I woke up at 3 am because of noises from outside the house. I wanted to open the window to see what was happening, but Mari grabbed me immediately, shaking her head. "Don't think about it, Zara. Please, you will get us killed in just a minute." She looked so scared that I just calmed down and closed my eyes without thinking about it. I fell asleep.
"Good morning, amor."
"Morning, Mari," I responded with sleepy eyes, struggling to get up.
"Girl, ain't got no time to sleep. Did you sleep well?" I asked, looking at her with so many questions.
"I know what you want to ask me, Zara, but you just have to listen to everything I told you yesterday. Mind your own business. Don't get involved in anything that doesn't concern you," she said, pointing her hands towards me.
"Okay, I won't."
"So, where are you going, Mari?"
"Girl, I'm going to work. Can't you see?"
"No," I replied to her.
"I'm blind. I can't see you, idiot."
I got up from the bed and headed to the bathroom.
"Get ready by noontime, Zara. I will be taking you to work."
"Work? You didn't tell me about work," I yelled back at her.
"Now I'm telling you, okay? I already kept it for you."
"Okay," I just replied.
After spending my morning watching TV and eating, she finally called me and told me where to meet her so she could take me to work. I took a shower and picked up a black dress that looked so good. I made sure everything was clean and okay before leaving the house.
I was waiting to see if I could get a taxi when a lady was screaming and asking for help. Three men were beating her up, but nobody answered her. I wanted to go and help her, but I remembered what Mari told me.
A taxi soon came, and I left.
"Good afternoon, everyone," I greeted them with a low voice. They turned and answered me with a nod because, on the other side, a game was going on, and they needed no noise.
"Sir, this is Zara, my best friend. I have been telling you about her."
"Good day, sir," I greeted him.
"Same here, dear. You look so pretty and gorgeous in this outfit."
"Thanks," I replied.
"No need for any further questions. Welcome to the biggest Casino in Gioia City."
Before I could respond to him, gunshots stopped me from saying a word. I was so surprised. Those men were playing so quietly just now. How come they had a gun? I looked around, but nobody was saying anything, not even Mari. I was shocked.
"Oh dear, sorry about that. Okay, it's just a normal thing here. You will get over it soon," Mari nodded her head in agreement.