Episode 1

My name is Jazmin, I'm 20 years old, and until two months ago, I had a very close-knit family, but we lost everything due to an accident

I'm Latina, and like many Latinos, I came with my parents when I was a child to chase the American dream. Although my parents always worked hard, life became increasingly tough, especially when my younger sister Cristi was born with a terminal heart condition. My parents spent days and nights in hospitals, and I was by their side. To cover Cristi's expensive medical costs, they mortgaged our house and took on debts from various banks, as we didn't have residency and weren't entitled to public healthcare

But one day, when I least expected it, I found myself alone with Cristi. Our parents died in a car accident. I couldn't afford to fall apart, my sister needed me to be strong, even though there are days when I feel like I can't go on and just want to run away

Today, like every other day for the past month, I went out job hunting. I didn't finish college, so my options are limited. Even though I work on the construction of a shopping mall, it's not enough; Cristi's medications are very expensive, and now a mortgage payment notice has arrived at home

I've walked for hours, dropping off job applications at various businesses, but none give me any hope of being hired

"Jazmin, hey, what are you doing here?" said Lola, Jazmin's friend from high school, smiling.

"Lola, hey, you know, I'm looking for a job, I'm really desperate. You wouldn't happen to know someone who needs cleaning done or lawn mowed, would you?" Jazmin said, hugging Lola.

"No, I'm sorry, but maybe you can work where I do. Come on, I'll treat you to a meal; I imagine you haven't eaten, you look very pale."

"Jazmin, first, I want you to know that this place might not be for you, but you'll earn the money you need!"

"Really, I don't care, Cristi's medicine is about to run out," Jazmin said, tears in her eyes.

"Don't cry, Jazmin, calm down, I'm going to help you. So, I need you to wear any denim skirt you have, boots or comfortable heels, okay, and a white shirt, and go to this place. I'll wait for you there at 8 p.m., alright?" Lola said, handing her a paper with an address.

Lola and Jazmin ate, and Lola explained she'd secure her a job as a waitress in one of the bars where rich people went, where being friendly could earn her good tips on top of her salary. Jazmin agreed without hesitation, although the idea made her somewhat uncomfortable.

Upon arriving home, she found Cristi lying on the couch, clutching their mother's sweater.

"Jazmin, you're back."

"Yes, my little bear, and I have great news – I found a job, well, Lola will find it for me, but it will be at night. So I need you to be brave and stay home sleeping while I work, okay?"

"But I'll be alone!"

"It will only be for a short while, I promise."

"Okay," said Cristi, crying.

Jazmin bathed and dressed as Lola had instructed, put Cristi to sleep, looked at her for a moment imagining her mother in her, then hopped into a taxi and left for the bar

"Jazmin, you look beautiful, friend. The bar is packed; my boss said you could start working right away, so you'll be serving drinks to the VIP rooms – it's all rich people who come here to work, so it will be easy."

"Okay, then I'll go. Thanks for everything, Lola."

"Take it easy, go on, and good luck," Lola said, embracing her.

Jazmin was happy with the number of tips she was receiving, though she felt objectified by the men at the bar who blatantly stared and called her names like "kitty," "sweetheart," and other obscenities

When she reached a secluded lounge, she walked in with a tray holding two bottles worth more than three times her wage, opened the door, and saw three men: two held women on their laps, and one sat alone focused on his phone

"Here are the bottles you ordered. Anything else I can get for you?"

"Yeah, pour it for us, sweetheart," said Joshua, a blue-eyed man playfully holding a woman on his lap.

Jazmin was about to finish her shift when she felt the gaze of that lone man upon her. His green eyes and slightly tousled hair caught her attention. He looked at her from top to bottom as if imagining what she wore underneath her clothes...

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