Chapter Three

Vanessa

I was awoken by a knock on the door. I groaned lowly before running a hand through my hair and opening it. I was greeted by no other than Mr. Pierce who had a smile on his face.

"Good morning, seems like you slept well. Julia is waiting for you downstairs"

"Ok Mr -

"My name is Devin", he said before walking away. I close the door and went to the bathroom.

After brushing my teeth and setting my hair I left the room and made my way downstairs. I saw Julia looking exceptionally beautiful. I don't usually compliment people so if I do then that must be saying something.

They were laughing about something that seemed really funny and when they noticed my presence, Devin crossed his legs and half smiled at me while Julia turned and looked at me.

"Hello - I didn't quite get your name the last time"

"Its vanessa"

"Ok vanessa, how do you like the place so far?", she asked but I only shrugged.

"I'm not planning to stay here for too long. As soon as I get a job I will leave"

She seemed taken aback by what I said but she couldn't be expecting that I wanna stay here forever. No way. I have a life to live and plus I want to leave New York.

"Have you started looking for a job as yet?", she asked raising an eye at me.

"I haven't. I'm planning on doing so today", I replied before sitting on a small chair between the both of them. Devin was really quiet just listening to our conversation and smiling to himself.

"Ok, then I guess I shouldn't keep you then. The earlier you start the better right - because you wanna leave this place as soon as you can", she said taking a sip of her orange juice before putting it down and turning to Devin.

I got up before I could hear their conversation and went back to my room. I really needed to find a job today and a good one at that. I checked my phone but it was dead. I didn't even bother to charge it because no one ever calls or messages me.

I went to the bathroom and when I came out with a towel around my body, I didn't expect to see Devin sitting in the chair in the corner. His eyes met mine and he got up and walked up to me. I didn't feel bothered by his presence or him seeing me like this. If you had my past you wouldn't either.

"Julia said you should get this", he said before handing me an envelope. I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows before taking it and examining it. Before I could ask what it was he turned and left the room.

I sat on the bed and basically ripped it open. I just can't open things the right way at times. Money bills came crashing into my lap. I counted them and it was five hundred dollars. I couldn't believe it. Why would she offer me so much money...was there a catch to it?. Hopefully not because I didn't ask her for it. Although I was so grateful.

This could do a lot of things and I was good at budgeting so it will last long. I fold the notes and placed them in my small bag before getting dressed. I wore Jeans and a white blouse and a knee length jacket that Omar got me on my twenty - third birthday.

After leaving the room I went downstairs but I didn't see Devin anywhere. The sound of a car honking got my attention and I went outside to see him in a car. He opened the door and gestured for me to get in.

" I was going to take a cab", I say once I entered and shut the door.

"Its fine, I have to go buy something anyways", he replied before driving off.

"So what kind of job are you looking for?"

"Anything I can get as long as am getting paid", I replied looking out the window as the trees go by.

"Can I say something?"

"Sur -

"You seem like a very strong woman vanessa. I haven't known you for a few days good but you seem like the type to work for what you want and try any possible way to achieve it. Correct me if am wrong but that's what I honestly think".

I stared at him for the longest time before turning away. I didn't reply to his statement. Instead I relaxed in my seat and let it all sink in. I was a strong woman. I was strong enough to fend for myself when my parents kicked me out, I was strong enough to run away from the man who took me in and gave me everything.

And here I was, still going strong and aiming for what I want. And what I want was a job, a good job so I can get money and leave this city and buy a small apartment in some country where I don't have to depend on anyone for anything.

>>>>

"Thanks"

"No prob", he said before driving off.

I turned and released a deep sigh. I started walking looking into different working places as I go by. All I hoped for was a 'workers needed' sign. I glanced over my shoulder for a second and suddenly bumped into someone.

Warm, brown liquid came pouring out of a cup all over both of us. He stepped back immediately and muttered a curse word. A guard that was with him took off his jacket and glared at me. The guy I bumped into was dressed in very expensive clothes by the looks of them and there was a sweet smell of perfume rolling off him.

"Can't you watch where you're going?!. Now my jacket is ruined, you know how expensive it is? Perhaps I should let you buy it back".

His voice was rough and I swear I trembled a little when he shouted. I loathed rich and cocky people.

"Sorry"

He raised a confusing eyebrow at me. Our eyes met but I didn't look away. My face was blank and his showed no emotion but I could care less. It was an accident and there was no way I was buying back a jacket that probably cost thousands of dollars.

"Mord - well hello beautiful", a guy with a bright smile said as he came up to us but he was staring at me.

"What do you want Reid?", Mr. Cocky said looking really irritated.

However the guy didn't seem fazed instead he only smiled widely and before I knew it he had grabbed my hand.

"Let go!", I say as I tried to pull it but it didn't help. He was stronger than he looked.

"You're quite beautiful, what's your name?", he said as he opened my palm and started caressing it.

I felt his ease and pulled away quickly. I turned and started walking away only to be stopped by his voice.

"You owe me a jacket"

I rolled my eyes and continued walking until I was far away from them. I slowed my steps down when I noticed a guy at the front of a small restaurant placing up a sign. After he went back inside I red it.

'Workers Wanted - no special qualifications required'

I saw a glimmer of hope flash before my eyes and I entered the place. It was small but neatly decorated.

"Hello, can I help you?"

I turned to the direction of the sound and saw a girl behind the counter waving me over. I went up to her and was about to say something but she beat me to it.

"What do you want to order?...or are you applying?"

"Applying", I replied as her smile got wider and she walked off. A few seconds later she came back with a tall, slim guy who was dressed in a grey suit.

"Hello", he said instantly and reached out to shake my hand. I accepted it before retracting my hands and placing them in my coat.

"So glad you decided to stop by. As you can the place not only needs new ideas to get more customers but also new workers. Hope you're willing to work fully and all of my employees can be trusted to do their work properly, I don't want any slacking off. You'll work from eight until seven and on weekends you'll be paid two hundred dollars.

I let it all sink in and I actually released a smile. That was good cash, well to me it was.

"So tomorrow when you come in, Akilah will show you the basics steps. Now if you excuse me I have a meeting and I will see you tomorrow".

He touched my shoulder before walking away. I examined the place for a while longer before leaving. I decided to buy some breakfast before going home to tell Devin the news.