Chapter 4 Wicked Reality

“Wake up, wake up.” The words echoed in my head, followed by a cold splash on my face. I jerked upright from sleep.

I opened my eyes and saw Bruno’s uncle frowning down at me. It had been two days since my arrival in Seattle, and I had been living with him ever since.

“When are you going to get a job?” he asked. “I can’t continue to feed two mouths.”

Still trying to process the moment, I stuttered, “I… I will… go out today again.”

“You go out now, and don’t come back here until you get something,” he ordered, then walked out.

This had been my life since I left New York. I had no money with me except for the thousand dollars Bruno had given me before I left. Everything had happened so fast. I had just renewed my rent when the incident with Johnson occurred, leaving me no choice but to flee.

Fresh tears streamed down my face as the memory rushed back. My heart twisted in pain, my chest constricted, leaving me breathless.

I had been the one feeding Bruno’s uncle since I came to live with him, but the ever-drunken man couldn’t remember. I was grateful for a roof over my head, yet I didn’t know how long I could cope with him.

Bruno hadn’t warned me about this, but I had no option. The alternative was living on the street.

I hurried into the restroom, washed my face, and rinsed my mouth. I looked in the mirror and cringed. My swollen eyes felt like they would burst, and tears threatened to fall again. I forced myself to stop, channeling all my pain into determination. I made a silent vow: never to cry over Johnson again.

I quickly changed into jeans and a shirt. Getting a job in this neighborhood was difficult, but today I decided to go into the city.

Taking my remaining two hundred dollars, I boarded a bus. My first option was to check out a restaurant. I spotted one immediately and alighted from the bus, grateful for the breath of air as I walked in.

“Good morning,” I greeted the man at the door respectfully.

“Good morning, ma’am, and welcome to Lake View Parlour.”

“Thank you. Please, I’d love to know if you are hiring?” I asked immediately.

The smile on his face faded. “I doubt it, but you can ask the manager. His office is upstairs,” he said, disappointment clear in his voice.

I thanked him and left. I didn’t blame him; he probably thought I was just a customer who might tip before leaving.

Locating the manager’s office was easy—it was the first door on the top floor.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves, and knocked. “Yes, come in,” a deep baritone voice responded.

I entered a stuffy room and saw a bald man in glasses tilting back in his chair.

Without thinking, I knelt. “Sir, please, I need a job. I can cook and clean, I can also wait tables. Please, I can do anything, sir.”

He stared at me from head to toe. “You need a job?” he asked.

I nodded. “You can do anything?”

“Yes, sir,” I answered.

He got up and came to stand in front of me. “You do have pretty lips,” he said, caressing my arm.

Before I could respond, he unzipped his trousers and a huge cock hit my face. I reacted instinctively, slapping him with my hand. He groaned in pain.

“Get out!” he yelled. I was already running.

I breathed deeply as the sun warmed my skin, walking ahead with the hope of finding another job.

This had been my ordeal for the past two days. Either they wanted my body, or the pay was too small.

I continued walking, ignoring the constant gnawing in my stomach. Evening was creeping in, and hope was fading. In the distance, I spotted another restaurant and ran toward it.

I stood outside for a few minutes, trying to calm my racing heart, before entering. Two girls were cleaning. I walked up to them.

“Good evening. Please, I am looking for a job. Is there any vacancy?”

“A job!” they exclaimed simultaneously, clearly in shock as they looked me up and down.

I wiped sweat from my face and noticed them cringe.

“There is no vacancy,” one of them said.

“Please, I really need a job. I am in a desperate situation.”

“There is no vacancy, but you can come in tomorrow. The supervisor will be here, maybe she can help you,” the other responded.

“Thank you. I’d appreciate it if you could put in a word for me tomorrow.”

They didn’t respond and went back to cleaning. I walked out, a mixture of hope and disappointment twisting inside me.

A sharp pain stabbed my stomach, but it faded quickly. I knew I had to eat.

I started walking backward, eyes scanning for roadside vendors. None appeared. Finally, I boarded a bus back.

It was already dark when I returned to Bruno’s uncle’s neighborhood.

I walked quickly, nervous at being out after dark for the first time in this area.

“Hey, you stop there,” a voice called behind me.

Fear gripped me, and I ran, my heart hammering. Heavy footsteps followed.

“Is she another catch?” another voice asked.

My heart skipped. I sprinted down Bruno’s uncle’s street, ignoring my tired body. I prayed anyone in heaven would help me reach home safely. I didn’t dare look back.

Finally, I reached the door and kicked it open without thinking.

“You stupid child!” Bruno’s uncle’s angry voice filled the room just before I lost consciousness.