THE HANDSOME DOLL

CHAPTER XIV

The end of the month gets near but I'm already starving out of money.

I spent my savings paying the house's tax but still the bank sends me a notice that I should settle matters regarding the leash to their agent personally.

So, today, I made a call to Bruce at the office telling him that Im not going over there tonight.

I wore a simple shirt and pants to the bank and a man of about forties welcomes me.

"Ms. Chavillon, it saddens me to be the bearer of the bad news but the bank is giving you ten days to pay the necessary taxes or we will have no choice but reclaim the housing title."

I clenches my fist hard. I never thought that the house is under collateral terms.

"Ten days.."

"Yes Ms. Chavillon." he nods sympathetically.

When I stepped outside bearing the documents I need to provide and pay within ten days I can't help but grit my teeth in helplessness. Where on earth will I get a hundred thousand dollars in less than ten days?

Damn it.

The following evening, I came to the office about 30minutes late.

"Im sorry boss, I have to attend a council meeting..."

After the chores, the boss makes me do my homework in the sofa. When I ask him why he keeps insisting that I do my stuff there, he reason out that "So I can watch you, isn't that obvious."

To make matters worse, I have a research paper to accomplish but I can't concentrate because my mind keeps giving me flashes of what will happen if I didn't pay the tax. Even if I marry some rich man tonight, I still wouldn't be able to come up with that amount of money. I was thinking of asking the boss for some but it will be a shame since my purpose here is to pay the debts already.

I was loss in thought, staring blankly at the book Im reading, I never heard the boss shouting, telling me that the book Im holding is upside down.

"Why do you have to shout boss?!"

"Its because you're not listening... hey, what are you getting so worked up for?"

"None of your business.." I sneered and spend the couple of hours studying my lessons.

I left my books at my locker in the dining hall since I don't need any of it tomorrow and head towards the flower shop after the office hours.

-----

"Hey, Judson.. didn't you say if I ever need money, you have a job to offer?"

Judson glance up at me from his desk. "I do, want to try it?"

"Will I get a pot of gold instantly?" I tease.

"If you want a pot of gold, you should try applying for mi..." we all shouted "Shut up, Scout" because we know that he's taking the phrase literally.

"Its some post graduate thesis writing.. some of our senior's getting that as part time job too.. I'm sure you're qualified Blythe, you're name's always at the geeks list." he laughs.

He's right. I post an ad at the bulletin board as research associate and after half that day, there are three post graduate students who's willing to hire me. I was told to choose only one from them but since I learn that the pay for one thesis is about ten thousand dollar, I never did disclose that I'll be working each at the same time.

I got seven days left before the deadline so I start working my ass off, even taking an hour of overtime from my part time jobs. I did my chores at the office too, to the point that Im reviewing a thesis while cooking and vacuuming the carpet.

I limit my sleep into an hour each day but I eat a lot during dinner, stuffing my stomach with meals suited for three person.

The good thing is that my hard works are slowly getting paid off, my managers handed me an increase. Mrs. Daniel even gave me a bonus for staying a bit longer these past few days, she says my help is truly appreciated. I made an appointment too, at a public attorney regarding the leash and what will I do if it didn't settle the tax but he informs me the same thing as the bank agent. Regarding the thesis, I manage to finish the two reviews and when I hand it to the post graduate students, they're both speechless in amazement of how fast I finish saying that Im just in junior class.

Two days before the bank's schedule deadline, Im literally turning into a walking zombie. My eyes darken and I lose a lot of weight even though Im eating so much. I feel annoyed most of the time, mainly because the boss keeps teasing me about nonsense things. He'll never stop until I ended up screaming and messing my hair at the sofa, throwing my notebooks at the wall telling him to shut up. He'll just leave me alone when he's playing with his women while Im at the sofa, digging my eyes at the words I need to proofread.

I check my account the following day and I saw that I did come up with a forty thousand dollars. I collapse on the bank's waiting chair and bury my face on my hands. The house needs one hundred thousand dollar payment and I only got forty thousand?!

That night, all the boys are gather at the dining hall after collecting funds outside. They all watch me in silence as I eat fast while holding a bunch of papers on my side.

"Kid, chew your food first.." August said.

"Im chewing my food.." I said without glancing up.

They all proceed to the entertainment area while I remain there, eating the remaining foods. Does my cooking taste bad? The boys aren't leaving the dining hall until all the foods consume before.

My heads throbbing for four days now and I have to drink potent energy formulas so I can stay wide awake. Im just glad my minds not leaking on my ears. But my eyes getting all blurry and painful. Even speaking requires effort.

"Blythe..."

I encircle the word that suggest tone in the first person because it should be written on the third person's perspective.

"Blythe.."

Geez, he's a postgraduate student. He should all be knowing that the formula for this problem is--

"BLYTHE!"

"Why do you have to shout boss! Can't you see that Im busy!!" I scream and pounded the table with my fist.

He's sitting in front of me but I did not notice him until this moment.

"What's bothering you?" he began, looking at me coldly.

I look away. "Im studying boss, I've got no time for you.."

"When did you got any time for me anyway?.."

Silence.

"You need something?" he murmured.

"No."

"I can help you.."

"Im all fine."

"Yes, you're fine, you're a walking corpse, sulky, irritated, pale, thin and oh, your hands, you can't even steady your pen. Yes, you absolutely look fine."

Will the sentence be more appropriate if I delete some adjectives or will it lessen the thought?

The boss holds my chin to make me look at him. "Why are you so stubborn little doll?" he asked gravely.

"I'm not being stubborn." I said snapping his hand away.

"You can ask for help Bly--.."

I cut him off. "I never needed anyone before, why will I need anyone now?"