Chapter 2 Episode 2

The sound of the alarm woke Viona from her sleep at five in the morning. She would start her work today, so she had to wake up early because she had to catch the subway to get to her workplace, which was an hour away.

She took out cereal from the storage and got milk from the refrigerator. She chose cereal for breakfast for practicality. It wouldn't take a long time, especially when she had to tidy up her apartment before leaving for work.​​

After she finished getting ready, Viona went to the subway on foot along with other workers who left for the city. She should have stayed near her workplace to save time, but because she had already paid rent for one year, Viona inevitably had to wake up every morning to catch the train.

There were not so many passengers on the trains so that Viona could rest for a while before starting work. After traveling for forty-five minutes, finally, Viona got off at the station near her workplace.

"Ok Vio, you can do it!" Viona said to herself when she came out of the underground station, trying to encourage herself.

Several workers and students were seen passing by in front of the station. As the capital, of course, Ottawa was a very busy city and was the main attraction for people to try their luck here. This was also the reason why Viona chose to find a job here.

"Morning, Madame," Viona said gently to Mrs. Lauren, the owner of the laundry where she worked.

"Oh, you've come on time. Great. Come on in," said Mrs. Lauren flatly.

Mrs. Lauren unlocked her laundry shop with Viona's help. Soon, the shop was opened successfully. Viona immediately went inside to turn on the lights and air conditioning so that the air was not too stuffy.

Viona had learned what to do before customers arrive. Mrs. Lauren smiled when she saw that her new employee was quite skilled and diligent.

When it was noon, customers came one by one to wash their clothes at the laundry where Viona worked. She deftly served her customers' requests when asking for detergent or a basket for clothes.

Working in a place like this really required a strong physique. Fortunately, Viona was used to doing physical work while she was still living in the orphanage so this job wasn't too hard for her.

"This is for you, Vio," said Mrs. Lauren quietly as she handed over two sandwiches to Viona.

"Thank you, Madame," Viona replied gratefully.

Viona and Mrs. Lauren enjoyed lunch when there were not too many customers.

"Why do you want to take menial jobs like this, Vio?" asked Mrs. Lauren curiously.

"I need any work that I can do, Madame. Anything legal will do," Viona answered honestly. "I want to make honest money."

"You're still young and beautiful. I could see a lot of male customers were checking out on you," said Mrs. Lauren again.

"Who would want to hire a high school graduate like me, Madame? That's why my options are limited to menial jobs," Viona answered softly.

Mrs. Lauren was speechless when she heard Viona's words, it was indeed very difficult to find a job these days, especially when one had a low education level. Viona quickly enjoyed the sandwich that her boss gave her because she didn't want to make the customers wait.

"I will continue working, Madame," Viona said quietly when she finished finishing her meal.

"Okay."

Viona immediately helped customers who needed her help to get some new baskets. Mrs. Lauren smiled at Viona's enthusiasm. While the girl was working, several people dressed neatly escorted a man wearing a gray coat carrying a bag of clothes.

"Mrs. Lauren, I want this washed in an hour as usual," said the mysterious man dryly.

"Yes, Sir Fernando," replied Mrs. Lauren quickly.

Mrs. Lauren immediately took the bag given by a man named Fernando. It contained a black coat that looked expensive. Mrs. Lauren worked on the clothes herself carefully. Viona just stayed still in her place, at the checkout counter watching the group of people who had just arrived. It wasn't long before the mysterious man's coat was finished. Mrs. Lauren was really doing her job fast and neat.

"This is done, Sir," said Mrs. Lauren, handing him the coat.

"Thank you," replied the man. He handed her 100 dollars.

The man stepped out, leaving the laundry followed by his bodyguards. He took the time to glance at Viona, who had been watching him. Viona shuddered as she thought how the man smirked when she saw him.

"Who was that man, Madame?" Viona asked curiously when the laundry was quiet.

"Which man? The customers here are mostly male Vio," replied Mrs. Lauren quickly as she counted the money.

"The man with four bodyguards who came only to wash one coat," said Viona again.

"Oh, that's Sir Fernando. He is the nation's husband of 2020," said Mrs. Lauren coquettishly. "He is rich! However, he liked to come here in person to have his clothes washed every day. I think he would change into them for the day."

"Really? How weird."

"Yeah... rich people are sometimes weird like that. But hey, it's more money for us, right?"

Mrs. Lauren then started gossiping to Viona about who Fernando was. The man was apparently a single father to a little girl. Nobody knew who the mother of his child. His family hid the woman's identity tightly.

"I don't understand why he hid the child's mother. Are they not married?" asked Viona in response to her boss's story.

"I have no idea. I never dared to ask him," said Mrs. Lauren.

***

At 7 pm, the laundry was closed. Mrs. Lauren handed over the duplicate key to Viona.

"Be careful on the way home, Vio," said Mrs. Lauren when parting with Viona in front of the station.

"Thank you, Madame. See you tomorrow," Viona replied with a smile as she waved her hand at Mrs. Lauren.

Viona continued her journey into the station to wait for the train to arrive. Today, her job was not too tiring but she wanted to get to her apartment immediately because she wanted to rest. After waiting for almost twenty minutes, the train she was waiting for finally arrived.

The train was quite full because many students came home after playing cricket. People could see it from their big bags. Viona stood beside the pole because there were no empty seats. Shortly, there was a male student who gave his seat to Viona. They talked for a long time. He asked for Viona's cellphone number but she was reluctant to give it.

Finally, she chose to give the name of her social media account so they could communicate with each other.

"Thank you, Andrew. I get off at this station," said Viona sweetly to her new friend, Andrew.

"Tonight, we can continue our conversation, right?" Andrew asked, looking serious.

"Ok. I have to go now," said Viona with a smile.

Some of Andrew's friends were teasing him when Viona got off the train. Andrew waved his hand as the train doors closed.

"Vio!!"

A man suddenly called from behind Viona.

"Hey, Lexi," said Viona in shock when she saw the person who called her.

"You just got home? Let's go for a walk together," said Lexi. "I live in the same apartment as you."

The man smiled mysteriously.

"You live in the same apartment as me? Since when?" Viona asked in surprise.

"Starting today. I entered my new apartment this morning. Your unit is number 6002, right? My place is number 6010," replied Lexi quickly.

"That means we are neighbors," said Viona spontaneously. Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. Why would Lexi move to her building all of a sudden?

"Yes, so let's go home now. It's getting cold," said Lexi to Viona. The girl nodded and walked with Lexi to her apartment. Her head was full of questions.

Lexi stopped in front of Viona's unit. He hoped Viona would invite him in.

"It's already late. I'll rest now. You too have school tomorrow, right?" said Viona when she opened the door to her room.

"Ok, you should rest. If you need anything, just knock on my room," said Lexi, trying to touch Viona's cheek.

"Ugh.. please don't..." Viona snapped, avoiding Lexi's touch.

Lexi smiled at Viona's rejection. He then opened his flat and entered. Meanwhile, Viona, who was still standing in front of her unit, had stopped her activities when she was about to enter her passkey when she realized Lexi was watching her.

Viona quickly entered the code to her unit then entered and locked it with double security.

"I know what kind of person you are, Lexi. I don't trust you staying here," Viona said to herself. She knew Lexi was a playboy who often changed women. He would not let go of his potential victims easily.

"Mother, please, take care of me from up there," Viona prayed silently as she closed her eyes.

Viona continued her activities as usual. She got up early to get ready for work and caught the morning train. She deliberately woke up early because she wanted to quickly get out of her apartment to avoid Lexi who lived in front of her unit exactly.

Viona briskly walked down the stairs in the underground station to wait for the train to come. She chose to sit on a chair while enjoying a slice of sandwich she had made. Some people seem to have started arriving to board the same train as Viona.​​

Soon, Viona's train arrived. She quickly tidied up her jacket and then stood at the train's entrance with other people who were already queuing.

"Vio," said a man behind Viona while standing on the train.

"Andrew," Viona said softly. It was the student she met yesterday.

Andrew invited Viona to sit back on his chair. He chose to stand in front of Viona. Some of his friends got acquainted with the girl. They took turns shaking Viona's hand.

"Go to your seat. Don't bother Vio," Andrew scolded irritably when he saw his friends bother Viona.

"Yes, yes," they replied in unison.

Viona laughed at her new friends. Andrew finally managed to force Viona to exchange cellphone numbers with him. With a sweet smile, Viona said goodbye to Andrew when she got off the train.

"See you again, Friends. Thank you, Andrew, for the seat," said Viona sincerely.

"It's ok, Vio," Andrew replied curtly.

Viona got off the train while Andrew and his friends still had to continue their journey. She smiled as she waved her hand at her new friends.

"It's only 7 am. The laundry is open at eight. I still have time," Viona said softly while looking at her watch.

Viona sat in a chair in front of the station while continuing her breakfast. Several doves flew around her after she threw a few pieces of bread.

RING...

Suddenly her cellphone rang.

"Vio, have you gone to the laundry?" Mrs. Lauren's voice rang from the other end of the phone.

"Yes, Madame. I've arrived at the station near the laundry," Viona replied politely.

"I will take a day off today. I am feeling unwell. Can you handle the laundry yourself?"

"Yes, I can, Madame. Get well soon Madame. Don't forget to take the medicine," said Viona, hung up her phone.

Viona rushed to the laundry because she would be very busy today without Mrs. Lauren's presence. She quickly opened the door and entered the shop without flipping the OPEN sign on the glass because it was not store opening hours yet. Viona quickly prepared her laundry needs and large baskets near the cashier table.

After working for almost an hour, finally, Viona finished with store preparations. Not too long after, Viona flipped the OPEN sign, and one by one, the customers came. She deftly served them, some customers asked Viona where she was.

"Uff, finally I can eat," Viona muttered to herself. At 2 pm, usually, there were not too many customers so Viona could take the opportunity to take a short break.

Viona enjoyed the hotdog she ordered at the shop next door. Because it was hot, Viona ate it slowly, and she used a knife and fork. When Viona was eating, she didn't realize someone was watching her. The man smirked when he saw Viona enjoying her lunch.

"Are you done, Miss?" Asked a man, startling Viona.

"Oh, Sir," Viona shrieked in surprise when she saw the figure of Fernando standing in front of her.

"Sorry for making you wait," Viona said nervously as soon as she finished her lunch.

"It's ok, I've only been waiting for ten minutes," Fernando sarcastically quipped Viona. She regretted her mistake. She shouldn't make customers wait.

"Sorry, Sir," Viona said regretfully.

"Ok, this time I forgive you. Now, wash this jacket." Fernando handed over a bag containing his expensive jacket.

"Yes, Sir," Viona replied quickly.

Viona immediately brought Fernando's jacket to the washing machine. She slowly checked the pockets of the expensive jacket, she found several dollar bills. Viona quickly approached Fernando, who sat watching her.

"Excuse me, Sir," Viona said softly as she put three hundred dollar bills on the table.

"Oh yeah, I forgot, thanks," said Fernando briefly, smiling when he saw Viona's honesty. Even though he deliberately put several bills in his jacket pocket.

Viona then continued her work carefully. Mrs. Lauren had told hers that when she was washing Fernando's stuff, she had to be careful because the price of one piece of Fernando's clothes was worth two years' of her salary.

"It's finished, Sir," said Viona quietly when she finished her work.

"Good, you seem to be quick and good at this too," Fernando replied. His eyes looking at Viona's neck. It was streamed with sweat and she looked exhausted.

Feeling that someone was staring at her made Viona nervous. She quickly returned to the cashier counter. Fernando pursed his lips at Viona's behavior.

"That's your pay," said Fernando dryly. Not long after, he left the laundry with his men.

Viona saw the three hundred dollar bill on the table. She took the money and put it in the safe. Viona continued her work without realizing that someone was watching her from outside. It was the man who had been watching her work. He smirked deviously.

"I'll get you tonight, Vio," the mysterious man muttered to himself.

"Akhhh... finally, it's done," shrieked Viona as she stretched her arms.

Today, the shop was much busier than usual. Viona quickly locked up the laundry then walked towards the underground station to return home.

Winter had started in Ottawa, so many people wanted to return home immediately. They seem to rush to the station like Viona. Not long after Viona arrived at the platform, from a distance she could see the train coming quickly. Viona entered the carriage with people who were heading in the same direction as her.

"It is so cold tonight," Viona said to herself after exiting the underground station. Viona strode to her apartment. She wanted to immediately warm herself with a glass of hot chocolate in her room.

"Who do I suddenly feel uncomfortable?" Viona thought when she saw the condition of her apartment. Somehow it looked much quieter than usual. For some reason, she felt very uncomfortable tonight.

When she was about to enter the code for her door, suddenly, Viona was choked from behind by someone. The man pulled her to the unit in front of her apartment.

"Lexi," screamed Viona in shock when she saw Lexi's figure. The man covered her mouth and pulled her into his unit.

"What do you want!!!! STOOOPPPP!!" shouted Viona in panic. She already saw hoe Lexi's room was very messy and smelled of liquor.

"I want you," replied Lexi with a smile. "You have to be my woman tonight before another man can taste your body... hahahaha," Lexi let out a creepy laugh.

Viona took her steps back to the wall because she was afraid to see Lexi's expression.

"Don't be afraid, Darling. Come here. I'll show you the worldly pleasure... haha," said Lexi in his deep voice.

"Don't do this, Lexi... Please, I beg you," Viona cried when she realized the danger in front of her eyes. She tried to keep herself away from Lexi's embrace.

"I'll teach you, Honey," Lexi smirked.

Lexi grabbed Viona's shirt. It was torn when the man pulled it apart mercilessly.

"Lexi... nooo, hmmmph ..."

Viona did not have time to finish her words because Lexi had claimed her lips violently.

Lexi's hand also started groping Viona's well-endowed breasts roughly. He ignored Viona's kick in his leg. Under Lexi's confinement, Viona was unable to move. She tried to get away from Lexi. Viona desperately tried to grab Lexi's hair to get his face away from her neck.

"Ahh Lexi, no, it hurts. Please stop..." Viona shouted in panic while enduring pain because Lexi was licking and sucking on her neck. However, Lexi, who was already controlled by lust, ignored Viona's cries of pain.

Viona's tears streamed down her face and cold sweat pouring down her body. Lexi was really good at handling women. He grabbed her hands and pressed them above her head. He held them tightly with only his left hand while his right hand began to unfasten her pants.

"Let me go," Viona tried to scream. However, she was unable to make a loud voice because Lexi didn't let her lips off.

"You will be my woman tonight, Honey," whispered Lexi softly in Viona's ear. The girl shook her head. She was trembling.

Viona was very scared when she heard Lexi's words. She tried to release her hand from Lexi's grasp. Finally, Viona managed to pull out her right hand. She quickly grabbed an object on the table.

BAM

There was the sound of a lamp post hitting Lexi's head. Apparently, Viona managed to pull Lexi's night lamp and hit Lexi's head with it.

"Damn it," Lexi screamed in pain, blood gushing from his temples.

Viona took the opportunity. Finally, she managed to open Lexi's door and ran outside with her clothes were already messy. Some kiss marks were visible on her neck and around her chest. She ran barefooted away from her apartment.

"Please help me," Viona flagged a car down in panic.

The owner of the car pulled over and he lowered the window and showed his face to Viona.

"Sir Fernando!!!" shouted Viona loudly. "Help me, Sir, I beg you."

Viona cried and she begged the man to help her.