Chapter 6 – Unwanted Attention

The moment I stepped into the house, I knew something was wrong.

Cassandra was sitting on the couch, her arms crossed, eyes sharp with annoyance. Marcus was leaning against the staircase, a smug smirk on his face. My mother stood near the dining table, looking at me like I was some kind of insect she wanted to crush.

I sighed, shutting the door behind me. Here we go again.

“Where have you been?” my mother asked, her voice dangerously calm.

I met her gaze without flinching. “At work.”

Cassandra scoffed. “Work? You actually found someone desperate enough to hire you?”

I ignored her. “Yes.”

My mother’s eyes narrowed. “And what exactly do you think you’re doing? Acting like some independent girl all of a sudden? You live under my roof, Clarisse. You do as I say.”

I clenched my fists. “I don’t see how me working affects you.”

Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. “She’s growing a backbone, huh? Cute.”

I turned to him, my voice steady. “What’s really bothering you, Marcus? That I’m doing something with my life or that you can’t push me around anymore?”

His smirk twitched.

Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You’re still pathetic, you know. A few days of work won’t change that.”

I exhaled slowly, refusing to let them get under my skin. “Believe what you want,” I said, moving past them toward the stairs.

Just as I reached the first step, my mother’s voice stopped me. “Don’t forget who you are, Clarisse.”

I paused but didn’t turn around.

“You are nothing without this family,” she continued. “You think getting a little job makes you special? It doesn’t change the fact that you’re still the weakest, most unwanted one in this house.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

That’s where you’re wrong.

I straightened my back and walked up the stairs, refusing to let them see the fire burning inside me.

They had no idea.

They still thought I was the same helpless girl they could break.

But they would learn soon enough.

I shut the door to my room, leaning against it as I took a deep breath.

They were trying to get under my skin. Trying to remind me of my place in this house. But I wasn’t the same Clarisse they used to push around.

I walked over to my small desk, placing my earnings from today’s work inside a drawer. It wasn’t much, but it was mine. The first step toward true independence.

Just as I was about to change into more comfortable clothes, a soft knock came from my door. I frowned. No one ever came to my room unless they wanted something.

I hesitated before opening it.

To my surprise, it was one of the maids, Rosa. She was older, maybe in her forties, and had been working here for as long as I could remember. Unlike the others in this house, she never treated me cruelly.

“Miss Clarisse,” she said in a hushed voice. “May I come in for a moment?”

I stepped aside, allowing her inside. She looked around cautiously before closing the door behind her.

“What is it?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.

She hesitated, wringing her hands. “I overheard your mother and Cassandra talking earlier,” she whispered. “They’re not happy about you working. Your mother thinks you’re trying to defy her, and Cassandra… well, she just doesn’t like seeing you do anything for yourself.”

I let out a dry laugh. “That’s not new.”

Rosa shook her head. “No, Miss. This time, they’re planning something. Cassandra said she’ll make sure you regret getting that job.”

My jaw clenched.

Of course, she wouldn’t just let me be. She was too used to being the center of attention, to having everything go her way. If she saw me as a threat—even in the smallest way—she would do something about it.

Rosa reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a small envelope. “Take this,” she said, handing it to me.

I frowned, opening it to find a small bundle of cash inside. My eyes widened, and I looked at her in confusion.

“Rosa, I can’t—”

“Please,” she insisted. “I know what it’s like to be trapped in a house that doesn’t love you. If you ever need to leave, use this.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

She wasn’t just a maid. She understood.

I nodded, gripping the envelope tightly. “Thank you, Rosa.”

She gave me a small, sad smile before slipping out of my room.

As I sat on my bed, staring at the money in my hands, one thing became clear.

I needed to be ready.

Cassandra was planning something.

And I refused to let her win.

The next morning, I left the house early, making sure to avoid any confrontation with my family. The last thing I needed was another pointless argument with Cassandra or a belittling speech from my mother.

As I walked to the café, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease settling in my chest. Rosa’s warning echoed in my mind. Cassandra will make sure you regret getting that job.

But I wasn’t going to let her scare me.

By the time I arrived at the café, the atmosphere was already buzzing with the morning rush. Maria, my boss, shot me an approving nod as I stepped behind the counter.

"Good. You're getting the hang of this," she said, handing me an apron.

I smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. Here, I wasn’t Clarisse—the weak, unwanted girl from a cruel family. Here, I was just another worker, and I liked that.

The hours passed quickly, and by noon, I was balancing trays with more confidence, chatting with customers, and even enjoying the work. It was exhausting, but in a good way.

Then, just as I was wiping down a table, the doorbell chimed, and my entire body tensed.

Cassandra.

She walked in like she owned the place, her designer bag slung over her shoulder, her lips curled into a smirk.

Behind her was Marcus, looking just as arrogant, and a few of their rich, snobbish friends.

I swallowed hard, keeping my expression neutral as they approached the counter.

Maria, oblivious to the tension, greeted them with a smile. “Welcome! What can I get for you?”

Cassandra turned to me instead. “Actually, I want her to take our order.”

I met her gaze, refusing to let her intimidate me. “Fine,” I said, grabbing my notepad. “What do you want?”

She pretended to think, tapping a perfectly manicured nail against her chin. “Hmm… how about the most expensive drinks you have? And make sure they’re perfect.”

Her friends giggled, clearly enjoying the game she was playing.

I clenched my jaw but forced a polite smile. “Coming right up.”

Turning away, I went straight to the coffee machine, trying to ignore the burning sensation of their eyes watching me. I knew what this was. She wanted to humiliate me, to make me feel small in front of her friends.

But I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

I prepared their drinks with precision, making sure they were exactly how they ordered. When I brought them back, Cassandra took a slow sip, then wrinkled her nose.

“Hmm… too sweet,” she said, pushing it back. “Make it again.”

I bit the inside of my cheek. “You ordered it with extra sugar.”

She shrugged. “And now I don’t want that. Try again.”

I glanced at Maria, but she was busy with other customers. Sighing, I grabbed the drink and remade it.

When I returned, she took another sip and grimaced. “Ugh. Now it’s too bitter.”

Laughter erupted from her friends.

I gripped the tray tightly, my patience thinning. “Cassandra—”

“What? You work here, don’t you?” she interrupted, her smirk widening. “So do your job properly.”

I stared at her, my blood boiling. The old Clarisse would’ve stayed silent, taken her insults, and walked away in humiliation.

But I wasn’t that girl anymore.

Slowly, I placed the tray on the table, leaned forward, and met her gaze.

“You’re right,” I said, my voice soft but firm. “I do work here. And since I work here, that means I have the right to refuse service to rude, entitled customers.”

Her smirk vanished. “Excuse me?”

I crossed my arms. “If you don’t like the drink, feel free to leave. Or better yet—why don’t you make it yourself?”

Gasps echoed around the café.

Cassandra’s face turned red, her eyes burning with anger.

"You—"

“Is there a problem here?” Maria suddenly appeared beside me, her sharp gaze flickering between us.

Cassandra quickly changed her expression, forcing a fake smile. “Oh, no. Just giving my dear sister a hard time.”

Maria didn’t look convinced. “Well, if you’re done, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t disturb my staff any further.”

Cassandra huffed but stood up, flipping her hair dramatically. “Fine. We’re leaving.”

As they walked out, Marcus threw me a dark look. “You’re going to regret that, Clarisse.”

I didn’t flinch. I simply turned my back on them and continued working.

Let them be mad. Let them plot whatever revenge they wanted.