COME TO ME

Chapter 12

**Flashback**

Two years ago, Franklin got struck in his hand by a stray bullet, losing a significant amount of blood. As an O negative, finding blood was arduous.

The assailant remained elusive, compounding the difficulty.

An anonymous man offered assistance without revealing his identity, promising a future meeting.

Whether Franklin was the intended target remained a mystery, leaving a scar on his hand.

As his health recovered, his mother Agatha fell ill, leaving Olivia to care for them both. Olivia, the dedicated provider, worked tirelessly to support her family. Her mother's declining health added to her burdens, forcing her to take Franklin to school at the age of two.

Despite the challenges, she persevered.

"I'm sorry, we don't admit children from such backgrounds. How can you afford tuition when you struggle to put food on the table?" a headteacher rebuffed Olivia.

At the next school, Franklin faced bullying from affluent peers and even teachers, exacerbating his difficulties. Olivia relocated him to a school nearer her workplace, where he continued his education.

**End of Flashback**

Although the gunshot missed, Franklin trembled, unsettled by the sound. His breath nearly ceased.

"Leave him alone and leave!" Olivia yelled, halting McCarthy's attempt to intervene, "I don't want to see you again. I repeat, I don't know you, just don't come close to me again else you won't like it."

Still dressed in her company uniform, R AND R BEAUTY SUPPLIES, Olivia's rebuke silenced McCarthy, who departed without a word.

When he sat in his car, he dropped his head on his wheel. Then text a number to come the next day.

"Why did you shoot at the man, Mother? You could have harmed him," Olivia questioned, observing her mother's firm grip on the gun.

In the neighborhood's rough environment, firearms were commonplace. But for hers, she had hired it from one of the street gangsters.

"I was protecting you, Olivia," her mother insisted weakly, her words often lost on Franklin, who nodded along as if comprehending every syllable but didn't grap even a grain.

"You're unwell. I don't even buy myself new clothes nor something nice; every penny goes towards your medication and franklin's keep up…" Olivia began, interrupted by her mother.

"That's why I was safeguarding you from harm. Understand me,I'm not stupid as you think..."

"Let me finish, Mom. Your actions put me in danger. You claim he is a killer, and he claims I've cursed him. Which is which?. I don't know what's going on, is there something you are hiding from me?" Olivia interjected, departing for her overnight shift, "Did you even think about Franklin?" She came back and took him to bed before she finally left for work.

At work, she focused on her duties, seeking extra pay to support her family. Though a diligent worker, tonight's workload strained her, plus what she had gone through before she left for work. All were bursting her beautiful head.

"You don't seem well, Olivia."

"I'm fine, please."

Her friend, Nelly, noticing her distress, offered comfort, but Olivia brushed it aside.

"Fine, if you say so. Have a bite,"

"Take it from my face!"

Nelly persisted, only to have Olivia reject the gesture, prompting tears from her friend. She was so soft, but Olivia after the mysterious encounter had developed quite some taste for anger.

"Why do you always lash out at me like a stupid kid? I care about you, Olivia," Nelly lamented, her gentle demeanor contrasting Olivia's growing anger.

"Hmm,"She sighed, "I didn't mean to..." Feeling remorseful, Olivia confessed her love for Nelly, acknowledging her neglect.

"Why don't I know more about you, Olivia? I only know your brother's name," Nelly expressed, seeking deeper connection, "tell me what you're going through, maybe I can help."

"I barely know myself, Nelly. It feels like my mind is blank, I don't really get it." Olivia admitted, troubled by her inner turmoil.

"Is that why you're upset today?" Nelly inquired, attempting to understand her very well.

"No, just some problems before work," Olivia deflected.

"So should we sing our favorite song?" Nelly suggested as they began to sing softly.

"Mm," Olivia winced, a sudden memory flashing before her, "my head hurts."

"What's wrong?"

"I felt a sudden flash, like a memory," Olivia murmured, interrupted by their supervisor's reprimand.

"Are you girls working or having a love time? It's not break yet. I want to see you work work and work!"

Focused on productivity, their supervisor reprimanded them for chatting.

"She won't even let us think, even as the company faces bankruptcy," Nelly remarked, prompting laughter from both.

"You said something; expect consequences tomorrow morning," the supervisor warned before leaving. Throwing her hands in the air and inspecting the work done.

"... Expect consequences tomorrow morning.." Nelly mimicked, eliciting laughter from Olivia.

At least, laughter punctuated the day's challenges. They continue the work, untill the next morning.

As they prepared to leave at 6 am, an emergency meeting was called.

"Are we in trouble, Olivia?" Nelly asked anxiously.

"I think so," Olivia responded, bracing for the worst, "we are in this together."

"What are you waiting for?" Miss Ann's voice interrupted their conversation, propelling them to the meeting.

They were the only ones late to the meeting. As they walked together to find seats for themselves, the director called them.

Summoned to the platform, the director delivered news of both good and bad tidings.

"We have two announcements: one sorrowful, one joyful," the director began, evoking a somber silence.

Nelly and Olivia, fearing the worst, listened intently.

"These two ladies are fired!" Olivia's expectations which ran through her mind, but she heard something different.

"First, the sorrowful news: I may not be here anymore… " the director's voice faltered, wiping away tears, "but the joyful news is that our company has been bought out, fully paid for. I will hand over ownership immediately."

Turning to see the new owner, Olivia and Nelly were stunned by the sight of a tall, handsome man stepping forward to address the gathering. He turned to watch Olivia on his right, and offered her his first smile.

"Oh, him again," Olivia muttered, her curiosity piqued.