint of stubble that accentuated his ruggedness, drawing attention effortlessly. He was dressed in a classic piece that showed his innate sense of fashion. Above all, he embodied an aura of timeless attractiveness and approachable confidence.

"You are a big fool, infact, an idiot for thinking it's okay to abuse people on the road," I fired back.

The car swerved to the side and sped off. I hissed as I continued my walk, if not that Nancy Kumar and her daughter had connived to take the little money I had on me, I wouldn't have been seen trekking today for this idiot to meet me and rain insults on me.

The rain subsided but by this time,I was drenched. I hissed in frustration as I thought how bad my day had begun.

Halfway close to "Maggie's Food Palace" the place I work, my phone rang from inside my bag so I brought it out with a hunch that it would be Molly Roberts, my colleague and best friend.

True to my instincts, her name reflected boldly on the caller ID. Swiping to the right I said, "Good morning Molly, I'm close to the shop."

"You better be because the manager and an external supervisor were here and they noticed that you were not on duty, so I lied that you had stepped out to get some pills. Just pass through the back door when coming in." Molly spoke from the other end.

My heart raced faster as I started running. I got to the shop,passed through the backdoor to the restroom,changed into my uniform and went to the kitchen area of the restaurant. Molly walked up to me to know why I showed up that late.

"What happened today? You have never been this late," she said. Without even waiting for her to say the next thing she had in mind, I looked at her with my damp eyes and sighed feeling a lump in my throat again. "Nancy Kumar and Becky," I said quietly.

"They're always making my life miserable." Molly nodded understandingly. "We'll get through this," she said.

"We'll figure something out." I smiled weakly, grateful for her support. I felt a sense of come wash over me. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.

"The Manager is coming." Lily my colleague announced and everyone hurriedly scampered to their duty post.

"How are you Freda Kumar?" The supervisor inquired. "I feel better,I have taken some pills to ease the pain." I lied.

"Alright, please go to the dinning room and help Anna with the orders" she said walking away.

"Such a calm soul." I muttered as Molly burst out into laughter.

"You know that you are a chronic liar" she pointed at me trying to stifle her laughter.

"We're in this together" I said as I rolled my eyes walking out of the kitchen. I smiled as I could still hear her laughter.

*****

After the close of work, I began to gist Molly about the things my stepmom did earlier. "You'll get through this" Molly Roberts said as she pulled me into a hug and we continued walking till we parted ways.

I continued trekking down, then it dawned on me that I had not heard from Collins Douglas, my boyfriend for some days, so I took out my phone from my bag and dialed his number.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Hey," his voice sounded from the other end.

"Hi babe" I said a bit relieved as his voice reduced the tension that coiled up on me.

"Please make it snappy, I'm busy at the moment" he said sharply.

"Ermmmm, I noticed we haven't spoken to each other for some days now, so I called to check up on you" I replied.

"It's fine, I'm doing well" he cut in. "Bye" he hung up and I could not help but sighed at his behavior.

This has always been his reaction when he is not in a foul mood. At some points, he makes me feel like I'm throwing myself at him, and some days he treats me like the best thing that happened to him.

As I dropped the call something felt off. The streets went darker than usual and The shadows seemed to loom larger than the heart before. I quickened my pace feeling a sense of unease growing inside me.

Suddenly, flashes of light shone at my direction, and immediately my heart sank in terror, some figures came out from a van, clad in a hooded jacket that obscured their faces.

My heart raced fast as I clutched my bag closer to my body.Without warning,the figure lunged forward, grabbing at my bag with surprising strength. I stumbled backward,the force of the attack knocking me off balance.Fear gripped me as I struggled to maintain my grip on the bag,my knuckles turning white from the effort.

Desperation fueled my resistance, but the assailants determination was unwavering.In a frantic struggle, I finally gave way, tearing my grasp with a sharp snap, and immediately they drove off. I stood there for a moment, frozen in shock.

" What had just happened?​"