What!! LakeCity. A city known for its exclusive lifestyle, high standard of living and cooperate capitals.
This can't be happening to me! Ava inner self screamed. "Okay, Ava , calm down. You just have to find a place to sleep tonight. By tomorrow you'll be alright," She tried to comfort herself.
With the little money she was given by the unknown man who helped her, she quickly left the park to find a cheap motel.
The receptionist greeted her with a warm smile."Good evening ma'am."
"Good evening, please do you have any available rooms ?" Ava asked, her eyes scanning the environment. "One minute…. The receptionist said. "Yes, we have room 103."
"Thank you," Ava smiled, collecting the key from the receptionist.
The room was dusty all over, with spiders on the wall. Ava never thought she would sleep in a place like this. She slumped to the bed, so tired she drifted off to sleep.
Ava temporarily checked out of the motel in search of a job, running her hands through her hair, unsure what the future holds.
After two hours of searching for a job, Ava sighed, fidgeting with her feet as she walked into the cafe nearby to order a cup latte as she asked the receptionist if she could speak with the manager.
The lady worried that Ava wanted to complain, quickly asked Ava if the latte was not to her taste. Ava explained everything to the lady, the lady sighed in relief , "Okay!! Please sit down, let me call my manager."
A few minutes later she arrived with the manager. "Good day ma'am, how can I help you?" Mr Ken asked, smiling.
Ava apologized for the disturbance and asked if he was hiring a new employee.
"Yes, please let's go to my office and discuss," Mr Ken said, gesturing towards his office. "Come in, please.Take a seat," he offered. Once she was seated, he asked, "What's your name?"
Ava, unsure if she could say her real name, decided to use her fake name and replied, "Nina."
"Okay, Nina, I have a job offer for you but you have to sign a contract before you get employed." After they discussed the contract for about half an hour, she headed back to the motel.
Ava's mind wandered back to the discussions she had with the cafe manager, replaying his words like a broken record: "You can get this job after signing this contract, and you will be provided with a place to stay for a day. After you're done you can work for me in the cafe. Although Ava doesn't know the nature of the job.
Making up her mind, she needs to start working to be able to rent a house. With a sense of determination, she called the manager to accept the offer, he informed her that she will start work on Friday, promising to send the location of the event.
The next few days went smoothly for Ava. On Thursday night she got stopped by an old lady near the motel, she had a luxury look and a smooth skin. Ava wondered what an old lady would be doing in the street all alone, wandering in a place like this. "How can I help you ma'am?" She asked.
"What's your name Miss?" the old lady asked. Ava, afraid someone might recognise her she quickly told the old lady her fake name with a suspicious look.
"Can I borrow your phone? I need to call my grandson, my driver's car broke down on my way and my phone is not with me." The old lady smiled.
Ava hesitated before giving the old lady her phone. After she made the call, she insisted on taking Ava's number to repay her back which Ava refused to give but she kept on insisting, which Ava finally gave in.
Friday afternoon, Ava started preparing for the job, which she was told begins at night.
After dressing up, she applied light makeup. Then hailed a taxi straight to the given destination. Arriving at the destination, Ava was surprised by the entrance, which was a masterpiece in elegance, confused by the kind of work she will be doing tonight in this mansion.
An old man approached her, "You must be the new lady ? Welcome." he said, leading her through the back door. "Miss!?" He asked.
"Nina," she replied, still in awe about the interior inside the house.
"Okay, we don't have much time. Go change." He said giving her a black knee length skirt, a white shirt and a pair of black low heeled shoes.
Ava looked at him in amazement and she asked, " What exactly am I doing tonight?" He smiled and told her she will be working as a waitress tonight.
The house party started, showing no signs of slowing down. Ava balanced the tray of drinks in her hands, walking through the crowd. Just as she was about to get another set of drinks, a voice called out her fake name.
"Nina! Nina, is that you?" Ava turned around, scanning the room until her eyes landed on the old lady she met on the street.
The old lady approached her with a smile and said " What a coincidence! She asked, "Did you come with someone?"
Ava returned the smile and replied that she had come to work. Then her eyes caught sight of a group of people and her expression changed.
Jack, Ava's father's right hand man, greeting a group of people. If Jack was present, her father would also be here, she thought to herself.
"Nina, if you are free after the party, we can have a coffee together," The old lady said, breaking Ava's train of thoughts. Ava nodded and the old lady left to attend to other guests.
Thankfully Ava saw a facemask close to the counter, wearing it. She scanned the crowd for Jack's silhouette until she spotted my father and Mr. Tom happily chatting, but could not spot Jack.
Ava, eager to hear their conversation, got closer to them.
She heard Mr. Tom laughed then shaked Mr Adams hands, "I'll sign the contract after the wedding. You have just three months to find her, otherwise, the deal is off, for old time's sake. We can't mix business and personal issues." Mr Adams nodded, his eyes lit up.