Chapter 3 Nina has changed

CHAPTER THREE

NINA HAS CHANGED

LAUREN'S POV

"Oh you look like a mess," Nina peeled me away from her body pegging her nose staring at me with a tinge of disgust in her eyes.

"You reek too. Where have you been and what has life done to you?" She asked me shaking her head sideways with disappointment.

"I just had the worst two days of my life, Nina, i'm exhausted and all i need right now is rest.'' I sank into the couch sighing sadly.

"No, no, no..." she rushed me, pulling me up almost immediately.

"Shower before my couch starts smelling like you." She pointed to the direction of the shower which I was well acquainted with.

I smiled weakly and she gave me a gentle encouraging pat on the back.

Nina is my friend, and we have been best friends for as long as i can remember, at this moment it felt like she is the only one that can accept me without queries, after what happened in the office.

"Go cool off, okay." Her soft caring voice warmed my heart causing me to smile softly, I nodded and moved towards the shower, at the corner, the side of my eyes caught Nina rushing for perfume to spray the room.

That was weird, did I stink that bad?

I sniffed myself but didn't notice any bad smell coming from me, Well Nina is a clean freak so her reaction is somewhat understandable.

I wandered off and went into the shower, The cool water helped me cool down a lot and by when I was done bathing, Nina gave me her own clothes but there was nothing she owned that was not super revealing, so in the end, I wore bum shorts and an old polo she had forgotten about.

We sat back in the living room, she served me a plate instant noodles which is surprising because Nina loved to cook.

"You didn't cook today?" I voiced out, unable to lock my curiosity in.

"Oh no," she responded from the where she sat.

"Any problem?" She added with a corked brow.

"No," I replied, choosing to ignore it, it didn't matter either ways.

"I'm watching my weight, you see." She said awkwardly, as she scratched her hair with a flushed face.

"You look like a broom stick Nina. Every girl needs some flesh." I answered seeing no need for dieting again.

She scoffed, rolling her eyes.

"Easy for you to say, you have got hips, girls like me need to be slim to look good."

Her Anorexia Nervosa was back again, I thought.

"Well, Enough about me, what happened to you, really?"

I heaved sadly.

"That deal, dad eventually took it and just like I had suspected, they were thieves. They took everything, Dad went bankrupt. I have been trying to raise the money for him to kick start the business. But I got sacked today"

"Sacked?!" Her eyes opened wide with shock.

"Why? you earned that job. They said job security, I read that stuff with you," she explained in disbelief.

"Well you can see that it just for the paper. I don't want to talk about it right now. I just want to rest," I closed my eyes, resting my head on the couch.

"What about settling your dad's debt?" she asked with a hint of desperation in her voice. At least that what I thought I noticed.

"I know. I know everyone is depending on me to fix this, but what do I do, Nina. I have tried my best, but at the moment i am just tired."

She went silent after that forcing me to look her way, and when she noticed my gaze, she forced a smile at me.

"I know but why did they fire you. Something must have happened."

"I don't know why. All I know is that yesterday, our department manager molested me even going as far as trying to rape me. And today, I was sacked. And guess what, he got promoted instead. He is going to be manger of a new branch soon." I said dryly feeling devastated remembering what happened.

"Didn't you report, You know, tell them what happened?" She inquired causing me to sigh.

"I did, I went straight to the manager's office and I reported what happened, you know what they did?" i said unable to hide the disgust in my voice.

She shook her head indicating no.

"They laughed. They freaking laughed. I was almost forced upon by a maniac and they thought it was funny. The stupid Mr. Ganes was there too and he laughed too."

Nina eyes were fixed in me in bewilderment.

"Crap, that sucks. But you... maybe you should have not been so head strong."

I raised an eyebrow and looked back at her again.

"What did you say?" My voice was stern.

"I mean," she tried to pick the pieces of my trust she was breaking.

"I meant, you know how these men can be. I mean they like girls you know. You should have at least accepted. Maybe not the forced one but you know, I mean I bet he wants just a one time thing. Its not like it's your first time or anything. It's would ju..."

I was staring wide eyed at her. The bullshit she was blurting out.

"Wait is it... are you still a virgin?"

I nodded.

She scoffed and seemed to recollect herself because her words became tender like the Nina I knew before.

"Well, I'm glad you didn't yield, those sick twisted men, I'm sorry about what I said, i just felt bad for your situation and all. I got a little bit frustrated, you know us who don't have a job, talk more of one as high paying as your, it's just a bit... em,"

"No need to explain. I am not upset. You are right. I should have tried harder to keep my job although I don't want to ever do it that way," I said weakly.

"Yh exactly," she spoke cheerfully.

Silence fell for a while before I broke into it

"I need a job desperately, Nina. I have to pay Father's debt before those loan sharks come after him."

"You are really in need right?" She asked in a strange way.

"Yes I am. I will do anything Right now. I don't want to be the disappointment Madison is always saying I am." I breath shook, I was about to cry again.

Nina got up from the cushion and went inside. She stayed a little while and then came out.

She walked to me and waved a card on my face.

I sat up and took it.

"The job pays well. Two million per night."

My jaw dropped.

'Shit, that was my entire salary for eight years'

"What kind of job is this?" I looked directly at her. She threw her eyes away.

"It's a hostess work. Some billionaires throwing a party. You just need to serve wine and entertain guests. I have done before but they only accept you once. They don't allow the same set of persons to come again." She said it proudly.

"This sounds like prostitution."

"Oh, please, do I look like a prostituted to you? A hostess just serves okay. It's like working at a bar. And frankly, I am a bar girl by the way before you start thinking am selling you off for prostitution," she said in disgust.

"But still... "

"You know what," she stood up Immediately.

"You asked me for help and I have given you all the help I can. I am your friend and I would only want the best for you and that's what I have done. If you like take the job or drop it. Am sure you will always find a good option before... I don't know, three days from now when your father's loan become due for pay back."

And she stormed out of the room before I could say anything.

My eyes went back to the card. What on earth do I do.

I pondered on it for hours eventually I decided. I picked up my phone and dialed the number.

"My name is Lauren. I was giving a card concerning a programme you are holding and I will like to accept the job.''