Destiny's POV
"Oh, Destiny, where have you been?" Daria asked with worries on her face the moment she opened the door. I couldn't contain my tears any longer; they gushed out of my eyes like a river escaping a dam.
Daria was with me in an instant and hugged me without asking any more questions. She caressed my back as I cried harder. She pulled me with her to the living room and assisted me to sit down on the couch as I continued sobbing.
"Daria, I promised you this would be the last time you will see me cry," I said in between my sob.
"There is nothing wrong in crying, Destiny. It is good to cry sometimes; it will be beneficial to your eyes." She responded with humor as she handed me the box of facial tissue.
I didn't know how long we sat on the sofa; she let me cry until there were no more tears left in my eyes, but my heart remained heavy like I was carrying a boulder in my chest.
"Are you now ready to tell me what happened? You texted me you would be out of town and staying at one of the beach resorts in the south. I tried calling you after I received your message, but your phone was unavailable." Daria said.
"You just don't know how worried I was. I couldn't sleep, and I knew something was off." She added.
Red was right; she was the only person on my side and must know the truth. I told her what happened, and the expression on her face changed into anger.
"One day, I will beat that bitch; I don't care if I will end up in jail," Daria said, grating her teeth with anger, and I let out a weak laugh.
"About Red, I don't think he meant it to hurt you. He wanted you to be safe; Carmen and Carmie would stop bothering you if you were no longer here." Daria continued, and I shook my head.
"He was worried you can't find a job here, knowing Carmen would do everything she can to prevent you from working for any companies in the city." She proclaimed.
"Daria, I knew you love Red as much as you love me, but you must know he hurt me more than you can imagine. He slept with my stepsister, and he hurt me by not giving me a chance to tell him my side of the story." I said.
"I understand if you sympathize with him, but he sided with my enemies, and that's what hurt me the most," I added.
"Red helped you, Des. He came to the police station to get you out. That is enough indication he still cares about you." She asserted, and my face turned sour.
"I didn't ask Red if he could convince Carmen and Carmie to drop the charges; I only knew he bailed me out. I am unsure if I will go to court and face my enemies again." I responded, blowing my nose on the tissue.
"He clearly said it to my face. I have nothing here; how can he say that? How could he throw away our good memories together? I couldn't believe Red would turn blind and do this to me." I added.
"I am sorry, Destiny," Daria said as she looked at me.
"You have done nothing wrong to me, Daria. Why are you saying sorry? Don't worry, I can find a job." I stated with confidence.
However, my enthusiasm for finding a job started to fade after one month of applying, and none of the companies I applied to hired me.
Red's betrayal and my father's rejection brought torment in my life that came in ripples, grueling, and stole my peace of mind, even my appetite and sleep alike.
It is a fragment in my belly that never leaves. I wished that, in time, the edges would dull, and my heart would heal.
"Hey, you can't apply for that position, Destiny. You can't be a waitress," Daria spoke after I told her the good news that I finally found a job.
"Why don't you think I can serve the customers?" I asked, and her face fell.
"Come on, Destiny. You just recently learned how to wash the dishes, and it doesn't suit you." She responded, shaking her head.
"Daria, don't underestimate my ability," I replied, irritated that she was unhappy that I finally found a job.
"I am not underestimating you, Des, but you are Alejandro's daughter. I just couldn't imagine you are working as a waitress; you grew up with maids around your mansion." Daria declared, and I weakly smiled at her.
"I am no longer his precious daughter, and he no longer cares about me. My dad disowned me. I can't just sit here and wait for a miracle to happen. I need to do this to survive; I won't allow my enemies to succeed." I proclaimed.
"I need to do this for us, Daria. I must pay rent and utility bills at the end of the month. I need to work, or else we would be sleeping in the street." I added, and her face saddened.
"Oh, my dear, you didn't deserve this," she mumbled, and I poked her side.
"Don't be so sad. I got a job, and we should celebrate!" I excitedly said, and her face lit up as she stood up from her seat.
"I will cook something fancy," she murmured before walking towards the fridge. She rummaged through the freezer, and my eyes widened as I watched her haul the plastic with beef steak on it.
"Wow, I didn't know we had steak! You can't afford to buy a steak, Daria," I said as I stood up, my eyes focused on her hands.
"Red bought this, together with the groceries. I kept it for a special occasion. I know it is your favorite, and we can't wait for your birthday to eat this one." She replied, and I stepped back and sat back on the dining chair, speechless.
"We can't drink the wine without a steak," Daria added with excitement as she went straight to the sink to wash the meat. I didn't answer as I slowly stood up, went straight to my room, and collapsed on my bed.
I tried to forget about Red, but he kept popping into my head, and I hated myself that I couldn't forget about him.
I was staring at the ceiling when I heard a soft knock on my door.
"Dinner is ready," Daria said as she peeked on my bedroom door.
"Are you okay?" She asked and opened the door wider when I didn't answer her.
"Destiny, I know you don't want to talk about Red. I am sorry." She added as she sat on the edge of my bed, and I gradually spun my head and looked at her.
"It is okay now, Daria. He is part of my past, and I can't change that," I softly replied.
"Come on, my mouth is watering already. I can't wait to eat the steak and drink that wine," I added, trying to sound enthusiastic, but deep inside, I didn't want to eat since I was having a problem with my appetite after everything that happened.
But thanks to Daria, if not for her, I would be sleeping in my bed, eating up my misery without caring about food
"Mmm, this is delicious, Daria," I said, even if my mouth was full, and her genuine smile melted my heart.
She is the only one I have right now, and I don't know what to do without her guidance for how many times she convinced me to come with her to her province and live with her family, but I am determined to stay in the city and face my enemies head-on.
"Good luck with your new job!" Daria said the following morning with a lunch box in her hands.
"Thank you, but I don't need to bring food for lunch; we have a free meal, Daria," I responded.
"Oh, that is good news," she let out with a wide beam on her face.
"Yeah, it means additional savings for us," I replied, and she nodded.
"You don't need to walk me to the bus stop," I complained when she came out of the house and started walking beside me.
"I am happy and excited for you; this is your first day," she replied, and I linked my arm with hers as we continued walking.
"Welcome, Destiny. Do you have any questions?" The manager asked after I reported to her office.
"No, Ma'am, thank you so much for hiring me," I replied, and she gave me a warm smile before tapping my shoulder.
"You are welcome; make me proud. You can change your uniform in the staff room. Morning is so hectic for us since we are the only restaurant in the city that offers the best breakfast menu." She declared.
I smiled as I looked at my reflection in the mirror after I put on my new uniform. It was a simple above-the-knee black pencil-cut skirt and white long sleeves with a black vest. I clamped my hair into a bun and exited the staff room.
A beautiful lady oriented me with everything; her name is Pia. She has been working there for years and is considered a senior.
I went home with a big smile on my face after I worked more than eight hours since my manager asked if I could render overtime, and I said yes right away with a hundred-dollar tip in my pocket.
It was actually a tiny amount compared to my daily allowance, but I worked hard for it, and for me, it was more than the money I had in my entire life. I could finally say I am an adult and ready to face the world whatever it throws at me.