CHAPTER 2

I sobbed so loud I didn’t hear my phone ring. It was at the third ring that I noticed and rummaged through my bag.

“Hello!” I answered without looking at the screen.

“Mabel. Where are you?”

At hearing the voice of that one person who cared about me brought more tears to my eyes. “Hello, Ruth.”

Ruth was my best friend. We have known each other since elementary school and have since then become inseparable. She’s the sister I never had.

“Yes,” she replied. “I just stopped by at the Maple Lane Diner and asked for you and …”

“I’ve been fired,” I muttered and more tears flowed down my face.

“Where are you?”

“In my apartment.”

“Don’t go anywhere. I’m coming right there, okay?”

“Alright.”

The call ended and I resumed sobbing and gathered myself off the floor. I walked to the only shelf in my living area, to a family portrait and I picked it up. It was the last picture of my once-happy family before tragedy tore us apart. I returned the picture to the shelf and strode to the mirror in the room. I can barely recognize the girl staring back at me, my brown eyes were sunken and my dark-brown hair though pulled back in a ponytail, was messy and fell around my face.

A knock rapped on the door and I answered it. It’s Ruth and she pulled me into her arms. I broke down all over and we settled down on the couch.

“Tell me what happened,” she probed.

I told her all I went through today. “Perhaps I'm cursed,” I concluded.

“You’re not cursed,” Ruth said.

“Look at me. I’m 22 years old. I don’t have a job. I’m about to be kicked out of my apartment.” I paused and dragged a breath. “I can’t remember the last time I was happy.”

Ruth took my hands and patted them. “Like I said, you’re not cursed and you’ll find happiness very soon. For starters, we need to find a means of saving your home, and that brings us to the next topic.”

Ruth paused and brought out her iPad from her bag. I watched her double-tap the screen and typed for a few seconds. “There’s a ball coming up tomorrow night for the high society. It’s going to be huge.”

“Why are you telling me this?” I asked.

“There’s an opening in the ball for the role of a waitress and I think you should take it up. I heard the pay is good.” Ruth smiled.

A reticent smile played on my lips. “Are you sure?”

She gave me the iPad so I could see for myself the tabloid about the upcoming ball, and the job description. Ruth was right, the pay was huge, at least big enough to offset my rent.

Tears gathered in my eyes. “Are you sure, Ruth?” I stared at her.

“I know I wanted the job for myself, but seeing that you need the money more than I do, I will be happy to forfeit the job to you.”

There were several pictures of the guests expected to grace the event, but one caught my attention.

“Who’s this?” I asked, showing Ruth the picture.

“Oh, that. That's the CEO of Daston Airlines and the heir of the Rivera group, one of the richest families in North America.”

Ruth explained and I can’t get my eyes off of him. Was it legal to be that handsome?

He was standing at 6 feet tall, with wavy black hair and a pair of deep blue eyes that complimented his hawkish nose, full lips, and broad shoulders. I felt a strange warmth pool between my legs just staring at his photo.

“..Mabel? Mabel?!”

I jolted. “Yes.”

Ruth stared at me. “Are you okay?” she asked.

“Yes.” I nodded and swallowed. “Y-yes, I am okay. Are you sure you’re okay with me taking this job? You also need the money for your agriculture project,” I said and handed back to her the iPad.

“You need the money more than me, Mabel. I will hate to see you get thrown out of your apartment,” she said. A reassuring smile played on her lips.

I wiped the tears that just escaped my eyes. “Thank you.”

Ruth dragged a breath and resumed typing on her iPad. “I already applied for the job on your behalf, on my way here.” She stopped and gasped, and she showed me the screen. “And guess what? You just got hired!”

A squeal escaped my lips. Everything was working so fast. “Omg, Ruth. What should I do?”

“You don't need to do much, uniforms will be available at the venue for staff. However, you need a hairdo. Come.” She grabbed my hands.

One minute, I was with my friend in a saloon getting a hairdo, the next day I was at the event center showing my ID as the organizers clocked me in. I was searched thoroughly and was cleared.

They signed me in from their device and I was allowed into the grand exquisite hall and joined the rest of my colleagues as we were briefed about the event and dispatched to our first duty posts– welcoming guests.

“Welcome to the Forte-nite ball. It’s a pleasure to have you,” our supervisor will say as cars pulled over at the terrace.

“Welcome.” I will step forward and hang a garland on their neck. We continued and then a black limousine pulled over.

The door swung open and no one, absolutely no one but the CEO of Daston Airlines stepped out.