Chapter 2 Chapter Two

(TWO YEARS LATER)

I ended the call before sighing deeply and shoving the phone in my pocket.

The owner of the house that I was staying at had decided to throw me on the streets since I owe two months of rent. Can my life get any worse? I don't think so. I couldn't live on the streets, especially New York streets.

I started walking down the pavement, clutching my coat closer to my body.

Ever since what happened two years ago I have been struggling. It actually wasn't always like this. After the guy, Omar, offered me a ride when I was being chased, I told him everything that happened with my past and the type of work that I did. He didn't judge me or anything and I stayed at his place for a few months.

We got closer and closer then we ended up sleeping together. But then he met in a car accident and died. I was beyond devastated that I cried until I couldn't anymore. That was when I met his mom and she hated me at first sight. She kicked me out of his house and I had to leave. I searched for a place to stay and found one but I knew I had to pay rent and take care of myself so I got a job.

Actually I went through a few jobs.

From a store clerk to a restaurant waitress and then to working at a supermarket. I got fired from all of them because there seemed to be something wrong with me why most of the workers hate me and decided to spread lies to the boss about me. And the fact that I was new meant that they had little trust in me. So I've been out of a job for four months now and it's been driving me insane.

Not only am I unemployed, but I also don't have a place to stay anymore. I hailed a cab before it stopped and I went inside. I laid my head against the car door and released a deep sigh. The driver hummed along to the song that was playing on the radio as he glanced in the mirror a few times at me.

I kept staring out the window at the city and the people going to and about their businesses. I wonder if one day that will be me also? Perhaps, but I'm no business woman material.

About ten minutes later, the cab finally pulled up at my destination. I paid him and then he drove away.

As I looked at the apartment, embarrassment flooded my entire body.

My two suitcases were on the ground unzipped and clothes spilling out of them. I sighed before walking up to them slowly. The door opened and Mr. Wallis stood there with a grumpy face as he crossed his arms.

"You could've avoided this Vanessa," he said glaring at me.

I gave him a dirty look before stuffing my clothes into the suitcases and zipping them up.

"Maybe if you had a heart and some sympathy, you could understand how hard it is for me to save enough money to pay rent," I replied aggressively before standing and getting ready to pull my suitcases from his house.

"Don't you be ungrateful now, I gave you extra time to pay up and you didn't-

"-Goodbye Mr. Wallis," I spat cutting him off and walking away.

A few persons were looking at me but I ignored them. I turned the other direction and started walking. The place will be dark soon and worry started to creep in. These streets are nowhere to be alone at nights.

I stopped and exhaled.

This was too much for me. I had faced worst than this but... it doesn't help with the current situation.

I started walking again, keeping to myself as the night got darker and darker. I stopped at a bench and sat down. I didn't know how long I was actually walking for but my feet hurt like hell.

"Get in!"

I looked up startled, glancing around for the direction of the voice. A car was parked in the distance, a little away from me. All I could see under the street light was a hand outside of the car. Then saw a tall and very slim girl came around the car side to talk to whoever was in there. The way she dressed made me had a flashback to how I used to dress those years ago.

She giggled before opening the car door and heading inside. After it drove off I looked around the place. Not much people were around and I knew it was a risk but I decided to sleep on the bench and figure out what to do tomorrow when it comes. I pushed the suitcases under it before laying down and closing my eyes.

I was awoken by someone touching my shoulder. I blinked rapidly from the bright light before sitting up.

"Hello, are you alright?"

I slowly opened my eyes and was met with a well-dressed woman, two bodyguards standing beside her. I pulled my coat tighter around me and glanced around before turning my attention back to her.

"I-

"-This is a business place and you're drawing attention, didn't you know that?" she said looking down at me.

She had a wonderful accent that I felt some type of admiration to. I looked around and notice that the front entrance was packed with people, mostly reporters. There attention was directed to a tall well dressed guy-

"-Hello, are you hearing me? Can you speak?"

My head snapped back to the woman who now had this irritated look on her face. I got up and pulled my suitcases from under the bench before removing my coat. I opened the smaller suitcase and pulled out another one and pulled it on. I didn't think too much about the persons watching me.

After zipping it up, I turned and started walking away. I glanced behind me and saw the woman walking towards the crowded area.

I stopped to check my pocket for any change when, all of a sudden, I heard the loud roar of a car speeding toward me. Before I knew it, a huge wave of dirty water splashed over me and my suitcases.

I dropped them and stared at myself in disbelief. To make things worse, the water reeked. I looked up and saw the car had stopped a few feet away, its door swinging open.

A woman stepped out and started walking towards me, with a man following close behind.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to splash you!"

I was taken aback by her words, and for a moment, I felt myself calm down. The guy behind her looked at me in disgust before crossing his arms.

"It's alright, I guess," I replied, but she shook her head, her eyes flicking to my soaked suitcases.

"Mom, let's go, the meeting started five minutes ago," the guy said impatiently.

The woman looked at her son with a hard face before turning back to me.

"I'm sorry for this, let me at least give you a ride home," she said, glancing at my suitcases.

I laughed sadly in my head. I didn't have a home. I just looked at her before shaking my head. She looked confused so I just told her the truth.

"I don't have a home."

"Mom, don't you see she's lying, probably trying to get some money from us," her son said.

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

"Stop it Matteo, why don't you just go inside? I'll be right there," she said turning to him.

"I'm not leaving you with he-

"-Just go."

He sighed before giving me another glare and walked away.

"Are you telling me truth?", she then asked calmly.

"Yes I am, I mean why would I lie?" I replied before thinking in my head at what was happening. I was acting useless. I needed help but I hoped my impression wasn't greedy for money or anything of the sort.

"Okay then. I'm Julia and since I ruined your things and you have no where to stay, I can offer you a place."

I stared at her not knowing what to say. I mean, that would be amazing right now but I don't want to be in debt to anyone. Especially this woman who exudes wealth and high status. I didn't know anything about her and I'm not sure I want to get involved.

"Take this card, go to the address on it and ask for Mr. Pierce. Tell him I sent you and he will give you a room to stay," she said next, handing me a small blue card.

"Wait, I don't get it. As much as I appreciate the help... you don't know anything about me, " I told her truthfully.

She only smiled.

"I know that, but being generous has always been in my blood. Can't say the same about my sons thou, " she said with a little laugh.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Just go there, I will be seeing you again very soon."

"Thank you," I said softly.

"You're welcome."

I examined the card before realizing that things may be looking up for me. I just needed to be careful.

I knew how wealthy people are how easy it is for them to get away with anything.