CHAPTER 1

THE REVENGE OF TWO SOULS BEING CRUSHED

A knock on the door aroused Candice in what she was doing. She sketched new designs for her new creation. She decided to make a long gown and sell it online. She can also make a wedding gown. Because she notices many will get married this month. And also she was planning to build her boutique and display all her designs but she will plan it along the way.

She was preoccupied. When working days she is in the firm working as an architect. On weekends she would lock herself in her room, writing drafts. She is not like other women who love to party. Every night, go to a bar to unwind. Dancing, drinking, and smoking. She didn't like the crowded place, especially the smoky ones. Sometimes many men would invite her out but she always refused.

Today she has no idea about ​​having a boyfriend. Men weren't her priority. She loves her job and fashion. They are wondering if she is a hater or if she is going through a painful experience in life. But nothing. She got a nice life. She has a beautiful family background with loving parents. Unluckily she is an only child. And she has no friends either. She is not a snob and has a bad temper but she just didn't have the opportunity to mingle with other people to make friends and hang out.

Some other people wonder if maybe there is something wrong with her personality. But she was relieved to say that she is straight, a woman who desires a man but only for the time being. Some of her coworkers sometimes tease her about growing old without experiencing anything. However, she is not so innocent when it comes to worldly matters such as sex and lovemaking. And she admitted that she was not born yesterday but she was prepared to be clueless and know nothing. You are less likely to make mistakes when you are not speaking.

Candice heard the door slam but she didn't even look at it but just continued what she was doing. And she already knew who the familiar smell she was smelling now was.

"You're too focused on what you're doing, sweetie, so you didn't see me come in." said her mother.

"There's no need, Mommy, because I've already memorized your smell," she replied.

"I know my smell is your favorite," her mother answered and she sat down next to her.

"Do you need anything, Mommy?" she asked.

"Nothing. I'm just wondering why you didn't come down and grab some food so I went here to your room." her mother replied.

Candace winced.

"Nah. Aren't you used to my routine yet, I've been doing it for a few years," she says.

"Aren't you tired? You've been here in your room all day and just sitting there." said her mother.

"Of course not. I'm happy with what I'm doing," she replied.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're still normal."

Candice frowned.

"What do you mean, Mommy? Why did you think such a thing? Aren't you happy that I'm just here at home?" he asked.

"It's not like that but only women your age go shopping. They go to the beach and travel." said her mother.

"So you're saying I also have to do what they do to make me normal? I'm fine, Mommy. Nothing is wrong with me. I'm not out of my mind yet." she replied pouting.

"Yeah, because we haven't experienced any bad behavior from you before, and we love scolding you for being late and making mistakes," her mother explained.

"You're incredible!"

Her mother gives her a serious look that makes her shiver.

"Your perfection scares us, Candice," her mother said.

She stopped her work and looks at her mother.

"Why?"

"How do you cope when the time comes when we're gone?"

"Mommy! Don't say anything bad!" she exclaimed.

"We want you to know how cruel life can be so that when the time comes, you'll be strong enough to fight and live on your own," her mother said.

She was both amazed and terrified by what she said. This is the first time she has heard her mother say such things to her.

"Is there something wrong here, Mommy?" she asked.

"No, Sweetie. I'm just being ahead of you," her mother replied, hugging her back.

"Don't worry about me, Mommy; I'm always fine," she assured her mother.

"All right, go out and get some snacks when you're done," her mother said as she exited her room.

"All right," she said.

Candice decided to leave her room at eight o'clock in the evening. She was finished, and the pain in her back made her smile. They say that if a person's back doesn't hurt, he or she isn't a workaholic. She rested for a while before deciding to take a bath and shower. She stretches her arms and legs. Maybe she'll go to the gym another time to work out. She felt at ease as water flowed through her entire body. It was as if the water was playing with her skin. She prefers to stay in the shower rather than the bathtub. She enjoys the sensation of water flowing down her spine.

When she got a cold, she went out easily. Then after some time. She walked out with a towel wrapped around her entire body. Maybe her mother was bored because she didn't notice her wandering around the corner of the house. She applied lotion to her entire body and searched for appropriate clothing. She was already hungry, so she dashed out the door and slowly walked up the stairs. She notices her mother and father eating as she enters the kitchen.

"All I thought you weren't hungry, Love?" her father asked.

She burst out laughing.

"I'm not a robot, Daddy, so I'm hungry as well," she replied, kissing her father's cheeks.

Her father gave her a seat. She sat down and her mother give her a plate with food on it. There is an example of a loving parent. Even she's old enough to take care of herself. But they take care of her until now.

"When do you plan to get married, Candice?" her father asked.

"Daddy, Is getting a race? I'm enjoying life," she replied.

"I know it. But knowing that you don't have a boyfriend or never face your suitors is another story. What do you want?" her father asked her.

She knows where this conversation went. Maybe her parents doubt her sexuality.

"Are you trying to say something, Daddy? Did you think that I'm not straight? Or I'm abnormal?"

"That's not what I'm trying to say. All I want is for you to be happy. Find someone who will be with you every single day, even if you don't get married right away. The one who is willing to love more than we love you. The one who asks us to date you." her father said.

Candice was at a loss for words. She was preoccupied with her work, but she failed to notice that her parents were more concerned about her love life than she was. By the way, she didn't care. However, hearing these words from them is heartwarming.

"Daddy, don't worry about me so much. I'm fine. I'm not struggling to find love. Let's do it when the time is right." she said.

"Just do it as soon as possible, Love, because we want a baby running around the whole house," her father said, causing her to cough because the food she was eating was becoming stuck in her esophagus.

Her mother then gives her water, which she immediately drinks.

"Daddy, your words are trying to kill me," she said.

"You're acting so silly, Candice. What's wrong with wanting a grandchild? It's a blessing, you know," her father said.

"Of course, I know, but you asked too much; why didn't you have another child for me to have a sister or a brother?"

Then her mother coughed up what she had said. Candice then bursts out laughing.

After they ate Candice presented herself by washing dishes. Until now she was thinking about why they don't have a maid to do housework at home. She never asked her parents why. Minutes passed when she decided to go to her room after. When she was about to enter the toilet when her phone rang. She took in the drawer and look at the caller. She is frowning because her workmate calls her. She accepted the call afterward.

"Hello, Genevieve. What is it?" she asked.

"It's nice that you answer my call, Harlow," Gene said.

Candice's face wrinkled.

"Don't mention my second name. It's annoying," she said.

Then Genevieve laughs on the other line.

"Be proud. You've got a unique name."

"Whatever," she said.

"You are trying to be strict but sadly you won't become since you got a pretty face," said Genevieve.

"Don't boost my ego, will you? You want to borrow money from me?" she asked.

"Ouch. You are too straightforward. No, I'm not. I call because I'm trying to convince you to join us tonight." Genevieve.

"To where?" she asked.

"Nah, It's Saturday today. So since Sunday tomorrow. Let's unwind. It's my birthday today. You forgot?" Genevieve asked.

"I don't know. Where is the venue?" she asked.

"Let's try something new and unforgettable. What about Shock tale?"

"What?"

"It's a famous bar around Washington. Would you come? Just for tonight. Then I won't bother you again." Genevieve said.

Candice is always saying no but this is the first that Genevieve calls her. She got all her workmate's phone numbers but even once she won't call them when it was not related to work but right now she didn't what to react. She hates bars but she didn't decline. She sighed heavily.

"Alright. Just call me again. I changed clothes first." she replied.

"Great!" Genevieve exclaims on the other line.

She continues to go to the toilet to pee and go out and find a comfortable dress to wear tonight. Her parents partying is they find out that this is the first that she goes out and unwinds in the bar. She chose a pair of ripped black jeans pair of white sleeveless and a black coat with matching flat sandals. She got her new sling bag that her mother buy for her. She put lipstick on her lips and go out. She knocks in her parent's room afterward. The door opened and her mother smiled at the face that she saw.

"Wow. Where are you going?" her mother asked.

"Somewhere. I didn't say no to my workmate," she replied.

"That was a good start. Good luck, Sweetie." her mother said and kiss her cheeks.

"Where's Daddy?" she asked.

"Sleeping. Don't worry about him. He became happy knowing that you go out tonight. Enjoy."

"Okay, Mommy."

Her mother closed the door and she continue to go out. And lock the gate. She saw her father's bodyguard outside.

"The two of you done eating?" she asked.

"Yes, Ma'am. Earlier your father texted us to eat some dinner."

"That's good to hear. I'm going somewhere. Please don't leave them." she said.

"I know, Ma'am."

Then there's a black car stop in front of her. The window opens and Genevieve waves at her then she waves back. The car door opened and she entered. She gets stunned for a moment when she saw three men inside the car and four women aside from her and Genevieve.

"They are my friends, Harlow. And they are harmless. Even if you don't talk they all know you so feel at home. I invited the guys into the office but they said no when I didn't start talking. You know, they are all taken and others were taken for granted." Genevieve said.

She laughs hard to reason why all the guys look at her.

"You're so mean," she said.

"Of course. They can join if they want and bring their boyfriends and husband. But they said no already. But anyway, I'm happy to you accept my invitation."

"You're welcome," she responded.

The car was moving.

"Where is this Shock Tale located? I haven't heard of that place," she said.

"Of course. Because your not a party-goer. That's why."

"Is beautiful there?" she asked again.

"I don't know. The guys were the ones familiar with that place while I was the same. This is the first time that I go that place." Genevieve said,

"For sure you enjoy yourself there. I'm Letitia by the way." a woman with red hair said.

"Nice to meet you," she said.

"It's my pleasure."

She's cute and her hair color was fit for her. Seeing any color hair was like dirt for her but seeing this woman was different. It's like this color was normal to her. Letitia doesn't feel outcast.

"Your hair looks good on you," she said.

"Thank you. You are the first one who likes my hair but Genevieve did not." Letitia said.

Genevieve laughed.

"Accept her flattering words Letitia dear because Harlow's word is like treasures," Genevieve said.

"You too much," she said.

"I'm just telling the truth."

It's about an hour before they arrive at their destination. Candice was the first one who get out in the car and Genevieve as well as the rest of the guys. The place is nice and wide. There are many customers outside. And there's a piece of loud music that came from the band that performing inside. Then Letitia shouted.

"Yeezy. They are starting!"

She laughs at the thought that she end up walking inside the bar tonight.

"Forgive them Harlow for acting that way. They are childish. If you can know them more. You surrender. They are loud but they are true friends." Genevieve said as they walk side by side.

"What about those men?" she asked.

"They are silent but they are kind. They are both professional." Genevieve replied.

Loud applause enters Candice's ears. Her eyes roam around the whole place. Whatever she does and enjoy herself in the jolly music but it can't sink in she truly hates this kind of place. But she was ashamed to voice it out so needed to enjoy it.