Prologue
There are things that really look good, but what you don't know is that they are rotting inside.
''I want revenge, I want him to kneel in front of me,'' I could feel the rage in my voice, my muscles trembled every time I remembered everything I went through at his hands.
How he cheated on me, how he broke me so delicately. So now I don't even know myself anymore.
''I want to destroy him, like he destroyed me.''
I looked into the eyes of the only person who could help me. ''Can you help me?'' I said seriously.
The corner of his lips rose gradually, that was enough to answer my question.
I'm going to put you through what you put me through, Damon. . .
A LOT of people know me, but they don't really know the true story of me, what I'm going through. Those around me thought that my life was happy, that I had no problems, that everything was fine.
But that's where they go wrong.
Because behind my happy face that I show to people, it hides sadness.
I don't want others to see my weakness, I don't want them to pity me because of my situation.
“Vanessa! Why hasn't the food been served yet?!'' I closed my eyes when I heard Mama's scream, I was stretching my patience because she is still my Mother.
I'm tired from work, and university. I still haven't eaten because I don't have enough time. I don't know how I can keep up with my studies and work.
I can't quit college because it's only a short time before I graduate. I only have a short time left at university, so should I give up now?
I blew out air to reduce my heaviness in my chest, I didn't speak anymore and stood up from my study chair. I fixed my mirror before leaving the door of my room.
I saw Mama in the dining area, I could see the anger on her face, maybe she lost the gamble again, she used the money I gave her to gamble again.
I closed my eyes and took a breath of air, I calmed myself down before I approached him.
Sometimes I ask myself how she can bear to watch me suffer, while she continues to indulge in gambling, alcohol, and cigarettes.
''Mom, didn't I give you money for groceries? Where is that now?''
She looked at me evilly, my lips pulled into a line.
''You know the answer to that, don't you?'' she said angrily.
Yes, I know very well. Because like she always does, she gambled again to buy food at home.
''But, Mom! You know it's for the stock here in that house. Why do you to gamble? I don't have any money here, I'm having a hard time budgeting for the house!'' I shouted because of frustration.
She looked at me in amazement, as if what I said was crazy.
''Hey! You have no right to yell at me in my own home! Maybe you're forgetting that you're just my child! You have no right to question me on what I do!'' she shouted back at me.
I tried to calm myself even though I wanted to vent my regrets on what she was doing. I'm tired of studying and working, and I'm going to have problems at home too.
I nodded in surrender. ''Alright, I'm sorry if I just yelled at you. I'm just tired, Mom,'' my voice was weak as i spoke.
''Just a moment and I'll just buy food at the nearby grocery store.'' I turned away fromhier without looking her in the eye, I didn't want to see her eyes full of anger towards me.
I know I was wrong in the part that I yelled at her, I know I have no right because I am only her child.
That's the hard part, that you don't have the right to question because you're just a child, that no matter what your reasons are, you still don't have the right, because they're the parents, they know better. But should it always be that way? Isn't it sometimes the parents who make mistakes? Why is the blame always on the child?
People's beliefs are too intrusive. Sometimes people's traditional beliefs are no longer correct, which are distorted from what is really happening, which are harmful.
I left the house and just walked to the nearest grocery store, luckily it was close by.
I just gasped when I took the rest of the money out of my wallet, it won't arrive tomorrow. I don't have a budget for tomorrow.
I just bought enough for the money I brought, after that I immediately went home so that Mama and I could eat.
When I got home, I found Mama lying on the long sofa with a bottle of wine in her hand, she had fallen asleep.
I approached her and took the bottle of wine from her hand. I also cleaned the scattered cigarette butts on the floor.
Arranged her lying on the sofa, I took a blanket and a pillow from the room and put them on her. I didn't wake her up, I knew she would be angry if I woke her up, we would definitely fight again.
After eating and cleaning the kitchen, I went to my room, I was just finishing my research paper, this is my last requirement to graduate in HRM or Hotel Restaurant Management.
It was early in the morning when I decided to rest, I still have work tomorrow.
I looked at the picture of me and my father hanging on the wall, my eyes were happy there. Unlike today full of sadness.
Sometimes I think, what if my Dad is still alive? Is our family happy now? Couldn't Mama be addicted to wounding in some other vice?
I fell asleep because of the thought.
I woke up at four o'clock in the morning to prepare breakfast, I also have to go to work early because the resort where I will be working today is reserved, there is a bonus that will be given to me today, so it is fine for me to go to work early. It's a good thing that my class schedule is later at 5 pm in one of my units in the course.
I cooked food, I was in a hurry because it looked like I would be late for work even though I woke up early. The flight to my work is still 30 minutes away.
I couldn't eat because I was in a hurry, so I just left a note for mom.
My face was already naked when I arrived at the resort, my colleagues were already there. My female co-worker even pointed at me on the arm as if to say why am I here now.
"Why are you so late? Our manager is hot-headed," she threatened me.
I approached her to whisper, "Why?"
She looked around before she answered my question. "There are rumors that she stole a large sum of money from the hotel, our boss is blaming her. I don't know if that's true." She shrugged.
I just nodded because I don't care about what is happening in the lives of the people around me, I already have many problems in my life, so why should I make other people's problems problematic?
I went to the locker room to get dressed, but before I could fully enter the locker room, our manager immediately stopped me.
The truth is that I really don't want to talk to her, her attitude is too bad. Even if you don't do anything wrong to hers, he will hate you.
If she can act like she is the boss. We earn the same salary here.
"Why are you here now? You are almost 30 minutes late! You know you have a lot to do today. Tsk, I will reduce your salary as soon as you sign," she said. Hers eyebrows were still raised while speaking.
This girl is almost my age. But if she treats us employees as if she is the one who pays us.
My teeth gnashed at what she said.
I know I'm late, but it's not reasonable for her to expect my salary, I'm just now late like this.
I suppressed the irritation that was building up in my chest, I stopped myself from answering her.
Calm down, Vanessa. That's still your manager, she has a higher position than you.
I forced a smile despite the annoyance I felt.
"Ma'am, please. Please don't reduce my salary. I was late just now, I promise, I won't be late for work again," I pleaded.
"You know the rules here, don't you? Do I have to repeat them all to you?" she said philosophically.
"But, ma'am—" she immediately cut me off.
"No, that's final," her voice was even.
It seems that there is really no other way for me not to get a pay cut.
She immediately turned her back on me, I just hid my annoyance. That girl is really overdoing it!
She uses her position too much just to get money from her lower employees.
Annoyed, I entered the locker room and got dressed.
When I got out of there, Lydia, my co-worker, saw me.
"You look annoyed. What happened?" she asked.
"Ma'am Kylie is a bad trip. My salary will be reduced just because I was late," I could feel the annoyance in my voice as I spoke.
She nodded. "That girl is really too much! I hope she gets fired! She is a very toxic workmate," she said.
A few hours passed and the party started at the resort, I was doing the same thing over and over again, setting the table or bringing food.
It's almost time off from work, but my body is very tired because I've been doing a lot today.
I was about to go to the stock room when Lydia called me so I stopped walking.
"Vanessa, please. Can you be the one to bring this desert to that table?" She pointed at the table.
"Please?" she pleads, "I'm about to pee."
I couldn't do anything but nod. I took the tray from her hand. The desert is full of trees.
When she gave me the tray, she immediately ran to the restroom.
As I was going to the table that Lydia pointed to, a woman bumped into me.
"Oh my god! So stupid! God!"
The dessert spread all over her clothes.
I was shocked when she pushed me, causing me to sit on the rough floor. I felt pain in my elbow.
I seem to be injured.
I winced because of the pain.
"What have you done!? Do you know the clothes I'm wearing are expensive? Your salary is not enough to pay for my clothes!" she shouted at my face.
I closed my eyes because of her scream. People are looking at us.
No one even tried to help me, they were all just curious. They were all whispering.
I helped myself to my feet. I shook my hand.
I bowed down in embarrassment. This is what I don't like at all, what I'm talking about.
I clenched my fist when she pointed at my senses.
"What!? How are you going to fix my clothes!?"
I didn't look at her, I stayed bent even though she continued to pokei.
"I'll just change it . . ." I said weakly.
"Are you i***t!? This is unlimited! You can't buy anything like this!"
I gasped. The shame I feel is too much.
Suddenly, Ma'am Kylie came, her face very angry. From her reaction I knew my fate.
Ma'am Kylie glared at me before the two of us stepped between us.
''I'm sorry, ma'am. Please excuse our employee. I promise it won't happen again,'' said Ma'am Kylie to the woman.
To this day, her face is still very angry, and her look at me is as sharp as a knife.
I didn't even understand what else they said, because whatever it was, I already knew my fate after this.
I just saw myself following behind Ma'am Kylie as we went to her own office.
When we entered the office, she immediately sat down in her swilver chair. I sat on the opposite seat of her table.
I looked at her face, it was very serious.
''Ma'am, I'm sorry. I did not mean—''
''You're fired,'' she said firmly.
I was expecting what she was going to say, but I still couldn't help but be surprised. I can't lose my job, what about the bills at home? My budget for studying? How about Mama and I's daily meals?
The corners of my eyes are burning, I can't lose my job! Where is the justice in this?
It wasn't my fault earlier. That girl herself bumped into me!
''But, Ma'am. It's not fair if you insult me. I am not to blame for what happened earlier. She is the one who bumped into me, she is the one to blame for getting her clothes dirty,'' I explained at length. There was a plea in my voice.
I don't want her to hear me begging, but I can't do anything. I really need this job so that I can provide for my daily life with Mama.
''Miss Miller, it's obvious who's to blame, and it's you. You can't take me with your lies.''
My fingernail is almost buried in the palm of my hand. There is absolutely no justice for poor people like me. Why am I wasting my time explaining to her? I know that even if I am in the right, she still has the power to believe.
The world cannot be deceived, but people are.
I just bowed, feeling like I had to defend myself.
I nodded in resignation, knowing there was nothing more I could do.
I let out a breath, and I bravely stared into her eyes.
''No, Ma'am. I'm not fired, I'm quit.'' I stood up from my seat and pulled the name tag attached to my clothes. I threw it on her table.
I know my eyes are red, I can feel them getting hot. So before my tears fell in front of her, I turned my back on her, and left her office.
When I closed the door, my tears started to fall. This day is frustrating.
My chest is heavy, I feel like I'm going to cry at any moment.
I didn't want anyone to see how weak I was, so I immediately went to the restroom to vent my anger.
When I entered the restroom, I locked the door so no one could enter.
But all the hair on my body stood up when I heard a woman's moan.
What the hell?!
''Ohh, please! Lick me more!''
Oh my gosh!
My heart beat faster and I just swallowed. I'm not innocent so I don't know what's going on in the cubicle!
I heard the man moan.
I wanted to leave the bathroom, but I seemed to be pushed from my position when two people who were kissing came out of the cubicle, the woman leaned against the door of the cubicle, they didn't notice me because of what they were doing.
I just screamed.
They stopped what they were doing and looked at me in shock.
''f**k s**t!'' the woman cursed.
The girl I had a fight with earlier, she's wearing different clothes but it's a mess now.
I looked at the man in front of me, his thick eyebrows were slightly furrowed, his lips were red. His polo shirt is also messed up.
My lips just watered because of how handsome he is.
Because of the panic, I hurried out of the bathroom.
Today is really unlucky!