Chapter 2 The other side of the coin

"No, Olivia, you know you can work on something better and also at the cafeteria," her paranoia surprises me. "Maybe after we left the convent, we weren't lucky enough to study, as both of us had to focus on surviving rather than preparing ourselves as every teenager would have wanted."

Sigh... And that's where my story begins, along with Norma's.

Norma is a charismatic girl, empathetic, and above all, she has a beautiful personality. For her, beauty is everything a woman should have. She's my blonde with green eyes, the one who has refused to have a serious relationship because she thinks I'll die in the process.

Norma insists that I'm the weak one, yes, the one who will die trying. She also claims that I don't have the character to live without her, although I believe that she can't live without me.

For her, loneliness is a bad companion and your enemy, no doubt.

"Norma, it's been eleven years since we left the orphanage, and honestly, it doesn't bother me that neither of us had the opportunity to pursue a career," I let out a sigh as I approach her and embrace her, "the most important thing is that we're together."

No... The only one who didn't study a career was Norma, and not because she didn't want to. It was all because we both had to go out into the world and find a job in order to have a roof over our heads and food for each day.

What Norma doesn't know is that someone came into my life and told me that I can fight even in the most difficult circumstances; one of them is finding a way to learn the basics of mathematics and the strategies that a career can offer you.

He suggested that I study an online degree and emphasized time and again that time is ours and that we're the only ones who can control it. So, I worked, and during breaks, I made sure to study and be a hundred percent efficient. I'm not one to give up, let alone resign myself.

Five years ago, I completed my finance degree while simultaneously becoming part of the clandestine club... The person who encouraged me is the same person who offered me the job of being the Lady of the Night while being the innocent girl during the day who doesn't break a single plate.

"We are together because we refuse to let a family separate us," she protested.

"We are together because we both love each other and have what no one else can have," I whispered near her ear before giving her a kiss on the cheek. "We are not the kind of women who get discouraged by not having a career. We are women who only look forward and not at what others have," a soft and sweet voice came out of me. "The cookies and what Mrs. pays me are enough," I emphasized after stepping away from her a bit. "Honey, I know you want one of those dresses that fit your perfect body," I pointed to the closet again.

"You're right, Olivia. The customers love the cookies, and let me tell you that in five hours." She extends her right hand and a huge smile appears on her face, "they want twice the usual order."

Wow... That means I'll be sleeping less than expected, but I can hurry up and make the usual quantity I make every day. Each café asks for a hundred cookies, and they're gone in less than twenty-four hours.

Challenges are my passion, especially when the results are good.

"I'll deliver, but first you have to pick a dress and finish getting ready because you only have an hour left," I warned her.

Aaahhh... It's five-thirty in the morning, and calculating the minutes, I think I have time to prepare breakfast. Plus, Norma starts working at six-thirty because she has to arrive early to open the store.

"I forgot it was my turn to work," she squealed like crazy, "but I'm not in a hurry."

"Don't worry, my love. While you get dressed, I'll go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast for you," I winked at her and decided to leave my room while Norma stayed behind choosing the dress she wanted so badly.

Outside the room, I headed toward where I had left the scattered bags, intending to prepare a delicious breakfast and wait for my friend to leave for work.

After what just happened, there's nothing else to think about. I need to find an apartment and come up with a decent job so that my friend can be happy and think that she doesn't need to be with me. Just a few steps away, I reached the kitchen, placed the bags on the wooden stool, hurried my steps, and rushed to the refrigerator to get fruits and everything else needed to make her an omelette.

"Olivia, don't bother making breakfast," I stop to take the fruits out of the refrigerator and then turn around to see Norma.

"Why?" I ask after closing the refrigerator door.

"Hmmm... It's just that I have," she hesitates. "Oh, well, Alejandro invited me to spend a whole day with his family," she bites her lower lip.

"Oh, I see," I circled the countertop and approached her. "That means it's your day off," I try to sound as excited as possible, so she doesn't notice any indifference.

I'm not bothered that she's going out; it's just that sometimes I feel paranoid that something bad might happen to her. But I'm also glad that she's not cooped up and that she's paying attention to what I do.

"What you don't know is that I won't be back until Monday," she covers her face with her hands. "I'll be away from home all weekend; I hope you don't mind."

"Sweetheart, you don't have to feel bad, let alone doubt," I move her hands away from her face to see those beautiful eyes. "I adore you, and you know that it makes me happy when you get out of these four walls and the daily routine," I give her a big smile.

"Yes... I feel happy because he's introducing me to his family," she jumps with excitement. "Sorry, Olivia, but they're waiting for me," she points to the exit door.

Our apartment is small but comfortable, well-equipped with furniture, two bedrooms each with its own bathroom, a small living room, and a kitchen.

I tell Norma she can leave and not waste any time since she seems to be in a hurry, and I wouldn't want her to regret it. She says goodbye and tells me to take care and not forget to deliver the cookies, or else they'll kill her since she promised double in exchange for her day off.

That sneaky little thing runs off, and the strangest part is that she's carrying a small suitcase, not her entire closet. I don't follow her because I'm really tired and need to sleep for a couple of hours to be productive at night, although I have a feeling, I'll have time after I deliver the cookies. After watching Norma leave, I decide to turn around and take out my mobile phone from one of the bags. I'm going to have a bubble bath, then sleep and set the alarm before I fall completely asleep.

"The master requests that you arrive one hour early."

I look at my phone, and I'm surprised when I see a message from the boss.

Why so much insistence? What importance could the guest have that he needs my presence? I roll my eyes and let out a snort, truth be told, I don't like this, and I have a feeling that this guest will bring me trouble.

Normally, the club opens four times throughout the week, but my presence has to be there every day because, on the days when the club is closed, another important business is taken care of, as much for the club as for the boss...

The club is the gateway to meetings, games, and pleasures.

+

It's ten o'clock at night, and punctually, I step inside the club. With a confident stride, I enter and greet the security men with a half-smile and a simple "good evening," enough to end the greeting.

"Welcome, Lady Clarke." Ponky makes an appearance and unsettles me with the nervousness in his voice.