Chapter 4 Chapter Four

I was awoken by a knock on the door.

I groaned before running a hand through my hair and opening it.

I was greeted by no other than Mr. Pierce who had a bright smile on his face. What's so nice about waking someone up from their sleep?

"Good morning, seems like you slept well. Julia is waiting for you downstairs," he said looking at me.

"Ok Mr-

"-My name is Devin," he said before walking away.

I close the door and went to the bathroom.

After brushing my teeth and setting my hair, I left the room and made my way downstairs.

I saw Julia looking exceptionally beautiful. I don't usually compliment people so if I do, that must be saying something. She was dressed in a red suit that complimented her black platform heels. Her hair was tied in a neat bun and a pair of silver earrings accentuated her red lipstick.

They were laughing about something that seemed really funny and when they noticed my presence, Devin crossed his legs and half smiled at me while Julia turned and looked my way.

"Hi, I didn't quite get your name the last time," she said giving me a warm smile.

"It's Vanessa," I answered with a small smile of my own.

"Ok Vanessa, how do you like the place so far?" She asked but I only shrugged.

"I'm not planning to stay here for too long. As soon as I get a job I will leave," I told her truthfully.

She seemed taken aback by what I said but she couldn't be expecting that I wanna stay here forever. There was no way I was going to permanently reside here. I have a life to live and plus, I want to leave New York.

"Have you started looking for a job as yet?" she asked raising an eye at me.

"I haven't. I'm planning on doing so today," I replied before sitting on a small chair between the both of them.

Devin was really quiet just listening to our conversation and smiling to himself.

"Oh, then I guess I shouldn't keep you then. The earlier you start the better right? You want to leave this place as soon as you can," she said taking a sip of her orange juice before putting it down and turning to Devin.

I got up before I could hear their conversation and went back to my room.

I really needed to find a job today and a good one at that. I checked my phone but it was dead. I didn't even bother to charge it because no one ever calls or messages me.

I had no one.

I went to the bathroom and when I came out with a towel around my body, I didn't expect to see Devin sitting in the chair in the corner. His eyes met mine and he got up and walked up to me. I didn't feel bothered by his presence or him seeing me like this.

If you had my past you wouldn't either.

"Julia said you should get this," he said before handing me an envelope. I looked at him with furrowed eyebrows before taking it and examining it. Before I could ask what it was, he turned and left the room.

I sat on the bed and basically ripped it open. I just can't open things the right way at times. Money bills came crashing into my lap. I counted them and it was five hundred dollars. I couldn't believe it. Why would she offer me so much money, was there a catch to it?

Hopefully not because I didn't ask her for it. Although, I was indeed grateful.

This could do a lot of things and I was good at budgeting so it will last long. I fold the notes and placed them in my small bag before getting dressed. I wore a pair of washed out jeans, a white blouse and a knee length jacket that Omar got me on my twenty-third birthday.

Gosh I miss him!

After leaving the room, I went downstairs but I didn't see Devin anywhere. The sound of a car honking got my attention and I went outside to see him in seated in a grey Sedan. He opened the door and gestured for me to get in.

"I was going to take a cab," I said once I entered and shut the door.

"It's fine. I have to go buy something anyways," he replied before driving off.

"So what kind of job are you looking for?," he asked glancing at me.

"Anything I can get as long as I'm getting paid," I replied looking out the window.

"Can I say something?," he asked next and I looked at him.

"Sur-

"-You seem like a very strong woman Vanessa. I haven't known you for a good while but you seem like the type to work for what you want and try any possible way to achieve it. Correct me if I'm wrong but that's what I honestly think."

I stared at him for the longest time before turning away.

I didn't reply to his statement.

Instead  I relaxed in my seat and let it all sink in. I was a strong woman. I was strong enough to fend for myself when my parents threw me out. I was strong enough to run away from the man who took me in and gave me everything. I was even strong enough to survive when Omar's mother kicked me out.

And here I was, still going strong and aiming for what I want. And what I wanted was a job. A good job so I can get money and leave this city and buy a small apartment in some country where I don't have to depend on anyone for anything.

That was my goal.

About ten minutes later, the car came to a halt.

"Thanks," I said, opening the door and stepping out.

"No problem," he replied.

I watched as he sped off down the road.

I let out a deep sigh and started down the street, eyes darting from one shop to another in search of a 'Workers Needed' sign. I looked over my shoulder for just a second, and crashed right into someone.

Warm, brown liquid came pouring out of a cup all over the both of us. He stepped back immediately and muttered a curse word. One of his bodyguards stepped forward, slipping off his jacket and glaring at me.

The man I'd bumped into was dressed in clothes that looked expensive, and that sweet, masculine scent of his cologne lingered in the air around him.

"Can't you watch where you're going? Now my jacket is ruined. Do you have any idea how expensive it is? Perhaps I should let you buy it back."

His voice was rough and I swear I trembled a little when he shouted. I loathed rich and cocky people with a passion.

"Sorry," I muttered, stepping away from him.

He raised an eyebrow at me.

Our eyes met but I didn't look away. My face was blank and his showed no emotion but I could care less. It was an accident and there was no way I was buying back a jacket that probably cost thousands of dollars.

I didn't even have a thousand dollars!

"Mor- well, hello, beautiful," a guy with a bright smile said as he walked up to us, his eyes fixed on me.

"What do you want, Reid?" Mr. Cocky asked, sounding thoroughly irritated.

Reid didn't seem fazed. Instead, his grin widened, and before I knew it, he had taken my hand.

"What are you doing?" I shouted. I tried to pull it away but it didn't help. He was much stronger than he looked.

"You're quite beautiful. What's your name?" he asked, opening my palm and started caressing it.

When his grip loosened, I pulled away quickly. I turned and started walking off, only to be stopped by Mr cocky's voice.

"You owe me a jacket."

I rolled my eyes and kept walking until I was sure I'd put some distance between us. I slowed when I spotted a guy in front of a small restaurant hanging up a sign. Once he went back inside, I read it.

'Workers Wanted - no special qualifications required'

I saw a glimmer of hope flash before my eyes and stepped inside. The place was small but neatly decorated, with tables and chairs arranged in perfect order. Each table had a centerpiece, a small vase filled with colorful flowers.

"Hello, can I help you?"

I turned towards the voice and saw a girl behind the counter waving me over. I walked up to her, about to say something, but she spoke first.

"What do you want to order… or are you applying?" she asked softly.

"Applying," I replied quickly.

Her smile widened, and she hurried off. A few seconds later, she returned with a short, round man in a gray suit. His hair was sticking out in every direction, as if he'd been running on stress for days.

"Hello," he said instantly and reached a hand out. I accepted it. We shook hands before I pulled away, placing them in my coat.

"I'm so glad you decided to stop by. May I ask your name?" he asked smiling at me.

"Vanessa Collins," I replied with a small smile of my own.

"As you can see, this place needs not only new ideas to bring in more customers, but also new workers. I hope you're willing to give your full effort. All my employees are expected to do their jobs properly and strictly no slacking off."

"You'll work from eight to five, and on weekends you'll be paid two hundred dollars."

I let it all sink in. That was good cash, well to me it was. It was more than enough for a person like me.

"Tomorrow when you come in, Akilah will show you the basics steps. Now if you excuse me I have a meeting and I will see you tomorrow."

He touched my shoulder before walking away. I examined the place for a while longer before leaving. I decided to buy some breakfast before going home to tell Devin the news.

I had always believed in miracles and this was one of them. I just hope that things will work out.