Chapter 2 Layoffs

Four years on...

"I'm sorry Leila, but we are going to have to let you go." Mr Bain said calmly as he fixed his tie further into place.

"But sir, I've been working here for a year now, I barely even remember what it's like to be put back up on the market." I say worriedly, I hated even saying it like that. It was like I was some second hand doll being bought and sold over and over again.

It had been almost four years since I ran away. Three years and ten months to be exact. I remember the day like it was just yesterday, I expected life to be somewhat better but in reality it didn't really change...

When the taxi driver dropped me off that day to a place called Rochdale, around five hours away from where I lived, I found a hotel nearby called 'Autumn Shore Hotel'. It didn't look too bad for a temporary stay, but it was nothing too fancy. The building was a cream colour, but I'm guessing it used to be white, a few windows in the hotel were blacked out or badly taped up. The lights that were on flickered occasionally, but those were the only seemingly faulty things about the hotel.

Learn More

I decided while I was staying there I should look for a job, like a waitress or retail worker. I searched high and low for a job, but nothing was available.

When I was finally about to give up after I'd just asked for a job in a restaurant and they declined my offer, a man in his mid thirties overheard the conversation I had with the restaurant owner. He approached me and named himself as Leonardo and said he couldn't help but hear that I was in need of a job.

We got to talking and despite me being extremely shy and nervous, he told me he had a job that would perfectly suit me. He said he'd have his chauffeur come and pick us up and take us to the alleged work place he said I could help out at, and being naive I didn't question his kindness.

It wasn't until I was being forcefully shoved into the back of a shiny black van that I realized, Leonardo's kindness was only temporary. I cried for what felt like hours sat in the dark in the back of the van wondering what would happen to me. Would I die? Would I be treated even worse than I would have been by Paul? These questions kept replaying in my mind.

I sobbed quietly as the two men grabbed each of my arms and pulled me out, as I kept questioning what they were going to do with me to which Leonardo replied "To give you a job, just like you wanted love."

The men stopped dragging me and came to a halt at a strange building I'd never seen before, I immediately craned my neck up and took in my surroundings. In front of us was a, seemingly, abandoned warehouse that had been refurbished to look considerably better - like a mansion.

They took me inside, and the halls were fairly crowded with men and a few women in business attire, I was then taken into a room at the end of a dark hall where I was told my uniform would be. I kept pleading with Leonardo to tell me what was going on, but he ignored me. Instead I was locked in this room to get changed.

Congratulations! You are one of our maids, you will be bought and sold by our customers that feel they need you in their lives.

You will cook, clean and do whatever they wish for you to do as we will be paid a lot of money for your labor and well disposed attitude. You are guaranteed a roof over your head, a bedroom, good dining and a daily cleanse. If clients fail to give you these things you may quit, and come back to us ready to be bought again.

When we'd reached our apparent destination, I felt the van stop. I waited for a minute or two before I heard foot steps come closer and closer, and then the doors were open for me to escape. Leonardo, and two other scary looking men stood opposite me and I couldn't get away.

I was shocked when I saw a short black maids outfit, matched with a typical white apron that I'd seen all maids wear in the old television programmes. Next to the outfit was a letter reading:

You will be paid 30% of what is earned throughout this exchange and are free to use it for whatever you please.

Please put on the wristband assigned to you, it will be taken off when you are bought.

Happy selling!

When I saw the letter, I was first of all angry. Angry that women were being sold like this, and angry I was one of them. Then I was confused, how had I gotten myself here into this situation?

After a while of feeling like this, I decided that actually this wouldn't be so bad. All I was doing was cleaning for people, and getting paid for it for as long as I stayed working. It couldn't be all bad, I had thought before stepping out and getting ready to be bought...

And here I was now. Getting told I'd be bought again for around the eighth time in four years. At first the idea didn't seem so bad, but being through many different owners I learnt that some people weren't normal.

I had some very, very nasty owners some just like Paul and I wasn't prepared to go back to possibly living like that again. Mr Bain was the nicest owner I had had in a while.

He was a man in his late thirties, he had salt and pepper hair with a clean shaven face. He was handsome for his age, and well built. He also had a wife who he loved dearly, so I knew he wasn't a sick pervert who would use me for more than just my housework. He also had two young children, a little girl aged ten and a boy who was seven.

"I know and I know it might be tough for you Leila, but we can't keep you any longer. We are moving to England, and since your company is here we really can't take you." Mr Bain continued frowning at me.

"We have grown very fond of you Leila, and the kids love you. It is a shame we have to let you go but it is what it is." Mrs Bain added, giving me a sad smile.

I sighed sadly, before nodding my head in respect "It's okay, I understand. When will I be taken back?" I asked quietly.

"First thing tomorrow morning. We will sign all the paperwork once we get there, say our goodbyes and then leave you to it." Mr Bain said kindly, but bluntly. Although the two words contradicted each other, that is just the sort of man he was. He was very blunt, but respectful and kind.

"Yes sir, I'll go and pack my things now then." I said placing my hands at my sides as I exited the large marble kitchen.

"Leila, would you like some help?" Mrs Bain called as she came over to the bottom of the stairs smiling kindly at me before I had chance to go up the spiral stair case.

"No, thank you Mrs Bain. I can do it myself." I politely told her giving her a tight lipped smile, before climbing up the stair case and headed towards my assigned room.

I placed my hand on the glass handle and opened the door. I stepped into the room I'd been living in for almost a year and sighed in frustration.

I didn't want to leave and go back to that place! I liked my room, I liked the people I was living with, I liked the shifts they gave me here. I even liked my uniform, it wasn't short and low necked like all the other uniforms my past owners made me wear. The black dress went just above my knees, and I didn't have to wear thigh high stockings and heels around the house. I could just wear my black pumps and be able to do my job comfortably.

I looked around the fairly large room they gave me, it's interior was a light pink colour and the curtains and bedding were a similar color only in a satin material. Everything matched and I had just enough space for everything I needed. I even got my own vanity. Not that I needed it, I only ever did my hair and occasionally put on some lip balm and a little mascara.

This was the best place I had lived ever, I think. There was one family in the past that treat me similarly, but it didn't last long as they couldn't afford to keep me any longer.

I opened my wardrobe up and did what I had done many times before, I threw the clothes I did own into the large bag I owned and took anything meaningful as well. It didn't take me long as I didn't own that much any more. I'd lost things or broken things over the years, and never got chance to replace them.

The only thing I did keep in perfect condition was the necklace I wore around my neck, it was a silver heart with a small sapphire stone in the middle of it. My father bought me it when he was alive. It was my only real memory of him.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at my door.

"Come in." I said immediately, taking my hands off of the necklace I'd subconsciously been fiddling with.

"Hello, Leila." Mrs Bain said as she entered my room.

"Good evening, Mrs Bain." I nodded at her and smiled as I stood up from the chair I ended up sitting on when I had finished packing.

"I told you, you can call me Harriet." she chuckled, she had told me almost every time she spoke to me. I wasn't being obnoxious, I guess I just forgot.

"Sorry Mrs- I mean Harriet." I said sheepishly. See.

"No need to apologise." Mrs Bain, or should I say Harriet, replied.

I smiled at her awkwardly, I didn't know what else to say. She was the one that came into the room not me.

"Uh, oh yes. I just came to let you know that you are off shift for the rest of the night as you should have some time to yourself to prepare for tomorrow." she informed, flattening down her red tight fitting dress.

She was a very pretty woman, she was around the same age as Mr Bain maybe slightly younger and had bright blue eyes. She always dressed in a skirt or dress, and her hair was always preened to perfection. Harriet was also very kind to me. In fact, she was almost like a mother figure to me and treat me well.

"Are you sure? I can tidy up a little more if you'd like. It's not a problem." I offered.

"No, no don't be silly. You have enough to think about, plus this place is never dirty since we got you. It's permanently spotless I'd say." she chuckled, placing a hand on my shoulder.

"Well, thank you Harriet." I smiled at her, and she just looked at me with a sad smile and a look of sympathy on her face.

"Are you going to be okay Leila?" she asked sounding concerned.

"I'll be fine." I lied. I didn't know the answer to that question myself.

"I really am sad to have to let you go sweetie. You have mine and Mr Bain's number if you are ever in need of help, or just need somebody to talk to. I'm sure that if anything...goes wrong," Harriet said all of a sudden sounding serious "Mr Bain will sort it out for you and we will help the best we can." she told me.

I'm sure she was being sincere, but if they lived in England they couldn't do much.

I appreciated her kind remark anyway and smiled "Yes, thank you very much. You guys have been nothing but compassionate to me and I'll be grateful for that for a long time." It was true. I would be very grateful for their kindness.

Harriet's eyes seemed to, shockingly to me, well up with tears that she quickly blinked back and sniffed "You are a wonderful girl Leila, and one day you will get every lovely thing that you deserve. I promise you that right now." she told me, before reaching out to me for a hug.

I inelegantly leant forward and returned her gesture, hugging her back. At first I felt slightly awkward as I wasn't used to this much human contact, but then I felt relaxed and somewhat peaceful.

After a short time, Mrs Bain pulled out of the hug and smiled at me once again.

"I'll leave you to rest, and do whatever it is you need to do." she told me, before walking backwards towards the door.

"Okay. Thank you Harriet, again for everything." I smiled softly at her.

"No, thank you Leila." she started "Good night, sweetie." Mrs Bain said before leaving the room and shutting the door.

"Night." I muttered quietly.

I sighed in content. After that conversation I felt a little better.

I looked at the clock in my room and saw it was only half past eight. Although it was early I decided it would be best to get into my pyjamas and go to bed, as I knew that I'd have a busy day ahead tomorrow.

One that I was dreading.

I threw on my nightgown and brushed my teeth in the en suite I had in my room, before climbing into the double bed that was made up of the softest pillows and sheets ever.

I rested my head on the pillow and went deep through my thoughts, wondering what the next day would hold and how it would turn out for me.

Hopefully well, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't. Life seemed to have it out for me constantly.