CHAPTER 2: JOB OFFER
1987 Words
Here I am, wretched and poor yet stepping into the land of rich men
AMAYA'S P.O.V
I stare at the train heading towards me, my leg fixed to the rails: unwilling to move even though I could. Just a few seconds Amaya and you are gonna meet Mum and Dad. Just a-
"Amaya!"Ariana shouts and I snap out of my reverie.
"Don't tell me you are still thinking about your parents?" Andria asks more of a statement than a question. I scratch the top of my head.
"No." I lie and she throws me a stupid look. I chuckle and she smiles.
"Yes," I say and she shoots out her chin feeling proud. I couldn't help but laugh. She always has a way of lighting up my mood. She's been staying with me ever since I got fired. I watch her as she walks out of the kitchen and into the living room. She looked really beautiful this morning: just like every day. Her beautiful blonde silky hair was tied into a neat bun. Freckles were scattered across her nose, which made her look so ethereal and she had a set of brown eyes. She was dressed in a midnight blue skirt suit which I know is expensive.
I and Andria are antithetical which is then quite funny how we worked out being friends. She loved fashion more than anything except me. I loved dressing up too but not the way she does. I prefer comfortable clothes. Of course,everyone talks to Andria, why not? She's the most beautiful person I know. Maybe in another life, I could be like her. She doesn't care if people despise her for relating with me; she'd give anyone an earful who tried to abuse me.
I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.
She sits next to me and I look at her.
"Don't let what they say get to you." She says worriedly. I nod.
"Why would I when I've got a kick-ass friend." I joke and she smiles. I force a smile." Are you off to work?"
She owns a mall in Beverly Hills but plans on selling it and making her clothing line.
"Nope. You and I are gonna have some fun." She smiles mischievously. I frown worriedly. I wasn't ready to go anywhere especially when a bunch of eyes were going to watch my every move. News flies like the flu in this part and it usually comes with stigma. I'm not afraid of what they would say to me but Andria.
"We could stay here and watch Bridgerton," I say and she stands and walks in front of me then grabs my hands, trying to raise me.
"Come, Amaya, we haven't gone swimming for a long time." She winks and my eyes widen as I stand to my feet.
"It's been locked, I'm not going to risk you getting arrested." I stare at her deeply. She groans in frustration. The Pool is like a mini beach where we usually go swimming when we are kids. It was our favorite spot. One day, something terrible happened.
Two men were arguing, they both seemed drunk. One of the men was holding his kid, then suddenly, the other one brought out a gun and pointed it at the man with the kid. He killed him just like the way my dad was killed and then he killed the man's child. She was just four. The place had been locked ever since.
Months ago, Andria and her boyfriend went there. I went after them and suddenly the cops came, I warned Andria to hide and before I could myself, I was caught by the cops. I was no snitch so I had to stay in the cell for a week before Andria bailed me out.
"Come on Amaya." She tried her best to form puppy eyes which were working. "We'll just stay for half an hour and leave."
I look away trying not to fall for her gimmicks but she grabs my shoulder and makes me look at her.
"Please, Amaya."
"Fine, fifteen minutes," I say and she claps excitedly then hugs me. I chuckle and hug her back.
* *
"Is anyone coming?" Amaya asks for the umpteenth time while trying to pick the locks of the heavy gates. I look around the corner again.
"All clear," I say. It was already four and the waves would be high which is great.
"Yes!" Andria drops the large padlock on the ground with a heavy thud. I wonder how she managed to pick the locks.
"Evans taught me." She says proudly as if hearing my thoughts. Evan was her boyfriend who she came here with but they have broken up ever since he realized his girlfriend was in love with a billionaire in Beverly Hills.
What's his name? A... Al... Alejandro. Yes. She always talked about him. She had a crush on him even before she met me. He is the man of her dreams. Funny how I've never met him or seen him. She said he came to her male often and he wasn't the smiling type.
His mother liked her for some reason I'd forgotten. But she said she fears talking to her about Alejandro because she was a no-nonsense woman.
We both go in and my jaw drops. The place was more beautiful than the last time I came here. The government had people come here every month to clear off the weeds before ecological succession could take place. The water looks like manna from heaven. The sand was warm which did wonders to my cold feet.
Andria stripped off her clothes until she was left in a classy bikini. She jumped into the water no sooner than later as if her life depended on it. I chuckle as she swims further in. She stops and looks at me and wipes the water off her face. Moving a bit because of the flow of water.
"Come on Amaya, let's play Marco Polo just like the good ol' days." She shouts and I hug myself.
"I'll just stay on the sand."
"Come on Amaya, you love swimming more than I do or are you a chicken." She smirks and I control myself from smiling. She folds her hand into a fist and puts it on her waist then acts like a chicken. I burst into laughter.
"Fine," I say and she smiles triumphantly. I take off my clothes till I'm left in a sports bra and white short shorts. I despise opening my body which I never do because it's so uncomfortable and not related to me being a virgin. But, considering that I've showered with Andria, that's my only compromise.
I bend down to the ground level and I feel the water as I close my eyes.
"Why do you always do that mum?" Mini-me asks as I watch my mum feel the water. The beach was filled with people.
"Just like asking for its permission before swimming in it. That's what makes me a good surfer." She smiles, her green orbs meeting mine.
I open my eyes and smile a little. It's always felt nostalgic doing this. I dive into the water and I swim a few laps before reaching Andria. We swim a few laps before we begin our game with laughter and excitement. For once, I could just feel happy without a care in the world. It feels infinite.
We lie on the sand, our hands under our heads. Sometimes I wonder what would have happened if she hadn't rescued me. What if I ended up in hell instead?
"I hope you feel better. "Andria asks, staring at the sky in sunglasses. We swam for more than an hour, which I did expect.
"Yeah," I say and I look at her.
"I was driving earlier and I saw a job vacancy for a housekeeper." She says and my eyes widen. I sit up and she removes her sunglasses and sits up too.
"That's awesome. Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I ask with wide eyes, smiling.
"Please Amaya promise me you'll go take the job. It's like a dream come true for you and me. "She pleads and I furrow my brows. I knew the job wasn't the problem, the only reason she would say this is if it's in Beverly Hills.
"I'm not interested if it's in Beverly Hills," I say and she kneels and holds up my hands together.
"Please, the salary is fifty thousand for a month. You could pay your debts. Think of it." She says and I know there was a catch, especially one that's going to benefit her.
"And what's your gain in this?" I ask.
"It's not really about me Amaya, you will be happy working in Luis's household...it's just that I need you to deliver a message for me to Alejandro. You could work for only a day if you please." She says and I look at her unbelievably.
"You know how much I dislike that place. Especially those rich people who live there." I am hurt by her words.
"You could just stay for a day. Do this for me, please. It's my only opportunity to get Alejandro." And what about my feelings about this?
I stare at her and I nod. She smiles happily.
"Thank you. I'll drop you off near Beverly Hills, let's go. " She stands and so do I.
"Now?" I ask and she nods.
"Do you know how many people would jump at the offer especially when they would see Alejandro every day?" She says and I bite my lips. Exactly the reason I may not get the job. My status must have already reached their ears. I guess there is no more shame I could hide. I'll just accept my fate. Just for a day.
* * *
I stare at the large gates in front of me. Andria dropped me off a minute ago and from the way the sky is darkening, I'll be drenched if I keep on staring at this gate for another five minutes and like the stars are written against me it begins to rain.
A robust man dressed in a security cloth and holding an umbrella above his head walks out of the gate and she scans me in disgust. I force a smile.
"Compton is that way." His eyes don't leave my knee-length dress. It was my mum's favorite.
"Actually, I'm heading to Luis's household," I say and he looks at me like I was a moss-coated mop.
"Mr. Alejandro Luis doesn't have to bring sluts over especially a- " He looks at my dress again. I've had it.
"I'm not a slut and if you think I'm one of those women that have millions of pictures of Alejandro Luis on their walls then I'm sorry to disappoint you. I came here for the housekeeping job offer." I say and he grimaces.
"Just head on home. Multiple girls have showed up there already and their skirts weren't anywhere close to where yours end." He walks back in and after a while the gates open.
I swallow hard as my eyes scan the buildings. I didn't belong here, everyone knew that. I just have to endure all this for Andria. I take out my phone from my bag hanging around my shoulder as I walk in.
I look at the picture of the flier on it and I check the address. Everywhere is silent here. The buildings were more beautiful close-up. Some people stare at me in disgust. After walking what was like a mile and I was certain my heels were bruised, I reached in front of Luis's household.
Goosebumps run through my skin like wildfire. This must be the most expensive house in Beverly Hills. Describing the craft and beauty of the house is downright ineffable.
I guess it's now or never.
- Writer
