Chapter 5: Getting A Job

Dede was wondering what was wrong with him. Meanwhile, Julia was back in the apartment exploring her new environment.

Back at the hotel, Dede was pinned against the wall trapped in between Brian's arms who had his lips on her neck.

"Can I take a shower first?" Dede requested.

Brian raises his head to look at her face. He stared at Dede for a while and leaned in to kiss her but she quickly turned her head away and Brain ended up kissing her ears instead.

"Sure, take a shower, my seductress. I will wait for you," Brain groaned and took a step back freeing her from his grip.

Dede ran into the bathroom and quickly closed the door behind her. She placed her hand on her chest trying to calm herself down. She was scared thinking of what was about to happen. She looked at the bathroom and it was a bathtub with a faucet sprout and so many knobs lined up on the walls. She didn't know what controls what. She ignored it and only thought of a way to get out. She thought she could accept Brian's deal but no she couldn't bring herself to sleep with Brian. There was a small window above the toilet. She climbed onto the toilet and slid the window open slowly. She climbed out of the window and ended up at the back of the hotel. She heard the bathroom door open.

"You bitch," Dede heard Brian curse.

Outside she tried to find her way out of the hotel. An employee passing by saw her. Dede ran towards the man.

"Please help me. There is a bad man inside who wants to harm me," Dede cried and the man looked at her suspiciously.

"If you are in danger, go to the police," the man said.

"Please, help me. I don't come from around here. If he finds me, he will kill me," Dede cried and the man could read fear in her eyes. He decided to help her.

"I am Dede," Dede said.

"Fine, come with me," the man said and led Dede away from the place.

Meanwhile, Brian had left the hotel angry and was on his way back to his apartment. He didn't want to follow Dede but in his mind, he had a better plan to find her. He would get what he wants from her.

Inside the hotel storage room, the man sat with Dede trying to understand her situation.

"I am Jake by the way," the man introduced. " So who is after you and why?" he asked

Dede opened out and told the man everything that transpired within the last 24 hours.

"I just arrived from Ghana yesterday," Dede said.

"Well, I know of a restaurant looking to hire some people. My shift would be ending soon. I will take you there and you can stay at the shelter. For now, just stay here. I will be back in ten minutes.

Jake left Dede in the storage room and returned in ten minutes as he promised. Soon the two left the place heading for town. Jake took Dede to the restaurant and introduced Dede to the manager.

"You have quite an unusual name," the manager commented his eyes sweeping across Dede's body.

"I am from Ghana," Dede replied. "I came here with my friend and I am looking for a job," she added.

"What is your qualification," the manager asked.

"I only have my basic school education but I don't have my certificate here with me," Dede said as she couldn't collect her WAEC certificate following an incident that happened back in Ghana.

"You speak good English. You will start from the lowest level. I will put you in the kitchen. You start with washing dishes," the manager said.

"Thank you," Jake appreciated and Dede had a reason to smile.

"No problem. She can start tomorrow. Be here by 6 am," the manager said and Jake left the place with Dede to the shelter home.

At the shelter home, Jake spoke with someone and Dede was given a room.

"Thank you," Dede said to Jake.

"You are welcome. Take good care of yourself. Tomorrow, you know where to board the bus. You can have this for your transportation and food. I will bring you something every day until you are given your first pay," Jake said and Dede was very grateful.

Jake left and Dede went to the room given to her. She found a place to put her bag and sat on the empty bed. It was just midday and she had nowhere to go and nothing to do.

Later in the day, the girl she shared the room with came around.

"Who are you?" she said upon entering.

Dede was wearing loose Jeans, a big T-shirt and a hoodie. She pulled the hood down.

"I am Dede. You must be Gabrielle," Dede said.

"I see you are new. The rules are simple. Stay in your space and I stay in mine," Gabrielle said and changed her clothes.

She was wearing clothes that exposed her body. She changed her clothes into a more decent one and left the room. The day quickly passed by uneventfully. Dede patiently waited to start her job.

The next morning, Dede woke up at 5 am. Took a shower. She put on a straight loose dress and her hoodie. She left the shelter for the restaurant. She dropped off at the junction Jake had shown her and walked into the Kings and Queens Restaurant. It was fifteen minutes to 6 am.

"Good, you are here. Put this on and help them clean the place," the manager said and Dede took the apron from the man and joined the other workers to clean the kitchen.

After 10 minutes, used plates and cups started coming into the kitchen. Dede stood on her feet and washed them. There was another girl she was doing this job with.

"I am Lina and you are," Lina asked with a smile.

Lina is a smallish girl who is always happy and smiling. She has a very sad story and currently has a terminal health issue but working in the kitchen is something she loves doing.

"Dede," Dede replied.

"Nice to meet you," Lina said and Dede smiled.

They continue washing the dishes. Later in the afternoon with all the fire, Dede was beginning to feel hot. She took off her apron and took off the hoodie leaving the T-shirt over the loose trousers on. The manager walked in and saw Dede returning to the dishwashing area and he admired her features. The day before she was covered in a hoodie so he didn't see her figure.

"You Dede, see me in my office now," the manager said and those present looked at her.

There were only two reasons, the manager would summon you into his office. Promotion or termination. Dede was just a couple of hours old in the restaurant. So everyone concluded it was a termination. Dede knocked and entered the manager's office.

"I am going to train you to be a waitress. I like your face," the manager said. "The pay as a waitress is better than washing dishes," he added.

"Thank you," Dede appreciated and smiled

She had a beautiful natural smile which made the manager smile.

"Go down the hall and see the HR. You will start your training immediately.

Dede was happy and she thanked the manager unaware of how she would be dressed while serving strangers in the restaurant.