Episode 4

SARAH

"Let me introduce you, to your new partner" Maria told me.

I titled my head, and glanced at her.

"Steve" she called

Immediately, a guy wearing a white shirt tucked in a pair of black jeans with a black vest turned to us. "Yes Ma'am" he answered.

"This is Steve" she introduced and my gaze fell on the man behind the bar stand, Maria continued "He's the head bar attendant" She stilled for some seconds. "And you'll be working with him" she added.

I inhaled deeply as her words stunged me, my gaze lowered to the floor as sadness struck me. I just lost my parents. I hadnt even recovered fully from the shock. And now i was being forced, to work for my uncle's family. I wouldn't have been here if my parents were to be alive, I thought and tears stunged my eyes I sniffed in holding them back.

"Understood" She asked.

I lowered my gaze and nodded slightly.

"Good, [smiles] and leaves the bar stand.

I didn't want to stay here, working in a casino, dealing with Maria's rude deamenor towards me and Kayla's sassy attitude. I wanted to go back to my home. I wanted to live my life independently now, maybe go to college and get a job or something, I wanted my old life back_i missed my parents, I really do!

"Hey"

I looked up at the guy behind the bar stand, he seemed to be in his twenties, with jet black curly hair, green eyes, he wore a cross earring on his left ear he was handsome, I thought as i scrutinzed his looks.

I tucked my hair behind my ear and shirfted on the balls of my feet. "Hi.."

He offered me his hand. "Steve Bolton"

I placed my hand in his and we shook hands. "Sarah Marti....

He grinned. I know who you are, Sarah Martinez, you're Delvin Martinez's baby niece, he said in a teasing tone cutting me.

"You seem uncomfortable" he said as he watched me fumbling with my fingers.

"First day in a Casino?" he asked

I nodded. "Yes"

He laughed. For some reason he found it amusing, what was funny about not being to a Casino?

I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest, he stopped laughing and leaned on the table, then he appraised me up and down with his eyes.

"So you weren't aware your Uncle owned a Casino.".

I sighed and shook my head "No.."

Yes, I wasn't aware that my Uncle owned a huge casino in the centre of the city. And I have never been to a casino before, there was no big deal in that.

He chuckled lowly, "Well, there's more for you to know" he said. He gazed at me for a moment, then he winked at me and stood up.

I raised my brows inquisitively

"Like what" I asked in curiosity.

Then a smile stretched across his face, "You'll know, as time goes on" he replied.

______ ____________________

'It was finally over' I muttered, as it was time to close the casino, I have, had a pretty rough day. I couldn't wait to lay on my bed and get a good night sleep I thought.

I heaved a sigh "Finally" I turned to Steve.

He wriggled his brows and crossed his arms over his chest, he stilled for some seconds, "The casino is closed, but the bar isn't"

My gaze bewildered pondering on his words.

Then he gestured me to come with him, i gazed at him in confusion, what the heck was really going on?

"Come on, let's go" he prodded.

"Where are we going to?" I asked as curiosity got the best of me.

I followed him into one of the open rooms, with nervousness crippling over me, It all seemed weird and secretive at the same time. We descended on a stairs that led to a hidden pathway, I could hear the loud sound of music from a distance. He stopped as he reached a door. "Luca" he called, then a man peeped from a hole, he smiled and opened the door.

I followed Steve in, I gazed at the man by the door, it was the same man i met at the entrance of the casino.

My mouth dropped open and my eyes widened in suprise. "An underneath bar" I muttered as i drifted my eyes round the room with neon lights, men drinking and smoking, there were some ladies on stage, dressed in unison in skimpy dresses that revealed their body parts, they twirled their bodies seductively making the crowd cheer and whistle in excitement.

Steve turned to me and chukled lowly "I told you, there was more for you to know" he said.

I followed him to the bar stand, my eyes still drifting around "Let's get to work" Steve said flipping a bottle of whiskey.

And i went ahead to get orders from people.

"Hey Sarah," I turned to my back it was Kayla.

"Urgh"I blurted.

Can this day not get anymore worse!.

"What's up cousin" she asked and smirked.

I rolled my eyes and smiled.

"Hey Kayla"

I was about delivering an order, "I see you like the dress, it fits you perfectly" she said and I looked down at my bare legs which were not hidden. I shrugged "maybe."

"You're doing very great in your first day" she said sarcastically, "well I'll leave you to work" she said and leaves to a room.

Then Delvin came out from his office with Pedro who was holding two girls of my age by their hands, they seemed weak and were shivering in fear, tears pooled in their eyes before slowly sliding down their cheeks, Pedro took them to a corner and Delvin sat on a seat a smile graced his lips, I still had an order in my hands, so i went to drop the order_ it was a bottle of tequila.

3 men stood up and walked to the girls, they each had guards by their side, they shook hands with Delvin. They began scrutinizing the girls with their eyes lustfully, their hands playing round their bodies, then one of the man turned to Delvin to discuss with him, " What the heck was going on?" I muttered as I watched the scenery.

It seems like he was bargaining with Delvin, then he dipped his hands into his jacket and brought out an envelope, it was full, he handed it over to Delvin; who opened it and smiled immediately, the man ordered his guard to bring the girl as he leaves the bar.

WHAT!

My eyes widened, and my mouth dropped open. I had always suspected Uncle Delvin to be in involved in some dirty business but I never thought it would be human trafficking, now it all made sense to me, that was the reason for his underneath bar, it was not just a bar, but a bar were he sold young innocent girls, "Urgh!" I muttered in disgust.

I watched as the order men bargained price for the last girl, she was handed over to the third man, it seems he was the highest bidder