NOT THE DREAM
Camilla has always been an early riser, She loved the sunrise and the quietness that came with it. Back home in Brazil, she usually would wake up as early as 5 A.M., make herself a cup of hot coffee and just enjoy the sunset from her bedroom window. It was an early morning ritual for her.
However, since arriving in the United States of America things have changed. She could no longer enjoy the little things that made her happy, especially because of the type of job she got upon arrival here. After spending almost two weeks living in the States, Camilla could not get a suitable job with her credentials and she was getting worried, and also losing the little money she had on her. The opportunity she had heard was abundant in the states was not as they made it to be.
When it finally dawned on her that her dream job might not be forthcoming, she went to a thrift store and bought herself a map. She knew she had to go job hunting even if it was a menial job or die of hunger. A few days later she got a job as a bus girl in a five-star restaurant. The night she got the job she called her mum to inform her about it.
“You got the interpreter job,” her mother asked her enthusiastically.
“No mother, I will work as a waitress in a five-star restaurant.”
“
But that job is beneath your qualification, and you know that.”
“I know, but it is better than staying idle and with a job at least I can make some money till I'm able to get a better job,” Camilla replied, she just wanted to convince her mother that she was living a comfortable life and calm her worries.
But that was not the case, things were not going according to Camilla's plans. However, she had to start from somewhere and the little money she came with to America was dwindling fast. She had not realized how expensive life was over here.
For a place to call her home, Camilla got a one-room apartment on the first floor of a building that was almost run down with its paint peeling off, and the streets were never safe from thugs and hoodlums who caused chaos daily. The only grocery store that survived in the area was owned by a retired hoodlum. The windows in the building were almost broken and the drapes that managed to cover some windows were torn and stained.
Camilla tried to make the most out of her situation. She went to work with a smile every day. However, her poor command of the English language was enough for her fellow workers to treat her like a child and belittle her at every opportunity they had.
*************
“Table for ten, not eight,” Avery, the head waitress shouted at her.
Camilla had lied to her mother about the job. She actually did not have it easy since started work at Sheraton restaurant. She had worked her way up from washing dishes or doing night cleaning to bus girl. Even though both jobs were back-breaking, the little extra pay she got as a bus girl made the difference for her.
“But..you told me eight earlier,” Camilla replied.
“They changed their mind, I need ten plate settings.” Avery almost screeched at her, her hand flying in the air in anger.
“Alright then,” Camila answered, she was already exhausted from the day's work and wanted to crash.
“Why can't people stay in their country?” Avery shouted before walking away. After she left, for some seconds, Camilla stood still hoping to calm her nerves, she felt that the pain in her heart would kill her from the verbal abuse she got from the staff, especially Avery who seemed to hate migrants.
As soon as Camilla felt better, she added two more plate settings to the table. Happy with her work, she turned to leave without paying much attention. She bumped into something hard and firm. Before she could crash to the ground, she felt a strong hand, hold, and steady her. She looked up and met the eyes of her savior briefly, his eyes were a light shade of grey and even though the eyes were sad they still mesmerized her for a moment.
“Are you okay?” the deep voice asked. He sounded irritated.
“Yes, thank you.” Camilla stood straight and adjusted her apron, she avoided looking at the man before her and put her eyes down.
“Be careful next time, you might hurt yourself or worse someone else.” Ethan reprimanded her, his face showing his impatience. The manager appeared almost immediately, he apologized to Ethan who was one of their wealthiest customers, and threatened to sack Camilla.
“No need for that.” Ethan gave an angry look to Camilla and dashed off to his table where Gaius and the rest of the group were waiting for him.
“Next time I will fire you.” the manager shouted at her and left.
Camilla would have loved to defend herself but her English was not good and it only made her look more clumsy so she swallowed whatever word she wanted to say, there was no need to draw extra attention to herself and the English. It was enough that her co-workers always made fun of her whenever she spoke. There was no need to add to her pain.
“You heard the manager, now stop lazing about and get your ass back to work.” Avery, who never missed a chance to mock her, said laughing.
“We know who the lazy one is.” Camilla retorted before walking away. She would have been proud of herself if she had turned to see the bewildered look on Avery’s face.
The workload cramped in as it usually was every Friday. Everyone was in a frenzy and slightly overworked.
“so much work for little pay,” Clara mumbled under her breath as soon as she came into the kitchen.
“It is just modern-day slavery.” Stephanie replied without pausing from the utensils she was washing. “most times I get back home so tired and sore I can't wait to finish school and get a better job.”
Camilla listened half-heartedly to their conversation without joining. She learned early in the job not to interfere or chip into any conversation unless directly invited. And both girls were not necessarily her friend.
“
Aside from the tips and the wealthy clients that come here often nothing else is worth the while.'' Clara continued, she was quite the chatterbox. “I like sir Ethan the most, he is so hot.” Clara fanned herself with her hands. “I will probably faint if he talks to me.”
“You are such a drama queen,” Stephanie replied. “Camila I heard you bumped into him earlier today, and he held you to break your fall.”
Both eyes turned towards Camilla, she turned bright red under their scrutiny.
“You are so lucky, how did it feel when he held you.” Clara wanted to know
“I can bet you fell on purpose,” Stephanie added maliciously
Camilla would have loved to avoid the conversation, but she had to get the record straight, they well knew Stephanie for spreading malicious lies.
'Nothing of such happened, I just tripped and fell and the man was just there when it happened.’
Stephanie smirked “yeah, you tripped and fell into the hands of the most eligible bachelor in town. How romantic.”
“You can believe what you want to believe,” Camilla said irritated
“You sound dumb,” Stephanie replied, taunting Camilla's way of speaking.
Just then the kitchen door opened, and the manager barged in “we are up in our arms with work and you are idling away here. Seems you want a salary cut this month.” he glared from Stephanie to Camilla.
For the first time since starting work at the restaurant, Camilla was glad to see the manager. She left the girls and went back to work, no matter how backbreaking it was, it was still her job.
Some hours later her phone rang, and she removed it from her jeans pocket. It was a call from her friend in Brazil. Fear gripped her suddenly, and she felt lightheaded. Mary knew not to call her at this hour except for an emergency, Camilla’s mind went straight to our ailing mother.
“Hello, Mary,” Camilla said into the phone as calmly as she could mutter.
“Camila, I am sorry for calling you at this hour but there is an emergency. I took your mother to the hospital, and the doctor insisted on running some tests.”
“What happened?”
Mary hesitated for a while before speaking “the Cancer came back and she has to start with Chemo immediately.”
“I will see what I can do, and thank you for all you have been doing for me and my mother.” Camilla could never thank Mary enough, they have been friends for quite some time now, ever since she and her mom moved into the residential government building and even with Mary's hectic schedules at work, including taking care of her son and husband, she still took out time to check on Camilla's mother.
“You are welcome, mon Amie. I know you will do the same for me.” Mary replied.
When the call was over, Camilla gave a gut-wrenching cry, a thousand miles away her heart yearned for her mother.
INTERVENTION “Someone looks happy this morning” Ethan greeted his friend Gaius as soon as he stepped into his office. “Are you not supposed to take the day off or something?” “Hahaha.” Gaius laughed. “I got engaged, not married.” “They all sound the same to me,” Ethan replied, falling back into his seat. “I want to set a good example for the staff.” “Yeah right. The good thing is that “you are finally getting rid of the bachelor tag.” “Now I am petrified.” Gaius replied “I hope I did not make a mistake.” he said afterward. “You are joking right,” Ethan observed his friend for a while. “I don't know, I just have my doubts,'' Gaius replied after some time had passed. “Doubts? I thought you loved Fiona..” “I do, it's just a little complicated.” “Please tell me.” “Let's forget about me. Now tell me how the kids are, it's been a while.” Gaius changed the subject, it was not lost on Ethan but he decided to let it go. “They are good. They would love to see you” Ethan replied m
FOR THE LOVE OF THE KIDS Ethan’s mother had already woken up and was asking for him. As soon as she saw him, she could not hold back her tears as they dropped from the corners of her eyes to the pillow. “Don't cry mother, everything will be okay. I'll take you out of here as soon as you feel better.” Ethan comforted his mum. Theresa blink back her tears, she just looked sadly at her son and wondered if he was tone-deaf. “I am not crying because I'm here, even though my body hurts like hell. the pain in my heart is worse.” “Worse! How come? tell me where it hurts so I can get to the doctor.” Ethan said, alarmed. “Where it hurts, can't be seen, and cannot be treated with medicine.” “ I really do not understand what you are trying to say, mother.” He ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “ I want you and the children to be happy, I want your family to be united again. I am already old and frail, I want to see you married, happy, and in love. Is that too much
A CONTRACT OF NEMESIS Camilla was a bundle of nerves when the restaurant manager told her that someone wanted to have a word with her. "Who." She asked, grossly aware that she knew no one in New York. She had not been able to make friends due to her work schedule and communication problems. The little time she had was spent on herself. "Mr. Ethan. He is in my office now.” the manager replied "Mr. Ethan! I have not done anything wrong. Have I?" Camilla replied, astounded. "Why does he want to speak to me?" she asked. "I have no clue." The manager screeched. "But you better behave yourself. Or else your job is gone. He is one of our best customers and I don't want you screwing that up." Always threatening me with this godforsaken job. Camilla mumbled under her breath. "What did you say?" "Nothing sir." She grinned. "Good. you better tame that mouth of yours when we get to the office. Get rid of the apron and tidy up your hair." Camilla did as she was asked, and when the manager
MEETING THE FAMILY It took Ethan over twenty minutes to arrive at Camilla's home. It was all shabby: the building, the parking lot- in fact, the entire street. It looked to him as if the entire apartment building itself had not been painted for years. The windows, if they depicted the interior of this place, showed a lack of care as well, since many sported no drapes. The curtains Ethan did see were torn and stained. Camilla had been waiting for him beside the grocery store on the down floor of her apartment building. When she saw him she hesitated, unable to decide whether to walk towards him or wait till he noticed her. Luckily for her, he noticed her almost immediately and signaled her to come to meet him. "Get into the car." He did not bother opening her door for her. "This place is a dump." "Yes, l know. No need to rub it in" Camilla replied with a straight face. "Why do you stay here, considering how dangerous the environment is?" Ethan marveled, he would not be caught
YES; I DO. MAYBE NOT Camilla Could feel the beads of sweat break in her forehead and her palms felt cold and wet. She tightened her hands around the bouquet that she was holding. If circumstances were different she would have taken time to inhale the lovely scent that rose from the petals in her hands. From where she was standing at the center of the door to the cathedral, she could see her soon-to-be husband Standing tall in all his 6-foot frame at the altar waiting for her; she had to admit that he was a sight for sore eyes. The melodious sounds from the piano keys rang inside the church signaling that it was time for Camilla to march forward towards the altar and her groom. As soon as she started the long walk down the aisle alone as she had insisted on, she felt her heart pound faster with each step she took. She began to perspire, her mind racing back to her past. The betrayal felt so recent even though it happened five years ago. She felt faint and her heart started to
TRAPPED "Take it easy on the drink." Gaius chided his wife. "You don't want to do something you would later regret." He said through gritted teeth. "You are such a joy killer, today is our wedding day, so we are supposed to be merry and have fun." Fiona laughed and gulped down another glass of campaign. Gaius shook his head "Just drink with caution okay." "Oh! Please stop, will you? Look at your friend and his bride, I wonder what he saw in her." Fiona smirked "It's his choice, mind your business." "I want to dance, let's dance Gaius." "We just finished dancing our first couple dance," Gaius replied getting irritated "Well, I want to dance again." Fiona was already getting out of her chair, she walked past Gaius and went to meet Ethan.``Care to dance." She held him by his hands and started leading the way to the dance floor. Ethan looked at his friend as he was taken by surprise, Gaius only grinned and shrugged. "It's just a dance." he mouthed to his friend "Spanish Guita
A CALL HOME On the first ring, her mother answered and it took all of Camilla's willpower not to start crying even though tears filled her eyes. "Hello, mother." "Oh, my darling, hope you are well?" The voice was breathless with worry. "I am fine, mama. I wanted to hear your voice and also to tell you that I…that I wedded today." "Yes, I remembered. I believe it all went well." "Yes, it did." "Are you happy?" Camilla was not expecting the question and for an instant, she did not know what to say. She heard her mother crying and fought back her own emotions. She waited, knowing that her mother would need a few minutes. "I'm sorry." Camilla's mother gasped "I have missed you so much, sometimes…sometimes I wish I had insisted you stay here with me." "I miss you mum and your earlier question. Yes, I am happy." Knowing it wasn't true, her mother wiped her tears. It was a strange land and since she could do nothing, it was easier not to know. Still, it made her want to weep. S
MORE RULES Ethan started walking toward Camilla, she retreated backward as he drew closer to her. When her body hit the wall she knew there was no escaping him. Ethan trapped her in by resting his palm on the wall, leaving no space between them. "And who said you can make rules in my house, Camilla." He gave her a hard stare, he could feel the warmth of her breath on his face. Camilla's lashes flickered, and she could feel her skin cover up with goosebumps. "No touching." She blurted out. "Please." She added. "And if I refuse." Ethan sneered, he bent his head and sniffed the nape of her neck. She smelled good, too good. He acknowledged to himself. Camilla swallowed hard, she felt her head spin, however, she could not tell whether it was from lack of food or was it her body reacting to his closeness to her. "Cat got your tongue," Ethan asked and at the same time, he trailed his tongue along her long neck. Camilla opened her mouth to speak but no words came out and she shut it