"That was weird," Beatris whispered to herself as she watched the strange man run out of the cafe like something was pursuing him or she'd said something mean to chase him. This was not the kind of drama she wanted today.

She turned back and saw that all eyes were on her. That meant there was no getting away with this. She began to wonder if there was an invisible sign on her forehead that said, "looking for trouble, apply here."

"What happened?" Her boss asked as she walked behind the counter staring at the orders in her notebook.

She looked up at him, her large brown eyes pretending to be clueless. "What happened?"

"Why did you chase that man away? He didn't buy anything."

Fair enough that he assumed she chased the strange man away just because that morning, a man had 'accidentally' tried to touch her butt while she served him and she'd given him a very deserving slap. That was enough reason to jump to conclusions, wasn't it?

"I didn't. I..."

"You won't have a job if you keep chasing away my customers or creating a scene in this place. Is that clear?" This man was being so nasty. Since when did standing up for one's self become a crime?

She nodded, almost terrified. Being jobless was not something she could afford.

"What happened?" A girl with the name tag 'Lily' on her chest, asked as soon as the boss had walked away. Beatris knew she wasn't trying to be friendly, she was only a gossip.

"Well... I only went to meet the man and he just ran away shaking like he'd seen a ghost. I'm just as confused," ahe complained. At least having someone she could explain her side of the story to was a bit helpful.

"You don't know him?"

"With his glasses and face cap, it was difficult to tell, but he didn't look familiar." She filled up her tray with one person's order. "Strange man," she said as she walked away.

Beatris walked into her apartment at 8:00 pm and immediately slumped into a chair. She knew she was overworking herself, but what were her options? Work less, starve and go homeless or work herself to death?

She'd give anything at this point for Cinderella's Godmother or a wishing wand to her name. It was not that she believed in fairy tales, but sometimes, dreaming made her life a whole lot easier.

"Hey, Sissy!" A high pitched sound pulled her out of her fantasy even before she could let her imaginations run wild enough. "You look so worn out. You're lucky I made dinner." She took a seat beside her. "How was work?"

"Terrible," Beatris confessed. "And I'd rather eat grubs than whatever you prepared, Bibi." She teased her sister.

Brianna rolled her eyes. "It's not actually that bad. I tasted it. A little too spicy, but... You're not encouraging at all!" She said with a pout. "Besides, we both know I'm not cut out for household chores."

"You're not cut out for anything. I've told you times without number to get a job. I work twice as hard just because I have you to cater for." On Beatris' bad days, she made it a point of duty to call her sister's attention to all she was going through.

"I went for an audition today, Sissy. Soon enough, I'll be an actress and change our lives!" She flipped her long black hair over her shoulders dramatically.

That had always been the story, from one audition to another and still, their condition was the same. She knew Brianna was a special girl and she loved her little sister very much but sometimes, especially days like this, she couldn't help but wish her burden could be a little less heavy.

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"Hey Beatris, let's be friends," Norman said, staring at his reflection in the mirror, with one hand on his chin, touching his invisible beards. This was his sorry attempt of a 'cool' pose.

"She'd think I'm a creep. I'm not supposed to know her name. Damn!" He ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "Norman, what are you trying to do? You know you have to stay away from that woman. You know that!"

"Why can't I get my mind off her? Why can't I fucking think of something else?" He threw a punch at his mirror and his hand suffered for it. "Damn it, Norman! Damn you!" He yelled at his now scattered reflection, lowering himself slowly to the floor and not paying attention to the blood that spilled out of his injured hand.

In his state of frustration, there was only one place he could go.

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The name MAC-GOLD was displayed boldly and flashy in gold at the top of the club. The music was deafening and repulsive to Norman but he was used to it. He stared at his roughly bandaged hand before pushing his way through the seemingly impenetrable crowd, enduring the punishment of coming in contact with hands and sweaty bodies. Everything about this place was without mincing words, not conducive.

The club belonged to Norman's brother, Mac. The one he'd been left at the mercy of since he was seven years old. He'd learnt the very hard way that he had no one in this world, apart from Mac who constantly shoved down his throat that he was worthless and unwanted.

Yet, here he was, back in a place he didn't like, to see a man he didn't like because up until that moment, he still had no one.

His eyes roamed about the busy place till he was certain Mac wasn't out there. Then he walked to the only other place he could be.

Norman barged into his brother's office and almost immediately regretted it.

Mac and a random girl were having a sexual encounter on his desk while all the usual contents were scattered all over the floor. He seemed to recognise his brother's presence immediately and pulled away from the half-naked girl. Norman was beyond disgusted.

"Why the fuck did you barge in on me like that?" Mac asked shamelessly, pulling up his pants. Norman wondered if he didn't know that this was a public place and anyone could walk into an office at any time.

The girl tried kissing him again but he pulled back reluctantly and she turned and faced the cock-blocker, eyeing him all the while as she pulled down her dress and walked out on Mac's orders.

"Try to lock the door when you want to do your stupid stuff," He said taking a few steps forward.

"What the fuck do you want?" Mac asked rudely, as though he could not make a single statement without using cuss words. Norman was always so disappointed at his almost forty-year-old good for nothing brother.

The younger brother took some steps even closer, scrutinizing the place. "Well..."

"Answer me or get the fuck out, asshole." He got out from behind his desk and approached his brother. His eyes travelled to the bandage around his hand. "You got into a fight?"

"N-no... I fell," Norman said.

He wasn't here to discuss how he'd broken his mirror because he was frustrated. He was here for a more important reason, one he hadn't figured out how to go about. Apparently, there was no easy way to ask a brother as stupid as Mac to teach him how to effectively talk to a woman.

Mac rolled his eyes, embarrassed at how stupid his brother's lie was. "I don't give a shit anyway."

Norman's eyes traveled to the door that was now firmly shut, as he summoned enough courage to ask, "Is she your girlfriend?"

"What the fuck is that question supposed to mean?" Mac stared at Norman, irritated at his absurd question.

"It's a yes or no question," Norman explained, as he finally tore his eyes away from the door and faced his brother with a smile on his face.

Mac glared at him, pissed. "Get the fuck out. I don't have time for your stupid jokes. If you want her, you can have her when I'm done. Oops, I'm sorry, she doesn't do your type. Apparently, no one does." He concluded with a smirk.

"Eww. Why would I want her?" Norman asked as he took an uninvited seat to piss Mac off further. "I-I have someone better." The words had rolled off his tongue before he could stop them.

Mac laughed. "Like your laptop? I can bet a hundred million, that's the only thing that enjoys your company."

"She enjoys my company!" Norman corrected him, wishing the words that came out of his mouth were true. "In fact, we... We are gonna be together..."

Norman wondered what it'd feel like to be with the beautiful woman that had been a constant resident in his head for a very long time. He'd give anything to have her as his own.

His elder brother pulled him out of his reverie, laughing in his face, such an irritating laugh, he'd have loved to kick out at least two or three teeth from his mouth. If only Mac wasn't much bigger or stronger or more attractive or everything he wasn't and wished to be.

"Are you kidding? I was certain you were going to die a virgin, bro. I'm happy for you." He laughed some more. "But just to be sure, it's like a real human being right?"

"Obviously," Norman said irritated, yet determined to put up a smile.

As he walked out of Mac's office after listening to his disparaging comments, his frustration etched deeply and gave rise to determination. Norman was tired of Mac, Leonard, and everyone constantly looking down on him.

He knew desperately now more than ever, that he had to talk to Beatris and find a way to make her his own. He was determined to prove to them, that they were wrong about him. He shouldn't be laughed at or teased. He could get any girl he wanted, even Beatris.

A few minutes later, he walked out of the club, finally happy to get his sanity back. He took out his phone and scrolled till he found Beatris' phone number.

It was not surprising that he had it. Norman spent his leisure time obtaining information about people and he always knew where to look.

He was about to dial it when he changed his mind and typed out a text instead.

# HI BEATRIS, CAN WE TALK? I'll BE OUTSIDE THE CAFE AT 7PM TOMORROW WHEN YOU FINISH YOUR SHIFT. FROM THE ONE WHO'S WATCHING U.

He smiled proudly.