Chapter 2 One.

Amber Carter

The alarm clock rings and along with the shrill sound I hear banging on the door waking me up in acts of desperation, I jump out of bed with my hair falling in my face, I feel the sun illuminate my face.

"Girl, you're going to be late again!"

"I woke up!" I yell to Mistress Carolina, clamoring for her to stop pounding on the wood.

I get up from bed and look at the damn clock, turn off the alarm clock and still sleepy I drag my body towards the bathroom. After doing my hygiene and taking a nice cold shower I go back to the room and put on my uniform, when I look at myself in the mirror and make sure I was ready I leave the room, as soon as I open the door I smell freshly brewed coffee by the preciousness of my life.

"Good morning, Ms. Carolina." I approach her and kiss her cheek.

If it wasn't for her, I would be living on the streets, I wouldn't have a bed and much less a job where I can support us without any problems.

"Good morning, green eyes, how did you sleep?"

"Very well." I move around the kitchen preparing my coffee.

"Will Bianca be stopping by today?" he asked me.

"Regrettably not, I'll be paying for a bus to work today."

"Oh, too bad, but well..." I warn you that I won't be sleeping at home today.

"Not that it's any of my business, but where are you going?"

"Of course it is your business Amber, I consider you my daughter and that is why I am telling you."

"I consider you very much, too, like a mother."

"I'll sleep at one of my friends' houses, tomorrow we're going on a cruise."

"Cruise?"

"Yes."

"Oh! Okay, have fun."

She looks at me with clenched, worried eyes, she moves closer to me and takes my hands.

"I didn't want to leave you home alone."

"I won't be alone, I will have the company of my books."

"You can go with me if you want."

"You know I can't, I have work."

"Sleep at a friend's house then."

"You've known me for a long time, you know I don't sleep at friends' houses."

"I see I'm dealing with an old time woman."

"I just enjoy my good old company, there's nothing better than that."

I walk out of that conversation and face the clock, my eyes widen and quickly in hurried steps I walk to the door, in my hands is the purse I always carry to work.

"I take it once I get home, I won't find you, right?" I ask before leaving.

"Absolutely right! You can bring a boyfriend if you want."

"My boyfriend is my job."

She smiles and speaks:

"Good answer, he bankrolls you."

"Exactly."

I walk in hurried steps through her busyness at that time of the morning, I approach the bus stop and again face the clock on my wrist, for the third time this week I will be late for work, my deep sleep is to blame. A few minutes deciding whose fault it was, the bus approaches and I face the crowded bus that was already there, it was either face it or walk, the second suggestion is out of the question.

"You're late, fifteen minutes ago!"

My boss exclaims with a startled look on his face, I pass him and walk down the hallway until I reach the staff area.

"I'm sorry, my alarm clock didn't go off, I'm sorry."

"Spare me your excuses, go to work!"

I quickly get out of his sight and head to the booth putting my belongings away, after putting on my apron and gloves I head to the counter, the cafeteria was packed as early as eight in the morning.

I work in a cafeteria in a soccer arena, every day this place is crowded, I am surprised by the people who are always visiting and enjoying the culture, especially the men, what we see most around here. Here was the only place where I found work, it was either that or be a maid, which I was not very good at.

Dona Carolina helped me find this job, everything I have is thanks to her, she was the one who helped me as soon as I left the orphanage, yes, I grew up in an orphanage in the north of now where I live, it was a simple orphanage, we lived on charity, mainly from well-known and wealthy people. When I turned eighteen the caretakers warned me that it was time to leave, as soon as I passed through the big gates I found myself alone in a world I didn't know, I had no employee, no money to buy food, I was alone.

In the first days it was difficult for me, no one wanted to hire a dirty girl with unkempt hair. The day I met Dona Carolina I helped her with the groceries to her house, she sympathized with me, without thinking she offered me a room in her house, when I heard that offer I saw her in angel's clothing. Dona Carolina is a middle-aged widow, has no children and lived alone, she was sent by God to me.

"Miss, are you taking my order?

"I'm sorry, what did you say?

"I asked if you are taking my order" I face a teenage girl.

After delivering her order I see Bianca approach me, she quickly asks for her deck partner:

"How are you, Mistress Carolina?"

"Fine, she asked for you today."

"She can't live without me, I think I'll stop by later to visit her."

"You'll waste your time."

"You won't find her at home, she left for a cruise."

"Um... Interesting! Are you home alone?"

"Yes, but I don't intend to take advantage of it."

"And why not? We can call some boys and have a game night."

"I'm not in the mood, I'll enjoy her absence with books and contemplating the silence."

"Okay, enjoy the solitude."

"Thank you, that's very important to hear from you" I speak with a voice laden with debauchery.

We end that conversation and go back to work, I started to notice the customers' requests, some were kind and nice, others were rude and always had mischievous looks, many looked at me like a piece of meat, charlatans were frequent at work. I always ignored them, although some were insistent in trying to get my number, I always treated them well and did not respond to the harassment.

As soon as I arrived I said goodbye to her and went upstairs, it was 6:00 at night and my only desire was to take a shower and fall into bed.