Chapter 0003

CAMILLA

I placed the refilled beer on the table of the intoxicated men who were squabbling over who would first pass out tonight. But before I could leave them alone, one of the guys caressed my ass. I was about to slap the jerk when my co-worker informed me that our boss called me to his office.

I repressed my rage inside of me as I walked over to her office.

As frustration slowly drowned me inside, I recalled the reason why I chose this kind of job. Then, I only had the word "desperate" in my head.

Yes, I was struggling to make ends meet and I had to feed my four-year-old son.

I made this decision for myself. I need to stand on the ground and prove to my parents that I am never wrong in keeping my child. My son is the person I treasure the most in this world. But I guess, now is not the right time for me to brag about my life.

As I entered my boss's office, I sat on the scarlet couch opposite her. She looks intimidating as always. I'm not sure what I did that she summoned me to her office. With a cigarette in her mouth, she darted me an eye before placing a white envelope on the table.

"There's a man in the next room. Just spend a night with him and inside this envelope is all yours."

She showed me what's inside the envelope.

Money.

The corner of my lips raises. This woman is also desperate. Desperate to sell me off to wealthy old men just to receive a huge sum of money as a tip.

I really can't do it.

I'm not that desperate for money. I have respect in my body and want to earn a living and feed my son from the money I decently work hard for.

"If you decline this time, you will lose your job."

As if she pays me well.

I will lose my job...

I massage my temple as the pain is already striking just by having the thought of losing a job. Will I swallow my pride and accept the offer?

Shit! My stomach cannot bear to give my soul to an asshole just for money. I let out a sigh of frustration and, again, shook my head.

I won't feed my son using the money in that gruesome way.

She groaned, annoyed as she threw a few money on my lap. "Then... you're fired."

Those two words kept repeating in my head, and I was unable to tell whether I was happy or not. I am happy because I won’t work in this kind of environment again but wasn't ready for my early unemployment.

With a heavy sigh, I took the money and left her office without a word.

I head home in distress. Well… I will find a job tomorrow. A decent job. Being a waitress was my eighth job after I left home.

I resided in a studio room. It's quite small, but it's less expensive than an apartment, and it's ideal for me and my son.

Miko was soundly dozing on the bed when I looked over. I work from early in the evening till midnight, so I can leave Miko alone during his sleeping time. He's a smart kid and always listens to me.

Although I am worn out, irritated, and lost, seeing my son inspires me to work harder in life. I make an effort to live and have a reason to live. Since he is the only person I have in my life, I make sure he won't suffer for the rest of his life.

Raising a son alone is not easy. I always have my son with me during work time. My previous employers permitted me because he was well-behaved, but it didn't last long and I ultimately lost my job.

I snuggled with Miko as I dove into the mattress. As soon as he noticed my presence, he wrapped his arms around me and snuggled his face on my chest.

Everything will be alright, son.

***

My phone rang as I was preparing breakfast. I responded right away to avoid waking Miko up with the grating ringtone. I got up early to hunt for a job as soon as possible.

It's Marina, a waitress who introduced me to the job at the bar.

"I'm already fired--"

"I know, that's why I'm offering you a job that is suited for you."

"Please make it decent this time," I begged before running my hands across my face.

I am annoyed about not having a steady job at my age. I'm 23 years old and haven't finished college. Who would hire me for a decent job?

"What about being a maid?"

Maid? I'm fairly new to that. "Where?"

The agency is looking for a married woman--"

"I'm not married, Marina."

Miko woke up and I watched him striding to the bathroom to wash his face and hands.

"You have a kid! As long as you are not single, there is a huge chance they will hire you."

My brows furrowed. "Why not the single?"

"The last maid tried to seduce the owner of the house and that made the agency cursed by him,"

As soon as Miko reclined at the edge of the bed, I set his food in front of him while sighing. I am hoping to be able to bring my son to my workplace.

"I will give it a thought."

"You better be sure. I'll send the address of the agency for your interview."

"Thank you, Marina."

I, nevertheless, give it a shot. Maid is a decent job and I guess the job that I need for now.

***

Miko was so worn out when we arrived home that I had to carry him. I regret having brought him along to the interview. However, I never overheard him complain about the pain in his feet from all the walking. As I put him on the bed, helped him take off his shoes, and sat down next to him, my heart began to tighten.

It is more exhausting to look for a decent job.

The world is so toxic, and my existence is becoming increasingly vile. Being a single Mom is an emotional challenge. The feeling of not having someone to talk to about my struggles in life, lack of financial support, and feeling guilty for not providing enough for Miko. I only wanted him to be comfortable but here we are, living in a small studio.

Did I fail to become a mother?

No...

As long as my son is healthy every day, I am never lacking in protecting him and giving him what he needs.

I can raise Miko on my own, with my effort and sweat, and show my family that I am capable of doing so. I can be successful through my dedication and will to improve our lives. I can give Miko the life he deserves.

Slowly but surely.

My phone suddenly beeps.

I grab my phone in my bag. However, my eyes widened as I read the text several times before they finally absorbed in my head.

My eyes became watery as I muttered. "Shit, I got a job,"

***

When I arrived at the agency the following day, they allowed me to bring Miko to work. My employer is not overly picky as long as the child behaves. They handed me the endorsement letter and my employer's address.

"Shit! Why L.A.?" I cursed under my breath as soon as I exited the building.

Our home is quite near to my employer's address. However, as a maid, I'll only often go out downtown. I cannot decline the job which is three times higher salary than my previous jobs. It's a one-time opportunity for both of us. I also needed to enroll Miko in school but couldn't afford it, so I was teaching him at home.

After packing all our belongings, we touched down in L.A. after a protracted six-hour journey.

It's been a while.

My heart pounded on my chest as I breathed deeply. I'm not sure if coming back here is a good idea.

While at the cab, I glance out the window at the cool restful shady world with light filtering lazily through the treetops. Miko was silently leaning on my chest while he glanced at the window. He didn't know that this place was where I was born. In my mind, I was really hoping he would meet my family and visit my favorite places. I don't know if that will happen in the future.

Arriving in Beverly Hills, I handed the security guard the endorsement letter from the agency, which I didn't have a chance to read.

He immediately let me in and led me inside. I was greeted with a smile by a woman in her late 60s, named Linda. She claimed to have learned about my arrival here and the presence of my son through the job agency. Miko was still in my arms as we went via the back of the mansion.

She took me to the maid's quarters, and fortunately, she gave us a tiny room. It is pretty similar to our studio-style accommodation, also Miko and I can both sleep comfortably in one bed.

I have to start my duty. I left Miko in our room. Linda introduced me to other housekeepers and showed me around the mansion.

High ceilings, ornate details, and grand-scale rooms are showcased beyond the luxurious foyer and Imperial Staircase through the massive double-door entrance. Among the many jewels of this home is the two-story library which includes a steel spiral staircase and a vibrant irreplaceable stained glass light fixture. Upstairs, the master bedroom rivals that of a European castle with multiple private terraces, and city and nature views.

I bet the owner of this royal mansion is one of a kind in the United States.

She let me begin cleaning the master's bedroom after getting acquainted with every room.

The lavish master bedroom astounded me, but the photo frame hanging on the wall drew my eye.

Shit!

Fears started to run down my veins as my eyes widened at the huge picture in front of me.

Is he my employer?

No... No... Goddamn it!

Adrenaline rushed through me as I stumbled my way out of the room, bumping into the cabinet, which caused a jewelry box to fall to the floor. Thank goodness, it didn't crack.

When I was about to pick up the box, Miko's wail rang in my ears.

With the thought something happened to him, I sprinted downstairs and saw Miko with a man I did not plan to meet for the rest of my life.

"Nikolai Russo?"