The Lonely One

Chapter One

    I woke up all of a sudden. An eerie chill ran through my body. Turns out, I had fallen asleep in the cold New York City night, under the same shady oak tree from the day before. I was freezing, feeling a chill running through my bones from the ends of my toes to the wits of my hair. As I am awake at the crack of dawn, which should be at around 6 am, I hear gunshots in the background. I don't know what on earth I was thinking; coming to a city like New York City, where gangs are everywhere, people being objectified, and women being treated as s****l objects among other problems. I was scared to death. What if I were to be hit with a bullet? Imagining a gruesome bullet ripping through my body sent a cold wave of fear throughout my whole being. Since it had been way too long from when I last had food, I decided to dig through some trash cans to see if there was even a morsel of food for me to eat. Much to my dismay, I found nothing but the crust of what looks of peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As I made my way towards each trash can in Central Park, I noticed a paper ad on a lamppost looking for a maid. Intrigued, I took the flyer and looked at the number written at the bottom of the page. Maybe it was time I found a job. Wandering around all day long was getting me nowhere; nor was it feeding me food in any way. I tried to find the location of the place scouting for maid service, but I didn't really know my way around. As I was walking aimlessly, I happened to walk straight into a man, smashing my nose on his chest in the process. I look up and to my surprise, I see the handsome man I had inadvertently met yesterday when he was trying to get the puppy to stop biting his pant leg. What a coincidence! What are the odds that we would meet again? Since we’ve met on many different bases, I decided to give him a name, Mr. Handsome. As I picked up the flyer that had fallen out of my hands when we crashed, he warily eyed the flyer. From what I recall previously, he was wearing a fancy business suit. Seeing that he was possibly successful in this hectic city, I asked, “Do you know how to get to this place?” 

    Pointing to the address with a questioning look, he replied, “I believe you head in that direction then you are there. It should be at the corner of that street ahead.” 

    “Thank you, sir,” I replied with gratefulness. As I take in my surroundings, I see that I am in front of the Empire State building. I didn't realize I had walked so far when I was trying to find the building of the job offer. I knew that there was at least some distance to Central Park. Yet it was hard to believe I was so close to my destination, and that, so close to the empire state building. I will sure enjoy the view if I can see at all a view from where I would possibly be working. Little did she know the advertisement for a maid was actually for Mr. Handsome. As I reached my destination, I was in awe. What I saw was unbelievable. There was no way the place for the job would be in a building as such. This building was huge. It seemed to have over 30 floors. The lavish building was a sight to see. 

    I was amazed to see a building such as this. I walked into the building and realized just how expensive this place was. Never in my life would I ever be able to afford this place. I referred to the flyer on which floor I was supposed to go to. Turns out I was supposed to go to the penthouse. I wondered just how rich this person was. As I was going up the elevator, I was the magnificent sight of the city below me. I was excited yet nervous about this job position. Who knows? I might not even get the job. At least I know at the end of the day that I tried. Nothing to be ashamed of there. Once the elevator dinged, I stepped out and knocked on the grand door. Not a minute later, the door opened and I saw a middle-aged woman. She asked, “May I help you?”

    “Yes, is this the place for the maid position?” I replied.

    “Yes, yes. Please do come in, but first, take off your shoes and place them by the door in the shoe rack.” I did as the said, following her into what seems to be the living room. As the woman offered me a seat on one of the luxurious couches, I was hesitant. The couch was so clean I was afraid to dirty it by sitting on it. Nonetheless, I sat down. She introduced herself as Helena Williams, the caretaker of the house and owner of the penthouse. She thoroughly questioned me about my life, and I felt like I was on trial for a murder case. It almost felt like she was conducting a background check on me, except I was telling her all the information. At the end of the interview, Helena voiced her hurtful, but honest thoughts. “You aren't qualified for this position. You have never gone to school, or know your parents.”

    “I know ma’am, but please give me a chance,” I pleaded. I really needed this job. With this job, I can finally buy myself food and rent a cheap apartment. I knew she wasn't convinced so I gave her a sob story of how I grew up in an orphanage not knowing who my parents were. I guess she pitied me so much that she decided to give me the job. 

    “You’d better work hard girlie. You hear me?”

    “Of course. I am a fast learner and I won't let you down. I promise.” 

    And just like that, I had a job. My very first job.