Chapter 1 Caught in between 1

VALERIA'S POV

"Mama, I'm heading out to work now," I said, reaching for my small waist bag hanging on the wall. My sick mother looked up at me with concern etched on her face, her voice weak but laced with worry. "Mija, try to find another job, I don't like this late-night work of yours. It's not safe." This wasn't the first time she had expressed her concerns, but I knew she couldn't help but fret.

I tucked the blanket around her, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, Mama, everything will be alright. I have to work extra hours to make ends meet. You know Papa doesn't contribute much. His priorities are...elsewhere." I tried to keep my tone neutral, not wanting to dwell on my father's shortcomings.

"I will be fine, and I will make sure to take care of everything. Just remember to take your medication by ten, okay?"

I leaned down and gently pecked her forehead, as she nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "See you soon, Mama," I whispered, trying to leave her with a sense of reassurance. As I turned to leave, her eyes followed me, filled with a mix of worry and trust. I smiled back, hoping to alleviate her concerns, before heading out into the night.

My mother, once the glue that held our family together, had been struggling to cope. The loss of my younger brother in a tragic hit-and-run accident a year ago had devastated her, and she had turned to drinking as a way to numb the pain. Now, her health had begun to fail her, and she had been diagnosed with renal failure. Her medical expenses were astronomical, and I found myself working tirelessly to make ends meet.

My mama's illness had been a crushing weight on my shoulders for three long months. The diagnosis of renal failure had turned our lives upside down. At almost 21, I found myself working tirelessly, day and night, just to keep up with the mounting medical expenses and her dialysis sessions. The financial strain had taken a toll on me, forcing me to make impossible choices.

One of the most heart-wrenching decisions I made was leaving my two-year-old son, Mateo, at the orphanage. Tears still pricked at the corners of my eyes whenever I thought about it. I visited him every week, trying to make up for the time we spent apart, but it wasn't the same as having him by my side. His father had gotten me pregnant right after high school and then denied any responsibility. He even told me to abort whatever I had growing in my tummy. His denial left me to navigate the challenges of single motherhood alone.

With Mama's condition worsening, it became impossible for me to care for Mateo on my own. The orphanage was a safe haven, but every visit felt like a painful reminder of the sacrifices I had to make. My mama, who had always been my rock, was now bedridden and unable to help with Mateo's care. The weight of it all felt suffocating at times, but I refused to give up, driven by the determination to provide for my family and nurse my mama back to health.

My father's downward spiral began years ago when he was duped in a business deal, leaving him financially strained and emotionally defeated. Since then, he has become increasingly frustrated, and his behavior has deteriorated. He had taken to drinking and gambling, recklessly betting away what little was left of his small business, leaving our family to pick up the pieces.

By day, I served food at Leo's restaurant, and by night, I worked at Infinity's Club, pouring drinks and trying to make a living. Despite my best efforts, it seemed like every dime I earned was sucked up by Mama's medical bills. The weight of it all was crushing me, and I often felt like I was drowning in a sea of responsibility.

I wiped away my tears, taking a deep breath as I reminded myself not to get bogged down by pain and worries. Instead, I focused on finding the strength to keep going, holding onto the hope that things would eventually get better. As the bus approached the stop near Infinity Club, I pressed the button, and just as we came to a halt, I heard a familiar voice call out, "Infinity stoppers are here!"

I turned around with a smile, my eyes meeting Maria's warm gaze. We had become friends during my time working at the Infinity Club, bonding over our late-night shifts and the challenges that came with them. Maria was a kind and understanding person, always ready to lend a listening ear or offer words of encouragement. As a waitress, she was a staple at the club, but occasionally, she would fill in as a stripper if one of the regular performers was absent. Her versatility and work ethic earned her respect from both colleagues and patrons alike.

"Hey, girl!" Maria said, her voice brightening my mood. I smiled back, feeling a sense of camaraderie with her. Her friendly demeanor has always lifted my spirits.

"Hey, girlfriend, what's up?" I asked as the bus stopped. I'm very fine, girlfriend, just like always." Her voice was cheerful and sweet. She responded with a light smile. "But you don't seem okay to me. What's up?"

I tried to brush off my little build-up tears. "I'm okay," I said, not wanting to burden her with my worries. As we alighted and started walking towards the club, the evening air seemed to vibrate with energy. It was almost 8 pm, and we had to quicken our pace to clock in on time.

"I guess you went to your sister's, that is why you were coming from my side of the road." I changed the conversation. She nodded and brought the conversation back. I guess she noticed my red eyes and asked with concern, "Val, you are crying again. How is your mama doing?" I hesitated, not wanting to revisit my troubles, and fabricated a response. "I'm fine, and Mama's doing better. I just miss my baby." Maria's expression softened, and she wrapped her arm around my neck in a supportive gesture. "I understand, sweetie. Just hang in there, everything will work out fine." Her words were like a balm to my frazzled nerves, and I smiled, feeling a glimmer of relaxation.

As we approached the club's back entrance, my gaze wandered to a figure leaning against a car nearby. He seemed engrossed in a phone call, and for a moment, our eyes met. I felt a jolt of recognition, but the lighting wasn't bright enough for me to be certain. He stared a bit but didn't show any sign of recognizing me. "Valeria, do you know him?" Maria asked, noticing my gaze. I composed myself, trying to play it cool. "He seems a bit familiar, but it can't be. He has been out of the country for a long time." I shrugged, pushing the thought aside as we entered the club.