Emberly POV

"Miss, we'll be there in just ten minutes," the bus driver said, directing his gaze on me.

After my flight landed in New York from Los Angeles an hour ago, I kept my body posture straight and nodded while my head rested on the bus window. With luck on my side, I located the bus in a lane road outside of the airport.

I'm Emberly Swan, and I'm 19 years old. I just arrived in New York an hour ago from Los Angeles; I didn't have any other choice but to come here, so far away from them, who will always haunt my soul, but I really miss Los Angeles, the place where I was born and raised, but I can't go back there now, and I won't be able to go back there in the future either, because some very dark memories of mine are present there.

To be honest, I can't live without spicy cuisine, and my favourite street food has been the only thing on my mind since I arrived in New York.

I don't know anything about my parents; I grew up at my aunt's house in Los Angeles, and believe me, it was the worst experience of my life.

She treats me as if I'm not human, as if I'm a doormat.

Aside from her, Delilah, her daughter, nearly killed me that day by thrashing me.

I examined my hand and stomach, where scars from the past had faded but remained fresh in my mind.

Apart from them, my uncle is the most disgusting man I've ever met; he constantly insulted me and was almost....../ I tightly clenched my eyes and shook my head.

I don't want to think about them right now, and I don't want to think about them again in the future.

I opened my eyes and gazed at the enormous apartment building where I shall be residing for the foreseeable future!

Get out of there, get out of that hellhole.

These memories are best left buried deep within my heart.

I emerge from the cab with a little bag containing just a few cast-offs and my baggy clothing, as well as my phone and Bluetooth headphones, which were given to me by my cousin brother Asher, who, unlike his family, constantly shields me from them, even hiding food from my aunt as my punishment.

He's been my only brother from infancy, and I've had to contact someone for me. He's the best brother in the world, and he's the one who arranges for me to travel here from Los Angeles away from them because......

I closed my eyes and counted from one to four, one, two, three, four.

Please try to calm me down; I simply can't seem to lose myself again.

What would I do if Asher was not waiting for me back in Los Angeles, where he had arranged for money and a plane ticket for me so that I could be secure away from those terrible people?

My phone rang, and I hurriedly grabbed it up.

I heard my brother Asher's worried voice say, "Did you come there is?"

"Don't worry," I assured him, "I'll be alright here."

"How can I," he said, agony in his voice, "when my sister is there in an unknown area, with Strangers?"

I know he despises my leaving here alone and without help, but we don't have any other choice, and with so much struggle, I just can't give up now.

"How many times do I have to persuade you, bro, that I am, and that I will be alright here?" I asked him.

"Look, I'll send more money to your account in the next two days," he continued, his voice full of optimism. "I almost organised money appropriate for you to rent an apartment there e, just two more days' sis, you'll be great."

I grinned, knowing that even if God gave me a harsh aunt and uncle, he also gave me a loving, caring brother who would always protect me.

"Don't worry, Asher, I'll take care of it; you don't have to do anything because you've already done so much for me," I said, humiliated that he had to struggle because of my troubles.

"Shut up, sis, don't even talk like this again, I won't tolerate it, you're my little sister, my responsibility, and most importantly, my lovely little sister, how can I not care for you, it's my right after all," he said seriously, honestly after leaving Los Angeles, where I spent my entire childhood with some of the most wonderful people.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I remembered the wonderful times we shared and our special brother-sister love.

I hurriedly put the phone on silent, closed my eyes, and sighed deeply. I couldn't cry here; otherwise, he'd feel terrible if he heard my sobbing voice.

I returned normalcy to the phone. "Bro, I'll contact you later; I suppose a motel is already here," says the narrator. "And now, don't worry about me; I'll be alright." I persuaded him and hung up the phone.

I got off the bus and looked up to see a hotel in front of me on New York's Central Road.

I stepped off the bus and glanced up to see a hotel in front of me on Central Road in New York.

Slowly making my way towards it, I came across someone reading a newspaper on the motel's counter.

I discovered a tag for it on his table, so he must be a receptionist.

I approach him and clear my throat to get his attention.

Finally, he raised his eyes to mine.

"I need a place to stay for a week," I said, secretly begging with God to be with me through this trying period in my life.

He nodded as he gazed up at me.

"Miss, may I have your ID card?" he said, and I nodded while pulling my ID card from my backpack.

After completing all of the necessary procedures, he hands me the key to a room; thank goodness the accommodations in this hotel are inexpensive and affordable.

I opened the door to the room, which was fortunately clean and lovely.

I opened the door to the room, which was fortunately clean and lovely

Not only that, but it also has a workstation next to the bed.

I swiftly stow my belongings, despite the fact that it is only a little suitcase with plenty of clothing and my backpack.

I promptly booted up my computer and went to Google to look for work that would allow me to live here.

Finally, after two hours of sitting in front of the pc, I found a waitress job in a café, which was a twenty-minute walk from here.

I mentally high-five myself, telling myself that now is the proper moment and that this is a great opportunity to do something nice for myself, yet my eyelids feel drowsy as a result of my exhausted body and mind.

I opted to take a nap in the hopes that tomorrow a new day will bring a new beginning for me.

I looked at my appearance in the mirror. I was dressed in faded blue jeans, a light pink shirt, and a denim jacket, and my lips were pressing into a white slash.

I don't have many good-looking clothes to wear. They never buy new clothes for me; I always wear the old clothes of Deliah. I don't have any clothes that I can call my own. Everything I have is used by Deliah.

I leave my long black hair open; it is naturally curly.

I made my way out of the motel and pulled out my phone to search for the directions to the cafe where I hoped to have a job.

Finally, after seeing the directions to that place on Google Maps, I made my way towards the subway station; I have to find a job as soon as possible.

After twenty minutes, the subway train stopped and I made my way towards the cafe.

I held the knob of the glass door of the cafe and entered. The delicious aroma of cookies with coffee touched my nostrils, making my stomach growl in hunger. Yes, I ate nothing except a packet of chips with a cold drink at Los Angeles airport before coming here to New York.

I closed my eyes and calmed my nerves, and looked around. The walls of the cafe are graced with beautiful floral designs in pastel colors. There is relaxing music in the background of the cafe; wooden furniture; and sofas or comfortable chairs will prompt customers to stay for longer durations.

I felt my chest getting hitched by seeing such a positive atmosphere. I have never felt positivity since childhood.

I smiled at such a relaxing environment and looked around to find a manager to talk to about my job.

Finally, I found a guy who looked the same age as me with blonde hair. He is wearing simple denim jeans with a yellow shirt and apron while bringing orders from customers.

I quickly approached him.

He looked at me and smiled. "Hi, how can I help you?" he asked politely.

"Hello, I am Emberly Swan. I am here for a waitress job, as I read in the article, "I told him while scraping a hand through my hair."

"Oh, yes, we need one. Please give me five minutes. Let me bring orders for those customers. They are waiting for so long," he said, smiling sheepishly towards me, and I nodded while bouncing on my toes.

"Can I help you?" I asked him, smiling politely at him.

He shook his head smiling, "No need, just sit over there. Give me five minutes; I will take you to our owner. "By the way, my name is Eric," he said, and I nodded while blowing out a long breath and smiling.

"Wait," he exclaimed while bringing a tray. I saw a plate full of cookies with a cup of latte coffee on it. He handed me the tray.

"Enjoy this; I'll be back in five minutes," he said as I shook my head and fidgeted with my fingers.

"No need for this, I am fine," I insist, but he is not listening to my excuses.

I gave up and nodded, honestly saying, "I am so grateful to him, to think this much for me, and I am also hungry."

I came with a tray and sat on the corner table. These cookies are so mouth-watering. Finally, after some moments, he arrived.

He looked at me smiling. Something was there in his eyes for me, which I found so different, like not genuine but not bad either.

"Come, let's go," he asked me, and I nodded while standing up.

We came towards a kitchen. There I found a lady in her early sixties.

Eric comes with me. Mrs. Glide, this is Emberly Swan, and she has come here to work as a waitress," he informed her, and she turned around, her brows furrowed.

"Hello dear," she greeted, while

Putting off her apron and coming towards me

I grinned and looked at her. "Hello mam," I greeted her back.

"Please, don't call me Mam, call me Bernice," she insisted, and I nodded enthusiastically.

"So, you came here for a waitress job," she asked me, and I nodded.

"Did you work before?" she asked, and I shook my head.

"For some personal reasons, I have to leave my birthplace, Los Angeles, and have to come here to New York."

"Oh," she said and after some moments, she spoke again "fine, you can join from tomorrow, honey," she informed me and a wide smile appeared on my face hearing her answer, finally; I can be able to manage my expenses.

"Thank you very much, ma'am," I exclaimed, while quirking an eyebrow and smiling.

"No matter how many times I tell you, don't call me Mam, honey, it's Bernice for you," she said kindly, placing her hand over my shoulder.

I nodded, smiling, delightful. Even though I know I will cry if I stand here for some more time, in such a difficult situation, this job means a lot to me.

After discussing my duties here, I am going towards the exit, as from tomorrow I will join this cafe as my new working place. Before I can exit, a voice stops me.

"Emberly," Eric called me while running in my direction.

I turned around to look at him.

"Yes," I said to him, wondering...

"I want to ask, ask," he trailed while scratching his neck awkwardly.

Finally, he managed to ask me, "Umm will you, I mean, would you like to have a coffee with me?"

I looked at him, smiling, "sure, but don't you have work here to do."

"Actually, there is not a lot of work here today and my shift is also almost over, so I can drop you off at your home," he said to me, smiling.

My face fell when I heard the name "home". How unfamiliar this name is to me. I never know what is a real home for me.

He understood my uneasiness and asked me "what happened?"

I looked at him smiling weakly, "I don't have a home. I live in a motel. Yesterday I came here from Los Angeles," I told him I felt a tightness in my chest that was not loosening.

Oh, that was all he said to me.

"If you don't mind, I can arrange a place for you to live," he insisted.

"No thanks, but I will manage by myself." I politely denied his request. I don't need or want to take any favours from him, or even from anyone else.

"I'll see you around," I said to him as I exited the cafe.

As I am walking towards the road, my mind is quizzing around past incidents and upcoming opportunities in my life. Finally, I am away from that hellhole, but I need to focus on my waitress job so that I can earn enough money to afford a rented apartment.

As I was walking, I don't know, my leg hit something hard and I stumbled and fell hard on the road.

"Ahh," I cried out in pain and pouted while looking up.

Oh my god.

Its newly launched Mercedes-Benz is

But, by God, I'm hurt because of it.

First, that horrible family who tortured me since my childhood, then my unfortunate life, and now this car, everyone just hurt me.

I stand up while clenching my teeth.

I looked at that expensive car.

I hissed at it and kicked its front end with my leg.

I quickly put my hand over my legs; I felt unbearable pain there because of kicking the hard surface of the car.

"You won't get it, right?" I reasoned.

My muscles are tense.

I looked around, and finally, I found a public dustbin.

I quickly went there, took that dustbin, and walked towards that car, pulling the whole garbage over the front of that car. I smiled, satisfied after getting off my anger at that car.

"What the hell," I thought, as I heard a deep husky mesmerising voice behind me, and my adrenaline shot through my veins with my racing heartbeat.

My eyes widened. "Shit!" I think this is the voice of the owner of this car.

I swallowed, feeling the sensation of not being able to get enough oxygen.

I gulped it down, closing my eyes and started counting.

Okay, we will count until three. After three, I will run as fast as I can as the owner of this car is behind me.

Count to three...I felt footsteps coming in my direction, but I slowly went forward. Now 'three', my mind screamed, and I ran as fast as I could without looking back. I ran as fast as my legs carried me. I don't know where I would end up, but I ran for my life.

1 month later

One month later

"Thank you so much, sir please visit again," I said smiling at the customer while handing him the bag of pastry with coffee.

It's been a month, I am working here in the cafe, and trust me this is the most amazing place to work as co-workers are very friendly and I was enjoying very much working here, but honestly said that voice which I encountered that day, owner of that car which I ruined, his deep husky voice was still very deeply settles in my mind with heart and soul, it seems like my peace, my concentration is always focused with a glimpse of that voice, after that day, but something strange also happened, here my brother Asher, he doesn't call me since a week ago, I tried to call him but his phone is coming out of reach, I just hope is fine.

''Emberly, will you please do me a favor, dear,'' Mrs.Glint asked me

''Sure Bernice', just tell me what to do," I said to her enthusiastically if she didn't give me this waitress job then how can I manage here in New York, such a beautiful but it is a very expensive city too, even I managed to afford a rented apartment here because she pays me enough to make living without lack of important things, yes finally I am living in a rented apartment, not in the motel, my apartment has one living room with a bedroom with kitchen, perfect for me to live, Although it doesn't have any expensive furniture my whole day get here in the cafe, I only go there for sleep and spend my weekends in my apartment as Sunday; I have half-days.

''Emberly, we got the order of cookies with a vanilla pastry from customers who is in Cosmopolitan Hotel and Sky, our delivery boy is on sick leave as he is not feeling well, his call comes in morning his medical reports say that he has diarrhea can you go there to deliver this,'' She asked me while giving me food packet.

I took that packet from her ''Sure, why not," I replied, poor sky I will visit him in hospital once in will deliver these cookies to them.

I sat on my bicycle, This is a second-hand bicycle I bought from my neighbor, my neighbors buy a new car for their son at his graduation ceremony, so they sell this bicycle to me at a very affordable and cheap price.

I took out my wireless Bluetooth earphones and set them up and play 'one last time-by Ariana Grande'on my phone.

Finally, I reached towards Cosmopolitan hotel, which is one of the Seven-star hotels owned by Campbell Empires, I read in newspapers, magazines about them, it is owned by Adrian Campbell, the billionaire; I didn't saw his pic as I am not, I interested in it, but I read about his company.

They also own many airlines, with software companies come under it. Not only that, they also own many luxurious chains of seven-star hotels, but mainly they are a construction company. They distribute tenders for shopping malls, water parks, resorts, and many other important things. I also read in that article that today is marriage, with Sarah Winston. She is the daughter of a billionaire, Mr. Gabriel Winston.

I parked my bicycle outside near a garden some distance away from that grand hotel, because I don't think that watchman will let me take my bicycle inside to the hotel's parking area. I stared at a woman who wore an expensive gown, with a diamond necklace coming out of the car. She looked like a supermodel with a perfect figure and clothes. With a man in an expensive suit. Not only them, but many other people wearing expensive clothes are going inside the hotel. Most are celebrities. If I didn't come here for delivery, then I would take selfies with them .

Finally, I sighed and walked towards the entrance gate of the hotel. It's a beautifully built, luxurious hotel. Well, it is one of the seven-star hotels owned by Campbell Empires

I saw the team of guards surrounding it, eyeing everyone around it. I made my way towards it to enter. I ran my hands over my black jeans and straightened denim jacket while fidgeting my fingers.

A guard stands "Miss, may I ask why you're here?" he asked monotonely.

I quickly pulled out that email and received a message from a customer who ordered refreshment from our cafe.

They nodded after seeing that message and unblocked my way. I came inside to the hotel and left the breath, which God knows how long I was holding.

Damm, it's so unbelievable. I never saw a five-star hotel before. They always used to lock me in the storeroom where I live. I was never allowed to go outside except for my school and coaching classes and at the homes of some selected friends.

I looked around in awe.

What a beautifully made masterpiece it is

The lobby of the hotel, spread over two floors, impresses with its grandeur, which was achieved through the architectural design.

The combination of materials and textures complements each other in a harmonious and luxurious look.

Geometrical forms and shapes used in décor and architectural details pique the viewer's interest and make them want to explore the masterpiece where lines guide the eye through the décor.

I have never seen a seven-star luxurious hotel before. This is so beautiful.

I called the customer who ordered from our cafe to inform them that I would give their food bag to the reception staff of the hotel. They will deliver it

As I come towards the corner of the hall.

Just as I pulled out my phone, I felt a tap over my shoulder. I turned around and found a beautiful woman looking the same age as mine. She had waist-length brown hair with beautiful sapphire eyes. She was wearing a bathrobe. Wait, she is Sarah Winston, but what is going here, as today is her wedding with Billionaire Adrian Campbell, I blinked rapidly as my eyes tried to process what I had seen. Her eyes, which were so puffy, it was obvious that she had cried for god knows how long, even though she was looking so worried.

"You." I trailed with a shaky voice.

"Come with me," she whispered, while looking around, making sure that no one saw us.

I tried to ask but she dragged me with me somewhere. I stared at her with a small gasp. Finally, we reached towards a room. She opens the door and we both come inside there

I frowned at her.

"I need your help," she asked me while holding my hands.

I frowned at her. "What kind of help?"

She sighed. "I love someone else, but my father is forcing me to marry Adrian Campbell as my father's company is going bankrupt, but only Adrian can save it. But the condition is I have to marry him, and I can't marry him because I am pregnant with my boyfriend's child, but my dad got to know about it and now my dad is threatening me to kill my boyfriend and our unborn baby if I don't marry Adrian,"

I covered my mouth with my palm after hearing her words; how can her father do this? How can someone be this cruel, even if he will kill an innocent unborn child if she doesn't marry Adrian? This is so disgusting.

"Tell me I will help you in any condition," I told her while taking hold of her hand and softly nodding at her.

She nodded and wiped away her tears. Suddenly, her phone rang. She quickly picked up the call.

"Yes, I am coming," she told someone, then hung up the call. My eyes stopped at the wallpaper of her phone. I freeze at my place while shaking my head

She had my brother Asher and her pic on her phone home screen. I looked at her wide-eyed, swallowing

She looked at me as her brows furrowed. Seeing my reaction, I quickly took her phone.

"T... this is my brother." I stuttered, looking at my brother Asher and her pic

"You are Emberly?" she asked, and I looked at her, dumbfounded.

"You know me?" I asked, and she nodded, smiling slightly."Asher told me about you; your brother loves you so much," she told me while placing her hand over my shoulder

But then I realized Asher is her boyfriend, which means my brother has been kidnapped.

I felt my throat felt so dry. I quickly took hold of the edge of the bed and looked at her. Gulping, I said,

"This means my brother has been kidnapped." So this is the reason he didn't call me for two weeks because he was kidnapped

I fell on my knees and even tears started coming out of my eyes continuously.

"He will be fine, nothing can happen to him," I uttered while shaking my head and wiping away my tears furiously

Sarah put her hand over my shoulder and wrapped her arms around me.

I felt soreness in my throat and lungs.

She wiped away tears. "I got to know the place where they kept him. Now I am going there to save him and some of my friends are already at that place. They are informing me about everything happening there." She said to me while putting her clothes in a duffle bag.

"My brother will be fine. Nothing can happen to him," I whispered at her while taking hold of her arms. She nodded.

"I am going there, but men of my dad are standing outside the room and hotel, so I need your clothes. I will wear your clothes and go there in your disguise," she said and I nodded.