Chapter 3: Invitation To Freedom
1509 Words
Mia's POV
The cool night air stung my cheeks as I hurried toward the bus stop, clutching my backpack tightly against my chest.
Inside it was everything I owned.
A few clothes.
My savings.
And the dream of a life where no one could decide my future for me.
The city was alive as always. Yellow taxis sped through the streets, neon signs lit up every corner, and people laughed as they walked past expensive restaurants and luxury stores.
I wondered what it felt like to live without fear.
To go home to people who actually loved you.
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
Maybe people like me weren't meant to have happy endings.
The bus finally arrived, and I climbed aboard, taking my usual seat near the back.
Twenty minutes later, I stepped off in downtown Manhattan and made my way to Moonlight Lounge, one of the busiest upscale bars in the city.
The moment I walked inside, music filled my ears.
Glasses clinked.
Customers laughed.
The smell of expensive whiskey and perfume lingered in the air.
"Mia!"
I turned to see my manager waving me over.
Richard Collins was in his early forties, strict during work hours but kinder than anyone I had ever met.
"You're late by three minutes."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Collins. The bus—"
He sighed.
"Forget it. Just get changed. It's going to be a busy night."
"Yes, sir."
After slipping into my waitress uniform, I tied my apron around my waist and stepped onto the floor.
Within minutes, every table was full.
"Table seven needs another bottle of wine."
"Mia, order for table twelve!"
"Can someone clear table four?”
The next few hours flew by.
I smiled even when my feet ached.
I apologized when customers were rude.
I thanked them for every tip, no matter how small.
Because every dollar brought me one step closer to freedom.
Around ten o'clock, Richard called all the staff together.
"I've got an opportunity for one of you."
Everyone looked up.
"The Blackwood Family is hosting their annual banquet tomorrow night."
A wave of excitement swept through the room.
"Their event company is short on experienced waitresses. They're willing to pay two thousand dollars for a single night's work."
My heart nearly stopped.
Two...
Thousand...
Dollars?
That was more money than I made in weeks.
Several waitresses immediately volunteered.
"I'll do it!"
"No, pick me!"
"I've worked private events before!"
Richard raised a hand for silence.
"They only need one person."
The room fell quiet.
He looked around before his eyes landed on me.
"Mia."
I blinked.
"Me?"
"You've never missed a shift, you don't argue with customers, and you're the hardest worker I've got."
A few of the other waitresses frowned.
"But—"
"I've already made my decision," Richard interrupted.
He handed me a sealed envelope.
"Be at Blackwood Manor tomorrow at six in the evening."
I stared at the envelope in disbelief.
Inside was my temporary staff pass.
Printed across the top were the words...
BLACKWOOD FAMILY BANQUET
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
This was the same banquet Lyra had been dreaming about.
The same banquet my father had sold me to Alpha Harold so she could attend as a guest.
And somehow...
I was going there.
Not as a noblewoman.
Not as a future Luna.
But as a waitress.
I smiled to myself.
Maybe fate wasn't completely against me after all.
If I earned two thousand dollars tomorrow, I'd have more than enough money to disappear forever.
I just had to survive one more day.
What I didn't know...
Was that stepping into Blackwood Manor would change my life forever.
The rest of my shift
passed in a blur.
No matter how hard I tried to focus on taking orders and serving drinks, my mind kept drifting back to the invitation tucked safely inside my apron pocket.
Two thousand dollars.
It felt unreal.
By the time I finished tomorrow night's banquet, I'd finally have enough money to leave home for good. No more sleeping on a balcony. No more insults. No more living like I was less than human.
For the first time in years...
Hope found its way into my heart.
Around midnight, Richard dismissed everyone.
"Good work tonight," he said. "Don't be late tomorrow. The Blackwoods don't tolerate mistakes."
"I won't let you down," I promised.
He smiled and handed me a small paper bag.
"You skipped your dinner again."
I lowered my eyes, embarrassed.
"I noticed," he continued. "Take it."
Inside was a turkey sandwich and a bottle of water.
"Thank you, Mr. Collins."
"Go home and get some sleep. You'll need your energy."
I nodded before leaving the bar.
----
The house was unusually quiet when I got home.
I slipped inside through the back door, hoping no one would notice me.
"Where do you think you're going?"
My stepmom's sharp voice froze me in place.
She was sitting in the living room with dad and Lyra.
They looked as though they had been waiting for me.
"I... I just got off work."
"You kept Alpha Harold waiting."
My stomach dropped.
"He came?"
"He did."
My stepmom stood and walked toward me.
"He wanted to meet his future wife, but instead he was told she was serving drinks in some filthy bar."
Before I could apologize, she slapped me across the face.
The force sent my backpack crashing to the floor.
"I-I'm sorry..."
"Sorry?" she snapped. "Do you think a man paying one million dollars for you should be kept waiting?"
My dad finally spoke.
"Harold wasn't pleased."
"I didn't know he was coming tonight."
"It doesn't matter," dad replied coldly.
"Tomorrow evening he'll return. This time you'll be here."
Tomorrow evening...
My heart nearly stopped.
That was the same time as the Blackwood banquet.
My stepmom folded her arms.
"You'll wear the dress we've prepared and greet your future husband with respect."
"I..."
My fingers tightened around my backpack.
"I have work tomorrow."
"You don't anymore."
She smiled cruelly.
"I've already called the bar."
Panic shot through me.
"You... what?"
"I told your manager you were quitting."
"No!”
The word escaped before I could stop it.
"Please! I need that job!"
"It doesn't matter what you need.”
Dad looked at me with complete indifference.
"Your future is with Harold Westwood."
I wanted to tell them they were wrong.
That my manager had chosen me for the Blackwood banquet.
That I wasn't quitting.
But if they found out...
They'd lock me inside this house.
So I remained silent.
My stepmom mistook my silence for surrender.
"Good."
She picked up my backpack and threw it onto the floor beside the staircase.
"Go to your balcony and sleep."
"I don't want to see your face until tomorrow evening."
I quietly picked up my bag and walked away.
Once I reached my tiny balcony, I closed the sliding door behind me and let out a shaky breath.
My hands immediately searched my apron pocket.
The envelope.
It was still there.
Safe.
Thank God my stepmom had never checked it.
A small smile appeared on my lips.
She thought I'd given up.
She had no idea I was leaving.
I pulled out the envelope and read the address again.
Blackwood hotel.
Staff entrance.
Report at 6:00 p.m.
I folded it carefully and slipped it back into my bag.
Tomorrow...
I'd go to the banquet.
Collect my two thousand dollars.
And disappear before Alpha Harold could ever lay a hand on me.
That was the plan.
I just needed to survive one more day.
I lay down on the narrow folding bed, staring through the glass ceiling at the stars.
"Please..."
I whispered to no one.
"Just let me be free."
------
The next evening arrived faster than I expected.
After pretending to get ready for Alpha Harold's visit, I waited until Mon and Lyra were busy downstairs entertaining guests.
Then I quietly climbed out through the balcony window.
My heart pounded as my feet hit the ground.
I didn't look back.
Not once.
I ran.
Every step carried me farther away from the life that had been forced upon me.
Few minutes later, a taxi pulled up in front of towering black iron gates.
Beyond them stood the most breathtaking estate I had ever seen.
Blackwood manor.
Golden lights illuminated the enormous mansion while luxury cars lined the circular driveway.
Guests dressed in dazzling gowns and expensive suits walked gracefully toward the grand entrance, laughing as photographers captured every moment.
I looked down at my simple waitress uniform and swallowed nervously.
I didn't belong here.
Not as a guest.
Not as someone's future Luna.
Just as another invisible waitress.
Taking a deep breath, I showed my staff pass to the security guards.
The gates slowly opened.
Without realizing it...
I had just stepped into the place where my destiny was waiting.
And somewhere inside that magnificent mansion...
The most powerful Alpha in the country was about to meet the girl no one had ever chosen.
- Writer
