Ava's Pov:
It's been a week since I stared working at the bar. I couldn't say I loved it but it was enjoyable. It taught me a few things that I probably would forget about.
I didn't see Leon after that day either. I was scared he'd come back for me but he never showed up. Even Alicia was shocked since he was a regular.
Still, I told myself it wasn't my problem. I was just glad to have avoided the drama.
Alicia hadn't seen my posts either. I had to mute my posts on all socials from her phone. It was a stretch but I was going to delete the pictures when I stopped working at the bar. Which was unfortunately that night.
The band they hired before me were back and ready to take their spot.
I still sang thar night. The customers sounded displeased to hear I was leaving but I had to. Even if they wanted to keep me, I couldn't work at a bar.
I needed to find a good, high paying job.
"Ava my money maker." our boss gave me a tap on the back. "It's so sad to see you go." he continued.
"I need to find a real job Steve. But I'm beyond grateful for everything, really."
"I should be the one thanking you. You had this place up and running in a week. I hope we're able to keep it up when you leave."
"Are you kidding? Wine n Dine is the best bar in the city. People who haven't been here dont know what they're missing out on."
We both laughed.
Later that night, Alicia and the rest of the crew, threw a small party to celebrate me leaving. I thought it was extra since I had only been there a week but they all said I was very helpful. Plus I kept Steve in a good mood the whole time with the amount of customers I was pulling.
For the first time in a while, I understood what it meant to have genuine people around you. I had gotten close with each of them over the week and they all showed me real love. I was grateful for that.
I stared down at my contacts. Nobody had called or texted. They commented on my posts sometimes but it was always something simple like, "Cute." or "Great job Ava!"
I wondered if i should just stop faking my life. They wouldn't like me either ways. But, I was in too deep to just walk out of everything I built.
"So," alicia wrapped her hands around mine. "Have you decided where you'd be working after this?"
"Yeah I actually have an interview tomorrow morning."
"Oh my God, are you serious? That's so nice. I'm happy for you."
I laughed. "Relax I haven't gotten the job yet."
"Yes but you're working really hard. I'm proud of you."
"Wow. Can't remember the last time someone said they were proud of me." I whispered.
"You're doing really great Ava. Don't beat yourself up. I know you've just been pretending to be okay."
I stayed quiet.
"Did you loose publicity too? I haven't been seeing you on my feed."
"Oh yeah, I just stopped posting for a while."
"Really? That was a good decision. Just take your time okay?"
I gave her faint smile. I felt terrible for keeping so many things from her. She didn't even know the real me and I knew everything about her.
"I will."
"You should get going too. You might miss your interview if t you oversleep."
"You're right. I'll say goodbye to everyone and then leave."
She nodded before walking off.
I sat there for a while, just pondering on all my decisions.
It was too late to care.
I said my final goodbyes to everyone at the bar and headed back to my motel.
I checked my phone to go through my debts as usual but I couldn't find anything.
Somehow, all my debts had been paid. Even the next few days at the motel had been paid for.
I opened my banks thinking they had somehow debited me without my permission. All my money was intact.
I called the bank one more time to confirm and they said they couldn't tell me who did it, but, they were all paid off.
I thought it was Alicia surprising me again, so I didn't celebrate for too long.
I hopped into the shower singing as loudly as I could. I was overjoyed that she paid them. It didn't mean I didn't have to work anymore but it took a huge burden off my shoulders.
By the time I got out, Alicia still hadn't texted me about the loans. I thought she would but nothing.
I started to worry. No one was close enough to know I had debts except Alicia. Even my mother didn't know about it.
Was it a coincidence that the money was gone? Or was this Nadia's doings.
"No, Nadia doesn't know me like that" I whispered.
I tried calling Alicia, but she didn't answer. My stomach twisted. The more I thought about it, the more questions formed, but no answers came.
Somewhere deep inside, I knew my life had just shifted in a way I couldn't yet understand. I had no clue who had done this, or why. And even though I had never been so relieved, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that something big, that I wasn't ready for was coming.
I wrapped myself in a towel, pacing the room. My eyes scanned the shadows in the corners of the small motel room.
And then, my phone buzzed. A notification from an unknown number. I froze, my pulse spiking. The screen displayed only one message:
"Enjoy the relief while it lasts."
I dropped the phone, heart hammering, and the room felt impossibly cold.
Who could have sent that? And how did they even know?