CHAPTER 1: NOT SO GOOD

“Oh my gosh!” I was running late, and I knew that Pachi would be angry with me. 

I was already angry with myself because of what I wore under my coat and that I had to clean up my father who came in drunk again.

I rushed into the grand hall of the Star Rise Hotel, catching my breath.  Everywhere and everyone seemed busy.  My heart sank as I noticed Pachi, my boss, who owns Café De Royal where I work. Pachi had recruited me to be an usher at this event.

He waved me down with anxiety written all over his face. I thought the job would be a simple gig; greet guests, hand out programs, and smile, but as I approached him, I could sense that something had gone terribly wrong.

“Mel, thank goodness you’re here,” Pachi said, he was very relieved to see me. “Listen, we’ve got a situation. The second caterer is absent. I know you’re supposed to be ushering, but could you help out in the kitchen? I’ll double your pay.”

Double pay? The sound of more money always makes sense to me. With my tuition looming and my father’s drinking habit constantly scaring away jobs, I couldn’t afford to say no. I needed this.

“I’m on it,” I said without hesitation.

I got into an apron and dove in. After preparing the dishes, I was shown three tables that had not yet been served. I had removed my coat, exposing the skimpy thing I got as an usher dress which in turn exposed my body. 

It was too short for a skirt and a low-cut blouse that made my skin crawl, exposing my busty chest and my well-rounded butt guarded by a fitted hip. 

It certainly didn’t help as it made some of the guests feel entitled to make sexy, weird, comments and wandering gazes. I bit my lips, forcing a smile as I dodged another hand that strayed too close.

“I’d rather deal with a hundred drunks like Dad than this,” I thought, feeling a wave of anger and shame. But I pushed it down, focusing instead on getting through the night. 

A mix of anger and frustration surged through me. I couldn’t believe what had just happened to me. The man at Table Three with his disgusting and greasy hand was so bold that he had touched my bum.

I had whipped around and cursed at him, murmuring under my breath, that I could not care less, he was not classy, but the damage was done. I felt violated, angry, and tired. I needed a break.

I pushed through the kitchen doors and leaned against the counter, trying to steady my breathing. Just then, Lisa walked over, her eyes full of concern.

“Mel, you okay?” she asked, her voice soft.

I nodded, forcing a smile, but I knew it didn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah, just needed a minute. It’s been a crazy night.”

“No kidding,” Lisa said, looking around at the bustling kitchen. “How are you managing to cook and usher at the same time?”

All I could think about was the money. “It’s the pay,” I admitted. “I need it. You know how things are with my dad and all. This job, it’s my ticket to finishing school.”

Lisa’s expression softened, and she reached out, placing a comforting hand on my arm. “You’re amazing, Mel. But what’s got you so upset? You seem more than just tired.”

I sighed, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “One of the guests... he touched me. I told him off, but I just... I feel gross, you know?”

Her eyes darkened with anger on my behalf. “What an asshole! I’m so sorry, Mel. No one should have to go through that.”

I shrugged, trying to shake off the discomfort. “It’s part of the job, I guess. But it still sucks.”

Lisa gave me a fierce hug, “I wish I could do something,” she whispered. “But listen, there’s some good news. Did you know the hotel owner told Pachi there’s going to be a raise for our service tonight? I think we have  really impressed them.”

I pulled back, blinking in surprise. “A raise? Seriously?”

“Yep! You totally deserve it after the night you’ve had.” She replied.

A rush of relief and excitement washed over me. This raise meant I was that much closer to paying off my tuition for my last session. I could almost see the finish line.

“Lisa, that’s amazing,” I said, a genuine smile breaking through. “Thank you for telling me. This changes everything.”

She smiled back, her eyes shining. “You earned it, Mel. And thank you for getting me this job. I don’t know where I’d be without you.”

“Here’s to us,” I said, raising an imaginary glass. “We’ve got this.”

Lisa laughed, joining in the toast. “We sure do.”

I went back to ushering. My legs ached, but by now, I had found my rhythm. I pushed through, knowing I only had a little more to go before the night was over. 

When I finally took another short break, I slipped out the back door to get some air. The cool night breeze hit my face as I pulled out my phone and messaged Carlos.

Hey, almost done here! Can’t wait for dinner.

His reply came almost instantly. I’m looking forward to it. You deserve a break, babe.

I smiled, my heart, warming at the thought. He’d promised to take me out to celebrate my salary raise at the café. It felt like things were finally starting to come together as my tuition was nearly sorted, and with my grades, graduation was within reach. No more financial stress, no more late-night shifts balancing two jobs just to scrape by.

I glanced over and, to my surprise, saw Carlos’s car parked just outside the back entrance.

“What?” I muttered to myself, “Why’s he here already?”

He hadn’t told me he was coming early. I felt a surge of excitement, wondering if he had a surprise planned or if he was just eager to see me. Either way, it made the last hour of work seem like nothing. I glanced at my watch, just sixty more minutes, and I’d be done for the night.

As I made my way back to the kitchen, something strange caught my attention. It was a muffled sound coming from behind a door near the courtyard. I froze, the sounds becoming clearer and unmistakable. 

At first, I tried to shake it off, but then I heard a man’s voice complaining, mixed with the moans of pleasure. It was the kind of complaint that wasn't really a complaint, more like a playful protest. His voice... it sounded familiar. Too familiar. And the woman’s voice, it wasn’t just anyone.

My heart pounded as realization dawned on me. No. It couldn’t be.

I pushed the door open, my hands trembling, praying I was wrong.

There they were, Carlos, my boyfriend, and Lisa, my best friend, entangled in a way that left no room for doubt. My heart shattered in an instant. My mind screamed, but all I could do was stand there, paralyzed by the betrayal.

“You two motherfuckers,” I spat, my voice shaking with fury. They scrambled, pulling apart, shock and guilt written all over their faces, but I couldn’t bear to hear whatever pitiful excuses they had lined up.

Before they could say a word, I slapped the door so hard and left. I didn’t want to hear their lies or explanations. I just needed to get away.

At the garage, tears washed my face as my thoughts carried me away, I was hurt and in disbelief. The thoughts of all the times I’d helped Lisa, how I’d bent over backward to make her life easier. 

I thought about how I’d begged Pachi to give Carlos that job at the car shop when he needed it most, the job that made him who he was today. And this was how they repaid me?

I’d turned down so many good men, men who would’ve treated me better or helped my life, just because of Carlos. I’d believed in him. I’d believed in us. 

My tears came faster than I could wipe them, trying to pull myself together. I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. Not here, not now.

“Hey, are you okay?”

A deep, smooth voice cut through the chaos in my mind, and I looked up. A man stood in front of me, his muscles straining against the tight fabric of his shirt. His dark hair flowed to his shoulder, and his eyes, concerned and locked onto mine. 

He looked like he’d just walked out of a fitness magazine, but there was something else about him. He radiated a quiet confidence, not flashy but solid. Sexy, without even trying.

For a moment, I was too stunned to respond. “Yeah, I’m... I’m fine.”

He didn’t seem convinced, though. “You sure? You don’t look fine.”

I swallowed, forcing a smile. “Just... a bad night. That’s all.”

He held out his hand, a small, comforting gesture. “I’m Nathan. If you need to talk, or just... not be alone right now, I’m here.”