Chapter 1 01

FLORA

"You are ugly, a worthless cocoon. No one would ever want you, pig! You should be grateful I still take you in as my daughter."

Those were the words my own father threw at me daily if I'd failed to give him money to support his gambling habits.

I used to be the perfect size when I was in sixth grade until my mum passed away. I was depressed for weeks, my father wasn't there to comfort me instead he drowned himself in alcohol and gambling. Food was the only way I could manage stress, and before I knew it, I became a shadow of myself.

Well, I'm nineteen and I'm over a hundred and ten kilograms. I've tried everything I could to get back in shape, starved, got slimming tea, walked miles but nothing seemed to be working, so...I gave up.

Last two weeks, I got chased from school because my crazy father had stolen the money I was saving for my tuition fees to gamble. It was examination week for my finals when I was called into the principal's office and told I needed to leave the school premises because I couldn't afford to pay.

A simple nod was all I gave, I packed my books and bag and headed home. I didn't cry, it was pointless... crying wouldn't solve anything, I'd told myself that several times I passed out from choking sobs after getting whipped by my father after he lost a bet.

I worked two shifts a day and the money was never enough. Most times, I'd contemplated running away from home—away from my terrific father but I couldn't bring myself to do that.

During my stay at home, I searched the web vigorously looking for a new job that could pay a substantial amount of money and also a scholarship for me to graduate high school. Despite my huge physique, I tried most of the time not to weigh myself down and give up.

Fortunately, I got lucky and saw an ad of scholarship for Crownsworth Academy, a prestigious school in the States, and a part-time job as a nanny. Without wasting time I applied for the job and scholarship and got both offers.

Today, I'm working for the wealthiest family in the States—the Graysons. I'm to watch over the stubborn six-year old trust-fund baby and get paid ten thousand grand per month. That was more than enough! My prayers were answered.

"I don't want cookies anymore!" Johnathan pushed the plate of cookies I'd brought into the room for him.

My eyes widened in shock as the ceramic plate cracked and the cookies scattered on the floor.

I snapped my face back to the arrogant six-year-old kid.  "But that's what you said a few minutes ago and you promised to do your assignment if you got some cookies," my eyebrows creased.

Johnathan huffed, folding his little arms across his chest, "Well, I want to play video games now." 

"Oh, no!" I snapped, pointing my index finger at him.

"You won't be playing any video games until you get your homework done," I said sternly.

"You can't tell me what to do, fat pig!" He yelled at me, banging his fist on the table in front of him.

I stilled for a moment, hearing the word, 'fat pig'. Keep it cool, Flora. He's just a kid. I thought inwardly.

Taking a deep breath, I smiled, not like this was the first time I was called that. "Certainly, I can tell you what to do because that's my job, and if you don't get your homework done—" I paused, taking another sharp breath.

"I'll make sure you stay grounded in your room with no access to video games for a week." 

"You can't do that!" He shrieked.

"Oh, trust me, I have full authority to do whatsoever to make you a good kid, now get to that assignment right now." I glared at him.

"I hate you." He grumbled, throwing his arms in the air.

I sighed, grabbing some of his workbooks from the floor and suddenly the tension in the air shifted. "Denji!" Johnathan sprang from his position to go and meet his elder brother.

"Hey, little bro," Denji squatted to hug Johnathan who had rushed over to him. I didn't even notice when he walked into the room. He broke the embrace shortly and ruffled Johnathan's hair.

"Giving your nanny a hard time?" His wavering smile made my heart do a flip.

"She's mean, she wouldn't let me play video games," Johnathan pouted at his big brother and he chuckled, showing off his perfectly set of white teeth.

"Well, if you do your homework she won't stop you from playing video games." He said.

Johnathan's face fell, "but I don't want to," he muttered.

"Hm, how about this?"

"If you get your homework done, I'll get you that new game you've been talking about recently." 

Johnathan's face brightened. "Really?"

Denji gave a warm smile, "Yeah."

"Then that's no biggie, I'll do my homework right away," Johnathan cooed happily scooting over to me. He grabbed his workbooks from the floor and placed them on the table.

He grabbed a pen from the stationery cup and looked at me as if we hadn't been on each other's neck. "Can we start now?"

I smiled at him, opening to the page where he was to begin his homework. I glanced towards Denji who was walking out of the room already.

He didn't bother to say hi, I mean for some reason I was invisible to him, like I never for once featured in his world but then I'm glad his younger brother always listens to him when he's about to stress me out.

Denji is the billionaire heir of the Grayson family. He's perfect. Hot, tall, has striking blue eyes and silky blonde hair... the literal golden boy. And the crazy part was that I'll be attending the same school as him.

I was meant to have resumed school last week but I wanted to get along with my job well enough before I started going to school. When I found out I was attending the same academy as Denji, I didn't know how to feel about that.

Boys like Denji, always go for the sexy perfect girls. Someone like me could only dream of spending a day with someone as hot as him. I brushed the thought away and focused my attention on Johnathan who seemed to be keen about his homework.

Finishing my job for the day, I arrived at an alcohol-stench home and cigarette smoke everywhere.

My eyes fell on the dozen empty alcohol cans littered on the floor and the used cigarettes on the table. Then my gaze shifted to my useless father lazying on the couch.

I tried to ignore him as I walked past him hoping he wouldn't notice me. "Got some money, lardy?" My feet screeched to a halt.

"No." I swallowed, freezing in position without turning to face him.

"What do you mean no? So, you got no money on ya?" 

"I got fired from my two jobs last week," I lied, fiddling with my fingers.

"Took them long enough to get rid of your fat ass," he belched and my throat went dry.

"Would have suggested you sign up in a stripping club but no one would pay to see that chunk of a body you got right there," he chuckled wearily, I tried not to let his hurtful words get through me as I batted my eyes daring the tears to fall.

He wasn't worth my tears anymore.

"I give ya a week to find a new job, you can't be big and useless at the same time," he dismissed.

I sniffed sharply, and without a word, I walked away. He seemed to be in a good mood. The man I know would have lunged at me for losing my job knowing that was the only source of income—his source of income.

Getting to my room, I shut the door and turned the lock even though it was pointless because I'd lost count of the number of times my father had broken into my room in search of money.

I took off the glasses that made me look like my entire existence was being nerdy. I dropped my tote bag on the small reading table and made my way into the bathroom to have a shower.

When I was done, I brought out the burger, fries, and crispy chicken I'd bought from McDonald's along with a Diet Coke.

Tonight seemed peaceful and I needed all the peace I could get to start classes tomorrow even though I'm dreading it.

I'll be going back to constant insults, bullying, and the joke of the century. I scrolled through the web of my smartphone googling about Crownsworth Academy and their students. They're all bloody wealthy heirs and heiresses. It's a school of the elite. What am I expecting?

Even the scholarship, I heard it was a charity from the Grayson family. I just need to steer out of trouble and be invisible.  Even Denji never spared me a glance.

So...

I should be fine.

I finished my meal faster than I thought and it doesn't feel like I'd eaten at all. I'd purposely bought less than the quantity I normally buy. 

In my deluded state, this is one step at a time.