Chapter 10

Today is the first of the month and it's the day I'm supposed to pay Whistler the rent money. I don't have enough to pay him. At least I have a month left before I need to find someplace to go.

I pull on a pair of black tights and a white button up blouse. I brush my hair and teeth. I pick up my handbag and keys off the counter before stepping outside the apartment.

Whistler is blocking my exit. "Hello, missy, I'm here to collect this months rent from you."

"I'm sorry, sir. I don't have the whole payment on me. Can I give you what I have and I'll give you the rest next week?"

Whistler shakes his head. "No, can do, Missy. Pay me the money or you can get out."

I start crying. "I have nowhere to go."

He crosses his arms. "Not my problem."

"I paid first and last months rent."

He chuckles. "That doesn't mean you get to stay here for free the last month. You have until seven to clear your stuff out. What you leave behind will be donated to the people of this building. When you leave, just put the keys in my box."

"Yes, Sir. I have to get to work before I'm fired. Excuse me." I run down the stairs and out the door.

Where am I supposed to go. I'm pregnant and in a strange place.

I enter the Cafe and start cleaning the tables. I take orders at the register when it gets busy. The coffee orders keep coming during the day.

My boss pulls me aside. "Come into my office we need to talk."

I step into the office with her. "I'm sorry about today. I'm off my game."

She nods. "I can see that. Is there anything you need to talk to me about?"

I sit in a chair. No, I just have to figure this out on my own. I'm sorry I brought my problems to the workplace. I promise I'll be better tomorrow."

"Alright, get back to work."

I walk out of the room and help make coffee for the new patrons that walked into the Cafe.

"Sam, I need your help in the kitchen." Caleb says.

I enter the kitchen. "What do you need help with?"

"Can you make more of your brownies. They are selling like crazy. You need to teach me how to make it."

I show Caleb how to make it for when I'm not working.

Caleb hugs me. "Thanks for showing me how to make it."

I help with making the coffees for the last costumes coming into the cafe.

The doors to the Cafe closes at five.

I clean the tables and chairs. I put the chairs upside down on the table. I enter the kitchen to fill up a bucket with warm water and disinfectant. I sweep and wash the floors. I tie the bin bags and carry them out the back. I open the back door and step into the alley.

I hear some yelling in the alleyway.

"No, no, no, please don't kill me."

I need to get out of here.

I put the rubbish in the bin.

I turn the handle to the Cafe door.

It won't open.

I bang on the door.

Then I hear bang, bang, bang.

Someone please open the door.

I bang on the door again.

Please some one hear me. I want to get inside before these people see me.

A car pulls out of the alleyway and I'm frozen on the step as the car headlights come towards me.

I have tears streaming down my face.

Someone open the damn door.

The door opens and I run inside.

Caleb grabs my hand. "What happened?"

I shake my head. "Nothing, I'm just afraid of the dark."

I walk into the office and collect my bag. "I'll see you tomorrow."

I exit the building.

A car pulls over to the curb and a guy steps out. "What did you hear in the alley?"

"Not-nothi-nothing." I stutter.

"For your sake I hope you're telling the truth, baby." He runs a finger across my face. "If you are lying I will kill you understand?"

I nod.

He cups his hand to his ear. "I can't hear you."

"I understand. Can I go?"

He moves out of my way. "Have a good night, baby."

I make my way through town to my apartment building.

The sun has gone behind the sea and the streetlights are coming on.

As I approach the building I can see a removals truck parked on the curb. I enter the building and see my apartment door wide open.

I still have time.

I push past the guys to get my stuff.

Everything I own is gone. The only things I have left are in the bag next to the door. I don't know what left inside and I'm afraid to open it.

Whistler step into the room. "I couldn't wait any longer for you to get your stuff out of my apartment."

I open the bag and find a pair of sweat pants, jumper and t-shirt.

What happened to my beautiful dresses and underwear? That's gross that someone had to steal my underwear. I hope hand wash the underwear. If they don't it's going to shrink.

I pick up the bag.

"You're a dreadful person, Mister. Someday you're going to mess with the wrong person." I grab my gym bag and exit the place.

I have the keys gripped in my hands. I throw them at him.

A key hits him the face.

Where am I going now?

I take a deep breath and exit the rundown apartment building.

My phone rings and I pick it up.

"Hello, Pey,"

"Hey, Maddie and I are on our way to see you. We couldn't wait another week. We'll be in town tomorrow."

No, I can't have my friend know how terrible things are for me here."

I shake my head. "Can you visit next weekend?"

"No, we booked this weekend off and we intend to see you. Maddie and I will be there on Friday."

I sigh. "Fine, I'll see you on Friday."

I have two days until I see my best friends.

I stop in front of a brick building that have woman and children lining up outside of. "Excuse me, what's this line for?"

The woman smiles. "It's for the Woman's shelter. We get free food and drinks. Some even get a free bed to stay in."

"Thank you." I walk to the front of the line.

A woman exits the building. "Can I help you?"

I smile at her. "I want to volunteer to help you serve these people."

"Good, grab an apron and I'll show you the ropes."

I pick up a apron and tie it around me. I pour soup into a bowl and hand it to woman.

"Thank you," she takes the bowl from me.

"I'm Brie Clarkson."

"Samantha Black."

The rest of the night I talk to Brie and serve the homeless people. I pick up my backpack and exit the building. I walk through town and find a public bathroom. I fall asleep in the filthy, smelly bathroom.

Chapter 11

I wake up on the floor of the toilet. I climb off the floor and walk over to the basin. I wash my hands and put some water in my hair. I get changed into my work clothes.

My mobile is on the floor and the battery is dead.

Damn, what time is it?

I exit the bathroom and a black car is pulled to the curb. The sandy blonde hair, blue eyed guy from last night steps out of the car.

He moves towards me. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself last night." He says with an Aussie Accent. "I'm Vincent Diablo."

My hands shake as I place them in his tanned hand. "Samantha Black."

He pulls me against him. "About last night? Do you remember anything?"

"I heard screaming and gunshots. That's all I know. I won't tell anyone. I have other things to worry about then the man you killed. If you'll excuse me I have to go to work."

He frowns. "What do you mean you have other things to worry about?"

I cross my arms. I put one finger up and say. "One, I have a job to get to. If I'm late I'll lose it." My second finger goes up. "Two, I have nowhere to live." My third finger goes up. "Three, I'm pregnant. Do you think I care what you do in your spare time in dark alleyways?"

"I'm sorry, I'll let you go."

I wave him off. "I'll be seeing you around won't I?"

"Yep,"

I leave him standing close to his car.

I walk along the footpath and head to the Cafe.

At the cafe I make my brownies and take them out front. I help Caleb with making other cakes for the display case.

Lauren enters the kitchen. "Sam, I have a cute blonde, Aussie accent guy that wants to see you. That guy is hot."

I laugh. "You can have him if you want?"

She shakes her head. "No, I have my eyes on someone else."

"You have to tell me who. And I'll work my magic."

Lauren laughs. "I'd love to see you work your magic on... Never mind. I'll point him out when he gets back from Europe."

I step out from the kitchen and I see Vincent at the counter.

The girls in the shop stare at him.

Vincent smiles. "Hey, baby. What's good to eat and drink here?"

I roll my eyes. "Coffee and any cakes."

"I want you to make me a coffee and give me the best cake you have."

I cross my arms. "Vincent, these girl could have taken your order. Why do you want me to make these things for you?"

He smiles and it lights up his handsome face. "I trust you. Besides these girls could slip anything into my drink and I don't want to take any chances with them."

"What makes you think I won't slip anything into your drink?"

He moves his index finger telling me to come to him.

I move towards him.

He leans over the counter and whispers. "You know what I'm capable of, baby. Don't test me."

I walk over to the coffee machine and make him a black coffee to match his heart and I give him a slice of my brownies. I put it in a bag and put the order on the table.

I tell him how much it costs and he hands over a fifty. "Keep the change, baby. I'll see you around."

Vincent steps out of the Cafe and he gives the coffee to one of his workers. He holds up the brownie bag and waves at me. He steps into the car.

I watch the car pull out onto the road and disappear around the corner.

The girls gather around me.

Rene taps me on the shoulder. "How do you know him?"

"I met him last night on the way home from work." I turn to Lauren. "I didn't tell him where I worked."

Lauren nods. "I know. He saw the company logo on your uniform." She claps her hands. "Okay ladies, get back to work. We can't stand around gossiping about our customers."

I pick up a cloth and walk around the shop cleaning the tables.

After work I exit the front door of the Cafe and I walk to the homeless shelter. On the way there a black car pulls over and I hear a window get pulled down. "Sammy?"

I turn to the voice and see Vincent.

What does he want?

I move towards the car. "What are doing here, Vinny?"

"Following you."

No shit Sherlock.

"Why, do you have to keep doing that?"

He steps out of the car. "I've been given orders to keep an eye on you, Miss Black. My Boss doesn't like that you know what happened to the guy in the..."

"Vincent Diablo, leave me alone. I want to forget about last night. Why, don't you just kill me or take me to your boss."

Vincent shakes his head. "You don't want to meet The Boss. He's not a good guy."

Neither are you. But, you seem to be everywhere that I am.

I look across the street. "I have to go." I cross the street and enter the homeless shelter.

The girl next to nudges my shoulder. "Looks like we got a new helper."

Vincent walks into the shelter with Maria.

Great! All I need is Vincent to be here every night.

I whisper. "I don't think he's here for a helping hand. I think he's offering money."

"Why, would you say that?"

"He's wearing a suit and he has a driver waiting outside the building."

The girl looks out the door. "You're right."

We continue to serve the food.

Vincent stands next to me. He put mashed potatoes on the plate and hand it back to the girl.

The girl looks at him. "Thank you, Mister." She takes the plate and walks to a table.

I'm tired.

I yawn.

Vincent touches my face. "If you're tired you should go home."

I hit his hand. "Do you have to keep touching me?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't realise I was doing it."

I roll my eyes. "Whatever. I'm out of here." I pick up my backpack and I walk out the door.

I walk to the female public toilets. I wash my hands and prepare the backpack as a pillow. I pull out my sweat pants and t-shirt. I change into them. I close the door to the stall. I sit on the ground and then lie my head on the bag.

I close my eyes.

Vincent

What the he'll does this girl think she's doing?

I watch from my car as she enters the bathroom. I wait ten minutes and she doesn't come out. "I'll be back."

I step out of the car and walk into the toilets. "Samantha?" I yell.

She doesn't reply.

I step into the woman's toilets and I see legs hanging from under a door.

She needs to take better care of herself. She told me she was pregnant this morning.

I kick the door and it hit against the wall.

She doesn't wake up.

I pick Sam up and carry her to my car. I put her in the back with me.

Barrett turns to me. "Where are we going?"

"My place. She needs somewhere safe to be."

Barrett drives to my place.

At home I carry Samantha into my house and place her in the spare bedroom.

I kiss her forehead. "Sleep tight, baby."