"You stole it!" The petty customer kept yelling, trying to gain attention. "You stole my money and keep lying I haven't paid."
Maya did not expect him to come again, that drunkard. It was past eleven, almost midnight and this man still visited the shop at that late time.
"Sir, you keep making noise like this and I swear, I don't know what I'd do to you."
"Look at you, short and small. Only like 20 years old--"
"--25 years old. I'm not so little. You should treat me with respect." Maya intercepted.
The owner of the mall walked in, anger written all over her face. "You! Apologize to him at once!"
"Ma'am, he tried to slap me but missed. This man is a sexist and a misogynist. He tried to physically assault me but I was quick to dodge his--"
Slap!
It landed on her cheeks so suddenly Maya froze in shock. The manager did not even flinch. "Apologize to him right now or quit your job." She threatened. "Your step mother already told me all about your arrogance when you are in fact nothing!"
"But..." Maya's eyes were bloodshot red, filled with tears. "You've not paid me my salary in over 2 months. You said business was failing and I should be patient. You owe me, madam."
"Ha!" The woman threw her head back and laughed. "I owe you? I highly doubt that. You listen to me right now. You say sorry to this man, or--"
"--or what?" Maya queried. "This man is a drunkard coming to disturb us almost midnight, and you know it. He's an ordinary driver of Mr. Smith. He's a nobody!" Her life had been going pretty shitty now.
This woman hit her whenever she wanted, treated her like crap. And so did her family. Why else would her step mother come here and encourage the mall owner to hit her however she liked because she sees that Maya was a stubborn child?
Maya, still caressing her cheeks, began to chuckle. "You won't ever stop, will you? I guess...you deserve what's about to come for you then." A smile spread on her rogue face as she said that.
Twenty minutes later, Maya found herself running out of breath as she finally made it to her house. It was at least a twenty minutes ride but yet she ran in under fifteen minutes. She was sweating so hard, breath rough and haggard.
By the time she reached home, it was almost midnight. She laughed out, seeing she'd outran the people chasing her and slipped inside. The light turned on, with all eyes on her.
Her step mother, Tamara, was the first to speak, tall and handsome like in her dark pants and silver top. She loved the combination a lot. Her children, Jax and Riley stood behind her.
"We've asked the butler to gather your stuff." She said with cold eyes.
Maya's mouth flung open. "What? Why would you want to gather my stuff?"
"To throw it out!" Riley spewed out as she laughed. "Ha, you've grown stupid you don't know the meaning of someone kicking you out?"
Maya frowned. "Kicking me out of my own house?"
"Your own house, or my husband's house." Standing tall and high, Tamara said.
"That's not fair!" Maya stood on her words.
"It doesn't matter, stupid. Go outside and see all your rags thrown outside. It's beside the dumpster."
"You can't do that to me. My father--"
"--your dear father is dead. He disappeared and no one knows where he is." Tamara said.
Maya's fist was a ball of rage now. "That man married you and made you who you are right now."
Tamara advanced forward in slow steps till she was standing face to face with Maya. "That man is dead now."
"Just get out, Maya." Jax said from behind. He didn't look too excited like the rest of them, still, Maya thought it was heartless of him to kick her out of her father's estate.
She looked at all of them and shook her head in disappointment. "You'll all regret this. And when you come back begging me for help...I will turn a blind eye." As she turned to leave, she heard them all laughing behind her.
Outside, she found her bags just near the dumpster. She was about to grab them when some thugs appeared from nowhere.
"This is the girl. Quick, let's do as mistress has commanded and rob her." Said one of the men.