The lady with Ambitions

Chapter 2

Irene: I want to think I'm strong.

Through everything, every difficult period in my life, I found an escape in schooling. Whenever I wasn't working or being pushed around by Sydney and his group, I was studying, which was the one thing I was really good at.

I had the greatest GPA in my high school, which I never believed mattered much because we lived in the poorest section of town, where no kid cared and spent their time on drugs and drinking.

However, after Rex Henry learned about my accomplishments, I was forced to do all of his assignments, including Peter's, Jacob's, and Emma's.

"Good job, Hart; my parents truly think I can go to Harvard with this shit." Jacob laughs hysterically, pressing me hard on the back while shovelling the paper I had written in front of my face.

"How about we play a little game after school today?" Huh?" Sydney replies as they follow me down the deserted school corridors.

"No, I'm okay," I respond gently, my mouth trembling as he slams me against a locker. I stare down, my hair concealing my face, too afraid to speak another word.

"Stuttering bitch." He spits, grabs my hair, and pulls my head up.

"Sydney, we should go now," Peter replies uneasily as the sound of a teacher's keys echoes down the corridor.

"Don't think I'm done with you." He scowls before pushing my head back into the locker and leaving with Peter.

My head hurts from the intensity as I go to my first lesson of the day, holding back tears.

As soon as the bell sounds for my final class, I stand up, my legs pulling me towards the exit. Maybe if I was faster, they wouldn't catch me today.

I open the heavy door, showing the blinding light on my face and the heat on my skin. My eyes anxiously scan for the bus, and I feel a sense of relief in the pit of my stomach as I watch it drive up.

I ran faster than ever and hid in the back seat, hoping they didn't see me come in.

My gaze is drawn to the glass as Sydney and his group search for me, shoving aside the other students in their path. I could feel my heart in the pit of my stomach. If they found me, I'd die.

The bus door closes, and relief sweeps over me. I was secure for now.

Last night, I determined that getting a job in the poorest area of town wasn't the best option. With Sydney and Chris living in the same neighbourhood, things would only become worse.

So I ride the bus to the end of the route, where anyone would dream of residing.

The bustling city life, the pristine streets and expensive residences that lined every street, and the residents dressed from head to toe in clothes were worth more than my monthly rent.

Rupert City

I step off the bus and immediately breathe in the fresh air.

As I strolled down the street, I received an unimaginable number of glances, as if I were an alien or not even human.

They were all raised on money, never going a day without thinking about how they would eat the following week.

I envied them, but I knew it was a future that I could never have.

A gentle wind sweeps through my hair as I open the entrance of a pleasant-looking cafe, the bell above me ringing to notify the workers of a client.

A girl working there who appeared to be around 24 and was clothed in a pink apron with the store's name printed in cursive on it.

Caffè di Amore

"I'm sorry, miss, but I don't think this place is right for you." She speaks gently as I stand in front of the cashier.

"I. I apologise. I was just looking for a job if you had any openings." I say, attempting to ignore the scorching glare of an elderly guy seated at one of the tables.

"You don't fit our employee description; I'm going to have to ask you to leave." A man says this, stepping in front of the girl and taking control.

He was, presumably, the manager.

I simply nodded my head and looked over to the scary old man, who was still staring at me, before swiftly walking away.

I let out a breath as I walked slowly along the street. I'm not sure why I had any chance of landing a job around here; I was pitiful.

As I go to the bus station, I feel a hard hand grip my arm and spin me around. My eyes widen as I come face-to-face with the old man at the cafe.

He had creases on almost every part of his face and a short frame, holding out a little golden business card with unsteady hands.

"You looking for a job, kid?" He inquires, his voice dry.

I swallow the knot in my throat and carefully take the golden card while looking down at it.

"Yeah," I reply, stroking my arm as he releases go. My gaze moves to the little lettering, which just had a phone number and the words Agosti Estate inscribed in the middle.

"I can get you a job as a maid there, good pay, and housing for free." He moves his palm to mine, and I close my fingers securely around the card. I'm confused by his polite gesture. Why would he offer me this job? I was unsure whether this was reliable or not.

At the same time, I felt awful about labelling the man creepy; he was only trying to assist, after all.

"You don't give this card to anyone. Getting a job at the Agosti Estate is exceedingly hard, and this card is your only route in." He instructs.

It seemed more like a one-way trip to hell than anything else. This guy was suspect, but I couldn't help but take a chance.

Good wages and housing? I could live there and pay off all of my debts without having to worry every night about Sydney knowing where I resided.

"But why me?" "I am nothing special." My words barely come out as I glance at the old guy, who merely responds with sympathy in his gentle eyes.

"I can tell you have a pure heart; you deserve this job more than anyone else in this city." He smiles before turning around to stroll down the sidewalk.

My attention returns to the card in my fingers, and my brows furrow as I consider the option.

Before any more ideas enter my mind, I turn around and search for the old guy to thank him. I hadn't even learned his name.

My eyes darted across the crowded streets, seeking the elderly guy who had recently been my rescuer, but he was nowhere to be seen.

How far could he have travelled?

My quest for the man stops abruptly when I notice Sydney and his gang coming off a bus and gazing around the streets.

My body fills with shivers, panic pounding my body as I turn away from them and hurry quickly to a dumpster on the corner.

I hide behind the bins, practically puking up at the disgusting odour of the rubbish around me.

My hands move to my lips, preventing any sound from escaping when I hear their voices approaching me.

"I'm going to kill that b***h when I find her." Sydney spits, his last words dripping with anger.

My card suddenly drops from my palm, falling exactly next to Jacob's foot, and my entire body stops as I glance up, his eyes connecting with mine.

"Found her." He says this with a scary sneer on his face.