Chapter one

Alora POV

I hadn’t slept a wink in two days, and anyone could easily tell from the dark circles under my eyes.

My peers were busy looking for boyfriends, going on vacations, but here I was,broke, barely surviving, and already running out of luck.

My chest heaved with ragged gasps, each inhale mixing with the rhythmic patter of rain against my skin as I rushed into the diner. Did it really have to rain today, of all days? I walked to the changing room, grabbed my uniform, and came out with a wide smile on my face. Of course, it was fake, I hated this job.

“Alora, you need to serve two more tables if you want to keep up with your silly lateness,” Vito said as he walked back to his office.

He was my manager at the diner, and from the sound of his annoyed voice, I was already sure my pay would be cut for the day.

I walked to the tables, serving the orders of customers who kept giving me that look. Yes, I was nineteen, but I didn’t really look it. Someone might think I was fourteen. I was just short, plain, with big hazel eyes. Nothing interesting in particular,well, except for my hair. I loved it. It was long and red, even though I didn’t brush it often. Still, I cherished this baby. It was the only part of me I truly liked.

“Alora, serve table nine,” Genevieve said.

I didn’t need to be reminded that Genevieve, my co-waitress, would always be on my neck. I didn’t know why she hated me so much since I started working at the diner. She always looked for opportunities to mock or humiliate me, and now was one of those times.

Damn, I hated table nine. It always had the perverts, and I hated those stupid boys,always feeling so good about themselves while talking down on people and making derogatory remarks. I could never understand why.

I breathed in and out, preparing mentally for whatever was about to happen. I had a feeling today was going to be a bad day. I walked to the table, ready to take their orders.

“Hi, I’m Alora, and I’ll be serving you today. What can I get you?” I said politely, forcing a huge smile.

The one in a brown leather jacket with dirty blonde hair looked at me from head to toe before winking wickedly.

“Guys, she means what can she get herself,” he said mischievously, turning to the others with a sly smile.

“Get yourself some ass and boobs, you look like a fucking cardboard,” he added.

They all burst into laughter. At that moment, I swear I wanted to jump on his head and pluck off his dirty hair.

“Not yet, Lora. Calm down, you can do better,” I chanted in my head. This always helped me calm my nerves when irritated so I wouldn’t pour hot coffee on a customer’s face.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” the bimbo with them yelled. With how her boobs were on display, I was sure she was a fake-ass bitch. I rolled my eyes, signaling her to list their orders. Finally, I got to walk away with their order.

Phew. That was close. I almost strangled someone’s son.

I got their food, arranging it carefully on the tray, making sure not to make unnecessary mistakes that could land my ass in trouble. I walked back and set their food on the table.

“Enjoy your meal,” I said, forcing myself to smile as always.

I turned to walk away, only to be stopped by the bimbo.

“We’ll leave a generous tip for you. Use it to get some clothes, not those stinky rags,” she said, adjusting her butt in the seat.

“Thanks, but I don’t accept charity. Besides, I’m sure you need the money more,” I said, staring at her boobs.

“And what does that mean, you peasant?” she snapped, grabbing everyone’s attention.

I chose to stay silent. I didn’t really want to create a scene. Not that I hadn’t done it before,I had, multiple times,but Vito had given me a last warning, and my life was hanging on a loose thread.

I took a deep breath and turned to leave. Just then, I felt someone grab my butt and squeeze it hard.

That was it.

Just like that, I lost my cool. I was already having a bad day, but I wasn’t going to let anyone disrespect me like that,not today.

I turned around to see the idiot with dirty blonde hair laughing, like touching me was some world-class joke. I clenched my fist, ready to punch that smirk off his face.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I shouted, this time not holding back.

“Someone seems angry. Relax, I was just doing you a favor by giving you a bit of my expensive attention. I’m sure you can’t afford it. Who would even want to touch a thing like you?” he retorted arrogantly.

“You have no permission to touch me, you idiot!” I snapped, slapping him across the face.

Damn, Lora! I had just caught everyone’s attention, and now I was definitely going to get fired. But that didn’t matter. One way or another, I knew this day would come, so I just went with the flow. I jumped on him like a wildcat, pulling his hair and scratching his face. If I was going to get fired, I’d at least make sure to teach him a lesson. It wouldn’t be in vain.

“Get off me, you wild animal!” he screamed, trying to pull me off. That only made me more annoyed.

A strong pair of hands suddenly grabbed me.

“Alora! Stop this madness, you’re chasing away my customers!” Vito yelled.

“You are fired. Pack up your shit and get out of here.”

“Yeah, peasant, get your shit and leave,” the bimbo yelled, pointing to the door with her perfectly manicured nails.

“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out,” another remarked.

I knew my mouth always got me into trouble, but at this point I didn’t care. It was what it was, after all.

“You know what? The next time you get a boob job, better tell your doctor to do a brain job too,” I spat with a smirk. “Yeah, take that, you fake-ass bitch!”

I walked away from the prying eyes, loud whispers, and gasps of the customers, heading to the dressing room. I looked at myself in the mirror and,oh my goodness,I looked like a wild animal with my messy hair.

I changed out of the waitress uniform into my baggy jeans and oversized hoodie,the only pair of clothes I had that weren’t too faded.

I slipped through the back door and hit the streets.

Now I felt terrible for getting fired, but slapping that jerk? I’d do it again anytime. At least I had another job left,at the casino, which was even worse than the diner. That job always risked landing me in jail, but it paid more.

I had about thirty minutes to get to school and four hours to get to work by evening.

So walked to the public washrooms to freshen up and change for school.

“Seriously, do you have eyes?” a woman snapped when my shoulder bumped hers.

I froze, mumbling an awkward “Sorry” while shuffling back. Great. Public humiliation before I even reached the bathroom.

I checked my old wristwatch, but the line wasn’t moving. My whole life felt like a line,the school cafeteria, the bus stop, the public laundry house. Always waiting. After ten minutes, it was finally my turn.

Inside, I showered quickly with my backpack close by, carrying my freshly washed dress. It wasn’t much, but I loved being clean. The cold water hit my bare back, washing away the tension.

“Oh shit, I’m going to be late for class.”

I finished up and hurriedly walked past the crowd.

The parking lot was clear as I made my way to the secretary’s office.

“Hi, Helen, can I get a copy of my timetable?” I asked.

Helen, the school secretary, was a tall, plump lady with her hair always tied in a ponytail. She was sweet and welcoming, and I liked her for that.

“I’m afraid I can’t help you with that, my dear. The institution requires payment in advance this semester,” she said, giving me a pitiful look.

“I thought I could pay mid-semester, like before,” I whispered, my voice dropping.

“I’m afraid the board made changes. Here, take this,that’s the amount you need to resume classes.” She handed me a piece of paper.

I stared at it, my mouth agape. Where was I going to get all that money? Damn. I’d just lost one of my jobs.

Numbers had never looked scarier in my life, each digit screaming that my dreams had an expiration date.

Dreams were expensive, and apparently mine had just been priced out of reach.

I walked out, heading to my locker. I held the cold metal door, my head dropping as tears welled in my eyes. My life was falling apart.

My gaze landed on the broken locket around my neck,the only piece of family I had. The cracked locket dangled against my chest, the only proof I hadn’t been born from thin air. Somewhere out there, my family had answers,answers I’d probably never get.

I walked lazily with no destination. Then I felt it,a strange sense someone was following me. The air behind me felt heavier, like shadows were learning my name.

I’d spent enough nights on the street to know when danger was breathing down my neck.

When I looked back, no one was there. I brushed it off.

Until someone grabbed me so hard I nearly fell.

“What the actual fuck, dude!” I yelled.

A tall, well-built man stared at me. “Someone wants to talk to you. In that car.” He gestured toward the black Mercedes across the road.

I gulped hard. Running wasn’t an option,he’d catch me easily. My heart raced as I followed him.

Inside the car sat an elegant woman, maybe in her sixties. Sophisticated. Expensive.

“Hi, dear,” she said.

“Um… hi,” I whispered, staring at my sweaty palms.

No matter how calm her words sounded, even the way she said her name felt rehearsed, like a queen introducing herself to a peasant.

“No need to be afraid. I’m Bianca De Luca. And you must be Alora.”

That made me raise my eyebrows. “How do you know my name?"

“That’s not important. I loved what you did back at the diner. Standing up for yourself like that,most people wouldn’t dare.” She smiled softly.

“Diner? I didn’t know you were such a fan. Maybe you should’ve taken a video instead of stalking me at school,” I snapped. My mouth always got me in trouble.

The man moved toward me like he was about to hit me, but Bianca waved him off.

“Leave the girl. It’s fine.”

I let out a shaky breath. “Sorry. I’m just having a bad day.”

“I have a job offer for you. A live-in maid position. Since you’re fired, you seem like the perfect candidate.” She handed me documents. “Everything you need is in there, including the salary.”

My eyes widened. Damn. The money was huge. Enough to cover tuition and more.

“I agree,” I said quickly.

“When can you start?”

“Tomorrow,” I answered firmly.

“Fine. Jake will give you all the details you need.”

Her offer sounded too good to be true, but I wanted to believe it. Finally, a chance.

Then a strange smell filled the car. I opened my mouth to thank her, but the words never came. The world tilted sideways,then nothing.

The last thing I hear

d was Bianca’s velvet voice whispering, “Welcome home, Alora.” Then the world went dark.