It has been one week since I started working at H&D, and honestly, it is still strange how everyone treats me like I am made of glass. Summer break just started, so I have more time to be here, and every single worker moves around me like I might break if they breathe too hard.
"Lily, do you need water?"
"Lily, sit down for a bit."
"Lily, don't carry that tray, let Matteo do it."
At this point, I barely lift a spoon without someone rushing to help me. It is almost funny.
I have not seen Ms Wilder since the day she spoke to me. A part of me expected her to show up, maybe smile or say something dramatic like "My little fighter," but no. Nothing. She has her own life anyway.
Matteo is the only one who talks to me normally. Not too soft, not too sweet, just… normal. Maybe because he is young. Maybe because he does not fully believe all the stories. Or maybe he is just tired of watching everyone treat me like a fragile princess.
As for Avelyn, she keeps "checking up on me" every two days, acting like she is worried about me being tired. But I know her. I know her too well.
The way she looks around the restaurant.
The way her eyes linger every time Matteo walks past.
The way she tries to act calm but starts smiling like an idiot whenever he says "Hey Vee."
"Are you sure you are okay here?" she asked yesterday, pretending to look at me when she was very obviously watching Matteo wipe a table.
"I am fine," I told her. "You can go and greet him, you know."
She pushed my arm lightly. "Shut up. I am not here for him."
"Right," I said, nodding. "You just happen to dress extra cute every time you come here. Total coincidence."
She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned pink.
"I'll be back before you close" with that she exited the restaurant
Honestly, I do not mind. It keeps her close, and I get to watch her pretend she is not crushing on him so badly.
The job is not terrible. The lies still sit heavy in my chest sometimes, but then someone hands me a free dessert or smiles at me with pity, and I remember why I said them in the first place.
For now, everything is calm. Too calm, actually.
And calm never lasts long in my life.
Just when I thought the day would drag on like the others, the restaurant door opened and every worker straightened instantly. I did not need to turn around to know why. The air changed. People only act that stiff for someone important.
I looked up anyway.
Ms Wilder walked in, calm and elegant like she owned the entire street. Her heels clicked lightly as she scanned the room, and for a second, her eyes landed right on me.
My stomach dropped.
Matteo whispered, "She is looking for you," before rushing off like I suddenly became too hot to stand next to.
I wiped my palms against my apron and waited. I did not want to look too eager or too scared, so I just stayed standing behind the counter like I had something important to do.
"Lilian," she said when she reached me. Her voice was soft, but firm enough to make me stand straighter. "Do you have a minute?"
I nodded quickly and followed her to a quieter corner of the restaurant. She sat down and gestured for me to sit, but my legs felt too stiff, so I stayed standing.
She smiled a little. "You can sit, dear. I won't bite."
I sat slowly, trying not to look nervous.
"I have been thinking about you," she began. "About the things the manager told me. About everything you have been through." She paused, then tilted her head. "I want to know if there is anything you want. Anything at all."
My throat tightened.
Anything?
The word felt too big for me.
She continued, "Sometimes young people are afraid to ask. But if there is something that could make your life easier, I would like to help."
I swallowed. "I… I don't really know what to say."
"It is alright," she said. "Just think. A goal you have. Something you wish you could do or have. You do not have to tell me now, but I want you to know I am willing to listen."
She reached out and placed a business card on the table in front of me.
"If you ever need me, call."
Then she smiled again and stood up, leaving me frozen in my seat.
Everyone stared at me when she walked away. Matteo's eyebrows were raised like he was watching a movie. Avelyn would probably scream if she were here.
I picked up the card.
Her name.
Her number.
Her trust.
All in my hand.
I did not know whether to feel powerful
or terrified.
Just an hour before I could close, ms wilder got up and asked me to follow her, we got to her car and she urged me to get in. Oblivious to our destination and too scared to ask I just sat there looking outside the window. She wouldn't kidnap me right, maybe she wants to show me something I kept convincing myself to stay calm
Finally the car came to an halt, we are at the city's biggest mall, I've only been here twice and that was with avelyn cause I personally can't afford anything here.
Waittt…. Why are we at the mall? She's not probably taking me shopping is she? I slapped my forehead and shook my head"of course not who am I kidding , maybe she brought me here as an escort to help her with her shopping bags"
"Lilian" ms wilder soft voice pulled me out of my thoughts, I raised my head up to look at her with a raised eyebrow in concern.
Right she must think I'm crazy.
"We are here, I brought you here so you can have a change of wardrobe, to be honest I've been wanting to do this, I mean to go shopping with a girl child but I never had a girl child so seeing you look like my sister makes you so familiar to me" she said and nudged me to come down from the car
My mouth went dry. For a second, I honestly thought I misheard her.
A change of what?
I stepped out of the car slowly, trying not to let my shock show. The mall lights felt brighter than usual, almost like they were mocking me.
"Ma… you want to buy clothes for me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. I pretended to look calm, but inside I was screaming.
"Yes, dear," she said with a warm smile. "You work hard, and you deserve to feel confident. Let me do this for you."
I nodded, because what else could I do? Say no? I am a liar, not a fool.
As we walked into the mall, my eyes kept darting around like I was expecting someone to pull me aside and expose everything. But no one cared. Everyone was busy living their perfect, rich lives.
Ms Wilder placed her hand lightly on my shoulder. "Relax, Lilian. You are safe."
Safe.
That word felt strange on me.
We stepped into one of the biggest clothing stores, the type with mannequins wearing clothes that cost more than everything in my wardrobe combined. My chest tightened a little as I looked around.
"Pick anything you like," she said.
I blinked. "Anything?"
She nodded. "Yes. And don't overthink it."
I swallowed hard and walked to the nearest rack, touching a soft dress with shaking fingers. It felt unreal. Everything around me felt unreal.
She watched me with this gentle expression like she had known me forever.
Like I was someone worth taking care of.
"Try that one on," she encouraged.
I nodded again and headed to the changing room. When I put it on, I stared at myself in the mirror for a long moment.
I didn't look like the shy girl who wore worn out dresses and faded shoes.
I looked like someone else.
Someone important.
Someone who belonged here.
I stepped out of the changing room slowly.
Ms Wilder's eyes lit up. "Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."
I felt something twist in my chest….pride, guilt, excitement….everything mixed together in a way that made me dizzy.
"Thank you," I said quietly, still trying to believe this was real.
She smiled and handed me another dress. "Try this next."
And just like that, my life was changing right in front of me.