Chapter 05

Lauren was so focused on her work that she didn’t mind what was happening around her. 

The moment she looked at the entrance, shock was written on Lauren's face. It was Hazel. Greeting the other guest as she entered the venue. 

Lauren was nervous as hell! If her sister knows that she’s there, Hazel for sure would do anything to embarrass her. It’s because she loves seeing her have a hard time.

They didn’t know that she was working and even if she was working or not… they don’t care. They assume that she’s living her best life, partying… going somewhere… and creating problems. But it is still different if her sister finds out that she’s working there.

Thus, she was sure that if Hazel saw her right now, she would tell it to their parent. And if that happens, she might even lose her job. Like what she did a few years ago. 

Lauren quickly retreated, and because she was in a panic, she didn't notice the person at her back. She almost lost her balance, but that person was quick enough to catch her.

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And since Kaizer kept talking to his friends, he didn't notice Lauren in front and bumped into her. She almost fell, but luckily, he was flexible enough to hold the girl in her waist. He was displeased. 

Some of the guests shift their attention to them.

What a scene!

‘It can't be…

She can't afford to offend anyone. Why of all time, her sister is showing up now?'

The girl looked at him. "S-sorry Sir. I didn't mean to—" Before she could finish what she was going to say, she cut her off.

He felt the girl was trembling. Maybe she's scared that he would scold her. He calmed himself and said, "You can leave." 

Lauren could only nod as a response and immediately leave that place.

She's a little bit familiar to him, but he shrugged off that thought and then walked away. His friends attempted to stop him, but they didn't succeed.

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She was out of breath the moment she returned to the staff room. She could only grasp her chest due to what happen. Her heart was pounding at that time.

The man a while ago was displeased, she knew it based on his voice. He just keeps an emotionless face and pretends it’s fine.

“Eh, are you okay?" Nicole worriedly asks. She follows Lauren the moment she sees her friend quickly leave the venue. Nicole also finds that Lauren's behavior is somewhat strange.

“I... I almost got in trouble and offended someone." 

The fear on Lauren's face was obvious. She recalls the things Stella does to her when she makes a mistake in the tasks she ordered.

“You don't look very well. Maybe it's better if you go home.” 

“It's… ah, I’m fine. I just need to rest for a while.”

Nicole looked at her friend while she shook her head.  

“You’re not fine in my eyes. Look at your trembling hands.  You can't work well in that situation. Just excuse yourself to Manager Sam." 

Lauren didn't object anymore. Maybe that's better than her sister seeing her there.  Because if her sister happens to see her, she might not know what to do. Especially since Hazel is mad at her. 

She immediately changed her clothes and went directly to the office. 

She's thankful that Manager Sam allowed her to go home. Aside from her, other staff who were supposed to be off today went to work. Therefore, even if she leaves today, it won't affect their work. And they filled the shortage of staff that day.

It was good that it was a bit dark in the place where she was earlier. The man certainly didn't see her face. Even in its presence, you know you can't handle it when you end up on his bad side. 

She just prayed that she would never see that man again, whoever he was.

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Lauren decided to go for a walk first after leaving the club. She immediately went to a fast-food restaurant to eat. She knows for sure that she won’t find any food or even leftover food to eat if she chooses to eat at home.

 

Ever since they didn't give her food when she got home, she started buying and eating food outside. Her father is too preoccupied with his work to realize that she is not eating at their home or if they still treated her fairly. Perhaps he was aware of what was happening but decided to ignore it and don't give a damn care.

What does it feel like to have a complete family? That’s the only thing Lauren desires in her life as she grows up. She's craving for warmth and love for her family. But with those things that happen, again and again, she gives up. This time, all she wants is to escape from them. 

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The sun had not yet risen when Lauren woke up. She gets her phone that was lying on her side table and looks at the time. 

It is 5:38 in the morning. Still early for Lauren to go to work. But instead of dilly-dallying, she chose to get ready for her work. It's Monday, which means she will be back to her work at Sky City Resort, but she will only be reporting today about her work in the club.

Lauren just took a quick shower and tidied up. She thought she would eat in the cafeteria of the resort later. After getting ready, she leaves the house, then walks to the bus stop. 

She's been in the company for almost three years now. She's always been a hard-working employee and has been contributing greatly to the company. This time, Lauren thought about having a vacation. To give some time for herself and have peace of mind. 

Luckily, it's still a month away before the summer, when it's the peak season for them. She's given two weeks’ vacation leave, enough for her to relax.  

She didn't wear her uniform since it was the first day of her vacation. She only needs to make a trip to the company today for her work report. After that, she's free to go. 

Lauren went to the cafeteria for breakfast. After buying a meal, she's looking for a table that doesn't have many people.  

"Hey, Lauren!" She shifted her gaze toward the table near the entrance. Coincidentally, Nicole was there, waving at her. 

Except for Nicole, no one knows in her workplace that she's a family member of Anderson. Even her last name isn't Anderson. Her stepmother says that it's enough that they accept her into their family, so why do they need to change her last name.

Only a few people know that she is an illegitimate child. Because what other people know is that the Anderson family adopted her after the death of her mother, who was their helper. Hence, Lauren always heard them say that she was lucky to be considered as their family even though her mother worked at the Anderson family for only a short time.

Her position in the company isn't that impressive. She was just an ordinary employee. As a result, even if she claims to be the second daughter of the Anderson Family, who is well-known for their construction company and projects, no one will believe her. 

"Oh, you're not in your uniform. Is today the first day of your vacation?" Nicole asked after seeing how her friend dressed.

"Yep, that means you won’t be able to see me around. Although it's just two weeks, please don’t miss me too much.” Lauren giggled. 

Nicole jokingly rolled her eyes at what her friend said. "You know what? You are really shameless. Anyway, don’t forget to buy me a souvenir." Nicole laughed as she said that to Lauren.  

“As if I'm going on a vacation to another country." 

"Then where are you going?" Nicole curiously asks. 

"Last time, I impulsively joined in a raffle game, and the winners can get a chance to be invited to a party that is accommodated on a cruise ship. Luckily, I'm one of those winners." 

She's been searching for a good place to have a vacation. Then, she found information about the raffle game while scrolling in her social media account. She's really lucky. The day her vacation was approved, she got an email about her being one of those winners.

"Wow, big time! Vacation on a cruise ship.” 

"I’m just lucky that I’m one of those winners, and it happened to be the time I got my vacation leave. I avoided some expenses for a vacation!" Lauren commented.  

"There she goes, my friend who loves money the most." Nicole humorously teases her friend. But she knew why her friend needed to do that. And the reason why she's always saving money and working so hard. 

Lauren shrugged her shoulders and said, "well, for me in this kind of situation, who am I to turn it down? I’ve saved my money, and I’ve even got a winning vacation venue.” 

To a person who lives in a villa, and almost became one of the young ladies. Lauren did experience luxuries but only for a short time. Growing up, everything she wanted seemed out of reach now, and even what she needed became a luxury too. 

After the conversation between Lauren and Nicole, the two ladies went to their department head office to report their work. When Lauren finished all her tasks at the company that day, she bid goodbye to Nicole. 

The cruise will set sail this afternoon, and she just needs to get her luggage at their house. 

Lauren stretches her arms as she steps outside the company. She felt the sun's rays on her face.  

‘What a great day to relax! I can finally take a leave from that house.'  Lauren thought.