It wasn't often that Chloe was grateful to anyone, but that student there saved her life.
Perhaps it was unfortunate fate that she was accosted by an unfamiliar boy who offered her a job, but only now did she realize how strange it was. It was as if someone were protecting her after all, and at the final moment extended a helping hand to her.
For a moment, she thought that perhaps she too had her own guardian angel, but she quickly got rid of that thought when she realized that one good deed could not replace so many years of suffering. It was simply a mere coincidence. She didn't believe in any miracles. She had experienced too much in life, so she wasn't going to think about silly things. Reality was cruel, and she had no one by her side who could help her through this difficult time. She was solely on her own.
She entered the company and glanced at the time, realizing that she was ten minutes ahead of schedule. The building was huge, so it was hard for her to make sense of anything. She didn't know where she should go to finally show up for work.
She noticed that employees were leaving the company after working eight hours on documents. The men were relieved to loosen their ties, fiercely discussing their work so far, and the women were frowning because of their sore legs, even though they had spent most of their time at their desks.
Chloe scratched her head and bit her lip nervously, wondering where she should go. Her attention was caught by a young woman who was heading for the exit. She was beautiful. Tall, slender, dressed in an elegant suit. She looked about twenty-five years old, no more.
With a bold step, she approached her, blocking her passage. The surprised girl carefully measured the blonde with her eyes.
- May I help you with something? - She asked, squinting her eyes. For a moment, Chloe got the impression that she had seen this girl before.
- Where can I find the cleaning department? - She asked directly and noticed a mocking smile on her face.
- The cleaning department? - Chloe saw superiority in her eyes. She acted as if it suddenly revealed to her that she was dealing with someone much inferior to herself.
- Yes, I'm looking for the manager," she replied in a sharper voice, and Isabelle dismissively pointed behind her with her hand.
- Go to the end, and you'll see a sign on the door that says " Entrance for staff only."
The blonde wrinkled her nose as the girl pulled out a modern smartphone and tapped a number on it. She felt like punching her in the head, especially since she was making an unimaginative lady of herself. However, she refrained because she would rather not make a mistake that would again affect her work.
- James, where are you? I went down to the lobby, but I'll be waiting for you at your car," she said into the phone, smiling radiantly.
Before Chloe headed in the indicated direction, she took one more look at the girl with the perfect look. She had thick curls down to her waist, which the blonde was clearly uncomfortable with. She wanted to see if they were real because after the last incident she didn't trust girls with beautiful hair. She thought there was more and more artificiality in them, when she loved her short, frayed blond strands.
At least she stood out from the perfect women who followed fashion trends.
Chloe had her style, which she liked. She loved to look vulgar and thus attract the gazes of others.
- Really? - She threw the brunette a disdainful look when the latter unexpectedly raised her voice. - Do you have to stay longer at the office because of Chris? Why do you always help him? Because of him, our plans have changed again.... - She replied with clear disappointment in her voice.
The girl did not feel like eavesdropping on the conversation any longer because she did not care at all. She had to show up for work because this was all about money. Without it, she could simply die.
She approached the door that the brunette had mentioned to her earlier. She stepped inside and looked around the interior with curiosity in her eyes. The room was small, occupied by shelves on which were stacked items and products for general disinfection.
- Excuse me? - She grunted as the word made her feel confused. She hated to use it but sacrificed herself to pretend to be cultured in the presence of the manager.
The older woman appeared beside the girl like a ghost, looking at her with clear aversion. She made no secret of the fact that her presence aroused distaste in her. She did not tolerate women who presented themselves vulgarly because she believed that internally they were no different.
She raised her hand and looked at her watch, and an ironic smile twisted her face.
- You're late," she announced in an unpleasant tone, throwing her a sharp look. - It's two minutes past fifteen, and frankly you should have appeared at my place at least five minutes ahead of time. I'm sorry.
- Excuse me? - Chloe looked at her with disbelief in her eyes, feeling an incoming wave of anger. - I was at the company ten minutes ahead of time, but you didn't even tell me yesterday where I should go!
- Don't raise your voice at me, child," she announced, piercing her with her eyes. Chloe clenched her fists in anger because she thought that this woman was setting up a mockery of her. - I saw at first glance what kind of person you are. Did you think I would accept someone with such an appearance into a respectable company? Here even an ordinary cleaning lady should present herself somehow, and you look primitive.
- Then why did you make me bloody hope! - she shouted, unable to control her anger any longer. She felt like smashing this grandmother along with the whole company.
- I wanted to be nice to Aaron. This way I'll explain to him that you were simply not suitable. I'm sorry," she stated, shrugging her shoulders.
Chloe felt both sadness and irritation at the same time. Not only had this woman made a fool of her, but moreover, she was left without a job and a livelihood again.
How was she supposed to go on living?
- You mean cow! - she exclaimed, not controlling her anger. - Does it amuse you to look at suffering people? You suggest looks and can't give a man who cares about work a chance?
- You don't look like a person who cares about work. You act aggressively, and now I see that I didn't make a mistake. You would not be able to perform your duties properly.
- Stop talking about it! - she yelled and, out of nerves, knocked the products off the shelf, which crashed noisily on the floor. The woman felt anxiety. The girl was emotionally unstable and had no control over her nerves. - Stuff yourself with this post of yours and wish you to die in your old age alone, without any means of subsistence!
Although she tried to be firm, she felt that she shed tears. With the inside of her hand, she wiped them from her cheeks and walked out of the room, bumping right into the security guards. One of the men looked inside, while the other grabbed the blonde.
- You'll regret making a mockery of me, you old hag! - she shouted, throwing herself into the man's arms. Although he was strong, holding the petite girl was a tough challenge, as she displayed an undeniable temperament.
At one point she broke free and fled to the other end of the hall, throwing the man a sinister look.
- Don't touch me, or I'll kill you! - She pointed her finger at him. She wasn't going to end up at the police station once again, and she knew that they would probably call the police for the numerous damages. - I'll break your hands, I warn you!
- What's going on here? Where is that noise coming from?
A young man came down the stairs, and the security guards showed him respect. The brunet leaned out curiously to see who was the perpetrator of the commotion, and the girl glanced at him with distrust.
- Is it you again? - The man looked confused by the blonde's presence. He remembered her perfectly from the evening when she threw herself at him with her fists.
The girl measured him carefully and then remembered where she had seen him before. He insulted her and then ran away, substituting a friend.
- You shack," she turned to the principal, and Chris put his hand to his mouth to hide a slight smile. It was the first time he had met such a crazy woman, and he felt like bursting into laughter when he remembered his friend's shriek when this girl dragged him into the room.
- Why are you making a fuss about my company? First you vandalized that place, and now you've moved here? Who are you? A hooligan?
- Your company? What kind of boss, such employees. No wonder," she shot back boorishly, still feeling like punching him for that situation.
- Okay, I insulted you and behaved rudely towards you, but that was no reason for you to throw your fists at me. Nothing bad happened, so let's forget about it and leave this place. Don't make a fuss about my business," he declared, indicating with his hand for her to leave. - I have a lot of work to do, and I'm not going to spend the whole night here, so don't bother.
- What makes you think I came here because of you? - she sneered, snorting under her breath. Chris straightened up, clearly curious about her words.
- If not, then what are you doing here?
The girl was not going to answer. She noticed that the security guards stood side by side, keeping an eye on the director. She would rather not end up at the police station once again, and she knew perfectly well that they wouldn't just let her go for the damage she had caused.
She took advantage of their moment of inattention and ran past them, at the stairs falling into someone's arms. She lifted her face and, clearly surprised, looked at the handsome man whose last time she had plucked a lock of hair. He, too, looked surprised by her presence.
He looked into her eyes, perplexing her. She had no idea what he was up to, but when he took her hand and looked closely at the bracelet, that's when she became annoyed and pushed him away.
She slowly retreated backward, and when the bodyguards moved behind her, he raised his hand telling them to stay put.
The blonde ran away, only looking back once.
She ran out of the company, and Chris put his fingers to his chin and squinted, wondering if a friend was the reason she came here.
James smiled half-heartedly because now he was sure he was right. He was not wrong. It was indeed the girl he had given the bracelet to. It was the frightened child he had saved that day from making a mistake.
He gently rolled up the sleeve of his jacket and glanced at the identical bracelet that the girl there had. Only that, in his case, the ring bore engraved letters from his mother's name.
*
Chloe sat on the wall, melancholy, looking at the landscape in front of her. From here she had the best view of the city.
She was at a loss. The manager at the company had clearly made fun of her, and she was left without a job. She had no plans for the future whatsoever. Her savings were only enough to last her until the end of the month, at which point she could starve to death in some abandoned tavern.
She closed her eyes and lowered her head, and tears flowed from under her eyelids. Only now did she realize how recklessly she had acted so far. Each time she had miraculously managed to find a job, but now it was different. It was as if someone were picking on theirs.
She pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head on her knees.
She was crying.
She was left with no money, and this involved leaving the apartment she had rented until now.
Where should she go?
- Why does my life have to be so perfidious? I've been hit hard enough, so why am I still being tortured like this? - She asked herself, pulling her nose.
The crying Chloe is a sight that last occurred when she was a child. It was then that an older boy lifted her spirits. He convinced the girl of certain values in life, and thanks to him, she understood that she should not give up.
Only where was he now when she needed him?
Los Angeles, 2007.
A petite girl huddled in a dark corner and wept loudly, touching her wounded face. She had been beaten again by the older girls who had clung to her since she arrived at the orphanage.
Chloe was scared and confused, so she allowed them to treat her this way. They made her feel unimaginable fear. She was afraid to tell anyone about it. She suffocated both physical and psychological pain, hiding from her caregivers every time there were bruises on her face.
The girls who bullied her were favorites of the caregivers, so they felt impunity. They formed the so-called elite, teasing the weaker kids.
They were monsters.
Chloe spent her entire childhood alone, hiding in corners. She didn't know any of her peers; she shunned everyone because she was afraid they would hurt her in the same way as those girls.
Her childhood had been a hell that completely wounded her soul.
She lifted her frightened eyes when she felt a touch on her shoulder. She shuddered as she felt fear — she was afraid that she was found by another person who wanted to do her harm.
It was dark, so she had no way of seeing a face, only the outline of a silhouette. She was convinced by his posture that it was a person older than her, and when he spoke, then she had no doubt.
Her thirteen-year-old body trembled, and with weeping eyes she looked at the indistinct outline of the man crouching beside her.
- Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you," he spoke in a soft voice, and she wiped her cheeks wet with tears. - Is something wrong? Why are you hiding here?
- Who are you? - she howled indistinctly, and a slight smile appeared on his face, which she was unable to see.
- Let's just say I'm Mickey Mouse. - He wanted to make a joke, but she didn't understand it.
- What is it? - She asked, so he looked at her surprised.
- You're a girl, and you don't know what Mickey Mouse is? - He blinked his eyelids in amazement, but when she didn't answer, he sat down next to her. - Never mind. Why aren't you with the other kids, but sitting here crying alone?
- Because I'm disliked," she replied quietly, slowly gaining courage in the conversation. He emanated an energy that made her feel safe. She didn't see him as a threat. - I don't have self-confidence, I'm afraid of people who hurt me.
- Is someone intimidating you? - She sensed anxiety in his voice.
- It's not their fault. I'm just hopeless and that's why they tease me. I can't fit into the environment," she whispered under her breath, and then there was a long silence.
The teenager had no idea who the girl was, but he was clearly concerned about her condition. He sensed that she was terrified.
- Did you tell anyone about this? - he asked, and when he didn't get an answer from her, he realized that she hadn't. - Are you injured?
- I'm fine," she lied, but her voice trembled, and the 18-year-old realized that she was not telling the truth.
- You shouldn't let them do that," he announced, clearly agitated by the attitude of the other kids. - You should have more self-confidence and stand up to those who hurt you.
- I can't.
- Believe me, you are capable. You can't let others cause you pain. Start defending yourself! - He raised his voice, and she nervously rubbed her hand. - Show them that they have messed with the wrong person. Gather your strength and prove to everyone that you are worth something.
- How am I supposed to do that? I'm unable to get the courage. I'm good for nothing," she said quietly and opened her eyes wider as the boy took her hand. At first, she was slightly worried, but when she felt that he was putting something on her, then she calmed down. - What is it?
- It's a talisman. It will give you the strength and courage you lack. It will make you happy forever," he announced, letting go of her hand. Chloe touched the bracelet and felt the thong to which the tin circle was attached. - Only you can't doubt it because then it will stop working.
- Are you telling the truth?
- Yes. This talisman helped me repair the life I was mindlessly destroying for myself. Thanks to it I woke up at the last moment, so you can also change your life.
After these words, he picked himself up from the floor and walked away. Chloe touched the tin wheel, and hope appeared in her eyes.
*
James got up from his desk, and his friend followed him with his eyes, noticing that something did not give him peace of mind. His thoughts were far away, unable to focus on the project. He continually approached the window, looking out of it as if he were looking for something.
He was nervous.
Chris put a pen to his lips and squinted, wondering if it had something to do with the blonde. Ever since he saw the hysterical woman, his behavior had changed.
- James, are you okay? - The brunet sent him a puzzled look, but a moment later nodded. - If you want to rest, then go home. You're doing half the chores for me anyway, for which I'm grateful. I can handle the project.
The director looked carefully at his friend and pointed a finger at him, as if he had suddenly been enlightened.
- You are right. I'm tired, and my head is starting to stir. I need rest," he announced, pulling his jacket off the hanger.
- You could have said it right away. This is my punishment, so I'll manage. Go home, man. The bruises under your eyes clearly say that you need a longer sleep.
He sent Chris a smile. Walking past him, he put his hand on his shoulder.
- I wish you good luck, my friend.
The young man left the building and headed to his car, which was parked in the parking lot in front of the company. He couldn't stop thinking about that girl ever since he saw her sad eyes. He saw the pain in them, which indicated that she was in trouble.
The day he tried to help her, he didn't think she would grow from a lost and frightened girl to a rebellious woman. That's not what he had in mind when he told her about assertiveness.
He opened the car door and stood still when he heard a quiet whine. At first, he thought he had overheard, but when someone started muttering under his breath and then crushed a can, he had no doubt that someone was behind his Jeep.
It was late evening, it was getting dark outside, and there were only three cars in front of the business.
Brunet walked around the car and spotted a girl sitting on the curb. Her head was tucked between her knees; in one hand she held a beer can, while in the other she held a commercial with an extra supply of alcohol.
She muttered unintelligible words, meanwhile giggling under her breath. The director guessed that the girl was drunk.
She had been pacing for hours until she finally found herself in front of the hated company, drowning all her sorrows in alcohol.
- May I help you somehow? - The blonde lifted her face and looked at the young man with squinted eyes. A smile appeared on her face when she recognized him.
- It's you again," she choked out quietly, lifting the can up. - Here's to your health, rich master.
James blinked his eyelids, clearly shocked by her condition.
How long did she sit here?
- It's late, I think it's not safe for a young woman to sit in this state. You should go home," he suggested as she took another sip. She accidentally flinched, which she commented with a curse. - Can you walk home?
- Home? What house? Soon I won't have one. I'm starting to get used to the role of a homeless person," she announced, wiping her face with the sleeve of her jacket. James had no idea if she was serious, but he realized that there must have been some truth in it since she looked worried earlier.
- You can't sit here any longer. Someone will eventually report you for drinking alcohol in a public place.
- Someone? How about you, huh? - She threw him a contemptuous glance and lifted herself off the curb. She lost her balance and flew backwards before James had time to render assistance. He opened his eyes wider, looking at her worriedly as she began moaning in pain.
As she was still stuck in one position, he crouched down beside her to check if she had hurt herself.
- Are you all right?
- Get lost, white collar," she howled with her eyes closed. James tried to revive her, but she stopped responding.
She lost consciousness.
The brunet straightened his legs and looked at the girl with confusion. He didn't know what he should do in this situation. He would rather not get her in trouble, since she was drunk, and he knew perfectly well that the blonde had no family since she grew up in an orphanage.
Los Angeles, 2007.
The boy put his suitcase in the cab and turned around for a moment to look at the building he grew up in. He had experienced many moments in it, the better and the worse. He regretted many of the mistakes he had made, but in due time he understood his actions. As a result, he was able to start a better life, and getting into college was the ultimate salvation. The dormitory was waiting for him with its doors wide open, and he could finally start his adult life.
On his own, making the right decisions.
He opened the door, but his attention was caught by a petite blonde who was sitting under a tree right next to the car he was about to drive away in. She looked at her hand in fascination, and then he noticed the bracelet. He had no doubt that she was the one he had met that day in the dark hallway where he had given her the talisman.
She had short hair that looked as if she had cut it herself with scissors. With her petite face, they formed the image of a fairy tale character. She presented herself quite charmingly.
She felt that someone was watching her, so she lifted her gaze and shyly glanced at the older boy, who sent her a smile, pointing at the bracelet with his finger. He then got into a cab, and she rose from the grass. Only for a split second was she able to see his face.
- I hope you'll do well in adulthood, too," he said quietly, looking into the rear window, and when the cab driver pulled out of the yard, she disappeared from his sight.