Chapter 2

The alarm rang at exactly 6:00 in the morning. Disturbed by the sound, Amber grudgingly sat up on her bed, half awake, rubbing her eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. She felt the pendant hanging around her neck. It was engraved with her father's initials.

Her mind drifted back to him. He was hardworking and did everything he could to support the family. He showered her with love and treated her like a princess despite the struggle. She remembered how she insisted on going to the mall, which led to an accident causing her father’s death. She wished she had not forced him. She blames herself for his death and thought taking up the family’s responsibility would make her feel less guilty, but it was instead exhausting.

“Is this ever going to end?” she thought to herself. She got up from the bed and prepared for the day’s activity.

“Amber!”

Her mother called from the living room. “Why isn’t breakfast ready yet!? Do you want to starve us again?” she yelled.

She sighed, raising her head up while blinking to stop the tears from dropping. “Coming,” she grumbled, sliding her feet into her worn-out slippers.

Her mother walked up to her in the kitchen, “the debtors called again. This time, they threatened to take the house. Make sure you work twice as hard so we can settle them.”

She didn't know when she murmured, “Why don't you do the work instead?” As she continued making breakfast.

“What did you say to me?”

Amber turned, yelling on top of her voice, “I do everything I can for this family. I work tooth and nail just to ensure the debt is cleared. And all you do is nag! If it was so easy, maybe you should…”

Just before she could complete her statement, a resounding slap landed on her face.

“How dare you!? How dare you speak to me in that manner? Have you lost your mind?”

“Oh, you've grown wings now, right? Don't come back to this house with no money to settle your late father's debt. You're the reason he's dead, so you should take full responsibility.” She ordered as she left the kitchen.

Holding her cheeks, tears rolling down her eyes. Those words pierced deep inside of her. Even though she had always told herself, hearing it aloud still made her stomach twist. She wiped her eyes and continued making breakfast and setting the dining table. As she walked past her sister’s room, the door creaked open. “Hey,” Amber called. “I left some food for you on the table. Make sure you eat before leaving for school.”

Zara turned to her, half asleep, she responded, “Thanks Am, you're the best.” It was the only kindness Amber could hear from her family all day.

She went back into her room to prepare for work. The sight of her uniform disgusted her as she wore them. Heading out, each step she took was like she had weights strapped on her ankles. She was tired of everything - the unending debt to be paid, the unpaid bills taped on the fridge like a vision board, the flickering lights in her apartment and the family that only saw her as a wallet. Her wish was to just disappear from the face of the earth.

”If only wishes were horses…” she thought.

When she finally got out of the house, she found a crisp white envelope placed right on the foot-mat. She picked it up, looking left and right, wondering who must have kept it there and what was inside. Without checking its content, she shoved it into her bag and headed straight to work.

Just then, Amber realizes she was already late. She ran hurriedly down to the restaurant. As she carefully opened the door, hoping not to be noticed, a voice snapped from behind, “You're seven minutes late.”

In shock, she turned, and it was her boss, Mr. Callen. “I'm so sorry,” she said, rushing to tie her hair into a bun. “The bus broke down and…”

“And what?” Mr. Callen cut in, “I do not pay you to run late and put your workload on other members of staff. The customers have been waiting, and they clearly don't care whether the bus broke down or not.”

Her heart dropped.

“It won't happen again.”

“It better not. Or else, you give me no choice but to let you go. This is your last warning. Now, get to work.” he commanded, already turning away.

She nodded as she headed to the counter.

“That was close.” Rina whispered as she passed her a tray.

The activity of the day continued. Amber moves from one table to another, dodging insults from rude customers who treated her like she meant nothing. In the city of Ravelle, there’s a high level of discrimination between the low class and high class.

“Hey, girl,” Rina called from behind the counter. “You know you really have to take it slow with the way you work yourself out.”

Amber gave a faint smile, “I don’t have a choice. I have a lot of debt and responsibilities on my shoulders, and you know it.”

“Don’t worry, our prince charming will soon come to our rescue, just like Cinderella.”

“In your wildest dreams,” Amber responded.

They both laughed and continued the day's activity.

During their break hour, her mind went back to the envelope. She reached out to her bag and brought it out.

“What’s that?” Rina asked out of curiosity.

“I don’t know. I found it at the door this morning while coming to work.”

“Well, open it! It could be the answer to our prayers!” Rina said excitedly.

She shook her head in mockery of Rina with a smirk on her face and finally opened the letter.

She froze in shock. “What? What does it say? Let me see” Rina grabbed the letter from Amber.

“WHAT! Oh my God! Is this real? It can’t be, right?”

“I… I… think it's real…” Amber stuttered

They both stared at each other and the letter in Rina’s hands in disbelief.