The Delivery Girl

Prologue

THE DELIVERY GIRL

PROLOGUE

What is the first thing that comes into mind when you see a girl riding a bike?

Who is she?...It's not lady like... Tomboy... Stupid... She wasn't raised properly... Bicycles are for men only, dumb ass... She's not a lady... Blah blah blah.

My mom, God bless her soul, used to tell me that a lady wasn't suppose to ride bikes. Bikes were for men but I didn't see it that way or maybe I didn't really care.

I just didn't. Riding a bicycle is a feeling. The feeling of being free. The feeling of liberation. As the wind blows against your hair, your body, the feels, all your problems and worries disappear. Just like that.

Some people described the feeling of riding a bicycle to the feeling of falling in love but I've never been in love before so I can't comment on that.

People around here called me a Tomboy. Yeah, I get lots and lots of stares when I step out dressed in my jean shorts, crop top, van and sometimes with my cap or pink beanie on.

Okay, I'm not going to bore you with my personal opinions. But I'm going to tell you a little about me.

I am just a seventeen year old girl and I work in a Pizzeria where I deliver packages to people in their houses.

I call them, the Lazy Folks. But these same people helped me earn a few bucks so that I can survive.

But also, I had this perception that I was some kind of their Hero... Food Heroine. You know, delivering to them food when they can't come over and all that.

So I was a heroine. I saved people from starving. That simple *winks*

"And when are you going to dress like a proper Lady?", a stern voice interrupted my pool of thoughts.

I turned from leaning against the counter and saw a dark skinned black American girl, Petra.

There she goes again with her lecture. She doesn't stop. She hates that I dress like this but it's all part of my job.

Master Lee was looking for a boy to run errands and I came in for the job. This outfit helped me secure this job.

" Good morning to you too, Petra".

She rolled her eyes and tied an apron around her tinny waist.

Petra was a total package. Tall, amazing eyes, small waist with a great body and her ebony skin. Really. She got me so jealous.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I quickly took it out, without looking at the Caller ID.

"Hello, you have reached the Delivery Girl. Delivers your packages safe and sound without any worries, delays or breakages. Just tell me when and where and consider it done! Yeap, that the Delivery Girl. How may I assist you?", I rattled happily as I walked around in the room.

" I've ordered from the Pizzeria, a box of..."

"Consider it done. Thanks for calling the Delivery Girl. I will be right over in a jiffy", I cut in quickly before hanging up.

This brings me to my Rule Number One.

1. No Names

No matter how regular a customer is, I never ask for a name. That was none of my business.

I call my rules my Delivering Rules. Simple rules which guided and helped me stay out of trouble.

I smiled and went straight to the Baking Area where the owner of the Pizzeria was. Master Lee.

It was a short Chinese man who owned this place. He knew a lot of great recipes for different pizza flavors and has kept this place running for years.

With that tall chef hat on, he appeared taller but still. I was actually happy I was taller than someone.

" You are in early today, what's the occasion?", he greeted still kneading the dough.

I smiled and leant against one of the tables in the room, crossing my hands over my chest.

"I have a good feeling about today", I replied.

" That's because it's still Christmas and I will be, of course, trying a new pizza recipe today", he reminded me.

I nodded. "Maybe".

"I found my great Grandpa's recipe book and I saw it. Do you know what this new recipe of mine is called?".

I shook my head no. I wasn't really interested.

" Golden Chicken Delight. It's made of barbeque, corn, chicken and more corn", he laughed.

I forced a laugh too. There was this thing about Master Lee.

He always wants to try new pizza recipes. The last time, he made this weird pizza topping. I think they called it Spaghetti and Meatballs Pizza. It tasted good though but Cheese and Pepperoni pizzas were still my favourite!

He nodded back and gave me two boxes of whatever the customer ordered and a piece of paper which had the address of the customer.

The thing is, before someone calls me, the person must have already called Master Lee to prepare the package.

Then afterwards, calls me to pick it up and deliver it to him or her. That simple.

I didn't know what the box contained (I know it was probably pizza but Master Lee sometimes bakes Bread or short cakes you know) and I don't bother to find out because my Rule Number Two says.

2. Do Not Open The Package.

In fact, I don't care what's in there. I feel like it's none of my business. My only business is the Deliveries I make. Period.

" Here. Be back quick and try to avoid trouble", he told me handing over the box to me.

I saluted him and then exited the room, heading out of the Pizzeria, straight to my bike.

I found it leaning against the glass window of the Pizzeria, a little stuck in between the flower pots.

I took it out, let down the bicycle stand and then placed the boxes in the little basket in front of the bicycle.

I sighed looked up into the sky before driving off to the address.

I hummed a tune to myself as I pedaled through the slums.

"Good morning, Nacho! Master Lee wants some of those herbs", I shouted at a stout man who stood in front of his spices shop.

" Alright, Delivery Girl. See you around and please slow down a bit and Merry Christmas!".

"Merry Christmas to you too, Mr Nacho!", I smiled and rode on.

My parents used to be so rich but mom died in a car crash and my dad was arrested for illegal involvement a Mexican Drug Cartel leaving only my big sister and I.

After her funeral and after my dad had been sentenced, the government seized all our properties because my parents were accused of earning them dishonestly.

I haven't seen my dad for like three years now because he forbade anyone from seeing him. No one knows why.

So now, I have to fend for myself and my big sister. Oh did I mention my big sister is nuts? Yeah. She's in the asylum as at now.

Back to my job, I delivered anything. From coffee, to pizzas, to flowers. Anything. I didn't work only for Master Lee, I worked with other shops, like Flower Shops, Coffee shops etc. But my time in the Pizzeria was full time.

Like I said earlier, these simple rules has kept me out of trouble for as long as I can remember.

I've been doing this for like three years now and I must say, it has been good. I'm very popular in the slums now. For delivering fast and safely of course.

Everyone has dreams; some girls dream to become the most popular girl in school, another to attend an Ivy League school, others, to become a bestselling author... Simply put, everyone's got dreams.

My dream is to work in Dominos Pizza one day. I mean it's one of the most biggest Pizza places in the world and I want to be there, at the top.

So I've been writing applications to that place for sometime now. After my associate degree in the community college I attend, I intend to apply for real, attend an interview and then get employed.

Now back to reality, I finally got to the address written on the paper and stopped. It was a beautiful Five Star Hotel.

I got down from my bicycle and pushed it through the wide opened metal gates and then closer to the main building.

I left my bike outside, beside the lawn, took out the boxes and then ran up the few stairs into the lobby.

I held the boxes on my hands in front of me as I entered.

The place was amazing. Looking around, I walked straight to the front desk.

Sitting behind it was a blonde lady with a French bun and a big bow tie around her neck.

When I was a kid, I had wanted to become a Lawyer or a Receptionist. Or even a Chef, but I suck at cooking or baking so that leave me with only the first two options.

"Hello Miss. I'm looking for Mr Juan Pablo", I greeted looking on the paper. " I'm here to make a delivery plus he's expecting me".

" One minute please", she bent a little and tapped on the computer keyboard for sometime.

After what looked like seconds, she looked up at me again.

"He's in Room 203, second floor", she said with a big smile.

I nodded and then headed straight for the elevator.

I stood in as the door closed. I couldn't help but remember back in those days when my best friend, Bradley and I would come to visit his dad in a hotel. We'd ride in the elevators all day and night, playing until our worlds were spinning right in our faces.

The ding from the elevator snapped me from my thoughts. The door opened gracefully and I stepped out, looking ahead of me at the long and narrow hallway before me.

I walked through the narrow hallway, my adidas vans kissing the well polished floor as I looked for Room 203.

Counting about three rooms, I found room 203 finally. I took my hand from under the boxes and pressed on the door bell.

After a few minutes, the door opened revealing a tall guy with shoulder length black hair and hazel eyes. He had a nose piercing which made him look more of a bad boy.

He smiled looking at me from the head to my toe. I felt a little embarrassed.

"Hello Mister, here's what you ordered", I greeted him with my most polite smile, offering him the two boxes. " Fresh package from Master Lee's Pizzeria ".

He raised his eyebrows and smiled. "Nice to meet you too", and took the boxes from my hand with ease.

The boxes were lighter but I mean, he took them with just a hand. A HAND!

"Wait here, I will get your payment", he told me and disappeared, leaving the door opened.

I stood on my toes and danced around, with my hands behind me and waited for him to return.

When he came back, he stepped out fully, holding in his hands my dollar bills.

I stopped moving and stood straight looking at him. He took out his hand to offer me my money but when I reached out to take it, he wouldn't let go.

" Wanna have a bite of whatever you brought for me?"

"I'm sorry Mister but that's against my rules".

His eyebrows furrowed together but still maintained a smile on his full lips.

" Rules?", he asked

"Yeah rules. Please make sure to read the rules on my complimentary card before you order from the Delivery Girl", I told him pulling the money from him and then stepping back.

This brings me to my Golden Rule Number Three.

3. No Lies or Smart Moves.

" It was nice doing business with you", I saluted him sexily before cowering down the hallway still with my eyes on him. "And Merry Christmas".

" Are you sure you will be okay not telling me your name?", I heard him shout with a smirk on his face.

Rule Number Four.

4. No Questions.

I nodded.

Without breaking eye contact, I kissed the dollar bills, lifting them into the air before turning and running towards the elevator.

Rule Number Five.

5. Never Stay Too Long.

Today was definitely going to be a great day!

Sorry for for being forgetful. I didn't even introduce myself.

My name is Jessica Bennett and I am the Town's Delivery Girl.

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