Heaven seemed to be grieving on my behalf as I stared at the cold granite tombstone of my father. The wind blew harder, making my black umbrella almost flew away if I wasn't gripping on it a little tighter. The last thing I would want after such hellish week was a ruined mascara and a wet braided hair.
It wasn't the first time I wore my flimsy funeral dress, but unlike when it was my mother's grave I was standing in front of and crying my heart out, I felt nothing but pure emptiness—and immesurable amount of fury towards my dad.
"I'm sorry for you loss," Jessy said, giving my shoulder a friendly squeeze.
There's no tears to wipe away from my cheeks, but I felt the need to rub my cold palm on my face to calm myself down. No, I wasn't grieving. I was furious and about to lose my mind with all the problems dad left on my shoulders.
"Thanks." I faked a smile and let out a sigh as I turned to Jessy. My cold eyes met my friend's pair of sparkly blue rims that had cried more than I did in the past few days. "Maybe it's best if I'll reserve the space next to mom's in case, you know."
Jessy shook her head. "Don't say that. You can get through this. You already survived from a lot of more shitty things."
"I don't know, Jes," I said in a breathy way as we walked together towards Jessy's old bug. "Those loan sharks will never stop until they get the money. Where on Earth would I get even half of it? Or at least, a quarter?"
I shook my head. "That's for your mom's medication." Another heavy sigh left my lips as frustration clawed my heart even more. I didn't want to drag her into this.
My eyes stung but I pushed the stupid tears back immediately after reminding mself I'm no little Entice anymore who will just cry when I can't figure things out. Besides, there's no one to wipe m tears anymore now that I'm officially orphaned because my abusive dad gambled all our money, including my college funds, and then loaned more than we could actually pay.
"They will kill me soon, like what they did to my dad."
Jessy snorted. "If only you got a hoe inside you. Dang, girl! I'm sure Mr. Skip will pay off your debts as soon as your undergarments fall on the floor."
I rolled my eyes at Jessy eventhough I knew she was just trying to mess with me. "As if I'd let that old man touch me for some bucks? Mom will haunt me in my sleep if I'll do such dirty thing."
Jess bursted into laugh. "I'm just messing with you. Cheer up. It's not the end of the world. I'm sure you'll figure something out soon."
I couldn't help but let out the suffocating air that's building up insider my chest. I'd always been a believer of that stupid saying about being optimistic, but since life had fucked me over harder this time, I knew I would need more than positive thoughts to solve my inherited problems. Thanks, Dad really.
"It feels like it is to me now. Without the money, I'll soon end up dead. Worse, I won't even get a proper burial. They'll surely chop my body to pieces for the police to collect like stupid jigsaw puzzles. Bet they won't even try to find all my remains."
The wind blew wild, making me shiver. I've been in love with stormy weather since I couldn't remember, but I wasn't not pleased with it today. It just reminded me more of my current life situation--a fucking catastrophe.
"W—What if you'll work somewhere they can never harm you?"
I looked at Jessy, my lips pursed together as I shook my head. "I'm eighteen with no good class records nor an athletic body. There's no way FBI will let me camp in their quarters."
"Silly girl!" Jessy pushed me gently as we both giggled. "That's not what I meant. There's this place in Wild Oaks that needs helpers. If you want, I'd ask Uncle George to take you there. He'll vouch for you. They offered me the job but I don't think I'm ready to leave Mom."
"How much would they pay me, hmm?" Yup. I'm more concern with the money I'd get than the job I was going to accept. Desperate times calls for desperate moves. But sleeping with an old man will never be one of my options.
"Thrice your wage in that boring supermart. Plus—" Jessy gestured her hand as if making a point, her wavy blonde danced as the wind blew. "—they will take care of your needs. You just gotta do your job right."
I paused for a moment to make mental calculations. That sounded like a fair offer to be honest. No. That's way more than a fair offer. I wondered how many hours should I work for such amount? And where the hell would I work? On a freaking mafia's house? Would I clean guns and blood stains instead of toilets?
But never mind. That's the least of my concerns now. Our house will soon be taken by the bank so I would definitely be out in the streets in a couple weeks. The goons would surely find me easily and with an empty stomach, where would I get the strength to atleast run a couple yards just so m ego wouldnt be crushed? So I could at least tell myself I died fighting?
I rubbed my palms on my face again while thinking. If I would accept the job, I'd save more money by having free meal and shelter. I wouldn't have to worry about bills anymore but what if the employer finds out about my dad's debts?
Another heavy sigh left my lips as my expression turned more hopeless. "It's alright. I'm sure the loan sharks will find me there, too."
Jessy chuckled softly. "I doubt that. That place is secured, Entice. I promise you'll be safe there."
My brows furrowed as I shot Jessy a questioning look. Now I was beginning to think that my stupid ideas about the employers being mafias were becoming more of a real thing.
Jessy's lips stretched to form a meaningful smile. This friend of mine was so gorgeous that sometimes I wanted to ask if Jessy was lesbian. She never entertained anyone, not even the most popular dudes in town.
Well, she was seeing this cute, unpopular guy from another school a few weeks ago. I forgot to ask her why they stopped dating. Jessy wasn't the type of girl who would just bail in a relationship for no valid reason.
"Because that place is way more dangerous to trespassers than anyone can imagine," Jessy said, almost a whisper but the corner of her lips was slightly curving. I didn't like that smirk at all. Sometimes Jessy could turn from a sweet cute girl to a creep in a matter of seconds. I still wonder why of all people, I chose her to be my best friend.
Pulling the door open for me, Jessy sighed and held the umbrella so I could get in. "Just take the job, Entice and I promise you, the sooner you'll set foot on Winter Oaks, the sooner your problems will end."
I didn't answer. My mind battled with my heart. A part of me was scared because of the weird stuff I heard about Wild Oaks before; like mysterious deaths and severe animal attacks.
But if I wouldn't go, what's the guarantee that I would survive from those loan sharks?
Either or, I would still end up dead. Might as well give myself a nice meal before they cut my petite body into pieces.
My lips pursed together when Jessy shut the door on her side. I watched her go around towards the driver's seat and when Jessy was finally settled in, I pushed a few strands of my brown hair towards the back of my ear. I'd finally chosen how I would die...
"So..." Jessy held the stirring wheel and looked at my with hopeful eyes. "What do you say?"
I glanced at Jessy for a couple seconds before I finally spoke. "Alright, Jessy. Tell Uncle George I'm in..."
Jessy's face lighten up. "Great!" She started the engine and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry, Entice. I'm sure you'll be picked. And once the selection is over, I promise you, no one could ever harm you anymore..."
My brows curled. Picked? Selection? What the hell was I really getting myself into?
