AUTHOR GREY EPISODE 1 BELLA I painted on a smile as the next customer came to order. But inside, I was sighing in exhaustion. I really needed a better job. I had to pay my rent soon and I had already asked for an extension. My landlord was really stingy about these types of things, so I had to hurry up and get the money in, or I would be kicked out of the flat, with no where else to go. I would be getting my pay check today, and finally would be able to pay my landlord the rent. He had been bugging me about it for days now and swore that he would kick me out if I didn't get it to him today. I closed my eyes, trying to get a little bit of mental rest, once I had given the customer his coffee and thought about how much easier life would be if my past wasn't as twisted as it was. My parents had abandoned me as a three year old, they decided that they couldn't look after me, so they dropped me off at the park by our house and left, letting me play for hours with other kids. When it started to rain, and everyone started to leave, a couple of families noticed I had no parents looking after me, and so they took me to police. Since then, I had been in and out of foster care, with families and in care homes. Nobody seemed to want me. When I was 18, I moved out of the home once and for all and got my own apartment. I was no longer under the care of social services. School was never really the best place for me. I got through with average grades, but whilst some students were bunking off, and whilst some were working hard in Math and Science, my heart lay with the Arts. Although I got mainly Bs and a few As in most subjects, I always had a strong love and passion for all Art forms. I loved to paint and draw, but more so, I loved to sing. However, I never managed to pursue my passions. After school I went to a decent university, to try and study, but with bills, life style and fees, I couldn't afford to continue and dropped out a couple of years into it. At twenty one I still hadn't found a job I loved, and was working in a cafe/diner thing near where I lived. A job at a cafe didn't pay much money, so whenever I could I would go out onto the streets and busk, taking my guitar with me. I had to sell quite a lot of things to get to where I was, but I could never let go of my guitar. Its worn strings and its scratched wood, was comforting to me. I knew every groove in the wood, and every chip on the base. I loved that guitar with all my heart and could never even think of letting it go. I wanted to be able to sing freely, or paint and make a living out of it. I wanted to do what I loved, but I hadn't had that break. I had auditioned for commercials and other singing competitions. I had performed in bars and restaurants, but I hadn't been found. Not yet. Though I was determined to do what I loved. I had to. I started to wipe down the counters as the cafe came to closing time. I was starting to clean the coffee machine, when the bell on the door tinkered and someone came in making my mind swarm with irritation. Did they not see the closed sign. I sighed and looked up bored. 'Sorry sir, the cafe is closed,' I said tiredly. The man was quite handsome, but he had a sour glare on his face, which was beginning to piss me off. He was dressed in a formal suit, so he had probably come straight from work. 'What do you mean, you're closed, it's two pm,' he said looking at his watch, and still glaring at me. His tone was angry and he looked really irritated. I sighed frustrated, I knew it didn't make sense, but the owner was lazy, and on Sundays, they would close the shop at two, even though she could probably make more money if she kept it open longer. 'Yes, I know, but on Sundays, we close at two,' I said. He rolled his eyes, 'That makes no sense. I wanted my lunch, so I came here.' 'I'm sorry sir, but I really can't help you, the kitchen is closed,' I said,using all my might to be as polite as possible. He narrowed his eyes and leaned in closer from the counter, his face only inches from mine. 'Do you know who I am?' he growled, glaring at me angrily. I stepped back and narrowed my eyes. 'No I don't, and I don't care either, now can you please-' 'What is going on in here?' We turned simultaneously to see my boss, coming out from the back. 'Bella, we are closed!' 'I know, I'm just trying to explain that to this... gentleman,' I said through gritted teeth. He was anything but a gentleman. My boss turned to him, and her eyes widened. 'M-Mr H-Hawkes!' she stuttered, rushing up to him as he smirked at me. I raised an eyebrow, who was this man? Hawkes? The name sounded familiar? 'What- I mean- Why- I mean, how can I help?' she stuttered pathetically. I looked at her in complete confusion. She never served anyone after closing time, she'd just kick them out. 'But-' I started. 'Bella!' she cut me off and glared at me, before turning to Hawkes and smiling nervously again. 'I'm so sorry. Was she bothering you?' she asked. He smirked at me, as I looked at her incredulously. Why was she sucking up to him so much. Yeah, he was good looking, but I was pretty sure she was married. Then again, I wouldn't put it past her to be interested in other men. She was that type of a person. 'Actually,' he started, giving me a look that made my stomach drop, 'Your employee here denied me a meal. She, instead of offering services declined to help me, and then suggested that I join her in the bathrooms to "have a good time".' My jaw dropped. He did not just say that. That was sneaky and underhanded, and it was entirely untrue. He smirked at me, whilst my boss glared daggers through me, looking down at me like I was dirt, 'I didn't!' I defended, 'I-' 'Shut up!' she snarled, her head held high in fury, 'I saw how close you were standing to him at the counter. Bella, you're fired!' 'But!' 'No. No pay-check. Get out, right now.' I scoffed, and glared at the Hawkes guy, before taking off my apron and pulling the hairnet off my head, shaking out my hair. I turned and picked up my bags from under the counter and narrowed my eyes at him as I went to leave the shop, whilst my boss started to usher in the man. 'Now, Mr Hawkes, let me get you a table.' she smiled widely, as she pulled out a chair for him, dusting off the invisible dirt. I covered my scoff and walked to the door, only stopping still as I heard her continue, 'What is such a wonderful business man like yourself doing here?' I froze to a halt as I suddenly realised who this man was and what all the fuss was about. Hawkes. William Hawkes. The business man that our city was crazy about. I turned away from them, scoffing as I shook my head and left the cafe, the bell above the door ringing as I slammed it shut behind me.

AUTHOR GREY EPISODE 2 BELLA I pulled my guitar out of its case and stood in the town square watching as people crowded around in interest. I breathed in deeply as I stroked the guitar's surface, feeling it's warmth and relaxing touch against me. Since, that business man had taken my job, I had to start to busk, all day, to get as much money as possible. My rent was due in today, and if I didn't get enough money. I would end up on the streets. The soft sound of me playing chords quietly filled the busy town square and I tuned the guitar, humming the introduction of the song under my breath. I had written the song a while ago, and this one, was close to me. I always wanted to find my birth parents, but they never wanted me, so over time, the sadness grew to hatred, and although I fantasized about having parents again, I didn't think I would ever be able to look them in the eye. Not after what they had done. As I finished warming up I started to play the guitar louder this time, attracting the attention of some other people, who decided to stop and listen, some took out their phones to film. Choosing to ignore those people, I continued to play, shutting my eyes, before I started to sing. As the rain falls down endlessly, and I'm drenched from head to toe One thought lingers in my mind, where did you go... I've seen fields green and lush, I've seen skies, bright and blue. But nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing, can take the thought of you. As I continued to sing, I could hear the clatter of coins being dropped into the guitar case. More and more people crowded around, and nodded along to the music as I came to the chorus, singing stronger and louder. Why did you leave me in the rain. When could I see you again... Could I feel your love Ask for your touch Be with you again?... A lot of people thought the song was about a lover, but in reality, it was about my parents. They really had left me in the rain, alone, and I never knew if I would see them again. Emotion crept into my voice at the thought of my parents. No matter how many walls I put up I would never be able to bar off the sadness my parents had left me with. I've tried, yeah I've tried. I can't get you out of my mind. I've cried, yeah I've cried, You're the ones, that I can't find... Why did you leave me in the rain. When will I see you again Will I feel your love Ask for you touch be with you again?... I finished the song, strumming on the guitar lightly and humming the ending, before I opened my eyes to the sound of clapping. A small child ran up to me grinning widely as she dropped a coin into my guitar case. Chuckling softly, I smiled and thanked her, before getting ready for the next song. I stepped forward to get some sheet music as I decided to sing a cover, but a few shouts and murmurs of excitement spread through the crowd making me stop and look up. My eyes narrowed as a tall man hurriedly stepped through the crowd, and pushed past me. I let out a noise of surprise as he knocked the guitar, out of my hands, and the strings caught onto his coat, ripping horrifically as he kept on walking. A gasp escaped my lips, and the shock replicated in some of the crowd, as I looked up at the disgruntled man through angry tears. But as our eyes met, I couldn't believe who I was seeing again. William Hawkes. What a surprise. He glared at me as if I were the culprit, 'Hey girl with a bad attitude, your strings are caught on my coat,' he hissed, pulling them off violently. 'What?!' I yelled, as people started to walk away awkwardly, some of them snapping pictures as they recognised the successful business man. 'You destroyed my guitar!' I yelled. He rolled his eyes, and started to walk away, but I grabbed onto his wrist. 'Are you serious?!' I yelled. I couldn't even busk now. How was I going to pay my rent? First my job, now my passion. I couldn't afford to fix these strings with the money I had. 'Get offof me,' he growled lowly. 'Do you know who you're messing with.' 'Pfft, yeah, an entitled brat,' I sneered, making his eyes widen, and his glare harden. 'You don't scare me just because you have money,' I hissed. 'You are nothing,' he spat, glaring at me hard enough to generate lasers, 'Nothing at all. Now get off of me, before I call the police on you,' he wrenched his hand out of my grip as I glared after him. Quickly packing up my stuff, I followed after him, trying to balance the guitar case on my shoulder. 'Hey you!' I called out, jogging up next to him. 'What?' he rolled his eyes sighing in irritation, 'I haven't got time for you.' 'Well you are going to have to make time,' I grimaced, 'Because of you, I have no job, I can't busk, and so I have no money, which means I can't even pay rent, and there is a chance I am going to get kicked out of my flat.' He huffed during my speech, and shook his head as I finished, 'Well boo hoo,' he mocked guilt, 'Tell me, how is this my problem?' 'It's your fault,' I glared up at him, as he rolled his eyes yet again. 'And I didn't even get an apology from you, let alone what you really owe me!' I exclaimed. He stopped abruptly, making me stumble to a halt with him. 'You're so right,' he feigned apology and remorse, causing me to narrow my eyebrows, 'Let me send some chocolates and flowers to your house, and write you a sorry card with one of those cute pink frowning bears on it!' he yelled, before walking away again, head held high in disregard. I stood in shock staring after him as he walked to a limo surrounded with security and press. How could someone be so rude. How was this man so popular? It seemed that fame and money had got to his head, he had managed to form his own caste system and I was at the bottom. There was barely any chance of him paying back the damage he had caused and someone like me could never change his mind. I rolled my eyes, and walked back to my apartment knowing that didn't have enough money to pay my rent. I just hoped, that I could persuade my landlord to give me some more time, or else, I was in big trouble.

EPISODE 3 BELLA 'So, do you have the money?' the landlord demanded as I let him in. I winced at his forwardness and moved towards the table that I had placed my envelope of money on. 'I have some of it,' I cautioned as I picked it up, holding it tightly in worry of what he would say. He sighed in annoyance and extended his hand, beckoning for me to give him the Chewing on my lip, my eyebrows furrowed in concern, 'Please. I'm sorry. This is all I have...' I begged in advance. He huffed, clearly frustrated at my pleas before he snatched the envelope from my hands and filed through the money with his thumb. A sigh of denial escaped his lips as he shook his head and scowled at me, 'No,' he scolded sternly, 'It's not enough. You have to leave, now.' My jaw dropped at his harsh delivery, 'What?!' I cried in shock, 'No, please. One more night. I can give you the rest tomorrow!' I pleaded, my eyes wide in desperation. 'No Bella,' he hissed, 'You've been staying past rent so many times. You aren't reliable. You need to leave.' I let out a noise of surprise, 'But-' 'No buts,' he said, pocketing the money that I had given him as I stood gaping. 'My money...' I trailed off, he couldn't just take it, could he? He shook his head, 'You owe me for all the times that you stayed past rent,' he looked through the money again, 'This should just about cut it.' I scoffed in protest, 'You can't just-' 'I can Bella,' he cut me off abruptly again, making my eyes narrow into a glare, 'Now get your things, and get out.' Shaking my head in utter disbelief, I turned on my heel and walked to my room, quickly gathering my things. I swung my guitar over my shoulder and pulled my suitcase out of the room glaring at him as I left, 'You are a cruel, greedy, dishonest man,' I spat furiously. He turned to look at me and raised his eyebrows, but I huffed and left promptly, hearing him scoff in offense and surprise as the door slammed behind me. The cold night wind greeted me as soon as I left the building. He had kicked me out late at night and I was left penniless to find somewhere to go. Turning my pockets inside out, I tried to find some spare change, or money from busking, and after checking my guitar case I gathered enough to pay for a cheap B&B to stay at for one night. The area that I lived in wasn't of the best safety and had suffered many cases of petty theft, break- in and street attacks. That was why the apartments were as cheap as they were and why the low quality B&Bs were also extremely cheap. However, low prices or not, I knew that it wasn't safe for me to be out on the streets this late, and so my gut was wrenching in fear. Although I knew that the nearest, and cheapest place to stay, wasn't too far from where I was, the road ahead seemed to go on forever and I couldn't help but have the sordid feeling that somebody was watching my movements. Nevertheless, I continued to walk as few cars drove past occasionally, but the small number of people around hardly helped my growing fear. I nervously adjusted the strap of my guitar case on my shoulder, but as it slipped off irritably, I thought about my ruined guitar. Although I didn't have any money, my mind was nagging at me to try and get it fixed. Sighing in thought of how I would fix the guitar, I lifted the strap up again, only for it to be blocked by a deathly grip on my shoulder. Immediately, I jumped and spun around to see a hunched figure dressed in dark clothes. Fear rushed through me and I stumbled backwards as I felt my heart beating in my throat. He grinned nastily, his yellowing crooked teeth gleaming in the streetlights as he grabbed onto my wrist. 'Give me your things,' he smirked, his voice raspy and breath exuding the stench of weed. 'No,' I gasped, gulping loudly in fright. My breathing became harder and uneven as I tried to wrench my hand out of his grip, but to no avail. His eyes darkened and his smirk evaporated into an enraged scowl, his grip tightened and hisother hand slipped into his pocket before he revealed a blade, reflecting the dim light of the lamppost. I felt my eyes widen as I gawped at the knife and instinctively froze still in fear. Taking advantage of my surprise, he suddenly pulled my arm roughly, making me spin and fall back into him, my bags dropped to the ground. I opened my mouth to scream, but he muffled it immediately, holding one hand over my mouth, and encircling the other hand with the knife around my waist. I wriggled in his grip, and tried to free myself my hands tried to escaped his hold. His lips came to my ears and I scrunched up my nose in disgust as I felt his moist breath hit my face, 'Sweetheart, you don't want to annoy me...' he sneered patronisingly. I kept on struggling, tears streaming down my face, as I tried to yell against his hand. I hated my landlord for kicking me out, I hated myself for being so weak. But I hated Hawkes the most, for ruining my life. His grip on me tightened, and he went stiff with anger as I refused to listen to him. In a fluid motion he brought the knife up and slashed it across my stomach mercilessly. I screamed in pain, as the knife cut through my clothes and my skin. 'This is my warning...' he chuckled, insanity dripping from his voice. In a moment of defense and protest, I bit down on his hand and used all my strength to kick my foot back and hit his shin. As my heel collided with his leg, he jumped back and released me, yelling profanities, in a second of mistake and tension. A second was all I needed, I scooped up my guitar and ran, leaving the suitcase behind. My pace was hardly speedy, but I continued to run, my stomach in agonising pain as I searched desperately for someone to help. I screamed for help as I heard his footsteps gaining up on me and forced myself to keep moving, even though I had to start to slow down. Blood was staining my clothes and my run was morphing into a messy stagger, when a movement from the road beside me caught my eye. I jumped as I saw the vague outline of a car driving, and I used my strength to wave and yell for help as it came nearer. Eyes blurry in tears, and body wet in blood and sweat, I finally collapsed to the floor, breathing hard and irregularly as I gave up, aware of the man running up closer to me. Until I heard the slamming of car doors followed by furious shouts. The soft pattering of someone running away faded to silence before I could hear a different person walking closer to me from another direction. I put my hand to my stomach weakly and brought it up to my eyes to see blood coating my fingers. My hand dropped back to the ground feebly and the new person got closer, making me look up, wincing as black dots started to appear in my vision. But as the figure got closer and clearer, my eyes widened in surprise as I saw the last person I had ever expected it to be. 'You?' I choked out, before the heaviness of my eyelids won, and I dropped into darkness.