Gambling with the mafia

Chapter 2- Ciara

I wake up when I feel the bus stop suddenly. Looking out the window I see a sign that welcomes you to Las Vegas Which means I slept for six hours straight. I grab my duffel bag and stretch as I stand up. My right side screams when I stretch. I get off the bus and go into the station, going straight to the maps. Then go to the window to ask where I am on the map to figure out where I need to head to find a job.

“You're here sweetie,” the middle-aged plump teller says. “I'll mark it for ya and a few hotels near here as well as some good eatin'.” She tells me in a pleasant Southern accent. “Thank you, ma'am.” I smile at her as she hands it back to me. I head out the door and the heat smacks me in the face.

I don't want to look clueless and end up a victim of trafficking so I check the map and put it away heading in the direction of the first restaurant marked. It's only two blocks away but these city blocks are like double my small towns so it'll be like a 15-minute walk. On the walk there I remove my hoodie and tie it around my waist, then undo my hair from its messy bun and run my fingers through it. As I reach the restaurant I finish braiding my hair and hopefully I don't look like a complete trainwreck. It's a cute little diner with A 50s theme to it, and pictures of old singers and movie stars have signed pictures hanging on the walls.

Overall it's clean but definitely a bit run down. I go to the counter and ask for an application and if they're hiring. The girl behind the counter hands me one and nods a yes. I go to a booth and fill it out. Most of it ends up blank like address and most personal information on account of being homeless and having no work history. I finish quickly and bring it to the girl. “Thanks, the manager will get it tomorrow, good luck!” She smiles at me, “Did you wanna order any food while you're here?” She asks. I look over the menu above her head and order a cheeseburger to go. I can't afford anything else without having to sleep in a shelter tonight. I leave with my cheeseburger which is the best meal I've ever eaten.

I walked around the corner to the motel the lady from the bus stop had marked. The smell of mildew is strong as I enter the lobby. The scrawny- greasy haired man leers at me when I enter. I square my shoulders anyway and walk up. “I need a room for one night” I told him. His beady eyes went to my figure regardless of the baggy clothes. “That'll be $65, And if you don't have payment maybe I'll consider another payment.” I don't miss the double meaning but hand over the money, the last of my cash. He hands me a key with a room number attached clearly not happy that I'm not falling for his oh so charmful demeanor.

I leave the lobby and walk down the one and only hallway in this dingy motel. Surely it'll still be nicer than whatever homeless shelter i'll be in tomorrow. My room is unfortunately close to the lobby so I pull a chair up to the door and wedge it under the handle. The room is surprisingly clean- at least I hope it's as clean as it looks. I shower as fast as I'm able too and pull on a tank top and sweatpants. getting into bed I set the alarm clock for 7am, turn out the lights and as soon as my head hits the pillow i fall asleep.

The alarm clock starts blaring and i don't feel dread as i shut it off. Thats a first in a long time, and must be the freedom from being abused. I actually feel happy for once. I quickly get ready in more appropriate clothes than the sweat pants I wore yesterday and braid my hair.

I walk to the diner as fast as my broken ribs will allow. Instead of the young girl from yesterday, there's an old man behind the counter. “Hi, I put in an application yesterday. Is the manager in?” I ask him politely. “Yeah, I'll go get him.” He tells me and moves to the back slowly. I only wait a few seconds for the old man to come back with a younger man with him. The manager is wearing a black button-up shirt and greased back hair. Like he's trying to be the next Elvis, considering it's Vegas maybe that's his side gig.

“Hi, my name is Ciara. I put in an application yesterday.” I tell him

“Yes hi Ciara my name is Blake, I saw your application but I'm afraid you didn't put some information on it. I don't know if I can hire you.” He tells me. Surely I look dejected when he says that. “Well, I could probably do a trial run and see if you're a good fit.” He says it rushed like he didn't want to make me cry or something. “That would be great! I'm a quick learner and hard-working. When can I start? I'll start now if you want!” I tell him excitedly.

“Yeah, today is fine. Let's go to the back and fill out some paperwork so that you get paid even if it doesn't work out.” So we go to his office and fill out some paperwork, I do inform him I'm homeless but I'll be on time no matter what. As long as attendance Isn't a problem he said it would be alright.

The day goes by quickly and I train all the way up to close. I got free food as an employee so that'll be good for a while until I can get a place and buy groceries. The shelter is further away than the hotel. It's a 40-minute walk Blake had told me.

The walk is in the dark and it doesn't bother me until I feel someone watching me. Walking faster makes me feel better but still uneasy. It gets me to the shelter quickly. When I walk into the front lobby the lady behind the desk smiles up at me. “Hi i know its kind of late but im in need of a bed.” I told her. “Of course! Curfew Is at 9:30. So keep that in mind but you've just made it tonight!” She hands me a form to fill out and asks for ID, which works since my ID is the only form of identification i have.

After we finish, she takes me to a room with bunk beds and shows me where the showers are. The other women in the room are already asleep. I shower and go to sleep on the only unoccupied bunk and because I don't know or trust anyone here I keep my duffel bag in the bed with me. The lady from The desk told me there is a 7 am wake-up time for everyone which is perfect for me to get to work. I fall asleep listening to the breaths of the other women and still feel safer than I had in my own home.

The week goes by in a blur of work and getting acquainted With my roomies in the shelter. I try to not get too close to them but I've already made a friend at work. The girl who helped me when I first walked in, her name is Brianna and she's two years older and going to state college. She's lived in Vegas her whole life so she said when I don't have a curfew She'll take me on a tour. My birthday came and went and that took even more weight off my shoulders since now I'm an adult. Simon has NO say over me.

The Manager Blake says he thinks it'll work out with me and I've done very well learning the register and as a server. The second week I'm in Vegas we started getting a regular customer every day, Brianna said he's a new one. He seems like the dangerous type, at least his aura does. He dresses like a businessman in a black button-down and black slacks every day. He's Very handsome and Bri Tries to flirt With him every time he comes in.

He's tall and muscular but in a lean way. Like a runner. His eyes are dark like his hair which is always styled neat, not a hair out of place. He looks to be at least 4 years older than me somewhere in his twenties. Alright, so I've noticed him too. He usually sits in my section but Bri is so into him she usually serves him, which is fine with me. She's very pretty and they would look great together. Besides, I'm in no place to be entertaining a man.