Chapter 6

TANYA

My phone keeps vibrating. I refuse to pick any calls from my father, he decided to throw me to the wolves like I'm not his daughter. Whatever happens to him after this, is not my concern.

I hit the end button, cutting his call. When he starts to call again, i tutn my phone off. I left a voice message to Timmy saying i will get in contact with him but i have to leave. He replied worriedly but i didn't text him back.

I rub my hands on my thighs over my jeans. I already booked a flight to spain which is leaving tomorrow morning. Staying in a small hotel near the airport was the wisest choice. I don't know what kind of resources those thugs have, if they work for someone powerful, it would take them less than a day to find me.

I've never been this nervous my entire life. A new life without money or friends is going to be very difficult, but being a beggar is better than an arranged marriage to a criminal.

"Your ticket and passort, please." The lady smiles at me. I give them to her, and she looks over them, then she eyes me. I realize she's staring at my shaking hands on the counter, so i slide them off and hide them in the pocket of my hoodie.

"Looks like everything is in order." She hands them back and i walk to the other side, sighing in relief.

I pick my bag and walk to the entrance of the plane. I find my seat and look around, relaxing only when the flight starts to take off, and then i close my eyes.

* * *

"Miss," a gental voice speaks. When i open my eyes, a flight attendant is standing at my side. "You have to board off the plain. We've arrived at our destination."

"Oh," i blink the sleep off. "I'm sorry." I whisper, and she nods.

I take a cab and ask the driver to take me to the cheapest hotel around. Once i get settled in, i call Timmy using the new number i got.

"Tanya, thank goodness. I swear i was going to die of worry if you hadn't called me. What's going on?"

"It's my dad." I explain everything to him, and by the time I'm done, my cheeks are soaked wet with tears.

"Shit, Tanya, I'm so sorry about what you're going through."

"I can't believe my life just took a huge turn."

He sighs.

"He was here looking for you like crazy,"

"What?"

"And he was being very violent."

"Are you okay?" I ask, worried because i know how violent my dad can get.

"Yes, I'm alright, you don't need to worry about me. I'm the one worried about you. Please be safe, and keep in touch, okay?"

"Yeah."

The call ends, and i look around. Well, I'll have to start hunting for a job tomorrow.

* * *

Day three, and i still haven't found a job, I'm already running out of money, and there's no way I'll survive this without shelter. I've been living through the hunger on bread and water.

"Anything else?" The lady asks, "soda, coffee..?"

"I'll have a water, please."

"Okay.." she says.

"Excuse me, pretty lady."

I look up and a short man with a mustache and blue eyes smiles at me. We are almost the same height. I'm five foot six.

"You remind me of someone i know, are you from around here?"

"Uh, no."

"Wow, the resemblance is uncanny. I would like to pay for your lunch, have whatever you like."

"Really?" I stare at him, almost appreciating, but when he opens his mouth, , a typical shameless man style comes out of his mouth.

"Sure, after that, we can get out of here and have some fun, I'll give you whatever you demand."

I narrow my eyes at him.

"Thanks, but no thanks. You can keep your money."

I look back to the girl handing me my order and she's looking at the man with distate.

I walk away and leave him standing at the counter.

I take a seat, and it doesn't even take ten minutes when a woman carrying a child who seems to be three years old walks through the doors.

"Honey, what are you doing here?" The stupid man asks, surprise evident on his face. Then they kiss and the child calls him dad.

I shake my head, feeling sorry for the poor woman.

* * *

I enter the room angrier than i left the table in the cafe. What is wrong with these men? Are people coming on vacations to spain to prey on women in need?  This is the third man I've encountered in two weeks who has tried to take advantage of me  in exchange for a job.

A knock comes at the door, and i go to open, ready to tell the man off if he decides to follow me here. He's more of a pervert than the four others I'd met so far.

"What?!" I say when the door opens. My anger subsides when i find an older woman standing there.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, i thought it was.."

"That old man who tried to grope you? I know Lorenzo, he's a pervert who targets helpless girls who come to stay in this hotel." She shakes her head.

"I'm Tina, i own the cafe where you usually come to eat. I've noticed you haven't been eating healthy, so i decided to do some good deed and bring you this. On the house."

She lifts a bag of food that smells extremely mouth-watering.

"Oh,"

"Come on, take it. Don't be shy. I know you need it."

I take it and smile.

"Thank you so much."

"Ah, don't mention it. You remind me so much of someone special to me. I wish i could help you with a job, but all positions are full."

"Well, at least i won't be hungry while hunting for a job." I say while lifting the bag.

She smiles, and i smile back.

"Here, this is a paper where a few job advertisements have been published today."

"I've tried a few, but they keep asking for papers that i don't have."

"Well, maybe you'll be lucky with this one, i heard they don't demand much. Besides, i can help you by saying you moved here to stay with me."

"Really? You'd do that?"

"Of course, just give them these details when they ask and I'll confirm, I'm very well-known in this town."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

She leaves, and i don't waste time digging into the food, moaning in satisfaction when the taste settles on my tongue.

After I'm done, i start calling every job opportunity, all reject me, I'm almost giving up when the woman on the other end says,

"Well, looks like luck is on your side. Someone just got fired, and there's a free spot, but not the job advertised-"

Before she can finish, i cut her off.

"I'll take whatever is available,  i can start as soon as possible."

"Well, you seem committed, come to our offices tomorrow."

"Thank you."

When the call ends, i jump up in excitement.

Finally.