Enemies by chance, Lovers by choice

AYRA'S POV;

"Ayra, Ayra," a voice pierced through the haze of my sleep.

"Today, aren't you heading to work?" the voice persisted.

"Melissa?" I mumbled, my mind struggling to surface from the depths of slumber. "You're back?" I asked groggily, attempting to stretch.

"Yes, and do you know what time it is?" she pressed, yanking the duvet off me.

"Unless you want Mr. Larsson to dock a day off your roster," she teased, playfully swatting me with a pillow.

After several futile attempts, I finally managed to drag myself out of bed.

"Welcome back. How was the night shift?" I asked as she sat on the bed, preparing to sleep.

"Busy as usual," she replied, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.

"Have you already taken your bath?" I inquired, noticing she was about to lie down.

"Yes. What's the point of working there if you can't at least grab a shower?" she murmured, already drifting towards sleep. "Please, make sure to wake me up at 4 PM. I'm not sure I'll wake up on my own," she requested, her yawn wide and weary.

"Sure, I will," I promised.

"Skipping breakfast?" I asked, but she was already asleep.

I rushed to the bathroom to shower and get ready for work.

My name is Ayra Malik, and I'm twenty-three. The lady fast asleep in the bedroom is Melissa Shawn, my best friend, roommate, and one of my favorite people. She knows almost everything about me, though not quite everything.

We both work at the city's top-rated casino. Melissa prefers the night shift for the extra tips at the underground casino, despite coming home every morning utterly spent. I, on the other hand, work in the hotel section. I'd rather avoid the older men's inappropriate advances-especially the ones old enough to be my father.

After dressing quickly, I left the house, closing the door softly to avoid waking Melissa.

"Morning, Ayra. Ready for work?" greeted Mr. Garrett, our kind landlord, as he tended to his flowers.

"Morning, Mr. Garrett. Had a good night?" I asked, smiling.

"Yes, and you?" he responded as I rummaged through my bag.

"Same," I replied.

Mr. Garrett is a generous man, though his wife is less so. He has three children: two daughters in high school and a young son who still lives at home.

"Mr. Garrett, here's our contribution for this week's water supply," I said, handing him the money.

"Thanks. Have a nice day at work," he wished me as I hurried away.

I rushed to the bus station, where my usual ride awaited.

"Good morning, Mr. Alfred," I greeted the bus driver, a sheepish smile on my face.

"You're always running late, Ayra," he noted with a smile.

I didn't argue; I knew he was right.

Gripping the sturdy bus handle for support, I stood among the crowd. The bus was always packed as we headed to work in the affluent part of town. Most of us held menial jobs-drivers, cleaners, nannies-roles that kept us in the lower echelons of society.

As soon as we arrived at the bus station, I bid Mr. Alfred a quick goodbye and hurried off. The walk from the bus station to my workplace was a kilometer long, a factor that often made me late.

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I felt the weight of the day ahead as I approached the towering edifice of Eclipse Edge Casino. The vibrant energy of the bustling establishment infused me with a sense of anticipation.

"Good morning, Ayra," Collins, one of the receptionists, greeted with a playful grin. "Welcome to Eclipse Edge Casino, Ma'am. How may we assist you today?" His cheerful demeanor added warmth to the bustling casino lobby.

"Collins, let me be. I'm already late," I said with a hurried smile, heading towards the changing room.

"Ayra, always in a rush," Mr. Larsson, head of the cleaning department, remarked.

"Sorry, Sir," I replied, knowing I couldn't keep making excuses.

"The occupant of room fifty-two just checked out. Go clean up," he instructed before turning to leave, whistling as he scanned the building.

"Good morning, Sir," Collins greeted him respectfully.

"Morning, Collins," he replied in a somewhat bossy tone. "Did you prepare the bill correctly for the guest who just checked out?" he asked, his tone expectant.

"Not at all, Sir," Collins assured him confidently.

"Good," Mr. Larsson replied, ascending the stairs.

I couldn't help but smile. Despite being only the head of the cleaning department, Mr. Larsson often acted as if he wielded more authority. It wasn't his place to question the billing, yet he felt the need to assert himself. Quite amusing, isn't it?

I swiftly changed into my uniform, secured my apron, donned my black shoes, and gathered my cleaning supplies before heading out.

AYRA'S POV

"Phew, I'm utterly exhausted," I murmured, my hand finding solace on the reception counter.

"Sorry about that. So, how many condoms did you pack today?" Collins asked, moving nearer.

"That I shan't say. That's is against the clients confidentiality according to section one of page two of Eclipse edge Casino regulations" I joked.

"I figured you wouldn't spill," he remarked, stating the obvious.

"Time seems to drag on forever. I'm already fatigued and wished to go now," he groaned, slumping into his chair.

"Speaking of time, could you tell me what time it is?" I asked him.

"Quarter past four," he promptly answered, glancing at his wristwatch.

"Oh my goodness, Melissa will be furious," I exclaimed, quickly dialing her number.

"Melissa, it's already four," I informed her.

"It's actually a quarter past four, Ayra," she corrected me.

"I'm terribly sorry, it completely slipped my mind," I admitted.

"Work was incredibly hectic," I added.

"No worries, I'm already up," she reassured me.

"Wait, don't tell me Martin came and woke you up?" I asked, feeling a pang of annoyance.

"Yes, he did, and now I'm cooking for him," she confirmed.

"Alright, catch you later," I said as I ended the call.

Martin can be quite bothersome sometimes. Despite knowing that Melissa was on a night shift, he still had the audacity to wake her up and ask her to cook for him.

He's selfish at times, I thought to myself as I leaned against the counter.

"Ayra, shouldn't you be attending to tasks instead of loitering at the reception?" Mr. Larson queried.

"I've just finished room two hundred and one, Sir," I replied, standing upright.

"You're not here to idle and chat. Go, find something productive to do," he instructed.

"Go to the ironing room and tally the number of bedsheets," he ordered.

I wanted to protest that it wasn't part of my job description, but out of fear of losing my job, I meekly complied.

Upon reaching the laundry room, I immediately began playing music on my phone while counting the bedsheets.

Midway through, my phone rang, disrupting my playlist.

"Hello?" I answered.

"I'll get your money, please don't sell it, I beg you," I pleaded, placing a hand on my forehead.

"Please, once I get paid again, I'll send your money," I promised.

"You'd better," the voice warned before ending the call.

"Ayra, what are you doing here? You're supposed to have closed by now," Melissa's voice sounded from the doorway.

"I'm tallying the number of bedsheets available," I informed her.

"I don't understand, since when did logistics become part of the cleaning department's duties?" she questioned.

"I have no clue," I responded, turning towards her at the door.

"Are you alright? You seem a bit off," she observed.

"Just a slight headache. I believe I'll feel better after a shower at home," I lied.

"Alright," she replied, though her expression betrayed her skepticism.

"You must have arrived much earlier, considering the change of attire," I remarked, eyeing her white shirt and printed black skirt.

"Yes, what else can one do with a demanding boyfriend like mine?" she replied cheerfully.

"What can I say, my friend is truly in love," I smiled as we exited the laundry room.

"Oh, darn," I muttered under my breath upon seeing Collins waiting at the reception. He had also finished for the day.

"Hey, are you done?" he inquired, scanning me from head to toe.

"Um, yes, but I haven't changed yet. So, perhaps, you should go ahead," I suggested, attempting to excuse myself.

"Well, I have nothing else to do, so I'll wait," he insisted stubbornly.

"Okay, thanks," I said, though inwardly, I wasn't pleased.

You see, the thing is, Collins has been asking me out, and I've been declining. There's no spark between us, no fluttering butterflies, but Collins doesn't seem to get the hint.

"Melissa, I'll see you tomorrow. Have a peaceful shift," I hugged her.

"Eclipse Edge Casino is never peaceful, you know that," she remarked.

"Come on, girls, you're wasting time," Collins complained.

"Hey, Collins, she told you to go, yet you're complaining. I think you should stop," Melissa stated bluntly, prompting me to discreetly pinch her as a silent warning.

Melissa is incredibly forthright, believe me.

"Goodnight, my dear," she waved as we exited the building.

"Good evening, Mr. Alfred," I greeted as we boarded the bus.

I searched for a seat, and Collins followed suit, trapping me in.

"The bus is unusually empty," I commented, struggling to initiate conversation.

"Yes, most of us have headed home, so we're lucky," he smiled.

"I could walk you home, if you'd like?" Collins offered, the moment we dropped.

"No, it's fine. It's still bright out. I can manage on my own," I declined.

"Alright, if you say so," he replied, disappointment evident on his face.

I didn't want to invite him over; it might give him the wrong impression that I'm interested, which I'm not.

"Welcome back, Ayra," Mr. Garrett greeted from his favorite armchair.

"Thank you, Mr. Garrett," I smiled as I approached him.

"How was work today?" he inquired.

"It was hectic," I sighed deeply.

"The most important thing is that it went well," he remarked with a smile.

"Indeed," I agreed with him.

"Um... I should head in," I said, making my way towards our flat.

"Have a pleasant evening," he bid me farewell.

"Thanks Sir" I replied.

I opened the door, and Aurora leaped onto me.

"Hey, Aurora, did you miss Mama?" I asked, lifting her in the air.

"Meow," she purred, rubbing her head against my face in greeting.

"Evening to you too, Rora," I smiled.

Aurora is my pet, and I feel responsible for her. I found her one evening at the backyard of Eclipse Edge Casino, hiding away.

I noticed that no one claimed ownership of the adorable little cat, so I decided to take her home.

I named her Aurora because of her beautiful coat of various colors, and she adores me as much as I adore her.

I shut the door to our two-room apartment, consisting of a living room, a bedroom, and a bathroom.

It's decent, considering the affordable rent.

I took a long, warm bath, feeling refreshed afterward.

"Thank you, Almighty, for this beautiful day," I offered a prayer as I headed to the kitchen for a meal, feeling grateful.

AYRA'S POV

"Mum, please, don't leave me. I'm begging you." I cried out.

"Oh, it's just a dream again." I woke up, my heart racing.

It's the same recurring nightmare, that haunting scene stuck in my mind.

I was my mother's only child, but not my father's. She believed in sacrificing for marriage, thinking it was best for a woman. Little did she know it would lead to her early death.

My mother did everything for me. Even when my father neglected us, she struggled to pay my school fees with her meager salary as a teacher. She pretended to be happy, hoping life would improve, until everything changed.

During a heated argument, my father callously revealed he had another family. My mother was devastated and heartbroken, after what she has gone through and sacrifice,this is what she gets. She vowed not to stay with him that night, and I promised to go with her, not realizing she meant leaving this world entirely.

She committed suicide that day. I tried to save her by taking her to the hospital, but she refused help and finally when we succeeded in talking her, she gave up the ghost in the car. I knew she's dead but I couldn't bring myself to believe it not until the Doctor confirmed it. That day, I felt lost and alone.

The memory haunts me, making me afraid to sleep sometimes. Why didn't she think of me? Why did she leave me all alone?. Was I not worth living for?....

A lot of questions kept running through my head till now....

"Aunt Ayra," Michael's voice, Mr Garret's youngest son interrupted my thoughts.

"Good morning," he greeted, on reaching the door.

"Hi, Michael. What's up so early?" I asked.

"My mom wants to see you," he said nervously.

"Let's see what Aurora did this time," I sighed, following him.

On reaching to their side of the flat, the mini waste bin was turned upside down, with the garbage scattered all around.

"Good morning Ma'am" I meekly greeted but from her demeanor, I know she's blaming my Aurora for the mess.

"Mrs. Garrett, please I'm sorry. I will clear up the mess immediately" I apologized but her disdain was clear.

I know why, she prefers married couple as tenants, than the singles claiming that married couples aren't as promiscuous like us, the unmarried meanwhile, we don't do anything that will make her think of such.

"Better make sure of that" she replied as she angrily turned away.

"Aunt Ayra, I could help you" Michael offered.

"Oh no Michael, I can do it. thanks" I said as I passed him a warm smile.

"Michael" His mum shouted, clearly stating that she's not happy with him.

"Bye" I waved him as I turned towards Aurora.

"Aurora, you can't keep causing trouble," I scolded the innocent looking cat before turning to the mess, contemplating on how to start clearing it up.

Later, Melissa arrived from work as she flopped on our sofa.

"How was your night?" she asked, looking tired.

"It was Okay" I skipped telling her my encounter with Mr. Garrett today, cause I very well know, Melissa might likely confront the woman.

"How was your night at the casino?" I asked.

"Good, got extra tips," she grinned.

"And a handsome guy whom I've never seen at the underground casino came. Ayra, that guy is so freaking hot and cute" she gushed.

"Martin won't like that," I teased.

"He can deal with it. He's only around because I don't have anyone to pay my bills yet" she shrugged.

"That's harsh," I chided.

"He's the most handsome guy I've seen, I'm being truthful here," she continued.

"Maybe the casino's playing tricks on you," I joked, returning to the washing the dirty dishes.

"Try the night shift; you'll see," she laughed, heading to bed.

"No, thanks. I'll stick to what I know, thank you" I called after her, preparing to cook launch before I prepare for my afternoon shift.

"I'm so tired, but it was so worth it. Atleast, I get to feed my eyes with rich and Handsome dudes, unlike someone I know" Melissa said, and I knew she's referring to me.

"When are you ever gonna change, Ayra" she asked, joining me in the kitchen.

"You don't go out?, you don't see guys even when they make advances at you" she asked as she leaned on the kitchen sink, keenly looking at me.

"Soon" I smiled, shying away from the topic.

"Once in a while, you need a man to make you feel good down there, unless if you want to die a virgin" she said.

"Melissa" I pout, splashing little water on her face.

"I think you should go sleep" I tried to send her away but she insisted.

"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it" she sighed as she headed to the bedroom.

"Melissa, it's just nothing. I don't feel like I'm ready for any form of relationship. When I'm ready, I will definitely let you know. I promise" I said as I turned to wash the dirty dishes.

"And I will look for a hot sexy guy for you" she shouted from the bedroom.

"Yes" I replied as my thoughts went deep.

The truth is that, I'm scared. I don't want what happened to my mum to happen to me as well. That's why I'm guarding my heart at all cost.