Ava's Pov:
"Do you realize how late you are, Miss Kessler?" Kira, the interviewer asked with an annoyed look.
I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. I overslept because I didn't get a wink of sleep trying to figure out who could've possibly had access to my bank.
"I'm sorry traffic was hectic. I'll do better next time."
She looked at me from head to toe with this judging face.
It was a five star restaurant but I didn't expect her to be so rude.
"There won't be a next time if you don't get the job, am I right?"
"No, no. I need this job."
"Everyone does Miss Kessler. What makes you think you're special?"
"I'm not special. But, I'm a hard worker and I'm always on time. I should've left the house earlier to avoid the traffic so being late is completely on me and it will never happen again as long as you give me this job."
"Hm. That's what they always say," she handed me a neatly folded bag with a full outfit inside. " You start tomorrow. You are to show up at 7am sharp with this and nothing else. I hope you own a washing machine."
"Thank you so much Miss Kira. I won't let you down."
She walked off without another word.
Judging by the looks of the other staff behind the counter and the way she spoke to me, I knew she was going to be a problem.
As I walked to the train station, I felt this sudden unease. Like someone was watching me, following me. I couldn't shake the feeling off and kept looking back.
I noticed a man dressed very poorly in sunglasses staring at me. He wasn't too close to me but he was close enough for me to notice him. He moved when I moved and stopped when I stopped.
I was already too close to the train station to get a cab so I kept walking. I was scared but he couldn't do anything in broad daylight, I hoped.
I increased my pace and finally relaxed when I got into the train.
He didn't get in, even though he had the chance to. He just stood by the stairs, pretending not to watch me.
My heart was pounding. I had taken so many loans in the past that it didn't sound crazy for a loan shark to be following me.
Maybe my secret admirer missed a few people.
I finally let out a sigh of relief as the train started to move.
I thought about it the whole ride. It suddenly looked like everybody was watching me. I knew I was just being paranoid but it was valid. The guy was tall and lean, but still very scary.
When I got home, I called Alicia again. I asked her about the loans.
She said she didn't even know I still owed so much. I couldn't believe my ears.
My mind went to the mysterious man that followed me earlier. Could it be him? But if he did pay them, why couldn't he talk to me directly rather than following me?
"Hello? Ava, are you there?"
"Yes I'm here. I couldn't hear you, what were you saying?"
"I asked why it was bothering you so much. Aren't you supposed to be happy you don't have to spend your paychecks on bills?"
"Alicia, I didn't pay them off on my own. What if the person comes back to tell me I owe them my life for the favor?"
She laughed. "That only happens in movies and books Ava, you're being paranoid."
"I'll have you know that something similar happened to my friend."
"And how did that friend turn out?"
"Well, he left her alone after she slept with him. I can't sleep with a stranger."
"You won't have to relax."
"But the text. That was really creepy, and the shady man I saw."
"Slow down. What text and which shady man?"
I didn't want to give her the details so she wouldn't have to worry but it slipped out.
I told her everything.
"Ava, that's really scary. What if the guy knows where you stay?"
"That's exactly why I'm worried. The timing of it all doesn't sit right with me."
"Maybe you should switch motels."
"I can't. It's been paid for as well. I can't let the money waste. On the positive side, someone who helped me this much wouldn't want to hurt me right?"
"I mean I guess so. Just be safe okay? It's already bad that he knows where you'll be working."
I sighed. "I'll be careful. I'll call you if I need anything."
We hung up and I went back to sulking.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone like it was going to give me answers if I looked hard enough. I tried to tell myself Alicia was right and I was overthinking everything, but my body didn't agree.
I replayed the moment at the train station over and over again. He had glasses on but I could describe his face perfectly.
I stood up and checked the door locks even though I knew I had locked them earlier. I checked the windows too. Everything was fine, but that didn't help. I still felt like I wasn't alone.
I tried distracting myself by laying out the uniform Miss Kira gave me. I couldn't afford to be late again, so I ironed them out and kept them aside before placing my phone on the table to charge.
By the time I got out of the shower, I saw a missed call and a text message from that same unknown number.
"We should see."
My heart dropped to my stomach. I picked up the phone slowly and thought of what to send.
"How did you get my number?"
The person replied in less than a second. "I have my ways."
Part of me was oddly relieved to see the text, but I couldn't shake off the fear.
I tried calling the number but they didn't answer.
The conversation ended with me asking who he was.
As uncomfortable as I was, I still tried to sleep.
I could tell Kira wasn't one to play with, and I needed the job.
I finally put my phone down and closed my eyes. Fighting every negative thought that came to mind.
When my alarm went off at five thirty, I was already awake.
I got dressed quickly and double checked everything. I didn't look at my phone, just headed straight for work.
My intuition told me to take a cab but the train was faster. I had no choice.
Even though part of me expected it, I was still surprised to find the same man in the same outfit walking behind me. He kept his distance like he did the first time. He didn't look like much of a threat but that didn't make it less scary.
I got to the station but my train hadn't arrived. I had to wait a few minutes. Naturally that wasn't a problem, but with him 10 steps behind me, I needed to get out of there fast.
He didn't move or try to approach me. He just stood there pretending to read a newspaper.
Barely five minutes later, my train arrived. I got in and sat down, backing the window.
I got to Kora five minutes early.
Kira saw me and didn't say a word. She ignored me when I smiled at her.
As I was about to put my bags down, she came up behind me. "Don't think it's that easy to impress me."
Then she walked off.
I knew at that moment. I was going to have a long week.