Cora, you got the job! I will see you tonight.
They say feeling overwhelmed is an emotion. But it felt like a sensation took over my body and brought a burst of life into me. I had been unemployed for six months, and I couldn't stop smiling at the fact that my life would change today.
My smile was soon wiped away by the winter cold breeze as it seeped through my flimsy old worn-out coat while I walked the streets of New York on a busy Friday afternoon. I let out a loud huff, annoyed at the thought of being late. I desperately needed this job.
Pushing and squeezing my way through the dense crowd, I stood on my tip-toes, scanning the area in an attempt not to pass the street I was looking for. Yet, without warning, the piece of paper I thought I held securely in my hand felt to the ground from a gust of wind. I was on the edge of frustration and close to screaming out. If I lost it, I might as well give up on the chance of eating this week. I bend down, and I immediately scan the ground for it.
I chuckled when I found it, thanking my guardian angel for stopping the wind for a second for me. I looked at the address again and read it out loud, "541 Wall Street." Checking my watch, I picked up my pace, I turned the corner and walked a few blocks before I came to a stop when I found the street name. I let out a deep breath and garnered the little confidence I had left and walked towards the medium-sized building.
It looked cozy and warm with brown reddish bricks, black windows, and big silver words that read, 'Armstrong Communications.' It wasn't big like the other businesses around it, but something about it called to me. I stared for a while until I couldn't anymore, or I would be late. Hesitantly, I pulled the black glass door open and walked inside the building. I scanned my surroundings. Everything screamed money. It was cozy but elegant with dark brown wood floors and cream color paint perfectly coating the walls. A few interesting pictures with metal frames were dotted scarcely on the walls. Black couches were positioned like a real living room to my left, and straight ahead was a long, curved black counter where a young woman with a black pixie haircut was answering the phone.
Straightening my outfit, I walked slowly towards the young woman. She didn't notice me right away. But when she did, her eyes catched mine by surprise. They were a dark brown color, almost turning to a black. She was very pretty and had her makeup done a way I could never achieve on my own.
"Miss, can I help you?" she asked, looking confused as to why I was here.
"Hi, I'm here to work," I said, hoping she was not going to make this harder than needed to be. "I am one of the servers." I added smiling.
"Oh... for the party," She smiled at me, finally understanding, and looked at her clipboard, "I need ID to check on my approved list."
I nodded my head and retrieved my drivers license. The one piece of ID I had left, not that I believed I could still drive. It had been a few years since I'd last did.
"Very well, you can go ahead to the back. The other servers are starting to set things up."
"Thank you." With that, I followed her directions and headed to my destination. Fully awakened now, I straightened my attire once again as if by doing so, it would change the level of class I had. I didn't fit here, and my clothes screamed that. As I walked towards the back where I was told to go, I took a moment and continued to take in the interesting place. Yet, before I could look any further, a deep masculine voice got my attention, and I quickly turned around to face the man who was standing a few feet from me.
"What are you doing? Come on, there is far too much work to be standing around." He coaxed, taking my hand and dragging me like a child; which made me a little annoyed.
"Sorry, I just -" I attempted to excuse my lack of professionalism; however, he wasn't having any of it.
"No time for explanations, come on, there is a lot to be done before the guests begin to arrive. You will be serving drinks, so go make sure the bar is fully stocked." He told me, looking towards the small pop-up bar. There were two black booths with pretty lights adorning the front. They were placed at the corner of the room with a shelf behind them with different bottles of alcohol.
There was also a BAR sign placed on the booth to make it obvious that it was a bar. That made me roll my eyes. Only rich people needed to be told what it was.
"Did you hear me?" He sounded angrier than before. I wonder what his problem was?
"Yes, check the bar to make sure it's fully stocked." I tried not to sound too arrogant.
"Good, now get to it." Pushing past me, he didn't give me one last glance and made his way to the kitchen. I took a deep breath and began my journey of earning money. The money I needed to leave New York and start a new life with a new identity.
♡♡♡
Picking up the empty cups, I made my way to the bar while allowing my body to sway to the beat of the music. I placed the cups down and leaned on the counter. Cleaning my sticky palms down my worn-out black dress pants, I briefly closed my eyes exhausted. I needed a moment to catch my breath.
I was so goddamn tired and weak. I had been on my feet running around for these snobby people without resting at all. I truly hated rich people; always doing everything in excess as if to make a statement to all of their friends, "Look at me, I can spend more money than you."
There was no way the number of people invited to this party justified the ridiculous amount of food and booze being fronted. I shrugged. The expensive salmon and tasteless little appetizers were too fancy for my palate, but at least I would be eating today. A wave of bitterness and sadness overwhelmed me at the thought of sleeping outside tonight and the fact that these people would never know my struggles. It was extremely irritating. I fought the angry tears and the need to yell at all of them. I jumped a little when I felt someone touch my shoulder, startling me.
"Miss, are you alright?" Someone asked me. I spinned around, and my eyes landed on the person who'd just dare touch me. I went to tell the person off, but I stopped when I saw him. My heart raced as I looked at the tall man who was now standing beside me. He was absolutely stunning. He thrusted his hands into his fancy pants and continued to look at me. His three-piece suit screamed overpriced, and the button-up white shirt underneath his vest made his green eyes seem brighter. He was looking deep into my eyes, like the way someone who you might have known for years would look at you.
My body was reacting a strange way like he could see through my pain. My cheeks began to heat slowly, and I felt embarrassed at my reaction. Why was this man looking at me like this? Like if he knew me? I shook off the strange feeling and blamed it on being homeless; living on the street made you overthink everyone's motives. I attempted to move my eyes off him, but I couldn't.
His hair was a dark black, sexy mess. Then my eyes moved to his tattoos. They were interesting and somewhat mysterious. One specifically grabbed my attention. It was placed skillfully on his neck just below his ear. Cursive letters spelling Leanne. Of course, this man had a girlfriend, and he must love her very much. Only man in love tattooed a woman's name on their body.
I could honestly say he was the most attractive man I had ever seen. Perhaps even in the entire world.
"Cora?" He asked mildly.
"Excuse me?" I answered him, wondering how he knew my name?
He moved closer to me, and that frightened me a bit. I moved back, keeping my distance from this strange man. "-what is it short for?" He touched my name tag. Of course, the damn name tag.
"Coraline,"
He laughed. Did he think my name was funny? Of course, he would be handsome and a total asshole. He moved closer to me. This time, more forcefully. Then the alcohol smell hit my nose. Who did this drunk man think he was?
I looked around the room, hoping someone would come help me. But no one noticed my discomfort. My eyes returned to him, and I saw what was really happening in front of me. This man was not drunk. He was pale. Like he had just seen a ghost. "Sir, are you alright?"
He pulled me in so as to steady himself, I was horrified. I didn't like being touched, especially by strangers. However, I didn't move this time. I allowed him to hold on to my arm.
"I'm fine." He murmured and tried to let go of me, but only to reach for me again immediately. I grabbed his elbow and his head lower onto mine. My heart jumped to my throat.
"I think you need to sit down. You are pale and weak." I exclaimed Cora, you got the job! I will see you tonight.
They say feeling overwhelmed is an emotion. But it felt like a sensation took over my body and brought a burst of life into me. I had been unemployed for six months, and I couldn't stop smiling at the fact that my life would change today.
My smile was soon wiped away by the winter cold breeze as it seeped through my flimsy old worn-out coat while I walked the streets of New York on a busy Friday afternoon. I let out a loud huff, annoyed at the thought of being late. I desperately needed this job.
Pushing and squeezing my way through the dense crowd, I stood on my tip-toes, scanning the area in an attempt not to pass the street I was looking for. Yet, without warning, the piece of paper I thought I held securely in my hand felt to the ground from a gust of wind. I was on the edge of frustration and close to screaming out. If I lost it, I might as well give up on the chance of eating this week. I bend down, and I immediately scan the ground for it.
I chuckled when I found it, thanking my guardian angel for stopping the wind for a second for me. I looked at the address again and read it out loud, "541 Wall Street." Checking my watch, I picked up my pace, I turned the corner and walked a few blocks before I came to a stop when I found the street name. I let out a deep breath and garnered the little confidence I had left and walked towards the medium-sized building.
It looked cozy and warm; with brown reddish bricks, black windows, and big silver words that read, 'Armstrong Communications.' It wasn't big like the other businesses around it, but something about it called to me. I stared for a while until I couldn't anymore, or I would be late. Hesitantly, I pulled the black glass door open and walked inside the building. I scanned my surroundings. Everything screamed money. It was cozy but elegant with dark brown wood floors and cream color paint perfectly coating the walls. A few interesting pictures with metal frames were dotted scarcely on the walls. Black couches were positioned like a real living room to my lef, and straight ahead was a long, curved black counter where a young woman with a black pixie haircut was answering the phone.
Straightening my outfit, I walked slowly towards the young woman. She didn't notice me right away. But when she di, her eyes catched mine by surpris. They were a dark brown color, almost turning to a black. She was very pretty and had her makeup done a way I could never achieve on my own.
"Miss, can I help you?" she asked, looking confused as to why I was here.
"Hi, I'm here to work," I said, hoping she was not going to make this harder than needed to be. "I am one of the servers." I added smiling.
"Oh... for the party," She smiled at me, finally understanding, and looked at her clipboard, "I need ID to check on my approved list."
I nodded my head and retrieved my drivers license. The one piece of ID I had left, not that I believed I could still drive. It had been a few years since I'd last did.
"Very well, you can go ahead to the back. The other servers are starting to set things up."
"Thank you." With that, I followed her directions and headed to my destination. Fully awakened now, I straightened my attire once again as if by doing so, it would change the level of class I had. I didn't fit here, and my clothes screamed that. As I walked towards the back where I was told to go, I took a moment and continued to take in the interesting place. Yet, before I could look any further, a deep masculine voice got my attention, and I quickly turned around to face the man who was standing a few feet from me.
"What are you doing? Come on, there is far too much work to be standing around." He coaxed, taking my hand and dragging me like a child; which made me a little annoyed.
"Sorry, I just -" I attempted to excuse my lack of professionalism; however, he wasn't having any of it.
"No time for explanations, come on, there is a lot to be done before the guests begin to arrive. You will be serving drinks, so go make sure the bar is fully stocked." He told me, looking towards the small pop-up bar. There were two black booths with pretty lights adorning the front. They were placed at the corner of the room with a shelf behind them with different bottles of alcohol.
There was also a BAR sign placed on the booth to make it obvious that it was a bar. That made me roll my eyes. Only rich people needed to be told what it was.
"Did you hear me?" He sounded angrier than before. I wonder what his problem was?
"Yes, check the bar to make sure it's fully stocked." I tried not to sound too arrogant.
"Good, now get to it." Pushing past me, he didn't give me one last glance and made his way to the kitchen. I took a deep breath and began my journey of earning money. The money I needed to leave New York and start a new life with a new identity.
♡♡♡
Picking up the empty cups, I made my way to the bar while allowing my body to sway to the beat of the music. I placed the cups down and leaned on the counter. Cleaning my sticky palms down my worn-out black dress pants, I briefly closed my eyes exhausted. I needed a moment to catch my breath.
I was so goddamn tired and weak. I had been on my feet running around for these snobby people without resting at all. I truly hated rich people; always doing everything in excess as if to make a statement to all of their friends, "Look at me, I can spend more money than you."
There was no way the number of people invited to this party justified the ridiculous amount of food and booze being fronted. I shrugged. The expensive salmon and tasteless little appetizers were too fancy for my palate, but at least I would be eating today. A wave of bitterness and sadness overwhelmed me at the thought of sleeping outside tonight and the fact that these people would never know my struggles. It was extremely irritating. I fought the angry tears and the need to yell at all of them. I jumped a little when I felt someone touch my shoulder, startling me.
"Miss, are you alright?" Someone asked me. I spinned around, and my eyes landed on the person who'd just dare touch me. I went to tell the person off, but I stopped when I saw him. My heart raced as I looked at the tall man who was now standing beside me. He was absolutely stunning. He thrusted his hands into his fancy pants and continued to look at me. His three-piece suit screamed overpriced, and the button-up white shirt underneath his vest made his green eyes seem brighter. He was looking deep into my eyes, like the way someone who you might have known for years would look at you.
My body was reacting a strange way like he could see through my pain. My cheeks began to heat slowly, and I felt embarrassed at my reaction. Why was this man looking at me like this? Like if he knew me? I shook off the strange feeling and blamed it on being homeless; living on the street made you overthink everyone's motives. I attempted to move my eyes off him, but I couldn't.
His hair was a dark black, sexy mess. Then my eyes moved to his tattoos. They were interesting and somewhat mysterious. One specifically grabbed my attention. It was placed skillfully on his neck just below his ear. Cursive letters spelling Leanne. Of course, this man had a girlfriend, and he must love her very much. Only man in love tattooed a woman's name on their body.
I could honestly say he was the most attractive man I had ever seen. Perhaps even in the entire world.
"Cora?" He asked mildly.
"Excuse me?" I answered him, wondering how he knew my name?
He moved closer to me, and that frightened me a bit. I moved back, keeping my distance from this strange man. "-what is it short for?" He touched my name tag. Of course, the damn name tag.
"Coraline,"
He laughed. Did he think my name was funny? Of course, he would be handsome and a total asshole. He moved closer to me. This time, more forcefully. Then the alcohol smell hit my nose. Who did this drunk man think he was?
I looked around the room, hoping someone would come help me. But no one noticed my discomfort. My eyes returned to him, and I saw what was really happening in front of me. This man was not drunk. He was pale. Like he had just seen a ghost. "Sir, are you alright?"
He pulled me in so as to steady himself, I was horrified. I didn't like being touched, especially by strangers. However, I didn't move this time. I allowed him to hold on to my arm.
"I'm fine." He murmured and tried to let go of me, but only to reach for me again immediately. I grabbed his elbow and his head lower onto mine. My heart jumped to my throat.
"I think you need to sit down. You are pale and weak." I exclaimed knowing well what would happen next if he didn't sit down.
"I said I'm fine." He repeated this time with attitude.
He was being rude to me? After trying to help him?
"What the hell is going on?" A hand touched his shoulder. A gorgeous petite blonde woman who was burning me down with her intense stare stood beside him.
The moment she took her eyes off me and looked at him, her green eyes sparkled, and it told me that they were familiar. Maybe even intimate. Perhaps she was Leanne? Her smile vanished once more when she looked at me again. But immediately redirected her attention to him.
"You look pale, Alec. It was a horrible idea for you to come tonight."
I cleared my throat and moved back from his hold, "perhaps some water would help?"
"What are you still doing here?" She sneered, looking at me, "You should be handing out drinks, not standing around bothering us."
"Come on, don't be so rude." The mysterious man commanded, making her angrier. I instantly reached for the empty tray on the counter. This was my chance to get away from the man.
"Sorry, it won't happen again."
The blonde rolled her eyes at me. "Just get back to work before I fire you." Without offering me a second glanced, she turned around to face the dark-haired man. As I walked away, I felt eyes following me, but I kept walking. When I was done serving a thousand more drinks with a fake smile plastered on my face, the event came to an end. The hard part was over, but now the cleaning was going to take the last of my energy out of me. But it was better then being outside in the cold.
♡♡♡
I stopped a few feet away from the door and took a peek through the glass and saw it had started to snow. I quickly moved aside closer to the wall when I saw a couple of the girls going outside for a smoke and a breeze of cold air blew by me and made me shiver.
Goosebumps raced across my arms and the realization kicked in knowing this was my life. Cold. Scary. Another night of uncertainty. Finally, when I had built enough courage, I moved away from the wall, and walked out of the door. I stopped just outside of the building and took a deep breath and continued to walk.
It was late and dark and a sudden noise coming from the alley next to the building scared me. It was extremely cold, and my black coat did not help to keep me warm. I couldn't afford a winter jacket, but I was grateful for at least having this old worn out coat.
I picked up my pace until I heard someone talking to me. "Do you need a ride?"
Even before I could respond, he was walking towards me from the shadows of the alley and just as quickly, he was close to me. What was he doing here anyways? A man like him surely had better places to be at.
"I can take you wherever you want." He was staring at me again and it made me very uncomfortable. Why couldn't he see that I was not who he thought I was?
I glanced up at him meeting his green eyes, "I'm fine. I don't need your girlfriend yelling at me again." I began to walk away. I couldn't let him give me a ride as I didn't even have a place to go to and I was afraid of what he would do to me.
"Wait!" he called after me. I stopped and turned around ready to tell him off for the last time.
"YOU NEED-" He cut me off.
"I'm sorry, Brianna can be rude sometimes." He sounded agitated, something was off about him.
"You are freezing, where is your jacket?" He quickly changed the conversation. I wanted to answer him in a sassy manner, but I kept it in. Not everyone could afford an expensive jacket like his.
"I live close by. I will be okay." I tried to swallow down the blatant lie.
"Here," he said as he took off his expensive black jacket.
"No, I couldn't possibly." I shook my head not wanting his pity.
"Yes, you can take it." He demanded. He held it up for me to slide my arms into the very long sleeves.
"Thank you." His jacket smelled delicious, just like him. I smiled at him one last time and started to walk.
"Wait!" He called after me, "What's your number?"
Crossing the street, I yell, "I don't have one." I lied. I didn't give my phone number to strangers not after what the last man had done to me.knowing well what would happen next if he didn't sit down.
"I said I'm fine." He repeated this time with attitude.
He was being rude to me? After trying to help him?
"What the hell is going on?" A hand touched his shoulder. A gorgeous petite blonde woman who was burning me down with her intense stare stood beside him.
The moment she took her eyes off me and looked at him, her green eyes sparkled, and it told me that they were familiar. Maybe even intimate. Perhaps she was Leanne? Her smile vanished once more when she looked at me again. But immediately redirected her attention to him.
"You look pale, Alec. It was a horrible idea for you to come tonight."
I cleared my throat and moved back from his hold, "perhaps some water would help?"
"What are you still doing here?" She sneered, looking at me, "You should be handing out drinks, not standing around bothering us."
"Come on, don't be so rude." The mysterious man commanded, making her angrier. I instantly reached for the empty tray on the counter. This was my chance to get away from the man.
"Sorry, it won't happen again."
The blonde rolled her eyes at me. "Just get back to work before I fire you." Without offering me a second glanced, she turned around to face the dark-haired man. As I walked away, I felt eyes following me, but I kept walking. When I was done serving a thousand more drinks with a fake smile plastered on my face, the event came to an end. The hard part was over, but now the cleaning was going to take the last of my energy out of me. But it was better then being outside in the cold.
♡♡♡
I stopped a few feet away from the door and took a peek through the glass and saw it had started to snow. I quickly moved aside closer to the wall when I saw a couple of the girls going outside for a smoke and a breeze of cold air blew by me and made me shiver.
Goosebumps raced across my arms and the realization kicked in knowing this was my life. Cold. Scary. Another night of uncertainty. Finally, when I had built enough courage, I moved away from the wall, and walked out of the door. I stopped just outside of the building and took a deep breath and continued to walk.
It was late and dark and a sudden noise coming from the alley next to the building scared me. It was extremely cold, and my black coat did not help to keep me warm. I couldn't afford a winter jacket, but I was grateful for at least having this old worn out coat.
I picked up my pace until I heard someone talking to me. "Do you need a ride?"
Even before I could respond, he was walking towards me from the shadows of the alley and just as quickly, he was close to me. What was he doing here anyways? A man like him surely had better places to be at.
"I can take you wherever you want." He was staring at me again and it made me very uncomfortable. Why couldn't he see that I was not who he thought I was?
I glanced up at him meeting his green eyes, "I'm fine. I don't need your girlfriend yelling at me again." I began to walk away. I couldn't let him give me a ride as I didn't even have a place to go to and I was afraid of what he would do to me.
"Wait!" he called after me. I stopped and turned around ready to tell him off for the last time.
"YOU NEED-" He cut me off.
"I'm sorry, Brianna can be rude sometimes." He sounded agitated, something was off about him.
"You are freezing, where is your jacket?" He quickly changed the conversation. I wanted to answer him in a sassy manner, but I kept it in. Not everyone could afford an expensive jacket like his.
"I live close by. I will be okay." I tried to swallow down the blatant lie.
"Here," he said as he took off his expensive black jacket.
"No, I couldn't possibly." I shook my head, not wanting his pity.
"Yes, you can take it." He demanded. He held it up for me to slide my arms into the very long sleeves.
"Thank you." His jacket smelled delicious, just like him. I smiled at him one last time and started to walk.
"Wait!" He called after me, "What's your number?"
Crossing the street, I yell, "I don't have one." I lied. I didn't give my phone number to strangers, not after what the last man had done to me.