Chapter One

2 years later

Vanessa Collins 

I end the call before sighing deeply and placing the phone in my pocket. The owner of the house that am staying at have decided to throw me on the streets since I owe two months of rent. Can life get any worse? I don't think so. I couldn't live on the streets especially New York streets. 

I started walking down the pavement clutching my coat closer to my body. Ever since what happened two years ago I've been struggling. It actually wasn't always so. After Omar offered me a ride when I was being chased, I told him everything that happened with my past and the type of work that I did. He didn't judge me or anything of the sort and I stayed at his place for a few months.

We got closer and closer then we end up sleeping together. But then he met in a car accident and died. I was beyond devastated that I cried until I couldn't anymore. That was when I met his mom and she hated me at first sight. She kicked me out of his house and I had to leave. I searched for a place to stay and found one but I knew I had to pay rent and take care of myself so I got a job.

Actually I went through a few jobs. From a store clerk to a restaurant waitress and then to working at a supermarket. I got fired from all of them because there seemed to be something wrong with me why most of the workers hate me and decided to spread lies to the boss about me. And the fact that I was new meant that he had little trust in me. So I've been out of a job for four months now and it's been driving me insane.

Not only I am unemployed but I also don't have a place to stay anymore. I hailed a cab before it stopped and I went inside. I laid my head against the car door and released a deep sigh. The driver hummed along to the song that was playing on the radio as he glanced in the mirror a few times at me.

I kept staring out the window at the city and the people going to and about their businesses. I wonder if one day that will be me also? Perhaps, but am no business woman material. 

>>>

This was more than embarrassing for me. My two suitcases were at the house entrance unzipped and clothes piling out of them. I sighed before walking up to them slowly. The door opened and Mr. Wallis stood there with a grumpy face and hands and legs crossed. 

" You could've avoided this vanessa"

I gave him a dirty look before stuffing my clothes into the suitcases and zipping them up. 

"Maybe if you had a heart, and some sympathy you could understand how hard it is for me to save enough money to pay rent", I replied aggressively before standing and getting ready to pull my suitcases from his house.

"Don't you be ungrateful now, I gave you extra time to pay up and you didn't -

"Goodbye Mr. Wallis", I say cutting him off and walking away. 

I saw some persons looking at me but I ignored them. I turned the other direction and started walking. The place will be dark soon and I started worrying. These streets are no where to be alone at nights. 

I stopped and exhaled.

This was too much for me. I've faced worst than this but......it doesn't help with the situation. 

I started walking again keeping to myself as the night got darker and darker. I stopped at a bench and sat down. I didn't know how long I was actually walking for but my feet hurt like hell. 

"Via!"

I looked up startled and glanced around for the direction of the voice and saw a car parked a few metres away from me. All I could see under the street light was a hand outside of the car. I then saw a tall and very slim figure girl came around the car side to talk to whosoever was in there. The way she dressed made me had a flash back to how I used to dress those years ago.

She giggled before opening the car door and heading inside. After it drove off I looked around the place. Not much people was around and I knew it was a risk but I decided to sleep on the bench and figure out what to do tomorrow when it comes. I pushed the suitcases under it before laying down and closing my eyes.

>>>

I was awoken by someone touching my shoulder. I opened my eyes and closed them instantly from the bright light before sitting up slowly. 

"Hello, are you alright?"

I opened them slowly and was met with the eyes of a well dressed lady with two bodyguards beside her. I clutched my coat closer to me and looked around before turning back my attention to the lady. 

"I -

"This is a business place and your drawing attention, didn't you know that?"

She had a wonderful accent that I felt some type of admiration to. I looked around and notice that the front entrance was packed with people mostly reporters. There attention was directed to a tall well dressed guy -

" Hello, are you hearing me? Can you speak?"

My head snapped back to the woman who now had this irritated look on her face. I got up and pulled my suitcases from under the bench before removing my coat. I opened the smaller suitcase and pulled out another one and pulled it on. I didn't think too much about the persons watching me. 

After zipping it up I turned and started walking away. I glanced behind me and saw the woman walking towards the crowded area. As I stopped to feel my pocket for any change I had when all of a sudden there was a loud sound a car coming my way and before I know it, a huge wave of water splattered my whole body and my suitcases. 

I dropped them and looked at myself in disbelief. What's worse was that the water had this unpleasant smell. I looked and saw that the car had stopped at few feet away from me and the door was opened. A woman came out and looked at me before coming up to where I was. A guy came out as well and started following behind her.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to splash you".

I was taken aback by her words that I felt myself calm down a bit. The guy behind her looked at me in disgust before crossing his arms.

"It's alright I guess", was my reply but she shook her head examining my suitcases.

"Mom, let's go - the meeting started about five minutes ago" 

The woman looked at her son with a hard face before turning back to me and smiling.

"I'm sorry for this, let me at least give you a ride home"

I laughed sadly in my head. I didn't have a home. I just looked at her before shaking my head no. She looked confused so I just told her the truth.

"I don't have a home, I'm actually homeless right now".

"Mom, don't you see she's lying, probably trying to get some money from us", her son said and I crossed my arms and looked at him.

"Stop it Matteo, why don't you just go inside I'll be right there?"

"I'm not leaving you with he-

"Just go"

He sighed before giving me another glare and walked away.

"Are you telling me truth?"

"Yes I am, I mean why would I lie?", I replied before thinking in my head at what was happening. I was acting useless. I needed help but I hoped my impression wasn't greedy for money or anything of the sort.

"Ok, my name is Julia and since I ruined your things and you have no where to stay, I can offer you a place"

I started at her not knowing what to say. I mean that would be amazing right now but I don't want to be in debt to anyone. Especially this woman who seems *high classed*. I didn't know anything about her and am not sure I wanna get involved....

"Take this card, go to the address on it and ask for Mr. Pierce, tell him I sent you and he will give you a room to stay, ok"

"Wait, I don't get it. As much as I appreciate the help... you don't know anything about me"

She only smiled and threw her hand in her coat.

" I know that, but being generous has always been in my blood. Can't say the about my sons thou", she said with a little laugh.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Just go there, I will be seeing you again soon".

"Thank you", I said as she turned to walk off.

"Ofcourse".

I examined the card before realizing that things may be looking up for me.