Chapter 2 Job loss and heavy rain

The city's air is deteriorating every day. Air pollution is increasing but the number of vehicles and factories is increasing. Land that was once full of trees has now been replaced by high-rise buildings.

Elaria walked under the scorching sun to the inner-city train station. It's not far from the flower shop. It was enough to save money. At this time of the day, the train wasn't too crowded. Many of the seats that were usually full were empty. Elaria could sit and enjoy the train's air conditioning in the heat of the city.

"Do your best, Elaria. Don't disappoint Chinar and Sky."

Every time she wanted to do something. Elaria always said that sentence. She didn't want to disappoint Chinar and Sky who had done so much for her.

When the train stopped at its destination station. Elaria got off. She ran fast enough to reach the exit to the building where she was shooting today. A building with dozens of floors. It was not far from the station. This was Elaria's second time shooting in this building.

"You're late again?" Elaria looked down. She caught her breath.

"Aliston, I'm sorry." Elaria was already running as fast as she could. But she was still late.

"I know why you're not as famous as your classmates. You waste so much time Elaria that you can't even take care of yourself. Look at that sweat. You're disgusting."

Waste of time? Disgusting? Elaria wanted to laugh. Of course she was different from her classmates. They even started out on a different footing. They graduated from a famous modeling school while Elaria started by studying on her own. They traveled in luxury cars while Elaria used public transportation. They had expensive treatments while Elaria only took care of herself modestly. They eat healthy food while Elaria eats anything to stay alive.

"I will not repeat it again."

"Quickly change your clothes. Stop making appointments. This is your last shoot with me. I don't need an incompetent model!"

Elaria nodded without protest. This was not the first time she had been treated like this. No matter how hard Elaria begged and even kowtowed. She still wouldn't be considered.

"Elaria, it's not time to stop. You're too hard on yourself. You're not going to make it."

"Elaria, don't you realize? This is not your place."

"I can't even fathom how he got this project. What kind of way are you flirting with our boss?"

Elaria closed her eyes. This was not the first time Elaria had heard such words from her colleagues. None of them treated her like a human being in this place. They just looked at her as useless trash.

The photo shoot ended at night. Elaria got cursed at a lot. She could only smile until it was all over. The high-class models had already left in their luxury cars to celebrate the day while Elaria had to wait in the lobby until the rain stopped.

Elaria was never invited to dinner.

Elaria looked up at the sky. Again, she could not see the city lights she had dreamed of. Elaria could only stare into the darkness.

Elaria rubbed her arm. The air was getting colder but there was no sign of rain. Breaking through the rain wasn't the right choice either. Elaria would get soaked. The people on the train would stare at her sharply. Elaria would get another kind of scolding.

"What should I do?" Elaria looked back up at the sky filled with darkness.

There was no answer. Elaria only heard the thunder crashing together.

"What should I do?"

Elaria looked around her. The lobby was deserted. Just like her colleagues. People were leaving the building in cars.

"Do you need help?" Elaria gasped. She looked up at the tall man standing beside her. Looking at the clothes the man was wearing. Elaria was sure he wasn't a random person. He was from the upper class.

"Don't trust anyone. You live in the big city of Elaria."

"No, thank you." Elaria looked back up at the dark sky. Trying to ignore the man standing beside her even though the man's scent was quite disturbing to her. Elaria didn't know what expensive perfume the man was using until the smell still lingered even after dark.

"You must have heard many scary stories about this city."

Elaria gasped. She looked at the man beside her.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Let's just say that. Isn't talking to the darkness scary?"

Elaria didn't answer. Elaria hoped the rain would stop soon so she could catch the train and return home.

"Are you sure you don't need help? I don't think the rain will let up until morning." The man looked Elaria up and down. A luxury car stopped in front of them. A man in clothes similar to the man's got out of it while carrying an umbrella.

"Stubbornness won't help you live in a city like this." The man got into the car. Elaria was still silent but her eyes couldn't leave the man. He was seen talking to the umbrella-bearer who Elaria was sure was his personal assistant.

"Mr. Danesh wants you to carry this umbrella. You're lucky to have his help. He rarely cares about others." Elaria stared at the umbrella in the personal assistant's hand. A new umbrella.

"Don't waste your time thinking. You'll fall behind if you keep doing that." Elaria accepted the umbrella. She accepted a stranger's kindness for the first time.

The luxury car drove away from the lobby. Elaria turned her body around. She looked intently at the tall building with dozens of floors.

"Who lives on the highest floor of this building?" Elaria was sure that from the highest floor of this building, she could see the city lights she had dreamed of. This building was in the center of the city. Everything should be visible from the highest floor of this building.

Elaria looked down at the umbrella in her hand. There was no point in thinking too long. Elaria opened the umbrella and ran a little towards the station in the rain that didn't let up.

Elaria managed to protect her clothes from the rain but not her shoes. Her shoes were soaked by splashes from cars and motorcycles. Elaria also accidentally stepped in a puddle while running.

Elaria stood on the platform, waiting for the train that would take her back home. Elaria looked down at the umbrella in her hand. The only good people Elaria knew in her life were Chinar and Sky.

But meeting a man with expensive clothes and expensive perfume and still providing help to her even though Elaria had rejected it seemed impossible. Elaria was used to being ignored all this time.

"Whoever he is, if I meet him again. I will repay his kindness in every way I can." Elaria nodded confidently.

Elaria got into the train that would take her home. Elaria wanted to get home quickly. She was cold.