Chords and Chaos

Brandon 🌷 I hate my life and today was not any different. Looking at the mirror, my reflection stare back at me. For a minute, I couldn't recognize myself. My cheeks were hollowed out and my eyes were sunken. I was exhausted. Sighing, I check the time on the screen of my cracked watch, 9:00pm. It was time for my singing gig here in the restaurant because every penny counted and the bills were choking me. Turning on the tap, I rinse my face and get ready to perform. “Brandy!! It's time. Hurry up and come out! I don't need James breathing down my neck.” Skylar my coworker yells. “Be there in a sec!” Combining my waitressing and singing gig, I was tired but those bills would not pay themselves. I remove the apron, keep it in my locker and re-tuck my white shirt. Walking to the poorly set stage, I look at the guests and of course they were not in the least bit interested in whoever was up here. Undeterred, I sit behind the piano, take the mic and speak, "Good evening everyone, my name is Brandon and I'll be your entertainment for the evening. I hope you enjoy!” Noticing a man hidden in the shadows, his gaze fixed on me unwaveringly and for a minute, I'm lost in the eyes that seem to look too deeply. I remember those lips, kissing me rough and biting wherever he can. Mr Stranger. How he urged me to suck and swallow him whole as I knelt before him. “Open your mouth.. That's it. Good boy.” Dressed to the nines in a tailored suit and jet black styled hair, I guess he's a VIP. Suddenly aware that I've been caught staring, I gently play the piano and start singing. The crowd suddenly goes silent for a minute before it picks up again. I don't care. Closing my eyes, I sing and the world around me sound like background noise and for a few glorious minutes, I feel free. “Thank you all for listening. Have a good evening.” I do a silent bow and come down. Singing is always an escape for me and now I was paid to do it. A win-win. I can't help but take a final look at the man and notice he was still staring at me too. I ignore the goosebumps that ride over my skin like waves. It was a meaningless one night stand. I walk into the waiter's locker room and tie my apron around my waist. I still had 10 minutes before I clock out from work. Brrrbrrr.. My phone rings and I pick up immediately. “Mr Brandon, we're calling to inform you of your outstanding debts for the treatment of Kate Wilson.” Kate's my younger sister and just this year, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Our parents are long dead and I have had to take care of her and also pay all the bills alone. Reason why I took the extra singing gig at the restaurant. Sweat drip down my back and my eyes scan the locker room to see if anyone else was in here with me. “We're giving you till the weekend to finish the payment or we'll take her off chemotherapy. Have a goodnight.” The phone clicks off before I even have a chance to beg or plead. The walls around me seem to close in and suffocate me. Inhale, Exhale! At exactly 11:00 pm, I clock out and walk home. The night air is taut with noisy traffic sounds as I walk past drunkards, late night party goers and the homeless. After about 10 minutes of walking, I have a feeling that I'm being followed and my steps break into a slight jog. The feeling of being followed soon passes as I slow down and walk down the empty dark street to my tiny apartment. Usually, I'm intercepted by my landlady as she hounds me about my outstanding rent but I guess I'm home very late as I don't see her around. Too soon! Lying underneath my door is an envelope with a ‘Notice of Eviction’ boldly written on it. Can this day get any worse? The shrill sound of my alarm clock wakes me up and the feeling of being watched prickles the hair on my skin as I stand up and open the curtains and let in blinding light from Thursday's morning sun. I take a cold shower and dress up, not minding the way my stomach rumbles for breakfast. Can't remember the last time I had a proper meal. I work part-time as a cleaner in hotels during the day and I work at the restaurant — Oasis at night and leftovers from hotel kitchens are the only breakfast I'm able to afford. Walking towards the bus stop, I think of possible jobs I can take to pay up my bills. “Hi Lindsay. What rooms am I handling today?” Lindsay the housekeeping manager, offers me a rundown of my work today. She's a quiet woman and barely speaks unless spoken to. Today, she wore a red cardigan and sat in her cubicle as she droned on. “Brandon, you'll be cleaning rooms 412, 512 and VIP suite 3. Be fast and precise. The couple booking the VIP suite is very special to the hotel.” I'd heard this a million times already, so I just nod and take my cleaning supplies. Saving the best room for last, I take an elevator upstairs to the VIP suite. Humming a tune, I walk down the corridor to the room and swipe the keycard across the door and open it. Soft sunlight rays greet me from all corners of the suite. I take a moment to admire the beauty of the room and then begin cleaning. I dust the surfaces, wash the restrooms and re-dress the beds. Locking the door behind me, I walk down the corridor towards the elevator and head downstairs to the cleaner's lounge. “Brandon! Someone's been blowing up your phone.” Six missed calls from my neighbor Lily. What's happened now?! Running towards my house, I fight tears and frustration. “Brandy, get here quick! Ms. Nancy's throwing your stuff out to the street. I've begged her and she's not budging.” It was supposed to be next month, why was she throwing me out now? I see my stuff littered on the street and I pack my clothes, shoes and Kate's stuff into a bag. Climbing upstairs, I knock and plead with her to allow me stay. Knock knock “Please, I'll pay you this week. I get my pay check soon.” Knock knock. No answer. I sit at the stairs of the building I once called home and wonder where I'll go with my stuff. Life lost all meaning as soon as my parents died in a car crash five years ago. Twenty years old with dreams and hopes crushed by a drunk driver's mistake that took my whole word. And now, I'm at the lowest I've ever been with my only family fighting for her life. Wallowing in my pain, time flies by and only when I get a call from James my restaurant manager do I notice the time spent. I hear the voice, gruff and thick before I notice the person leaning on a wall. It was the VIP from the restaurant. Mr Stranger. The one night stand. “Remember me? I have an offer you cannot possibly reject and it'll change your life forever.” A devilish smile dance on his lips as he walks closer.