Chapter 4 A Call

I tried to warn my best friend Jordan with my eyes, but at that moment he wasn't seeing anything. I didn't want to be the reason for a fight. Fights happened in clubs all the time, but I hated the idea of being the cause of one.

Before things could get worse, I ran toward him. He was already coming my way.

The moment I reached him, I wrapped my arms around him tightly-so tightly it was almost like I was trying to choke him-and kept whispering that I was fine, that he didn't need to break hell loose. I could feel how tense he was, how badly he wanted to storm over and make a scene.

Jordan was more than a friend. He was like a brother to me. He had always protected me, always showed up, and I never wanted to be the reason he got into trouble.

Eventually, he relaxed.

"Didn't I tell you to stay out of trouble?" he said, kissing my forehead and pulling me closer. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I said quickly. "Stop worrying. I could've handled that guy just fine, Mr. Grumpy."

He chuckled softly and finally let me go. I knew what he was about to say-tell me to stop working-but I didn't give him the chance. I turned and hurried back to work before he could start lecturing me.

The rest of the night went smoothly. Men still flirted, still undressed me with their eyes, but none of them tried anything stupid. I made good tips-enough to make me smile. I still hadn't even collected my pay yet.

When the night finally ended, I packed my things and went to thank Jordan. I apologized for any trouble, but he waved it off, calling me his angel like he always did. I invited him to eat with me since it was already past dinner time, but he said he still had work to finish.

After grabbing food, I boarded a bus home, tired but strangely happy. By the time I got to my apartment, it was already 11:45 p.m.

I plated my food, poured enough sauce over my chicken, and ate like I hadn't eaten all day. Halfway through, my phone rang. I didn't even check the caller ID before answering.

"Hello?"

There was a brief pause before a calm, professional male voice spoke.

"Miss Katherine Westbrook?"

My stomach tightened.

"Yes," I replied.

"You are expected at the Vincenzo mansion tomorrow by eight o'clock. Don't be late."

The call ended before I could say a single word.

I froze.

Vincenzo.

That was the place I had applied to work as a maid.

My heart started racing. Was this an interview call? At this hour? I didn't care how late it was or how strange it sounded. All I knew was that this could change everything-good pay, a place to stay, and enough time to focus on school.

I finished my food in record time, washed the plate, and grabbed my phone. I needed to tell someone.

Anna.

I hesitated-it was late-but I called anyway. She picked up after two rings.

"Are you dying?" she asked.

I laughed. "No. Did I wake you up?"

"I wasn't asleep," she said. She sounded tired, not groggy.

I told her everything-the call, the mansion, my excitement, my fears. She reassured me, telling me I'd get the job. By the time we hung up, I felt lighter.

Still, sleep refused to come.

What if I woke up late?

I finally drifted off and woke up before dawn. I was dressed two hours early. I wasn't taking any chances.

By 7:35 a.m., I stood outside the Vincenzo mansion gates. My nerves were on fire. The gate slowly opened, and I stepped in, breathing deeply.

A guard led me inside.

And calling it a mansion was an insult.

It was a castle.

I stared like a child in Wonderland, forcing myself to act normal. The guard stopped at a door, knocked once, and walked away.

"Come in," a male voice called.

As I stepped forward, my foot hit something. I looked down-it was an envelope. When I picked it up, I saw cash inside.

I walked into the office holding it.

A man in a suit, probably in his late thirties sat on a couch. His eyebrow lifted in question.

"Good morning, sir," I said.

He gestured for me to sit. I hesitated, then held out the envelope.

"I found this outside the door. I think it fell from someone."

He didn't take it.

"Sit."

I did.

"Miss Katherine Westbrook?"

"Yes, sir."

"I'll explain your duties. You'll be the boss's personal maid. I'll show you around, and you'll start tomorrow."

My mind blanked.

I got the job?

He explained everything-the background checks, the security, the test. Then he pointed at the envelope.

"Everyone before you failed this test. You returned it. That envelope is your welcome package."

I could barely breathe.

"I'm Henry Ford," he said, shaking my hand. "Manager of the Vincenzo mansion. Congratulations."

The tour was long and exhausting. My duties were clear-his meals, his room, his laundry. Nothing else.

My room was beautiful. On the same floor as the boss.

I went home, packed, and couldn't stop smiling. I called Anna, then Jordan. Both were happy for me-even if Jordan pretended to be annoyed.

That night, I lay in bed smiling.

Tomorrow, my entire life is going to change.

And finally I could leave that horrible past behind.

The horrible past that took everything from me.