Chapter One

  "The spinal cord surgery must be done immediately, otherwise your mother won’t make it."

The words from the doctor sounded like thunder to Emily, she fiddled with her fingers nervously. How could she possibly get money for her mother's surgery, when she currently has no money at all?

  "Okay, I'll do my best to raise the money for the surgery," said Emily, even though she hadn't actually found the right way to get the money. The bank loan she applied for would obviously be refused. She grimly dragged her feet back to the restaurant where she worked part-time.

"Hi Em, how’s your mom?" asked Nancy, Emily's fellow waitress.

"She's getting a little better, but the doctor said she has to undergo surgery right away, you know it costs a lot. I really need the money, Oh my God maybe I have to sell my kidney!" Emily covered her face with her hands. Hopeless.

​

"Selling a kidney? Who wants to sell a kidney?" Suddenly, Jacob, the restaurant manager appeared. Nancy answered and told Jacob about Emily's problems.

  "Hmmm, that doesn't sound good, oh wait!" Jacob paused, remembering something he had read on his cell phone a while ago. He opened the phone and showed it to Emily.

"Housemaid?" Emily muttered somewhat surprised.

"But the salary is pretty good, it says she'll pay fifty percent of the yearly salary upfront," Nancy peeked along. Emily turned to look at Jacob and Nancy in turn, and they nodded.

"Okay, please forward the email to me, I don't think I have many choices," Emily finally decided to apply for the job.

*****

Emily's mind was in turmoil, even after gathering more information about her proposed new job. She couldn't understand why anyone would pay such a large sum of money for a maid. As she looked around the tiny apartment she now found herself in, she tried to make as little noise as possible.

The rent had expired a long time ago, and they were struggling to make ends meet. They had received multiple eviction notices, but luck had been on their side as their landlord was out of the country at the time.

As Emily sat there, lost in thought, she couldn't help but reminisce. A time when things were different, and she and her mother could have fun together without any worries. Tears started to roll down her cheeks as she remembered those happy times.

Her phone beeped with a reminder for an outdoor catering event her restaurant was hosting this evening. She quickly sprang into action, wiping away her tears with her hand and rushing into the bathroom. She had to put on a brave face and get back to work; there was no time to dwell on the past and what wasn’t.

The brunette entered the gala with a sense of excitement, but as the night wore on, her nerves began to fray. She had been tasked with serving the main table, a high-pressure job that she had handled with ease before. But tonight was different; she couldn't seem to focus on anything.

Her heart raced as she approached the table where the chief sponsor, Mr. Gabriel Hernández, a billionaire artist and host of the event, was sitting. He gave the signal for a refill of his champagne and as she bent down to pour it, she caught a glimpse of his cold steely eyes. Her hands trembled as her blond hair made a curtain in front of her face.

She tried to steady her hand as she poured his wine, but it shook uncontrollably, and the clear liquid spilled over the edge of the glass, drenching his pristine white shirt.

The environment fell silent as Gabriel’s face turned red with fury.

Tear faced and mortified, she dropped the bottle of champagne on the table, “I’m so s-sorry sir, please forgive me.” She hiccupped. She reached out to grab a handful of serviette but instead, knocked over the bottle, spilling its entire content on him.

“What is wrong with you?” He growled.

“I’m so sorry, please I’m so sorry sir.” She replied, wiping her tears.

She tried to clean as much as possible but she only made it worse. Her fraying nerves only made her hiccup more.

“Get the hell away from me. What sort of catering company hires an incompetent twit to serve esteemed guests?”

Emily kept on murmuring apologies, until the manager of the restaurant stepped in.

“My apologies for her behavior sir. I will make sure she’s properly disciplined.”

Emily’s heart was in her throat, she was going to get fired.

Tears poured out her eyes uncontrollably and in desperation, she held Gabriel by his arms. “Please sir, I can’t lose my job, I’m very sorry.” Her mother was going to die.

He pried her hands away from him, pushing her in the process. She fell on her knees, the humiliation was almost unbearable. Just then, he crossed a line that made her blood boil. He hurled the dishes on the table at her, narrowly missing her head, and then spat in her face.

Emily ran away, tears streaming down her face. She felt like a complete failure, like she didn't deserve to be at the gala at all. Mr. Gabriel's colleagues rushed to restrain him, but the damage was already done. Emily was left feeling shattered after the humiliation.

As Emily left the venue, still reeling from the humiliation she had just experienced, she heard someone calling her name. It was the manager.

He placed a hand on her shoulder and looked at her apologetically. She knew what was coming next, but still hoped it wasn’t.

“I’m sorry for what happened out there Em,” he began.

She cut him off, “I’m losing my job?” She whispered.

He nodded.

She thanked him and turned away, she had so many things to say, but nothing could come out. She turned around to see Mr. Gabriel standing behind her, he was just coming out of the restroom after changing his damaged clothes.

He said, "Leaving so soon, Emily?" he taunted. "I guess you couldn't handle the pressure after all. You're just a pathetic little girl who will never amount to anything."

Emily felt her anger boil over, she felt temper snap. Without thinking, she lashed out and slapped him across the face.

Mr. Gabriel stumbled back, his hand flying to his cheek in shock.