"I am sorry, Kendra. I…"

"Just get back to work but you owe me an hour from my work time!"

"Deal, Kendra. And thanks so much"

Jessica didn't mind working an extra one or more hours as long as she got her pay today. She can't afford to lose her money. There was so much she need to do by tomorrow.

As soon as her second left, she became busy serving the people in the bar. She had to make up for just five minutes that she was late. She was happy her second covered up for her before the manager came.

It was almost her closing time and she was glad her paycheck would be handed to her in a few minutes.

"Jessy, manager Riel wants you to serve some guests in the private ward upstairs," One of the waitresses said.

"Alright, Kendra. Do you have their orders or do I get them?" Jessica asked.

"No, they are regulars. Just meet the bar boy or meet Kevin, tell them room 14 and he will give you their orders" Kendra replied, walking away." And remember to put on your facemask. You have been sneezing for some time now"

Yeah. It looks like the cold air hit her in the chest and she had been feeling damn cold in the past hours she had been working. The regulars in this bar are one hell of a picky group. So, she has to be careful not to be thrown out on the night of her paycheck!

Picking up a facemask, Jessica walked toward the bar to place her orders. One of the bar boys who just started working a few days back was giving her a creepy smile. She gave him a stern look that put him in place.

"Still looking fierce yet hot! You gotta loosen up, girl" Kevin, the other bar boy said. He was among the oldest worker in the bar.

"I hate perverts and creeps!" Jessica spat out, glaring at the boy again.

"You got those regularly because you are a hot girl! Not just hot but beautiful and… "

" Kevin, could you please stop? I am getting goosebumps already!" Jessica rolled her eyes.

" Love goosebumps, I get?" Kevin asked, grinning. Jessica just pursed her lips, feigning annoyance.

" I need orders for room 14, Kevin. I don't have time to waste on you because I have to be off in a few minutes" Jessica said, looking at her watch.

Her mother was going to give her an earful tonight. She didn't tell them she also worked at a bar. That's because she was only needed for just three hours on weekdays.

"Here you go, sweetheart. Just be careful in swinging your hips, those dudes are poachers!" Kevin warned, smiling.

"Poachers?"

"Yeah. Poachers of beautiful and sexy women like you!" He said.

Jessica didn't have time to reply to him as she walked briskly yet carefully towards the room. It wasn't a room because it was simply enclosed in transparent glasses. They could see through anyone from the bar.

Pushing the door gently after announcing her presence, a strong alcoholic scent wafted through her nose. It wasn't just the scent of alcohol but also the scent of something else.

Looking around the room, she saw about four men and a few call girls dressed skimpily. They were busy making out except for one of the young men who had his eyes closed. There was a lady who was looking rather displeased at the man but kept rubbing all over his body. There was not a single reaction from the man.

Jessica calmly placed the drinks on the table before turning to leave. But as she was about to leave, she heard a man's voice behind her.

"Turn around and remove the mask, beautiful bitch"

Did she hear right? Why would he be interested in her face? And what a rude man! How dare he call her a bitch! Was Kevin right about these men being poachers or whatever he means by that?

Jessica took a deep breath before turning around to look at the person. It was one of the men surrounded by women.

"I am sorry sir but I am not allowed to remove the mask. It's a rule by the manager, sir" Jessica said, trying to keep her composure. Even if the manager comes, she would be able to defend herself.

After all, she was truly cold and sneezing.

"Vince, leave the poor girl alone. There are so many hotter bitches here" one of them said. He sounded drunk.

"Mind your bitch, Fred," the man retorted. Then he turned to her" You want me to call the manager and get you fired?"

Jessica was at loss for words. Why would this man pick her out? Confused about what to do, she decided to do as the man says. Who knows what he might tell her manager?

"Let her be, Vince. I didn't know you were interested in girls like her. Aren't socialite ladies your aim?"

The person who just spoke looked like the man whose eyes were closed earlier but his face was hidden because of the dim light.

"I don't want to bang her, Ed. Just want to see her face. Don't want to drink something I don't know who the waiter is" the man insisted.

"Alright. If that's what you mean" The man replied, opening his eyes. Due to the dim light, no one caught the surprise in the man's expression.

Although the girl was putting on a facemask, he could never forget those fierce eyes and hot… body.

The person he saw earlier was truly her. But what was she doing at the bar? Wasn't she working at the Cafe?

Not knowing what was going on in the man's mind, Jessica slowly removed her facemask. But then, there was the sound of a phone ringing. It seems to be the man's phone. Distracted by the phone call, he picked it up.

"I will be right there. Keep him on the leash" the man said over the phone.

"Edwin, what's the problem?"

"I gotta go. I just caught that bastard that got my video leaked to my father. I am going to teach him a lesson!" Edwin said.

Without thinking about the girl who was still standing awkwardly in the room, he left hurriedly. He believed he would see her soon again!

Taking the distraction caused by the man's sudden movement, Jessica slipped out of the room before they could come back to their senses.

She needed to go for her paycheck and hopefully, she wouldn't have to come to work in this bar again!

Jessica happily skips to her house as soon as she gets hold of her paycheck. It would be enough to sort out her bills and her father's medical too.

She was happy she escaped from that den of wolves or should she say, poacher.? These people would have caused trouble for her. She frowned when she remembered the voice of the man in the dark.

"Why did he sound so familiar? It's like I have heard the voice somewhere" she said to herself, thinking deeply.

Maybe she was mistaken. Nevertheless, voices aren't too peculiar. One can see more than two people with similar voices. She removed those thoughts from her mind as she drew closer to her house.

Taking a deep breath, she plastered a smile on her face as she got ready for the lie she had practiced for more than an hour.

"Mum! Dad!" She said, walking inside their little apartment.

" Jessy, you are back. Go and freshen up so we can all eat!" Her mother said, making some clanging noises in the kitchen.

" Mum… you…"

"Go and freshen up, young woman! You know how much I hate to sweat!" Her mother said, cutting her off.

Holding back the tears threatening to fall, Jessy did not go straight to the bathroom but went to the kitchen to embrace her mother tightly.

" You knew, right?" Jessica asked, hiding her shaky voice.

" The only thing I know right now is that you stink, sweetie. Now shush… go get freshened up before hugging me" her mother replied, ignoring her question.

Jessica nodded as she secretly wipe off her tears. She ran swiftly to the bathroom, not just to bathe but to also let out bottled-up tears.

Mrs. Graves watched her daughter running upstairs with her barely hidden tears. She felt sorry that she failed as a mother. She couldn't even work so she could fend for her children. Instead of taking care of them, Jessica bore the burden of catering for them all.

She knew about all the work her daughter had been doing just to fend for them. She also knew she was working some hours at a bar after her usual work at the cafeteria.

There were soft footsteps coming toward the kitchen and she quickly hid her tears.

"It's my fault, Catherina. I made her like this. My princess became like this because of my incompetence as a father" Mr. Graves lamented, walking towards his wife.

The couple drowns in guilt, unable to do anything. As they were feeling sorry, the twins came down from their room and were looking everywhere.

"Mum, dad. Where is Jessy? Isn't she back yet? I made her favorite juice" Kristen said, going towards the fridge.

" And I made her favorite cookies!" Tristan doesn't want to be left out too. Although save for two pieces, the rest were burnt to the core.

The twins were both bent on outdoing each other when Jessica came down too. They rushed to her and each brought her what they had prepared for her.

"Jessy, eat!"

"Jessy, drink!"

With a broad smile on her face, she took one of the burnt cookies in one hand and the juice in the other hand. She ate the cookies and drank the juice made by the twins.

Beaming with a smile, the twins were happy. Not just them alone, the whole family was lucky. Even if they lost all that they had, they still had each other.

After having the late dinner, they all went to sleep while Jessica brought out her phone to call her friend, Angela.

"Angie, I am sorry for calling late. I just got home not long ago so I decided to call you. How are you coping?" Jessica asked.

The two friends continued talking for almost an hour until Jessica became sleepy.

" Jess, just email me your credentials and I will look for a job for you here. I think there would be vacancies in my company"

" Seriously, Angie? I will email it to you as soon as possible. I am so grateful" Jessica said, excited in her voice.

" You don't need to thank me, Jess. We are friends and I won't hesitate to help you" Angela replied.

After talking for another ten minutes, they said goodbye to each other. Jessica lay on her bed with many thoughts in her head before she finally fell asleep.

*****

The next morning the alarm rang continuously to remind Jessica to wake up. She managed to wake up after a few more rings. She has to get ready now or she would be late for work.

"Jessy, freshen up and come down for breakfast!" Her mother said.

"Yes, mom!"

Jessica quickly got ready for work and went downstairs for breakfast. She quickly took a few bites so she could hurry to work. Before leaving, she noticed the twins were not ready for school yet.

"Where are Kristen and Tristan? Aren't they ready for school?" Jessica asked.

"They… they already left," her mother said, forcing a smile.

Mrs. Graves wasn't the type that can lie, so Jessica noticed right away that there was an issue.

"What is it, mum? Why are they not in school? And… don't lie to me, please" Jessica said.

" They… "

" We were sent back from school. The teacher said she needs the tuition fee for this semester" Kristen said, coming out of their room. It looks like they were hiding.

" How long have you stopped school?" Jessica asked.

" Two weeks," Tristan replied.

" Mom, you told me you guys sorted it out. What happened? You should have told me!" Jessica said, getting angry at herself for not being observant of her siblings.

She turned to the twins." I will sort this out and you will go back to school on Monday"

She smiled at them before leaving quickly so that her mother won't see the tears falling down her face. Memories of their past rushed into her mind and she kept wiping the tears that refused to stop.

When she finally got to the cafeteria, she was more than twenty-five minutes late. The cafe was already bustling with people. Her boss wanted to scold her but the depressed look on her face made him change his mind.

"Jessy, are you okay?" He asked.

Jessica bites hard on her lips contemplating whether or not she should ask for a salary advance from her boss. She didn't have any other way to get the tuition fee.

She knew her boss was never the type to give out salary upfront but she just wanted to give it a try. Will he agree to give her?

This morning was not what she envisioned!

Jessica pursed her lips, thinking if she should tell her boss or not. Thinking about how her younger ones were at home while others were going to school, she decided to give it a try. At least, it won't do any harm asking him.

If not that she had already paid for the bills and her father's medical, she would have given them that money first. But she just paid for the bills.

"Boss, I… I wanted to ask…" Jessica stuttered. She was afraid of the outcome of what she was about to ask.

"Jessica, if it's about money, it's not going to work" her boss cuts in.

Looking perplexed at the way that man could sense whenever someone wants to ask for money, Jessica just bites hard on her lips.

"Jessy, it's not like I don't want to help you or something. It's just that I did a lot of expenses for the shop and my family. I can't release any money today or even three days from now because I just spent a huge sum on the business, ``he explained.

He sighed loudly before leaving the perplexed Jessica who already knew the outcome yet was still surprised.

She knew it was futile. That man would never part with an early salary. She wondered if she could get another part-time job that pays hourly. It would be

Just some tables away, Jessica didn't know she was being scrutinized by some pair of eyes. Edwin and two of his friends were observing the distressed lady at the coffee stand. It was obvious she was asking for an in front of her salary.

The girl had the most gorgeous pair of emerald green eyes and a perfect front. Her face would make any man lost in it with rosy lips that had just a gloss on them. And when she walked in, even though she was poorly dressed, it couldn't hide the perfectly sized hips.

"Wow, Ed! The girl is so hot! And natural! Can't believe such beauties still exist" Roy exclaimed.

"You are right, Roy. She got the right curves and face. Not to talk of her feisty personality. She is going to be a feast in bed" another one said.

"Seriously Rick, your grammar sucks! What has feast got to do with bed?" Roy said, looking at the one that just spoke.

"Whatever. Ed, was she truly the chick that called you a pervert and didn't look at you twice?" Rick asked, facing the horrifying expression on Edwin's face.

"Must you rub it in?" Edwin asked, getting irritated.

"Just wanted to confirm it. Ed, you have to admit the girl beat you hands down and I bet you can't get her" Rick said, grinning.

"Are you daring me?" Edwin asked, gazing at his friend.

"More like a bet that you can't get her!" Rick reaffirms.

"I agree with Rick on this matter. This chick is way out of your league, dude" Jay said, chuckling.

"Out of my league? How can you call poor trash like her out of my league? Or do you mean she is too poor for my liking?" Edwin asked, a sly smile on his face.

" In terms of getting the girls, she is above you man. You can't get her" Rick responded, smiling too.

Edwin was getting pissed at his friend's remark. How could they say that girl was way out of his league? He is the son of the wealthiest family in the States and a more successful businessman.

"Apart from the beauty and her curves, what else does she have? Do you think she would refuse my proposal if I ask her to spend a night with me?" Edwin asked, arrogantly.

"Yes. She would refuse you, dude. This girl isn't one of those bitches who hangs with you. She looks homely" Jay remarked.

" Homely? What would you say about Sandra? Wasn't she homely? But she was begging to be f***ked by me" Edwin bragged.

" She is different and Sandra wasn't just homely, she was a homely slut!" Rick spat out, distastefully.

" Notwithstanding, I can get any girl I want. They can't resist my charm or my money" Edwin said.

" Then go and try her. She requires money right now. Try her and see. But I bet you are going to receive something unexpected " Rick said.

" Don't be jealous, Rick. You don't have to hold a grudge against me because of Sandra. I just banged her once" Edwin said, grinning.

" No grudges, dude. Just go and hang this girl out there and I will accept whatever you say henceforth!" Rick said, a smirk playing on his face.

He just can't wait to see the embarrassing scene that will likely unfold. Rick has little idea about these types of girls. Even if they are bitches, they would want the man to pretend to see them as queens.

"Fine! I will go and meet her" Edwin said, looking at the distressed girl whose eyes were looking into nowhere in particular.

She was looking so innocent yet sexy and gorgeous. Her green emerald eyes shone even though they looked dull and in distress. He wondered what he was thinking about.

He heard that she was looking for a salary upfront. If he can offer her a few hundred thousand dollars or even a million, he bet she won't hesitate to throw herself at him.

"If you fail this one, you owe me and if you win, I owe you," Rick said.

"Deal!" Edwin said without hesitation.

Adjusting his hair before putting on a charming smile, Edwin walked slowly towards the girl who was sitting alone. There were no customers in the Cafe except for himself and his friends.

"Hello beautiful, dollars for your thoughts?" Edwin asked.

Jessica looked up to see those beautiful eyes that she had been thinking about since yesterday. He was looking more handsome and charming. She wanted to smile at him but then she remembered what happened the last time.

" No, thanks. Keep the dollars to yourself" Jessica replied.

" How about a night with you? Just name your price" Edwin said, smiling as his eyes continue to ravage her body.

Jessica thought she heard wrong. He couldn't be telling her to sleep with him, right?

" Sorry, what did you just say?" Jessica asked again.

" Name your price. I am ready to pay you anything just have you under me. A night… ouch!"

Jessica didn't wait for him to finish his explanation before a resounding slap landed on his cheek. It was so loud that her hands hurt but she didn't mind.

Hitting a pervert was more satisfying than the hurt in her hands!