Episode 1

"Chanel, don't forget that the flight is this afternoon, I hope you don't arrive late."

"Don't worry, Mom, there is nothing more important to me than that flight, you'll see, with the treatments you'll receive once we're in England, you'll overcome cancer and everything will return to how it was before."

"I hope so... but I want you to be aware that not everything may go as well as we hope, and if it doesn't..."

"Say no more, I have to go, but be clear about one thing: Everything, absolutely everything will turn out well." I give my mother a kiss on the cheek and leave in a hurry.

I must finalize the details in order to work in England, fortunately a friend of my mother's offered to help me get a job that, although not as an architect, but as an assistant, will help me have some money and not rely solely on our savings.

When I arrive at the cafe, I look in all directions until I see Mr. Sacarias Rendon's face, although I don't know him personally, I saw his photos on social media, so it wasn't a problem to recognize him. I walk quickly to meet him. Most of the people around me look at me disdainfully, even the waiters, maybe because their uniforms are hundreds of kilometers higher in quality than my worn-out jeans, and not precisely for fashion reasons. Since my father died, the creditors didn't rest until they practically left us on the streets, and it has been up to me to work from sunrise to sunset to pay for my studies and my mother's medication. And even though I had a fund for my university, I preferred not to touch it, and on the contrary, to save what little I had left to be able to travel with my mother. Luckily, I have been able to graduate with honors, and although many look at me with discrimination, my head is always held high, because I know who I am, not only because of having a degree, but because of the effort I have put into it.

When I arrive at the table, Mr. Sacarias stands up and extends his hand, which I accept as a greeting, and he takes the opportunity to kiss the back of my hand before opening a chair for me.

"Good morning, Mr. Rendon, it's a pleasure to meet you." I mention as we both sit down.

"Likewise, dear, it's a pleasure to meet you. I heard you were beautiful, I thought they were just exaggerating."

"Thank you, you have no idea how important it is for my mother and me that you help us." I say, changing the subject, as I don't like the way he looks at me, as if he wants to undress me with his eyes.

"It's a pleasure to be able to help such a beautiful woman. I imagine you're in a hurry, so I won't beat around the bush."

"I infinitely appreciate it, we must travel today."

"This is all you need." He comments as he hands me an envelope. "It's a personal recommendation. You just have to present it and the job will be yours." I smile widely and extend my hand to receive it. "Not so fast." My smile slowly disappears as I see that cunning fox-like glint in his eyes.

The waiter approaches to take our order. He only orders a coffee, and I don't dare ask for anything, with the luxuriousness of the place, maybe for a glass of water, I'll have to work for free for a whole week to be able to pay for it. The waiter leaves and I take the floor.

"I don't understand what you mean. Is there some sort of condition?" I inquire with a slightly furrowed brow.

"Like in any business, but don't worry..."

"What do you want?" I interrupt him.

"I'll be direct, I'm staying at a hotel a few blocks away, accompany me to my room for half an hour and the job will be yours."

"I have met very unpleasant people in this life, but no one surpasses a dirty and repulsive old man like you. Don't get me wrong, my need is not greater than my dignity."

"Dignity will not save your dying mother." That was the last straw. Taking advantage of the waiter approaching with a cup of coffee, I stand up and take it, sipping a small amount since it's hot. Then I smile and just as the wretched man returns a triumphant smile, I approach him and let the coffee spill onto his crotch.

"You're crazy!" He exclaims, calling attention from those around us.

"I would be crazy if I allow a perverted old man like you to lay a single one of your disgusting fingers on me!" Without giving him a chance to say anything else, I walk away with my head held high, without a job but with my dignity intact.

"Once I cross the door of the establishment, I search in my old worn-out backpack for my cell phone to call Raiza, my best friend who also told me about an acquaintance who could employ me, although the job is as a salesperson in a florist. At this moment, I can't be picky, what I need is to tell her that I accept it since I had initially rejected it and he would proceed to hire someone else."

"Damn it!" I exclaim, remembering that I left it charging. It is really essential to talk to her right now.

While closing my backpack, I bump into someone. When I raise my gaze, I find an imposing figure with hypnotizing green eyes.

"Be more careful while you walk." One of his bodyguards tells me as they continue on their way, pushing me aside like a nuisance. As I look towards the pavement, I find a high-end cell phone. I take it and deduce that it belongs to the man I just bumped into. I walk back towards the cafe but realize that it's not locked and decide to call Raiza. I don't think I'll be arrested for taking a minute, besides, I plan to return the cell phone once I finish the call. So, without wasting time, I dial Raiza's number.

When I call her, she tells me that she told her friend that I would take the job and that she wouldn't say otherwise until I had signed a contract. Thank heaven I have a cautious friend. The conversation became a bit lengthy as she asked me to recount what happened with that old man. Without realizing it, I spoke for twenty minutes. When I hung up, I tried to enter the cafe, but due to what happened earlier, they didn't allow me in. Even though I tried to explain, they simply refused to listen to my reasons. I waited for over forty minutes, but to be honest, I didn't know if that man was still inside the cafe because I disconnected from everything around me while talking to Raiza. With a heavy heart, I left that place. I couldn't wait any longer. That's how I became a thief, I guess.

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