001 - A Life’s Worth

Maria could die tonight.

As this cold realization dawned on Lola Coker, her slender hands trembled and she dropped the little purse she held...for the second time.

Maria, her mother who had showered her with nothing but love could pass away in pain, and all of that, because she was too wretchedly broke to come up with a measly twenty thousand dollar fix!

How much exactly is a loving mother’s life worth?

The busy crowd on the main street soon turned to quick blurs as Lola’s eyes stung with raw tears.

Here at work, she had been sure to remain in her lane…never too spectacular, never noticed, never seeking attention. But it no longer mattered… she was going to do what she had to do to save her mother. Even if it meant kissing up to her worst enemy’s uncle’s ass.

“Hey, miss! Make it snappy, will you?.” The driver of the cab which she had just alighted from, hissed with a slight hint of impatience in his ragged voice and Lola hurriedly handed the cab fare over.

The sound of the vehicle zooming off brought the red-haired girl’s attention back to the familiar building before her.

FAME HALL ENTERTAINMENT. The bold, large letterings on the building’s high wall read.

Ding!.

A message alert sounded followed by a series of familiar vibrations which were definitely from Aria, her best friend, but Lola paid no attention to the phone in her bag and instead wiped at the wet corners of her eyes with the edge of her fingertips. This was a dangerous road to tread on but it was also her last resort for help as all other contacts had failed her, woefully.

Lola’s blazingly red long hair cascaded freely down her slender back, highlighting her average height as she exhaled deeply and took a step forward.

“Hey!.” She suddenly yelped as she felt a force yank away her loosely held purse from her fingers.

“Come back here!.” Lola screamed trying to go after the thief but the disappearing figure on his heels with her purse in his clutch soon boarded an approaching bike and she could only watch helplessly as the culprits made away with the only spare cash she had for her name in the blink of an eye.

Left with nothing but her almost empty tote bag and herself, the corner of Lola’s lips curved up into a sad, bitter smile. There was no turning back now.

Facing the building one last time, her footsteps sprang with a new determination and the busy crowd faded into the background.

The regular men at the door switched to a new set of doormen for the night shift as Lola approached and she forced herself to look away from the men who might recognize her from her outburst earlier in the day.

A few hours back, she had rushed out of rehearsals after receiving a call from Laura, Maria’s friend, and neighbor regarding her mother’s collapse and now, she was back...

“Ha!, If it isn't little miss two left feet...”

A haughty, very familiar, very unwelcome voice teased from behind the instant she walked through the doors and Lola felt her stomach churn in recoil.

“Not now, Chloe,” she muttered beneath her breath before hesitatingly turning to face Chloe.

Chloe Gayle, Fame Hall’s infamous princess, and her two minions were giggling from behind and looking down at her in the most condescending manner. Rehearsals for the hip-hop department must have ended four hours ago. Lola didn't exactly ‘expect’ to see them still at the agency.

Chloe’s smirk suddenly wavered as her gaze settled on Lola’s hair, but it was back on the next minute like nothing had happened. “Where did you steal that wig from left feet? or let me guess.. your great granny gifted it to you?.” She commented and the two girls behind her chuckled loudly.

Lola’s eyes widened as she hurriedly turned away from the girls.

In her haste to find help, she had forgotten to put her regular black wig back on. Her real hair color was a fiery red, but she hid it to avoid attention and used a black wig at work. No wonder Chloe thought her real hair was a wig.

As much as she would like to exchange taunts with the trio, she was here for something so important that her happiness depended on it.

The smirk on Chloe’s face soon turned sour as she watched her prey zoom off before she got the chance to make real fun of her, leaving only a blur of bright red hair as the girl disappeared in the direction of the elevator.

“Coward.” She scoffed to Lola’s clear hearing, but the anxiety burning in the fleeing girl’s chest leaves her no spare mind to even care. Chloe and her hideous minions…could wait.