Chapter 2

- POV Karen Miller

Sometimes we leave people around and for a moment we think that no one will miss us, but we are always surprised by good things or not.

For me, this surprise was wonderful, seeing everyone like this together again. We stayed chatting until my shift started, they didn't like the idea of ​​being a waitress, especially Derek because he said that not everyone respected him and that even though it was a decent job, he didn't deserve to work there. They were willing to pay for things for me and my mother, but I didn't accept it, it would have been too much, and I like working and being independent. I know that little by little we will rebuild our lives.

“We have so many things to talk about” Now it’s just Agatha and Carla. “I'm so happy to have you back here with us,” says Agatha.

“We have to celebrate your return” Carla is the one who says, squeezing me.

“We do! But right now I have to work” they snort. “Oh. No, making those faces, but see you later.”

I say goodbye to them and introduce myself. The manager seemed to be a charismatic and very professional person, which put me at ease. At my last job, my ex-boss demanded extra things and of course, I didn't accept them.

I will partner with Tomás, a friendly guy, at least at first, he demonstrated that. I started doing the tasks, and as I already had experience with this I didn't need to be taught.

Derek said he would come, which makes me feel relieved, I don't want to take any chances on these dark streets.

I'm thinking about some observations I made, Carla is a little stuck, she seemed to be hiding something, I always knew how to read my friends well and for me, something was happening despite this time away from them, nothing changed. Everyone seems to be hiding a secret, and maybe they're waiting for the right moment to tell me.

...

At around 10:30 pm Derek showed up as promised, during the trip back home we just made fun of each other. Even though Derek had an evil face, he knew how to be funny, even though his face didn't show a sense of humor, he already knew when he was serious and when he was joking. I didn't comment on my observations, it would be better to find out more, and not rush into it.

From what I remember Derek was never attached to Carla, I mean he was never one to talk and today I noticed his gaze completely focused on her like a predator, and I noticed his trembling.

In front of my house, we said goodbye.

Exhausted from carrying trays even though they are not heavy, she tires her arms by repeatedly doing the same movements. And there in Rochelle, the name of the snack bar, it has a lot of people. It was simple but had a large list of customers who came daily.

“Mom, I’m here!” I call out to her as soon as I enter the house. The lights are still off and I get no response, so I turn on the lights. I walk into the kitchen and look directly at the fridge.

*Daughter, I'll be a little late today, you don't need to wait for me. I'm at the Silva mansion. Don't worry.*

*Mommy loves you!*

I breathe in relief. I'm going straight to my room tomorrow, I have a lot of things to do. A long shower was what I needed to feel like I was on cloud nine.

After smelling good and comfortable, I started talking to the girls via video call. And so it was, another tiring but happy day.

*Snack Bar*

“I don’t want to go out, especially to a nightclub, even here at home. We can have fun here” I say, upset with Agatha and Carla’s idea.

“Stop being annoying, let’s go out!” says Agatha, when she wants to, she can be a vixen just like Carla.

“Why go to a party? You know I don’t like noise and people touching me,” I say sullenly.”

“Do it for us, Karen!” Carla and her cute face. “Wow, we spent so long without you. We just want to get ready like we used to, dance, do everything we wanted to do and now we legally can.”

When I was younger, we talked about wanting to go to a nightclub, a real party. With no one to dictate rules, just drink, dance, and kiss without anyone to judge you. With so many events I ended up forgetting that I was still young and I should enjoy life, with my father's crazy things I ended up closing myself off to these things, the fear of him finding us terrified me. And here we are where it all began, where he can appear at any moment.

“Don’t be a bad friend, I even have the clothes you’ll wear tonight” Agatha is hopeless. “Today you will make up for this delay.”

“I didn’t agree to go” I take the rest of the glasses from the last table in the coffee shop. “You’re going to end up getting me fired.”

“You can be sure not. I'll be at your house at nine, be ready or I'll have to drag you. Before you say anything, I have security guards and you know?! They do everything I say” he warns it seemed more like a threat. I look at Carla who just shrugs.

“I'm on her side. You have to have some fun, and nothing better than with your best friends” Carla says goodbye with a kiss on my cheek.

Deep breath. I want to have fun but a part of me tells me to stay alert, we are in enemy territory. Alaric never hurt me, he never lifted a finger to hurt me, but he hurt me in the worst way, which was by doing absurd things to my mother.