章)ALIYA TORRES
I rode my scooter down the potholed road, feeling the night breeze caress my skin.
I needed to breath and relax if I was going to see my mother and explain that I got fired. Again.
I arrived home at about nine pm, parking my pink scooter just by the basement of the building we lived in.
I couldnt exactly call it a parking lot since lets be honest, I didnt exactly live in the leafy suburbs.
The building we lived in used to be a famous hotel back in the days when Nazis thought that they would somehow win the war over the Americans.
It was an old rugged building, with cracked walls and ceilings, and leaky taps not forgetting doors that creaked in the middle of the night and made you think that souls inhabited the place.
To be frank, it was a real shit show!
Soon enough, once I got a stable job I would get us out of here. I would get my mom a better place.
Our apartment was on the third floor and before you ask, the elevator in this place didnt work so we all got accustomed to using the stairs.
I didnt mind using the stairs though. I wasnt exactly fond of enclosed spaces.
My hands touched the knob of our door turning it until the door opened. I entered the house silently praying that my mother was asleep and I would have to explain me being fired the next day.
"Aliya Maria Fernanda Torres. Nice of you to join for dinner", moms voice spooked me and I turned my head to see her seated on her favorite arm chair in the living room.
"I thought your shift was ending at five. Why are you so late?"she asked.
If one would hear her, one would think that I am seventeen year old teenager when in fact I was twenty three years old.
My mother Karen Torres, hadnt always been like this. We lost our dad an year ago to a horrid accident and since then she has never been the same.
She constantly worried over where I am, with whom am with and if I was being careful. I tried to understand her because losing dad hadnt been easy for us.
I didnt go to college, we spent all the money paying for bills until dad finally died. Since then I had been trying to get by, working multiple jobs to support the both of us.
I sat down on our couch getting rid of the old boots that hurt my legs all day.
"Actually... about that job-",I started.
"Oh no! Again? You got fired? Ali, thats the third job this week"
"Atleast it wasnt my fault this time", I recalled grinding my teeth.
"What happened this time? Did you educate your boss on the importance of cleanliness? Or let me guess you insulted your boss for being a racist. No. No. Let me take another guess, you simply educated your boss on womens rights", she added sarcastically and I groaned.
"No. No and no. It was just-ah forget it. Ill get a job tomorrow, I promise you", I reached out for her hand rubbing the back of it dearly.
"I dont know about that, Ali. I think its time I started working too"
"No, you cant. I got this. This-this is just a minor setback", I said.
A minor setback that involved a devilish handsome self absorbed arrogant jerk. You know the thing about being rich was that it made one feel so entitled.
Like the man I met today. Mr Carter, was it? I could see the way he looked at me as if people of my ilk werent supposed to breath the same air he did.
Being rich made people think they were gods when infact they werent. Maybe thats why I was still poor, maybe God knew if somehow I became rich, I would end up being self absorbed just like them.
I had dinner which was the occasional tater tots, peas and some rice. Afterwards I went to check on Ray who lived just two buildings down our place.
Raymond Chester. For starters we were bestfriends since kindergarten. He was the first kid to talk to me and to share his lunch with me.
We had been friends since kindergarten to middle school to highschool upto now. However unlike I, who couldnt afford college.
Ray got into college, went away to study in Wisconsin then came back to San Francisco to work in microfinance having had specialised in Economics back in college.
"Whats got you all sad?" He teased brushing his finger on my cheek.
"Everything. I dont know, ever felt like the universe hates you?"I huffed watching cars move past us in the same speed.
We were in Rays jeep as he drove us to celebrate the fact that he had been hired in a mega tech company called Wiztech.
I was happy for him ofcourse but deep down a pang of jealousy coursed through my veins.
"Wheres that coming from?" He chuckled using his right hand to push his brown locks from his face.
"Am serious, Ray. I dont know am just tired of everything", I huffed.
"Then talk to me"
"Am trying to but you are not taking anything seriously", I glared at him.
"Okay. Okay...am now. What happened today? Anything I can help with?"
"Well for starters I lost my job. I got humiliated by a self absorbing- condescending-arrogant-son of a-"
"Whoa, whoa calm down, tiger"
"Its just that-he got me fired! That no good prick got me fired! I said sorry, I apologized twice! You know very well I never apologize but I swallowed my pride and apologized to this guy and-God I so badly want to kill him. That was my last chance at getting a job"
"Your mom must be worried. Ali, I can help you if you want me to. You just have to say the word",Ray reached for my hand his other hand on the steering wheel.
We were best friends but I couldnt lay all my load on him, that wasnt fair.
I was going to deal with my shit on my own. Perhaps the last thing Ray needed was someone like me ruining his life just when his career was starting to blossom.
"No. Ill deal with it. Ill get a job and everything will be alright", I said trying to convince myself more.
Everything will be alright.
"If you say so but worry not, beautiful maiden. I have the night planned out for us. One that will surely put a smile on thee beautiful face",he cooed and I laughed hard.
He had the worst medieval ascent, funny thing about it was that he thought he sounded like Merlin.
Minutes later, we were standing outside an expansive Thai restaurant called Mai and I slapped Rays chest unbelievably.
"You love Thai food. I love Thai food so what better way to celebrate than in a Thai restaurant",he suggested his callous arm landing me on my shoulder as he pulled me to him.
"This place looks a bit lavish even for you"
"Ouch. You wound me, Ali",he placed his hand on his chest.
"Am just saying, we could have ordered Thai food and ate at your place. Less costs you know"
"Its my day so I get to choose so shut up and lets go eat",he threw his keys at the skinny valet as we entered the restaurant hand in hand.
The restaurant had a natural wood palette combined with lavish greenery, and an open kitchen to give you a sneak peek of what the master chefs were cooking.
I looked in amazement at the restaurant, the wooden floor plan combined with the hanging little chandeliers on each table gave it a whole different theme that screamed spacious and cozy.
We took a seat at the third table from the open kitchen.
"I feel like am underdressed", I whispered.
Ray was a lot of things. He was funny, he was handsome, he was understanding but most of all he had the most beautiful sly smile I had ever laid my eyes on.
He pulled up that sly smile of his saying,
"Trust me...you look good in anything you wear"
"Raymond Chester, I know when you are lying and you are doing it right now", I whispered narrowing my eyes into slits.
"Fine but who cares? No one recognizes you here. Frankly everyone is minding his own business"
Ray was right though. The restaurant was filled will all types of snobs. Some on their phones, some laughing, others taking pictures no doubt for their Instagram feeds.
I scanned the room, my eyes went back to the open kitchen where the chef kept the lovely couple entertained. They sure were lucky to get the best front row seat huh?
My eyes dimmed at the guy holding the blondies hand. I could only see the right side of his face but I would recognize the arrogant prick from anywhere.
Mr Carter.
He guy that cost me my job. The slithering snob.
"Ali? Hey mittens! Ali?" Ray called and I turned to meet his gaze.
"Its him", I said slowly.
"What?" Ray asked,"who?"
"The guy I was telling you about. The arrogant douche. There, dont look, but hes seated right across the chef", I signalled and Ray went ahead to stare.
"I told you not to look!" I whispered.
"You cant expect me to not look right after you tell me dont look",he raised his hands in defeat turning to me and saying,
"He is not worth it, forget about him... Lets just eat and have fun. I mean it is our first time dining in an exclusive hotel such as this",Ray joked but I couldnt help but feel my blood boil as my eyes flung across the room.
Look at him smiling without a care in the world...as if he hadnt suggested to Mr Ramon to fire me.
"Am sorry...I just cant sit and watch", I stood up from my seat.
"Ali! Ali, dont do this. Sit down...Ali!" Ray called from behind but I was already making my way to Mr Carters table.
"Wow...what a coincidence running into you, Mr Carter. Its so piercing to hear you laugh after you cost me my job", I grimaced towering infront of them.
The couple turned their gaze towards me. Mr Carters stormy icy eyes shot at me and I returned the eye contact with equal fevor.
"Ethan, who is she?"His blonde girlfriend, I assumed, asked running her eyes up and down my body.
I get it, I didnt exactly look like someone who belonged here considering the fact that I had worn a hoodie and baggy sweatpants while she on the other hand, had a sequin mini dress and ooh glittering jewelry on her neck and wrists.
"I dont know her",Mr Carter simply dismissed.
"You dont know me? Am the girl you got fired today! I apologized and you-"
"Ethan, what is she talking about?" His girlfriend asked him.
"I dont know her, Crystal. Shes been following me all day and am freaking tired of this madness!" He stood up, his six foot figure towering infront of me.
Was I scared? Why, yes. Yes I was.
His jaw muscles flexed and with one hard glare he glanced down at me,
"I dont what your problem with me is, lady but I suggest you get out of here before I call the cops on you",he growled and I took a step back.
"On what grounds?"I asked surprised that I could still talk.
"Excuse me?" He quirked his brows.
"You are going to call the cops on me on what grounds? I havent done anything to you...yet"
"Is that a threat?" He harshly asked and suddenly my eyes flung to the bowl of wasabi on their table.
It was crazy.
I would definitely end up in jail.
But no one messed with Aliya Maria Fernanda Torres.
With one flash move, I carefully took the bowl of wasabi splashing it contents on his chest and face.
"Aliya!" Ray gasped grabbing hold of my hand and suddenly, we were running out of the restaurant like thieves.
I poured wasabi on him, I should have been terrified but actually I was terrifyingly thrilled at the whole situation.
He got what he deserved.