Episode 2

Waking up at 4 am to catch the subway to the city center and start work at 8 am is very tiring, but it's necessary. I graduated this year and needed to start working right away. I couldn't start college, which was my dream. My father is always drunk, and my mother is a narcissist who doesn't work and complains about me being a coffee girl. She says I should look for a rich husband or work as a luxury escort. I can hardly believe my mother is like that. I'm not even pretty. We have a rented house here in the rural area of the city, which is why it takes me so long to arrive. Our village is horrible and dominated by criminals. I really want to be able to stay in the center and not live with my parents, but I can't afford it on my salary.

I have a sister named Charlotte. She's 20 years old and just like my mother, without many goals in life other than finding a rich husband. I wanted to go to nursing school because I love taking care of people, but that won't be possible anytime soon. Here in the village, there are many poor families. There are some men who do business; they are like the owners here, but I don't like any of them. I have few friends. Luna is the daughter of a very old man. She is very young but takes care of the house and her father. Marisa is older than me but also suffers terribly. I heard my mother saying that the guys asked for his house or the money he owed. That's what they do, lend money for basic necessities and then threaten.

"I'm going to bed, you know I wake up early," I said to my parents, who had friends over. One of them was looking at me rudely, it was disgusting. I immediately went to my room and locked the door. It was around 1 am, and I couldn't sleep peacefully, it was too noisy. So I was getting ready to leave when I heard something that horrified me.

"Yes, I'm sure she's a virgin, trust me, Arnaldo. You paid for a good night of pleasure. Well, not the whole night, because she leaves for work at 4 o'clock. Tomorrow you can get her when she arrives," she said, and I heard a man reply:

"It better be good. I have great plans for her. I'll come tomorrow, and I don't want any mistakes." He spoke, and I heard footsteps walking away.

I couldn't believe what I heard. Did my mother sell my virginity to a friend? Worse, to a criminal. I need to get out of here. I opened my wardrobe door and took my documents, my most urgent belongings, and the little savings I had managed to put together. If my mother saw my money, she would certainly take it all for herself.

I put on a coat and climbed out the window. I walked a dark path on foot. As soon as I saw Arnaldo's men walking away, despite being a little scared, I wouldn't stop. I was afraid, but I always walked there to catch the bus. An old man drove by and offered me a ride. I was afraid to accept the ride. He seemed like a good man, so I ended up accepting. Of two evils, he would be the lesser, because if one of Arnaldo's men saw me, they would certainly come after me.

"I'm going to the Camboa Hotel, I'm a cook there, young lady. Where do you want to go?" he asked.

"I'm a kitchen assistant at the Rossi Export company. I always leave at this time, a little later, but I need to catch the subway earlier today," I said, and he looked at me in astonishment.

"You leave this early to catch the subway and work at the Rossi company? My hotel is also theirs. The owner there, Mr. Dante Rossi, is ruthless, he doesn't accept mistakes, that's why I also leave earlier, I'm afraid that any unforeseen event will cost me my job, after all, at least they pay good salaries," he said, and I agreed.

I had already heard about the owner of the company and how women line up to sleep with him. I thought about it and immediately shook my head to clear my mind.

During the hours on the road, I learned that he was a father of three girls and was already a grandfather, supporting the house alone because, in our neighborhood, poverty dominated alongside crime.

"You took a lot of risks going to catch the subway at this hour, daughter. It's dangerous, and there are bad men out there," he said, clearly worried.

"Well, I had to, because my parents don't work, and now they don't anymore. From today onwards, I won't be going back. I'm going to find a boarding house there or a very cheap apartment that I can maybe find someone to share with. Let's just say it became too dangerous to live there," I said, and we arrived.

Today started out busy. I arrived at 7 am, very sleepy, after all, I hadn't slept at all. I went to the locker room to change to go to the kitchen, start making coffee, and organize things.

"Good morning, Sami. It's a hot day today. Alessia, the pretty lawyer, is already in the meeting room waiting for the big man. Take her coffee, and she'll give him the tea he likes," Julie said with a laugh. She was my colleague, the only one who helped me. Everyone knew what the boss did with the lawyer and the other women who passed through his office. He's a handsome man, but not at all discreet. Yes, I've noticed him, and yes, he's not bad looking, but his wickedness precedes his beauty, at least that's what they say around here. I believe he's never even noticed my presence.

"Julie, I'm looking for a place to stay tonight. I can't go back home," I said, and she looked at me seriously.

"Oh my God, what did your crazy mother do?" She was the only one who knew what she did to me. I told her everything, and my phone rang.

"It's her, my mother," I said tensely. I didn't know whether to answer or not, so my friend said:

"Answer it and tell her some home truths. I have a spare room in my apartment; we can split the expenses. I'll talk to the girls first, but for me, it's no problem. Put an end to this," she said, and I agreed. Enough of being afraid of that crazy woman.

I decided to answer.

"Hello, Mom," I replied coldly.

"What's going on in that head of yours? Arnaldo gave me $5,000 to sleep with you! He said he would come today to finish the deal. I saw that you took your bag. What are you thinking? Daughter, this place where you're killing yourself is not going to get you anywhere. You can't even say it's a job," she said furiously, not even ashamed to admit she sold me.

"Mom, aren't you ashamed? I'm not sleeping with anyone. Are you crazy? This is a job, yes, it's what allowed me to save up and get rid of you," I replied furiously.

"Savings? What do you mean? You had money and didn't give me any, you're ungrateful, aren't you? Tonight, when you get home, you'll pay me. Arnaldo paid less than half for your sister than he did for you," she said, thinking I was coming home.

"I'm not going home anymore; you won't see me again. Forget about me. I'm hanging up because I'm going to start working," I said, disconnecting the call and watching my colleague's shocked face.

"Seriously, your mother is not right. You've been here for five months, right? Did you manage to save anything?" my friend asked.

"A little, yes, I managed to save some. We'll talk later. Tonight, I'm going to a small hotel, and you can get organized with your roommates. Give me an answer tomorrow," I said, and she nodded, going back to work.

I prepared the tray and went to the meeting room. On the way, I met Mr. Fernando. He is very kind and greeted me.

"Sami, good morning! How are you? Serve the coffee and take another one to my father, who is in my brother's office," he said.

"Sure, sir, I'll take it right away," I said and entered the room.

"Excuse me, I brought coffee," I said, and as always, they didn't answer. She just looked at me with disgust, and he never looked up.

I left the coffee and immediately left. I went to see Mr. Leonardo.

"Good morning, Mr. Leonardo. How have you been? I brought your coffee with cream because I know you like it, skimmed milk, so it doesn't interfere with your treatment," I said, and he looked at me kindly.

"Hello, young lady, thank you for your kindness. What's wrong? You have a worried look on your face today. If you need anything, let me know, no matter what it is, your kindness deserves a reward," he said, leaving me speechless. Did he know me well enough to see that I wasn't okay, or was I being too transparent?

"It's nothing much, I had to leave my house, but as I was already leaving at 4 am to get here on time, it was better for me," I said without realizing it, and I saw the man's son looking at me.

"Oh, Mr. Fernando, I'm sorry. I don't have to talk about my life," I apologized quickly, and he asked me to calm down.

"It's okay, calm down, Sami. I was just surprised. You left at 4 am to start here at 8?" he asked, astonished.

"I have to, I mean, I had to. Now, I'm going to a small hotel tonight, and then I'll see what to do. My parents don't work and wanted all my money. I want to study nursing, and I can't without saving up. They had an attitude that was the last straw, so it's been decided. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going," I said goodbye and left.

I went back to the kitchen and went about my normal work routine. My boss called me and said:

"Samira, I need you to stay until 8 pm today. There's a meeting until late, and I have another commitment," she said and left without giving me a chance to question.

"I'm so tired. God give me strength, but let's go," I said to myself and went back to organizing my commitments.

The day flew by, and when I looked at the clock, it was already 6 pm. People started to leave, and I stayed by the phone, waiting for orders. Whenever there was a night meeting, they would switch from coffee to drinks, but I had already learned how to make them, so let's go, the night is not over yet. I served at least 200 glasses of drinks; I made them, and the waiter took them away.

When the night was finally over and they left, I got ready to leave.

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