Chapter 3 No Way Out

 MILA

The manager’s office felt smaller than usual. The desk lamp cast a soft yellow light across the papers stacked in neat piles. I stood in front of him with my hands twisted together so tightly my fingers hurt. Sauce still stained the front of my uniform, and the burn on my arms throbbed under the fabric.

“I only defended myself,” I said, my voice shaking. “She poured hot food on me. She was mocking me in front of everyone. I asked her to stop more than once. Please… you saw how she treats people.”

The manager looked down at his desk for a long moment. When he finally lifted his eyes, they were tired and sad. “I know, Mila. I know she started it. I’ve watched her do this to other workers before. But her family already called the university administration. Several big donors threatened to pull their money if you stay here. My hands are tied.”

I stepped closer to the desk. “Please give me another chance. I need this job. I’ll work extra hours. I’ll stay quiet. I’ll never cause any trouble again. Just don’t fire me.”

He shook his head slowly. “The decision has already been made. I’m sorry. Truly. You were one of the hardest workers we had.”

My throat closed up. I wanted to keep begging, but the words would not come out anymore. He handed me a small cardboard box with my few belongings inside—my extra apron, a half-empty bottle of lotion, and the little notebook where I wrote down tips. I took it with both hands. The box felt heavier than it should have.

I walked out of the café without looking at anyone. The evening air was cool against my face, but I barely felt it. Every step back toward the dorm felt like the ground was disappearing under my feet. Students laughed and talked as they passed me. Their voices sounded far away. All I could hear was the manager’s quiet apology repeating in my head.

When I opened the door to our room, Janet looked up from her bed. She took one look at my face and the box in my arms and sat up straight.

“Mila? What happened?”

I set the box down on my desk and sat on the edge of my mattress. My shoulders slumped forward. “I got fired. Sharon’s family made sure of it.”

Janet crossed the room in three quick steps and sat beside me. She put an arm around my shoulders. “Hey. Look at me. It’s going to work out somehow. You’re smart. You’ll find another job. Maybe even a better one.”

I shook my head. “The dorm fees are due soon. I don’t have enough. I don’t have anything.”

She rubbed my back gently. “We’ll figure it out. You’re not alone, okay? I’m right here.”

Her words were kind, but they could not fill the empty space growing in my chest. I thanked her quietly and said I needed to rest. She stayed close for a while longer, then returned to her own bed when I lay down and turned toward the wall.

Hours passed. The sky outside the window turned dark. Janet moved around the room softly, pretending to study, but I could feel her watching me every few minutes. Finally she spoke again, her voice careful and low.

“Mila… there’s something I heard about. I wasn’t sure if I should tell you.”

I stayed quiet, staring at the wall.

She continued slowly. “Someone wealthy is looking for discreet company. Just for one night. They’re willing to pay five thousand dollars. No questions asked. Complete secrecy.”

My body went still. I sat up and turned to face her. “What are you saying?”

Janet’s cheeks turned pink. She looked down at her hands. “I’m only telling you because… you need the money so badly. I know it’s not something you would ever want. I just thought—”

“No.” The word came out sharp and fast. “I would rather sleep on the streets than do something like that. Don’t ever suggest it again.”

She held up both hands. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Forget I said anything. I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

She went quiet after that. The subject dropped, but her words stayed inside my head like a heavy stone. Five thousand dollars. Enough to pay the dorm fees and still have money left for food and books. Enough to keep me from losing everything. I hated that the number kept floating through my thoughts even while I told myself I would never do it.

Just before I tried to sleep, my phone buzzed with an automated message from the university. The words glowed on the screen in the dark room.

Reminder: Dormitory fees must be paid within seven days. Failure to pay will result in loss of housing.

My hands started to tremble. I opened my wallet and emptied every bill and coin onto the bed. I counted them once. Then again. Then a third time. The total never changed. It was not even enough for one week of simple meals, let alone the full dorm payment.

Tears finally spilled down my cheeks. They fell onto the wrinkled bills and made dark spots on the paper. I had no family left to call. No savings hidden anywhere. No job waiting for me in the morning. The room felt colder than it had ever felt before.

I sat in the silence for a long time. My mind went back and forth between the empty wallet and the number Janet had spoken. Five thousand dollars. One night. No questions.

My stomach twisted with shame and fear. I wiped my face with the back of my hand and stared at my phone. My fingers moved slowly, almost against my will. I found Janet’s name and pressed call.

She answered on the second ring. “Mila? Are you okay?”

I closed my eyes. My voice came out as a broken whisper. “I’ll do it.”

There was a short pause on the other end of the line. Then Janet spoke softly. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I said, even though every part of me wanted to take the word back. “I’m sure.”

Seconds later my phone lit up with a new text message from her. It contained nothing but an address… and Room 1908.