Quit

RIX’s P.O.V.

I took a step forward, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. "I want to quit," I said quietly.

Apollo's eyebrow raised. "Quit what?"

"Being your contracted wife, being a slave under this stupid deal," I said, my voice growing more confident as I spoke.

Apollo frowned. "You know the deal, Beatrix. You signed a contract."

"I know,'' I said, nodding. "But I can't take it anymore. I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not. I'm tired of living this life. I'm tired of pretending I can take everything and I can breathe everything, when I can't. I’m tired.”

Apollo stood up, towering over me. "You knew what you were getting into when you signed that contract," he said, his voice low and menacing. "You agreed to be my contracted wife for six months. You can't back out now."

I swallowed hard, my throat feeling tight as I was trying so hard not to cry. "I know," she said softly. "But I can't keep doing this. It's not who I am."

Apollo stared at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "If you quit, you won't be able to find work anywhere else. That's part of the agreement. And if you can't finance your brother's growing bills, what will you do?"

I bit my lip, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "I don't know," I whispered. "But I can't keep living like this. It's not worth it."

Apollo was silent for a long moment, his gaze intense. Finally, he spoke. "You're right," he said. "It's not worth it. But you made a commitment, Beatrix. You can't just walk away from it."

I lowered my head, feeling defeated. "I know," I said softly. "But I wanted to end this.”

Apollo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You won't. I knew it. You never read the documents from the very beginning.”

I looked at him, perplexed.

“What do you mean?”

“Once you want to quit this job, you will never find another because you’ll be blocked, including your current work.”

I feel the tight compression of my heart while hearing him say that.

He was a bit satisfied to see me in my lower state.

What the fuck…

I clenched my fist, giving in, knowing that this will be a dead end.

I had no choice.

I nodded, turning to leave. As I reached the door, I paused and turned back to Apollo. "Thank you for giving me a hard time, always, consistently," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

Apollo just nodded, his expression unreadable. I left the room, closing the door behind me.

I leaned my back at Apollo's door and I let myself be sunk at the feeling of loneliness. And I realized how powerful Cartier’s family is. And I never thought of it the second I have been offered this kind of job.

How come I’ve never realized that this would happen to me?

How come I couldn’t protect my own feelings?

I've told myself a thousand times before that I will never get hurt by a man like Apollo— by a man whose rich.

I will never be a slave to rich people

Because I couldn't finance Andrei’s bills, here I am, not protecting my pride, and wasn't able to burst my emotions.

It was my fault after all.

I was warned, but I never listened.

I couldn't help.

This is really bugging me… and hurting me.

—

Charis welcomes me with open arms.

Even though she doesn't know anything that had happened to me.

The only thing that she knows is I'm in pain.

I'm sad and there are no words that could explain how I feel right now.

There were no words that could come out of my mouth ‘cause I was full of emotion.

I was a fool.

I believed he liked me.

But maybe, rich people like Apollo wouldn't be able to know what love really means because there's no love in their culture.

Love will only present if you are part of their company or if you could do something to grow their business or grow their network.

But as long as you are the burden you are not allowed to feel anything and express your emotions because no one will listen to you.

I burst into tears.

The first person that I needed to call after this heartbreaking scenario is Charis.

I was just glad that Apollo didn't forbid me to go out just for tonight.

"Sorry, I bother you today,” I said.

Charis shook her head and caressed my hair, "There's no need to say sorry. Do you know what I told you before? Whenever you feel like you need someone to talk to, never hesitate to come here, or even if you don't feel like talking, even if you just wanted to have some company beside you, I'm here. I will always be here for you, okay?"

I can't help but burst into tears again. How could she say this?

"Don't you have a family? Why do you only care for me?”

Gosh, I can’t help saying unrelated things.

Charis giggled in laughter. "You're part of my family, Beatrix. Have you forgotten? We're sisters. Although not by blood, were sisters.”

I smiled and then wipe off my tears. I don't think you deserve to see me in this state.

After a few hours, Harley came and he brought soap and chips.

"Did you know that I’m here? Did Charis tell you?”

Harley rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, and fixed his eyes on me. "I ask her where I could find you. You know what, I don't really trust that man I left you at.”

I hit his shoulder really hard.

"You're the one who left me at Harold’s house?”

He nodded.

Harley said, “He left me no choice, okay? Those three men are threatening me! They know about your secret being the contracted wife of Apollo. I don't want to butt in and ruin your plans. So I left you there. But I never left you outside. I was there the whole time. But I fell asleep so I don't know what happened next. I just awoke when the three men were outside causing too much noise. I didn't know where they went, I just saw them going away from their house.”

Harley held both of my arms and rested me on his chest.

"I can't believe someone hurt you again. I’m really sorry I wasn’t there.”

I hugged him back.

Well, after all, I wasn't really only bringing bad luck, huh? I still have friends to lean on.

"It’s all because of you, Harley! That's why I can't leave Beatrix at you! You're always causing her trouble!” Charis yelled.

Harley disentangles our hug from one another and looks at Charis to have an argument that I know will last an hour.

"Oh, please, Charis! Don't start at me. I don't know that that would happen.”

Charis crossed her arms. "Of course, you wouldn’t know that. How would you? You’re not futuristic and you’re not planning anything. I know, you just wanted to confess your feelings! She already knows and she will always bring you down. But why do you keep on asking her out?!”

Harley paused for a while, thought of something, and then turn it into an awkward laugh.

"Are you jealous, Charis? Huh? Are you jealous because I didn't drop you off at your home?”

Charis looked away and she chortles.

"You're such a pathetic man. Don't assume, okay? Why would I be jealous? Are you weird?” asked Charis.

“I’m not weird! You like me. Tell me, do you?” teased Harley.

"STOP!!” said Charis.

And there they go. They continue teasing one another.

As I was looking at them, I’m starting to have these kinds of thoughts like, what if they end up together?

What if I wasn't here, being the biggest hindrance to their supposed to be love story?

What if I wasn't the one that Harley liked?

What if I wasn't been born at all?

What could happen?

How far could they go?

Could everything is a little different?

We don't know.

But all I wish right now is for Charis to be happy and finally find someone that could love her unconditionally and never take advantage of her kindness.

She always has a new boyfriend that would leave her soon after. But because of her bigger heart, she always finds a new lover. She believes in the spirit of love.

As for Harley is always the item so is the shy one— the one who couldn't approach anyone. It's like Harley and Charis are the total opposite of one another.

But I will support them, no matter what happened. I will be their number-one fan.