A Hard Life

Valentina's POV

I grabbed the house keys and my wallet and told Aidan to wait for me. I was going to be quick.

The walk to the store took me only five minutes. When I arrived, I lingered for a moment, observing my surroundings.

I walked to the back of an aisle and picked out some canned goods and other necessities that could last for at least a week. It would be able to last us till I received the payment from Mrs Burrows, who would be able to settle the electricity bill and stock up on some groceries.

I queued up to pay and once it was time, I gave the cashier my card. The sudden beep from the machine startled me a little.

“Declined,” the monotony of the cashier’s voice caused me to purse my lips in exasperation. I could have sworn I had a little money on that card.

I removed some of the items in my basket, “please try again.”

The impatient grunts of the people behind me made me feel a little jittery, but I did my best to ignore them.

She tried it again and the cruel beep sounded again.

“Declined.”

“No, please try again…”

“Oh for god's sake! Add it to my bill. Some of us have other things to return to,” the man that was behind me came forward, shoving me harshly to the side.

“Thank you!” I whispered out but he barely acknowledged. I walked out of the store with my goods and my head bent down in shame.

When I got home, I inserted the key and entered. The room was dark, so I turned on my flashlight. "Aidan!" I called out to my son, but there was no response.

It was unusual for Aidan to be so quiet.

"Aidan?" I called again, fear gripping me. I removed my scarf, anxiety crawling up my skin.

I frantically checked the bathroom but was only greeted by the pile of clothes I still needed to wash. I dropped the items on the center table, my hands shaking uncontrollably.

Dammit!

"Aidan?" I called a little louder, panic evident in my voice.

"Mama?" I heard his small voice call out to me and followed the sound, only to see him sitting underneath the table.

"Oh my goodness!" I breathed out in relief.

"What are you doing there buddy?" I grunted, opening my arms for him to come.

“I was hiding,” he replied casually.

“Hiding from whom?” I asked as I observed him.

“The grumpy old man. He was banging on the door so hard, and I got scared,” Aidan explained, causing my heart to lurch into my throat.

Shit!

That could have onlyhave only been the landlord.

“It’s okay baby, mama’s here now and you’re safe. I brought us food,” I gestured towards the bag on the table and watched as his face broke into a broad grin.

I set out the food, and we began eating, my flashlight serving as a source of light.

"It will be okay," I reassured him, though it felt more like I was reassuring myself.

Is this really what my life has become?

"Are you full now?" I asked him with a mouthful of sourdough bread.

He nodded, yawning. I carried him to bed and tucked him gently, planting a soft kiss on his forehead.

What a day!

Three days passed, and I was getting ready to return to Mrs. Burrow's clean laundry to her. I was excited because I knew I was going to get paid.

"Mama, I can't find my shoe!" Aidan cried out while I tried to brush my hair, using the window as a reflection since I didn't have a mirror.

I turned to face him. "Check the corner," I gestured with my head toward where the shoe might be. I was almost done with my hair.

I needed everything to be perfect because I had applied for a job just two days ago through an ad I saw. They were looking for an office assistant at a start-up firm with little to no experience. The pay was really good, and I was looking forward to it.

Just as I was about to clip the last bit of my hair, my phone rang, startling me and causing my hair to fall back.

Annoyed, I checked the caller ID, and my scowl deepened. "This better be good, Liam, or I'll..."

"Woah! Hello to you too, Len Whitlock," he mocked, causing me to pinch the bridge of my nose in exasperation. "Why are you so feisty already?"

"I have a job interview. Why did you call?" I asked as I knelt to help Aidan with his shoelace, placing my phone between my ear and my shoulder.

"I thought we could hang out. I have good news, but since you mentioned your interview..."

"Just admit you miss me. Fine, we can meet up at Benny's by five p.m." I said in a rush, grabbing my bag and the duffel bag filled with Mrs. Burrow's items.

"Benny's? The bakery?"

"No, Benny's the liquor store," I replied with a hint of sarcasm as I locked the door behind me and walked out with Aidan by my side.

I hailed a taxi. "Third Avenue, Mayne Lane," I instructed the driver, who nodded in response.

"Haha, very funny! Anyway, good luck with your interview, and I'll see you by five."

I breathed a sigh of relief once I heard the beep on the other end. I glanced at Aidan and pinched his cheeks playfully, making him giggle.

We arrived shortly, and I paid the taxi driver. I approached Mrs. Burrow's house and knocked gently, waiting for a response. I heard some shuffling inside along with a little mumbling.

"Hello," I greeted cheerfully. Not even her sour expression could dampen my spirits today. She grunted disapprovingly and, without acknowledging my greeting, grabbed the duffel bag from my hand. She disappeared inside and returned, placing a fifty-pound note in my palm.

"No, Mrs. Burrow," I protested. "We agreed on a hundred, remember? You can't keep shorting my payment, please." I pleaded with her.

I was counting on that money to cover the electricity bill at the very least, but if she was giving me half, there was no way I could pay the bill and still have enough left for some food.

"That's all I have, deal with it." She slammed the door in my face, drowning out the rest of my pleas.

That was the first setback of the day. I bit my lip to stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. Aidan looked at me, but I managed to give him a tight-lipped smile.

"It's okay. Mama's going to get this job," I said, unsure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

Four hours later, I was walking to Benny's with a long face. I didn't get the job.

As we entered the bakery, the elderly woman who owned the shop welcomed us warmly.

"Good to see you again, Len! What can I get you today?"

"Cupcake. That one!" Aidan declared excitedly, and I simply nodded at Benny. I fished out the last bit of change I had and paid.

Halfway through his cupcake, Aidan suddenly yelled, "Uncle Liam!"

"Careful!" My protective instincts kicked in as I helped him down from his seat to protect his developing teeth from hitting the table.

"Hey, my boy!" Liam greeted as he picked Aidan up and playfully ruffled his hair.

“Hello, Len Whitlock!”

Liam Farrera. He was in his mid-thirties and had red hair. I didn't even know if that was his real name but that was what he told me when we first met. It was the number Taylor had left on the note.

“Liam!” I groaned in exasperation as a small smile tugged on the corners of my lips. “You do know you can just call me Len right?”

“There certainly wouldn’t be any fun in that,” he pointed out with a wink. My smile fell a the frown returned to my face.

"And you?" Liam asked, concern in his voice. "Why do you look so sullen?” Liam asked as he took the seat opposite to me. He sat Aidan on his lap who continued to feast on his cupcake, ignoring us.

"I didn't get the job."

My voice quivered as I looked up, willing the pent-up frustration of tears not to fall from my eyes.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. But, it's a good thing I've come up with a juicy job offer then."

My ears perked up. “What’s the juicy offer?”

He placed his suitcase on the table, spiking my curiosity even further.

“Mama I need to pee!” Aidan cried out, causing me to turn to him. I got up to take him to the restroom but was stopped by Liam.

“I’ll take him but in the meantime,” he paused as he scrolled through his tab. “Have a look at this.”

I raised my brows at him in skepticism and stared at him. He avoided my gaze.

I watched him carry Aidan to the bathroom till he was out of sight before checking the tab to see what he had for me.

HOUSEHOLD ASSISTANT WANTED AT THE HAWTHORNE MANSION. GENEROUS PAY.

Oh hell no!