Chapter 01

"Ana!"

"I know you're in there, not today again. You either pack up and leave or I'll throw you out myself!"

I could hear Miss Donna. Even as an old lady, you could hear her high-pitched voice five yards away. You might be wondering if she was ever married. Well, she did get married some time ago but that is a long story. You'll be damned if you referred to her as a "Mrs".

It's another day of her very frequent round of tantrums about her rent. It is very understandable because I owe her a little over 5 months' rent.

"Ana Rodriguez!"

She shouted again while banging on the very rusty door which I know would leave brown flakes on the porcelain floor.

I couldn't hide from her anyway. I decided to open up the door.

"Slap" it echoed through the hallway.

I was taken unawares by that smack on my left cheek and damn! She could throw a good punch.

Massaging my left cheek I turned to her.

"Why did you take so long to open the damn door?" She shouted so loudly that I could feel some of my ear cells dying.

"I am so sorry Miss Donna, I was in the bathroom. I didn't hear you call out to me" I said so meekly, I needed to appeal to her because this woman in front of me was fuming and full of fury.

" I have had enough of you in my building and as I said earlier, either you leave before the end of today or I'll do the honors of throwing you out! " She said while giving me a very stern angry look.

She looked so small like an angry midget. If the situation were any different I would have been laughing away at that outburst but it wasn't.

"I am very sorry Miss Donna, I know my rent has long been overdue, I assure you I'll pay up before the week runs out" I tried to appeal to her, I didn't have anywhere I could think of staying at if she threw me out.

If looks could kill I would have been lying lifeless on the ground. This seems like the end of the road for me. With the sacrilegious look, she was giving I knew my plea was falling on deaf ears.

"Has that not been the same story you have been telling me for over 5 months now?"

"Haven't I been kind enough? For goodness sake I have been lenient with you on paying your rent, I went as far as subsidizing it for you alone. But you still owe me, how I'm supposed to help you again" She said.

It dawned on me right at that moment how selfish I have been all along. Even though I didn't have it rosy, I never did, I shouldn't drag other people into my mess. Knowing Miss Donna, she lived off the rent money she collected from her tenants and I couldn't imagine what a roadblock I have been all along.

Without so much thought I said " I understand Miss Donna, I would leave before twilight, I would drop the key by the door" I said almost dejectedly.

I could almost see a fleet of sadness in her eyes which disappeared almost immediately.

"You're a good kid but I don't think I can keep up with allowing you to stay here rent-free" she tried to explain calmly.

"I understand you very well and I deeply appreciate your kindness, maybe one day I would be back to pay you back for your benevolence," I said.

"I would be on my way now. I wish you the best from here forward" she said. I could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"Thank you Miss Donna" I replied.

As she turned, I looked over her. She should be a little above sixty years old. Sometimes she could be aggressive like that slap earlier which I must say that I didn't see it coming. Other times she was just a sweet lady that made the best apple pie ever. I had the opportunity of tasting it one time I helped her carry her groceries. One time I thought about asking her to share her recipe with me but I got so busy that I ended up not asking.

Back to reality which I must add sucks. Closing my door, the poor thing needed to be replaced and I think Miss Donna would do repairs of stuff in the apartment before renting it out to the next occupant.

Looking around the mundane room, it wasn't so huge, it was just okay for a person. It looked decent enough and I didn't have too many possessions. The couch came with the house so I just need to pick up my personal belongings and be on my way.

Since I promised her I would be gone before dark, I figured it was best that I started putting my things together.

Now another thing to think about was where to go. At that point, I was grateful that I didn't have any shift to do today. It was past 1 pm already and I knew the coffee shop where I work would be bustling with high school and college students.

I also work as a cleaner in one of the most luxurious hotels you can ever think of "Hotel Eden". It is one of the group companies that make up Eden Holdings. Everyone in New York City knew about the Eden chain of companies both in and outside New York. Although the owner isn't known, their current CEO is an elderly man, Mark Goslings.

Since I work there at the hotel, I have heard the recent gossip that the real owner would be taking over soon. Everyone was putting up their best effort to not be laid off by the new management whenever they take over.

Sometimes I wonder how nice it would be to have all that money, to live the life that you want without having to work all day long. I recall cleaning up a bedroom at the hotel today, it was a spoilt brat who couldn't clean up after herself. Of course, I don't mean you should do my job but how does flushing the toilet after you use it sound?

"Fuck! Not again!" I can't believe I just burnt my food again! For the second time in a week! I forgot.

It happens when I got drowned thinking about how my life could have been better. Don't blame me, I think it would be nice.

The black charring crumbs in my pot were supposed to be my breakfast, yes I didn't eat before going to work. I thought I could skip it so that I would have something to eat later on. Now it is burnt. I can't even cry cause I have got bigger problems.

I am officially homeless now.

"God help me!"

Although I have never been very religious, I still want to believe that God would help me at the moment.

Then a thought clicked. I should call Natalie my best friend. We have been friends since high school when she stood up for me against the mean girls in my class that picked on me. How can I ever forget Karen, Juliet, and Sofia? They made high school tough for me until I met Natalie. After threatening to cut their hair if they kept bothering me, they never bullied me after that.

Until today we are still very closely knitted in friendship, sometimes she is more than a sister could ever be. Remembering my family suddenly brought a bitter taste to my mouth especially my sister, Elena.