Chapter Three

I limped down the hallway, trying to move fast but every step hurt. 

What could we have possibly done that my legs hurt so much? 

I groaned, my legs were slowing me down. I passed the cleaners elevator with the cleaning cart. By the time I reached the changing room, I was breathless. I opened my locker and gasped, the image I saw staring back at me from my mirror looked nothing like me. I looked terrible. My straight black hair was a tangled mess, dark pink bruises littered my neck, and my glasses sat crooked on my nose. I quickly adjusted my glasses and grabbed a comb from my locker to brush my hair. 

Suddenly,I heard someone yelling my name as they pushed the door hard, slamming it right after.

“Madam Louise” I turned to see she was the one 

“Sophia!” She screamed my name into my face, I closed my eyes, folding my lips “where did you go right after I instructed you to clean the vip suite? The one time you were told to clean a vip suite you vanished” She said her hands akimbo on her waist.

“I…I was in–”

“Ah, ah! Don't stutter! I always knew you were a lazy bun, giving excuses that you're still schooling. If you can't merge the two together just be schooling and don't come here stressing me with your lazy attitude.” 

“i didn't even do anythi–" 

“I'm still talking! Don't interrupt me” She pointed her finger at me “Because you attend some private university you think you can talk to me however you like?” She said with spite 

Here she goes again talking about how I attended a private university that she wasn't opportuned for. I never told anyone about it. It's a scholarship, not some luxury life she thinks I'm living. For goodness sake!

“Morisa covered your shift yesterday. And now again, you're late!” I looked away from her, my hands folded in front of me “Why is the cleaning cart even in the changing room?!” She asked, pointing at the cart.

“I'm sorry I was–” 

“Sorry, sorry sorry, Do you ever learn not to make mistakes?!” She glared at me "When I was your age I never slacked, never interrupted my superiors. I was responsible! Is God punishing me for all my good deeds by sending you?!” 

I stood still as she paced the room,one hand on her hip, the other pinching the bridge of her nose. 

“Not only did you not finish your shift, you didn't clock out, and now you're late! Five hours late!” She shouted “I almost lost my job because of you. Yesterday the vip suite you were supposed to clean was occupied after a client made a reservation. I don't know how the suite was occupied. She threw a tantrum and I was called to the manager's office. I was lucky she had a change of heart and decided after many apologies to get another room”

“I'm so sorry ma'am I really am” I whispered. My heart beating frantically against my chest. If she didn’t get sacked, somebody must have paid the price. And I was the one stupidly occupying the room with Brian.

I'm so done

“What's on your neck?” Madam Louise voice snapped me out of my thoughts as she stared at my neck

“I…I had a nightmare…must have scratched myself and woke up with injuries” I lied, backing away from her 

“Sophia, Sophia. I have a daughter just your age, don't take me for a fool”

 She reached out and tilted my chin, inspecting my neck. I didn't dare remove her hand.

“While the rest of us were working, my career life almost ended. You were off making out during work hours?!” She asked disgustedly as she stepped away from me inspecting my uniform “Your gown is rumpled” 

She stopped, like reality had hit her all at once. Her gaze shifted to my lips “They are swollen…your lips are swollen, your hair…” She whispered. 

I shake my head negatively with fear trying to convince her that it wasn't what she was thinking when clearly it was.  

“Pack your things, Sophia. You're fired." Her face hardened.

“No…no I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause so much trouble. It's not what you think Madam Louise, please” 

“I don't care. One person has to take the fall and it's you. Pack up!” 

“I can't please, I have rent to pay and…and” I held my hand together begging

“Ha! Rent? Go to your parents who are sponsoring your school life, why suffer like us?” 

“No..no I'm… I'm…an orphan” my voice cracked “And I'm on scholarship, it only covers school fees not hostels or apartments. I need this job, please” 

Tears blurred my vision and I dropped to my knees, holding her hand. “I'm in my final year. Just three months from now and I'm done. I just need till the end of this month to have my pay. Pleaseee” 

“I'll tell the superiors to bring someone to drag you out Sophia if you don't let go of my hand” She yanked her hand away from my grip.

I broke, right there on the floor.

“Just pack up and leave quietly. Oh good Lord I've been waiting for this day” She looked up, smiling in triumph. “Take the cleaning cart to where it belongs before you leave…actually don't bother. I'll do it for you, consider it the final good deed from me to you. How nice it is that I wouldn't be seeing your face anymore” She smiled as she left the room pulling the cleaning cart behind her, humming to herself. 

I collapsed fully, sobbing. If only I had listened to my gut. Heck if only I hadn't met Brian! 

I sniffled as I changed out of my uniform. I packed up my things and cleaned my locker. I hung my bag over my shoulder taking my phone before shutting the locker close. I unlocked my phone and fourteen missed from 9pm last night popped up on the notification bar. It was Marco, my neighbour. I dialed his number and on the first ring he picked up.

“Sophia where were you?” Marco's was tight with  worry.

“I…I was working” I quietly replied 

“Night shift? I thought you don't work during the weekends at night”

We both became silent.

Then his voice dropped “I don't know if I should tell you this over the phone or I wait till you get here” He said confused 

“Marco, please tell me now” I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. 

“The landlord. He evicted you from the house” my heart dropped “They broke into your house yesterday and took your things out. He kept screaming about your unpaid rent” My world crashed, I couldn't speak.