Lily's Spoiled Reality:
Lily Walker was lounging at the grand dining table, just the hum of his parents conversation breaking the clink of silverware against fine china. It was a perfect family dinner, one of many in their affluent world, to the casual observer. Lily wasn't interested in her parents' business affairs, but the trivial details. She scanned her phone for something, anything, to keep her occupied, instead of staring absently at her phone, fingers scrolling through messages.
Her father, the giant in business world, on a telephone conversation on mergers, investments and networking. These details had long ceased to interest Lily. They didn't concern her. She had what she wanted, or at least that's what she thought she did.
Always impeccably groomed, her mother was talking up a storm about the gala she was organizing for the family's top clients. She was perfectly curated, her words, her gestures, her hand on her glass of wine. Her mother went on at length on social status and the need to preserve the family's image, and Lily's mind wandered. What she wanted was to not be the one focusing, but for people to focus on her pleasure.
Zoey, the one who had always been in her way, even though she was so far below her in status, and there she was. Lily scowled at the thought. Zoey exists in her world, how dare she? It annoyed her to no end. Zoey wasn't supposed to be part of the Walker family's grand narrative, but she was, and here she was living under the same roof. Lily knew one thing for sure: she was going to see to it that Zoey knew her place.
Zoey's Life With the Elderly Couple:
At sixteen Zoey had already outgrown the innocence of her years. Zoey was different from most of the girls her age; mature for her age with a presence that didn't match her age. Her curves were well defined, her young woman features sharp and confident. Zoey however wasn't interested in the attention her appearance brought. She knew long ago that beauty was an empty shell, something that could be the basis for something, and soon vanish. Survival was more important, and Zoey knew this, the hard way.
The Aldridges had been an elderly couple she grew up with, taking her in when she was an infant. She had been raised with love, even though they were poor, they had been kind to her. Mr. Mrs. Aldridge had retired as a teacher and spent her days teaching Zoey the value of knowledge, while her husband Aldridge spent his teaching her to read and doting on her so she was always well cared for. But to Zoey they were as close to family that she had.
When things didn't go as it should, life wasn't always kind, and then Zoey's world was about to change.
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The Tax Collector's Visit:
It was an ordinary morning. The windows let in a sun, its rays warm in the living room of the Aldridge home. Mrs. Aldridge was sitting on the couch, having her thoughts drift while she helped with a needlework project with Zoey. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, but that was drowned out by a musical echo.
The heart skipped a beat opening the door to see two men standing on the doorstep, their faces impassive and stern. Tax collectors were dressed in official uniforms.
"Zoey Miller?" His voice cold and formal, one of them asked. "Your family owes taxes. We have three days to pay or we will have to take further action."
Zoey's stomach tightened. Times had been hard and the Aldridges had always paid their dues. It was dread thinking of losing them, losing the only family she had ever known.
'We don't have that kind of money, please sir,' Zoey said on the edge of tears. "Is there any way we can—"
"There's no way around it. The man broke in, turning and walking away, leaving Zoey standing there with a heart heavy from their words, 'You have three days.'
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Zoey's Reluctant Decision:
All that night Zoey lay awake, staring at the ceiling and thinking of the many things. The tax collectors would return in three days. What would happen to the Aldridges if she couldn't come up with the money? She couldn't lose their home, even if it was because of something they didn't do.
She knew what she had to do, even if it meant stepping into a world she had always avoided: the Walker family.
Her mind went through her options. Her and the Walkers were always a distant affair of family politics and obligations. But the more she thought about it, the clearer it became: there was no other choice. She had to ask them for help. She knew it wouldn't be easy. The Walkers didn't do favors and not get paid.
Zoey stood up. With a deep breath she stood up and resolved. Pride was out the window, it was about survival. She'd sell her soul in order to save the Aldridges.
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The Walker Family's Agency:
The next day, she dressed up as best as she could, morale be damned, and whatever she was wearing would make her stand out. She walked through the huge great doors of the Walker Agency with her heart still beating in her chest, making the long walk to the elevators.
The doors opened and she walked in to a sleek, polished office. The Walker family were vast and cold, the kind of people who built them. She might not have known his reputation for being ruthlessly businesslike. Fearfully she walked up to the receptionist and swallowed her fear.
A steady voice came out of zoey: clearing her throat. 'I have to speak to Mr. Walker.'
Zoey's request didn't even faze the woman who appeared to have been trained for every situation imaginable and to do it with efficiency. Instead, she pointed to a sleek chair in a corner of the room and said, 'wait here.'
Minutes went by and Mr. Walker himself came to his door, his sharp eyes looking Zoey over when he saw her. For a man, he was tall, dressed impeccably, and exuded an air of authority that told one he was not a man who was easily impressed.
His voice was cool and calculating, cool and calculating, and he said you had to be Zoey Miller. "Why are you in my office?"
Zoey didn't hesitate, she swallowed hard. "To me, Mr. Walker, I'm relying on you." Well, my family's in trouble. The Aldridges. The tax collectors are coming to take us, if I don't pay in three days. Please, I need help."
His stare was unreadable and he stared at her. He stayed around a little longer than he should have, his eyes drinking in the features of the grown woman, the posture, the curve of her body, the sharpness to her eyes that belied her age. He seemed to really have thought about what she was saying before he replied.
'You think I'm just going to hand you money?' He almost mocked. 'That's not how this works.' If you want, I'll help you, but you're going to have to do something for me. I don't offer charity."
Zoey's heart sank. She knew this was coming. "I'll work for you. She almost cried, 'Anything, I'll do anything,' 'Please.' Just help us."
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Lily's Cold Welcome:
Later that day they told Zoey to come see Lily. The next time she came in the door, Lily was seated behind a very large desk, eyes scrolling through the screen of her phone as if she didn't give a damn.
She looked up briefly bored, "Looks like finally he decided to show up." "I'll say." Right?" you want something from my father?"
Zoey didn't hear a word of Lily's venom. "I came to work. If you don't like it, take it up with your father."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Fine. You want to work? Fine. But don't get any ideas. We know you're not one of us, and you never will be. You'll be lucky. I won't let you do anything worthwhile."
Zoey didn't back down. Lily wasn't here to make friends with her. She came here to protect the people she loved. "I'm not your friend here." I come to save the Aldridges. That's all that matters."