It Should Have Been Like This (The Revised Version)

Chapter 1: A Clean Slate

I scrubbed the top of the table as I hummed, scrubbing it hard to get the stains out. Some people can eat like pigs, horrible pigs. And unfortunately, it was my job to clean up after them. Okay, not exactly my job, but the person doing it before got sick so I volunteered to clean it and take her salary until she is back on her feet. I accepted the offer with open arms. The extra cash was good.

I worked in a hotel as a bartender. I used to be a hotel porter, but after I complained about the male guest always finding a way to smack my ass, I was placed in the bar. The manager liked me and didn't want me to go and that is the most luck I had since I changed my name.

"Jamila, are you still here?" Speak of the devil. I gave the table the last finishing scrub before I stood up and placed my hands on my hips. The table was spotless.

"People can eat like pigs, no, in fact, people are pigs." I sneered. He laughed from behind me before I felt his hand on my shoulder.

"Jami, the real problem is you, not the table," I turned the sneer toward him. "You are a clean freak,"

"No, I'm not,"

"Have you cleaned that table yet?" He asked, pointing at the last table, the one I hadn't cleaned.

"No, but I'm about to. I'll just—" He pulled me back before I took a step which surprised me. I looked at him over my shoulder. "What gives?"

"Jamie, that table is clean enough, leave it alone. I don't see what's wrong with it," I rolled my eyes. He knew I would never listen. You know, when I first applied to work in the hotel, I was made a cleaner. He promoted me because he got too many complaints from the customers. Apparently, I chased them out of their rooms and nagged about how dirty they were.

I did not.

"Just let me clean it,"

"What am I going to do with you, Jamila? Especially now that I'll be going on vacation? My replacement will blow a fuse with you," he said with a chuckle. I pouted because it was true. Mr. Miller was a good man. He had been working as a manager for years and he did a great job. He barely took vacations or did anything with his family until I came along and convinced him to remember his family. He still never went on vacation but he gave his family more time and finally, he was going on vacation for his marriage anniversary.

"I'm not doing anything bad,"

"Jamie, don't you have kids to return home to?" The only thing he knew that could stop me. I gasped and slipped away from him immediately. They'll be waiting for me. They didn't have a babysitter, I couldn't afford one but fortunately, I could leave them with my neighbor who loved children. Recently, however, since her daughter gave birth, she moved over to her daughter's place so my kids were alone. Well, not that it was a problem.

"Gotta go. Bye, Mr. Miller!" I screamed, already running away.

"Say hi to the boys for me," he shouted back. Always the boys, never the girls. Well, one of the girls didn't like him to begin with.

I took a cab home but made sure I got bribery ice cream and pizza for the kids. I stared out of the window with a smile, enjoying the view of the beautiful city of Las Vegas. Since my savior helped me move here after erasing my existence as requested, I have lived in Las Vegas with my children. I could never stop being grateful to that man, even if he ended up forgetting I existed. At least, he helped me find a home and gave me money to begin my life. Lavender was dead. I went by my middle name and mother's maiden name and since everyone who cared to check on me thought I committed suicide, they didn't bother searching and I liked it that way. I didn't want my past coming for me or my children.