Chapter one

I hadn’t slept a wink in two days, and anyone could tell from the dark, heavy circles under my eyes.

My peers were busy looking for boyfriends and going on vacations, but here I was, broke, barely surviving, and running out of luck.

My chest heaved with ragged gasps, each inhale mixing with the rhythmic patter of rain against my skin as I rushed into the diner. Did it really have to rain today, of all days? I walked to the changing room, grabbed my uniform, and came out with a wide smile on my face. Of course it was fake. I hated this job.

“Alora, you need to serve two more tables if you want to keep up with your constant lateness,” Vito said as he walked back to his office.

He was my manager at the diner, and from the sound of his annoyed voice, I was already sure my pay would be cut for the day.

I walked to the tables, serving the orders of customers who gave me that look. Yes, I was nineteen, but I didn’t really look it. Someone might think I was fourteen. I was short, plain, with big hazel eyes. Nothing interesting in particular, except for my hair. I loved it. It was long and red, even though I didn’t brush it often. Still, I cherished it. It was the only part of me I truly liked.

“Alora, serve table nine,” Genevieve said.

I didn’t need to be reminded that Genevieve, my co-waitress, would always be on my neck. I didn’t know why she hated me so much since I started working at the diner. She always looked for opportunities to mock or humiliate me, and now was one of those times.

Damn, I hated table nine. It always had the perverts, and I hated those stupid boys, always feeling so good about themselves while talking down to people and making derogatory remarks. I could never understand why.

I breathed in and out, preparing mentally for whatever was about to happen. I had a feeling today was going to be a bad day. I walked to the table, ready to take their orders.

“Hi, I’m Alora, and I’ll be serving you today. What can I get you?” I said politely, forcing a huge smile.

The one in a brown leather jacket with dirty blond hair looked me over from head to toe before winking wickedly.

“Guys, she means what can she get herself,” he said mischievously, turning to the others with a sly smile.

“Get yourself some ass and boobs. You look like a literal cardboard cutout,” he added.

They all burst into laughter. At that moment, I swear I wanted to jump on his head and pluck off his dirty hair.

“Not yet, Lora. Calm down. You can do better,” I chanted in my head. This always helped me calm my nerves when irritated so I wouldn’t pour hot coffee on a customer’s face.

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” the bimbo with them yelled. With how her chest was on display, I was sure she was a complete fake. I rolled my eyes, signaling her to list their orders. Finally, I got to walk away.

Phew. That was close. I almost strangled someone’s son.

I got their food, arranging it carefully on the tray, making sure not to make unnecessary mistakes that could land my ass in trouble. I walked back and set the food on the table.

“Enjoy your meal,” I said, forcing myself to smile.

I turned to walk away, only to be stopped by the bimbo.

“We’ll leave a generous tip for you. Use it to get some clothes, not those stinky rags,” she said, adjusting her seat.

“Thanks, but I don’t accept charity. Besides, I’m sure you need the money more,” I said, staring at her chest.

“And what does that mean, you peasant?” she snapped, grabbing everyone’s attention.

I chose to stay silent. I didn’t want to create a scene. Not that I hadn’t done it before. I had, multiple times. But Vito had given me a last warning, and my life was hanging on a loose thread.

I took a deep breath and turned to leave. Just then, I felt someone grab my butt and squeeze hard.

That was it.

Just like that, I lost my cool. I was already having a bad day, but I wasn’t going to let anyone disrespect me like that. Not today.

I turned around to see the idiot with dirty blond hair laughing, as if touching me were some world-class joke. I clenched my fists, ready to punch that smirk off his face.

“What is your problem?” I shouted, not holding back.

“Someone seems angry. Relax. I was just doing you a favor by giving you a bit of my expensive attention. I’m sure you can’t afford it. Who would even want to touch a thing like you?” he retorted arrogantly.

“You have no permission to touch me, you idiot!” I snapped, slapping him across the face.

Damn, Alora. I had just caught everyone’s attention, and now I was definitely going to get fired. But that didn’t matter. One way or another, I knew this day would come, so I went with it. I jumped on him like a wildcat, pulling his hair and scratching his face. If I was going to get fired, I’d at least make sure to teach him a lesson.

“Get off me, you wild animal!” he screamed, trying to pull me off. That only made me more annoyed.

A strong pair of hands suddenly grabbed me.

“Alora. Stop this madness. You’re chasing away my customers,” Vito yelled.

“You are fired. Pack up your things and get out of here.”

“Yeah, peasant, get your things and leave,” the bimbo yelled, pointing toward the door with her perfectly manicured nails.

“Don’t let the door hit you on your way out,” another remarked.

I knew my mouth always got me into trouble, but at this point, I didn’t care. It was what it was.

“You know what? The next time you get a boob job, tell your doctor to do a brain job too,” I said with a smirk. “Yeah, take that, you fake-ass bitch.”

I walked away from the prying eyes, the loud whispers, and the gasps of the customers, heading to the dressing room. I looked at myself in the mirror and, oh my goodness, I looked like a wild animal with my messy hair.

I changed out of the waitress uniform into my baggy jeans and oversized hoodie, the only clothes I had that weren’t too faded.

I felt terrible for getting myself fired, but slapping that jerk? I’d do it again anytime. At least I had another job left at the casino, which was even worse than the diner.

I slipped through the back door and hit the streets.

The rain plastered my hair to my face and chilled me to the bone. My body shook, not just from cold, but from the gnawing fear that my life was collapsing faster than I could catch up. I had no money and tuition for the new semester was due. Classes I couldn’t afford. Dreams I was about to lose before they even started. I needed another second job.

My gaze landed on the broken locket around my neck, the only piece of family I had.It dangled against my chest, the only proof I hadn’t been born from thin air. Somewhere out there, my family had answers I would probably never get.

I walked slowly with no destination. Then I felt it, a strange sense that someone was following me. The air behind me felt heavier, like shadows were learning my name.

I had spent enough nights on the street to know when danger was breathing down my neck.

When I looked back, no one was there. I brushed it off.

Until.

A sudden grip on my arm made me stumble.

“What is your problem?” I shouted.

A tall, well-built man leaned close. “Someone wants to talk to you. In that car.” he informed .

Across the wet street, a black Mercedes idled, its lights cutting through the storm.

I froze. These were strangers yet running wasn’t an option. My heart pounded as I crossed the street, each step heavy, every second stretching like an eternity.

Inside, an elegant woman sat, radiating wealth and control. Her eyes met mine, sharp and calculating.

“Alora,” she said, voice smooth and precise. “I’m Bianca De Luca.”

“Um… hi,” I whispered, trying to hide the trembling in my hands.

“I love what you did back at the diner. I’ve been watching. Most people let themselves be stepped on. You didn’t.”

"I didn't know you'd be such a fan, maybe take a video next time," i shrugged.

She didn't seem bothered by my words, her lips curved into a smile, she slid a folder toward me, the edges glinting under the car’s interior lights.

“This is a live-in position. Salary enough to pay for your daily expenses, everything. You won’t have to worry about money again. Ever. You start tomorrow. The choice is yours.”

I stared at the folder, my chest tightening. This could save me. It could finally pull me out of the mess my life had become. But there was something in her calm, controlled expression that made my stomach knot.

“I… I can’t,” I whispered, voice cracking. “I don’t know you. How do I know this is real?”

Her smile was slow, deliberate. “Look around you, Alora. Everything you’ve tried so far has failed, you've just been fired. This isn’t charity. It’s opportunity. And it’s real. But you’ll need to trust me completely. No hesitation.”

The rain outside seemed louder, the car smaller, the air pressing in. I swallowed hard, my options vanishing into the dark.

I didn’t have a choice. Not really.

“I accept,” I suddenly uttered.

No one was ever going to offer me such an opportunity especially someone of her status. I might as well try my luck. What could possibly go wrong? I stretched out my hand to get the folder.

Before I could grab it, a gloved hand yanked me backward. My heels slipped on the wet asphalt as I was shoved into the car.

The door slammed shut, darkness swallowing me slowly. A cold voice whispered right next to my ear.

“Finally… you’re exactly where I want you to be. You’ve been hiding for far too long.”

“Rush the preparations. Everything has to be done according to plan tonight.”