chapter 17

Esmeralda Pov

With nowhere specific to go until my shift, i headed toward the morgue where my mother lay cold. The building that reminded me of everything I was trying not to think about.

At the front desk, the receptionist looked up and offered me the same sympathetic smile she always did.

I hated that smile. Not because she meant any harm, but because it reminded me why I kept coming here.

"Good afternoon, Miss Esmeralda."

"Good afternoon. I'd like to pay this month's morgue f*e... and next month's as well."

She nodded gently before typing into her computer. A moment later, she slid the invoice toward me.

I stared at the total before opening my purse. My fingers tightened over the last few bills before I handed them over. Almost everything I'd earned from two straight days of double shifts disappeared in an instant.

"There you go." She stamped the receipt before handing it back to me. "Payment received."

"Thank you."

I slipped the paper into my bag and glanced inside my empty purse. "I just have to work hard to survive. No biggie," I muttered to myself.

"Miss Esmeralda?" I looked up. "Have you been able to make any arrangements with the funeral home yet?”

"Not yet," I whispered.

"There isn't any pressure from us. I just thought I'd ask."

"I know." I managed a weak smile. "I'm taking it one step at a time."

She smiled softly. "I'm sure your mother would already be proud of how hard you're trying."

That almost broke me. I thanked her quickly before hurrying outside.

Once on the sidewalk, I blinked several times, refusing to cry. Now was not the time or place to shed tears. Shortly after, my eyes darted to my wristwatch.

It was 5:02 p.m. My eyes widened.

"Oh no..." I was late.

By the time I reached the Meridian Event Hall, luxury cars already filled the long driveway. Guests dressed in designer gowns and expensive suits walked toward the grand entrance as paparazzi snapped endless photos.

It was my first time working at this venue, so I had no idea where the staff entrance was. I stood near the side walkway, feeling completely lost.

"Psst! Esmeralda!”

I spun around to see Mulan standing by a narrow service door, waving frantically while clutching a neatly folded waitress uniform. The moment I reached her, she smacked my arm.

"Ow!"

"Do you know what time it is?" she snapped under her breath.

"I know..."

"No, you don't.” She narrowed her eyes. "Do you know how many times the supervisor has asked me where you were?"

“Sorry…” I winced, imagining the pickle she had been put in because of me.

"I may have told him you were stuck in traffic." She rolled her eyes.

"I don't even own a car," I chuckled.

"I know." She sighed dramatically. "So then I told him your dog had emergency surgery."

"I don't have a dog.” I laughed out loud.

"I know that too."

I burst into laughter, and she pointed her well-polished nails at me. "Don't you dare laugh. By the fourth excuse, I started believing my own lies."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be." She shoved the folded uniform into my arms. "You're lucky I like you."

"I love you too," I retorted.

"You owe me tomorrow's dinner.”

"I'll buy you two."

"Three."

"Fine."

"And dessert."

I groaned dramatically. "That's robbery in broad daylight."

She smirked. “I learned from the best.”

I laughed, blew her an exaggerated kiss, and hugged the uniform to my chest. "You are literally my favorite person."

"I know," she replied proudly. "Now go change before I change my mind and let the supervisor eat you alive."

"Yes, boss!" I called out, turning to hurry down the corridor toward the changing rooms.

As I rounded the corner, I nearly collided with a broad chest. I looked up, and my heart skipped a beat.

It was him. My one-night stand.

Tonight, I promised myself, I was going to stay as far away from him as humanly possible. I already had a growing list of people to avoid: Victor, Klaus, and now… him.

With one last glimpse of his annoyingly handsome face, I darted past him and slipped into the ladies' changing room.

The fitted uniform slid on easily enough, but the back zipper refused to cooperate.

"Oh, come on…” I twisted my arm awkwardly behind my back and yanked, but nothing worked. "You've got to be kidding me," I muttered under my breath with a nervous laugh. "I wore you two days ago!"

Still speaking to myself, the bathroom door clicked open behind me, and relief flooded through my body.

Talk about perfect timing.

Without turning around, I gathered my hair over one shoulder and held the back of the dress together with one hand.

"Mulan, can you help me with this zipper?” I said, with a sheepish laugh. “I think it's stuck.”

A deep, velvety male voice answered from directly behind me:

"With pleasure.”