22. Shots>I leave the private booth, walking towards the dance floor and bass of music makes itself known again.“Tell me the good news!!!” Ira asks as girls rush towards me.“It’s done! I will sign it tomorrow.”Girls squeal & congratulate me. I am smiling ear to ear. I was so stressed about talking to dad. Now it’s not needed anymore.“I am so proud of you! We need a celebratory drink!” Natalie says, and pulls me to a table where Liam is sitting with his drink. His posture is relaxed. He nods at me.“We should go home… we will be wasted if we drink more…”“Loosen up, for fuck’s sake…. Half an hour. Then we will leave…” She leaves me and Liam alone while dragging Natalie to the bar.I look at Liam, and he smiles at me. “I guess there is some good news?”“Yes,” I tell him, grinning. “I-” I am not supposed to tell anyone. I bite my lips and shake my head.“I won a lottery of sorts.” I have to work hard for the money. But still, I feel happy from inside. The future look

Privacy > It’s been a few weeks since I started working at Josef corporation and the tiredness has sucked the soul out of me. I am snoozing in my bed when a door knock breaks my slumber. “Go away! I am sleepy.” “NO! You didn’t come out of your room the whole day. Open the fucking door,” Natalie yells at me across the door. I glance at the clock and shut my eyes again. It’s late afternoon. I still have time. I miss laying in my bed for hours over the weekend. The door knocks again, and I drag myself out of the bed to let her in. “I brought you a surprise,” she says, holding out a take-away burger. I take the bag from her and rub my eyes. “Thanks, Nat. This looks great.” She props up on Ira’s bed while I climb on mine. “Did you eat anything at all today?” “Yes… Ira bought me breakfast before going away for a hike. Then I had a granola bar in afternoon.” I wish I could join her. A hike would have been nice. “And you ate nothing for lunch?” she quirks a brow a

26. Jessie>It was a beautiful day today. So we went to the park today. Jessie giggled and shrieked with joy while trying out the swings and see-saw.After letting her play there for an hour, I brought her to the office so I could attend the departmental meeting with team leads. I walk down the hallway with Jessie waddling behind me. She has been roaming around the office and I am trying to keep my patience. Complete resignation. This is what you need with kids sometimes. I am waiting for the lift as I watch her exploring and walking towards me. Suddenly, I feel a jolt as someone bumps into my chest.“Watch where you are going!” I say in annoyance and look down.It’s Riley. I am about to say something but her expression makes me pause.“I–I am sorry,” she stammers, and she runs off.I stand there for a moment, confused. Her eyes were brimming with tears. My gaze falls at Jonas holding the lift door for me.“What happened?“ I ask as I make my way inside the lift and J

28. West’s place>The ride to Mikolaj’s house is silent. His house is in a gated community. Each residence is more extravagant than another, but somehow, his mansion stands out.The car pulls over and Mikolaj picks up Jessica. She is fast asleep and doesn’t make a fuss when I pull my hand away from her.I take in the marvelous property. The stone exterior has large windows to let in plenty of natural light. The lawn is immaculately manicured, and the front porch has a grand archway with beautiful flowers hanging from it. Oh, I would love to own a house like this someday. Is that even possible? But I have my whole life to earn and buy something like this.Right?Mikolaj carries Jessica into his house. I feel thankful that I got to see this side of him today. Dinner went well, and Mikolaj was unexpectedly nicer because Jessica was around. Not that he will be nice to me again. Nevertheless, it matters. My mood was better too because I spent most of my time with kids. Even

Apology>Dimitri walks away, and a praise is on the tip of my tongue.But thank goodness I don’t say anything. Because Mikolaj is giving me the same look he gave at Neon Oasis VIP restroom that night.Now what? Can’t I even talk to people?“What the hell is your problem?” I ask.“Why would I have a problem?” he says, his voice laced with irritation. He presses his phone to his ear, then walks into the house.I scoff. Judgemental jerk. He has no right to judge or dictate me. I am not his servant.And I am sure he used the phone to avoid the confrontation. I feel victorious. I shouldn’t let this slide.I look back at Jessica. She is picking up tiny flower pots and arranging them as she likes.“Hey! Jessica! Wanna play hide and seek?”“YES!” she says.“Go Hide! Go Go!”She giggles and runs inside the house. “That was easy,” I mutter.I cannot talk to Mikolaj while playing with her, so I play a trick. I pretend to search for barely a minute, then I catch her.“GOT YOU! No