1

Aspen

“Where the hell are you??” The loud ringing from the other side of the phone made me wince.

“I’m coming. I just left the hospital. I’m on my way. I’m so sorry.” I apologized, but I knew that Aria was not going to accept my apology.

“What the hell is wrong with you??” She screamed so loudly.

“What the hell is wrong with you??? Do you even take this job seriously at all? Look girl, if you are not careful, I will strip you of this work and give it to another person. Hundreds of girls are dying to get this job. What is wrong with you??” She hissed.

Nothing was wrong with me. I only dropped by to go meet my sick mother at the hospital. I went to see her and no one would line up for the amount that she was paying.

Payment was poor and I was only managing it because I had no choice. I needed the money. Mom was sick and the bills back at home were piling up.

“I’m so sorry, but I’m going to be a little late. There is no taxi in sight.” I was already standing by the gate of the hospital and my apology was pointless. Aria would still skin me alive.

“Then get an Uber!!!” That would be possible if she paid well. But I would not even be able to afford an Uber if I boarded one.

“If you agree to pay for it.” I slowly countered but a curse was quick to follow.

“Stupid girl, you have five minutes to come here, or you lose your job.” I scoffed inwardly. She would not be able to find a replacement who would accept a cheap salary. The call ended with a beep and I silently began to pray that a taxi would come by soon.

I stood for an additional ten minutes before I found a taxi and it took me another 10 minutes to get to work. I rushed towards the bathroom to change into my work clothes. I was 30 minutes late.

I wanted to go to the counter through the back but I just sneaked out of the bathroom when I bumped into someone.

Aria.

Her gaze was hard and she looked so angry. She was already almost turning red. “I’m sorry,” I whispered.

“How dare you? We happen to have lots of customers today and you decide to be late? Thirty minutes!! I swear, Aspen, I’m cutting your pay.”

“Aria, you can’t do that. You know how much I need the money. Please, don’t cut my pay.”

“I’m sorry. The doctor said that Mom was sick. Her condition is worsening. I swear, I left the hospital on time and—“

“Can you just stop being the stupid victim!!” she interrupted me in a sharp and angry tone. “Just stop being the stupid victim. It does not fucking suit you.” She hissed.

“Do you think earning 100$ monthly will pay her bills?” There was a hint of mockery in her voice. “Your other silly part-time jobs will not even do it!” she added.

“You barely make a thousand dollars despite working so hard. It’s high time you stopped being stupid. I already gave you an alternative. James Beaufort—“

“I should get on duty. I don’t want to keep anyone waiting.” I interrupted her and then I turned to walk away. I already knew where she was heading and I did not want to hear it.

“Stupid girl!” she cursed after me but I ignored her. For the past month, she had been asking me to sleep with one of her clients at the bar. I would not do that, because I was not going to sleep with a fucking old man who was already pushing his 80s.

Just like Aria said, there were lots of customers hovering around. Men and women.

Very rich men and women were at our bar and I knew very well that some of them had their eyes on me and those were the ones who stalled to talk to me after ordering a drink. I knew I was pretty and that earned me a lot of tips. I literally had 2k$ by the time my shift ended and I was quick to hide the money under my shoe so Aria wouldn’t see it.

By the time I was done, I went back to the bathroom to change so I could go home. It was already 11 at night. Just when I stepped out. I saw Aria standing by the door.

“Throw this away on your way out.” She threw a trash bag at me. I stumbled as the trash bag fell to the ground after hitting me. Aria walked away.

I picked up the bag and walked to where we disposed of our trash. The environment was dark, quiet, and lonely, so I quickly disposed of the trash and went straight home.

I was done with the problems at work, but I knew that I had another waiting at home. I had successfully hidden the money from Aria, another person that I had to hide the money from was my father. A chronic drunk that made my life more difficult.

When I arrived home, I saw the gates open and at that moment, two men dressed in black were stepping out of my house. Two tall-looking men. They were very huge and had a hard look on their faces. My father was standing just by the entrance of the door.

“Is she the one?” One asked and I frowned. What were they doing in my house at night?

“Yes.” My frown deepened at my father’s reply and a feeling of unease swept in when they began to look at me. No, they began to inspect me from head to toe.

“Her looks are okay.”

“My daughter is the prettiest in this neighborhood.” I heard that a lot. I was beautiful. I would pass for a model and Aria always insulted me for wasting my beauty. According to her, life would have been easy for me if I were smart. I was the kind of woman that men lusted over.

“The boss will see her tomorrow. Make sure she is prepared.” My brows furrowed and they just brushed past me and walked away towards a black tinted SUV.

“What is—”

“Come inside.” My father yanked my wrist, pulling me into the house even before I could finish my statement.