Burning Heart

Chapter 5: An accident

Sofia alighted from the cab her mother had ordered all the while clutching the jacket she had later brought with her to cover up a bit.

The huge banner with the written sign Samson and Delilah in gold was what caught her attention upon alighting.

"Phew let's do this…at least I don't have to go back to that company…if I keep shut then I keep my head, no one has to know." Taking a deep breath she stalked forward to the entrance.

The place didn't look so busy as people trooped in. She walked smartly to the receptionist's desk and waited in line to be attended to

" Hello, I am here to see Betty," Sofia asked softly immediately it was her turn.

" Good day, and who may you be?" The receptionist lady asked politely.

" I um…she asked me to come here for the job…" Sofia was unsure how to proceed.

" You say you are here for the job? Come this way." Sofia spun around when she heard a smooth masculine voice reply from behind her.

"You can call me Derek." There was a pause as he ran his eyes over Sofia's frame.

"I would take you to Betty." The strange man continued as he stretched his hand forward with a soft smile on his face seeing the apprehension in Sofia's features.

Sofia recoiled and waited a bit to see if the receptionist would say anything but instead, she was mute. At these point all men just look the same way to her, repulsive.

"Okay." Came Sofia's clip reply without making a move to take the man's hand.

Derek chuckled as he withdrew his hand. "Let's go." With that Derek led the way with Sofia keeping a safe distance from him as there was just something about him that got her on her toes.

"What are you called sweet thing?" Derek's voice rang out in the empty hallway breaking the silence.

"Sofia." She replied.

"Hmm what a sensual name, it suits you," Derek replied as he suddenly stopped in front of a door before opening it and walking straight in.

Sofia hesitated to enter the office the man had just walked into. Didn't he say he was taking her to Betty? So why was he taking her into an office?

"Come in, Sofia, you are here for the job and I am in charge." A small smirk came to sit on his lips as his eyes watched Sofia's every movement.

" Can I see Betty first?" Sofia asked instead.

" You should read this." Derek laughed out as he tapped at the tag that sat on his table in full view.

"Oh," Sofia gasped as she walked into the room. 'So he was the manager…'

"The only vacancy we have for now is that of a bartender. Not a normal bartender but one for the VIP room, the red room."

Derek explained as he plopped down on his seat and gestured for her to do the same. "Do you have any experience in this field?"

"No, I don't sir," Sofia responded.

"That shouldn't be a problem as it's not complicated, someone will put you through. You start work tomorrow, drop your details with the receptionist as well as your measurements." Derek ordered as he peered into Sofia's eyes making her squirm in her seat.

'Wait! Have I gotten the job? He barely even asked me a question. Sofia was distrustful of the whole process.

"Okay, sir. Thank you." With that, she stood up and made her way out of the office.

It was easy for her to find her way back as she just followed all the steps down to the ground floor making sure to stop at the receptionist's desk and drop all that Derek had asked her to drop.

Exiting the building she slowly walked to the roadside and waited for the light to turn red so she could cross.

"That reminds me! He never mentioned how I would be getting paid." Sofia paused. How could she be this outuned?

The loud horn of a car startled her out of her thoughts but it was too late.

All she saw was the car coming fast at her and swaying dangerously as the driver tried to control the car.

Sofia was so stunned as she stood there too shocked to even move. The driver was definitely a pro as the car swayed narrowly avoiding Sofia and just brushing her leg a bit as she went rolling to the ground.

'How did this even happen? I had made sure to check the light was red before crossing.' Sofia was confused.

She stood up after a while to see people standing around watching her lay on the ground but no one came forward to help her out even the car that had nearly run her over didn't wait.

She had just scratched her leg during her fall and her lower abdomen throbbed in pain. She hurriedly stood up and dusted her body before briskly walking away under the scrutinizing gaze of the people.

Sofia flagged a cab with the remaining money her mother had given to her before she left.

"12th Street Wintergreen," Sofia muttered. She was heading for Kelvin's house she seriously needed someone to lean on.

She alighted from the cab after paying. She stood in front of a small-sized bungalow. The House passed the family check vibes, the little garden, and the white little picket fence.

She had only been to his house twice now when he invited her over. Kelvin had only become her boyfriend two months ago after she had given in to his advances. She didn't want to keep living a boring life for her mother and sister for something that wasn't entirely her fault.

Ringing the doorbell she took a step back and waited. She couldn't wait to be wrapped up in his arms and comforted.

"What is happening? Is he not home?" In confusion, Sofia moved forward and cranked the door handle down.

Surprisingly, the door sprang open without resistance.