The consequences

"Hey, Mallory. Good morning, little one." I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, gently caressing my skin.

"Five more minutes, mom," I murmur, still asleep.

A now familiar rough laughing makes me open my eyes. Recall of the last night's events strikes me.

"Jesus, I'm so sorry!" I sit in the bed and mutter an apology for mistaking Viktor, the God of lust, for my mother.

"Come on, breakfast awaits you."

"Eh? Breakfast?" I look at him, still half asleep. Even in the mornings he looks so sexy. With his tight slacks on and him trying to button up his dark blue shirt. Staring at his perfect torso can easily become my best way of waking up.

"How are you?" he stops the buttoning up and looks at me concerned.

"I'm... alright. What time is it?"

"9 AM. I left you sleep."

"You... you left me sleep?! Oh my God, I'm late for work! Larry will fire me! Jesus!" I jump out of the bed and run panicking around the room, searching for my clothes.

"What is so funny?! Get dressed! You need to drive me back to work!" I shout at Viktor, who is obviously having fun with the fact I'll lose my job. Just perfect.

"Mallory, you have the day off."

"I... why?! Why did you do that?!" I stop startled in my tracks when I hear I have the day off. I was supposed to be first shift.

"I told you, I know Larry. And he owes me a favour."

"No. Why did you do that?!" Now I get angry and with clenched fists I keep raising my voice at him. Bold of me, but this is just ridiculous!

"I thought you won't want to get up at 5 AM to travel to work," Viktor slightly raises his eyebrows in confusion, as to why I'm throwing a tantrum for getting the day off.

Under different circumstances I would've been happy, a day off sounds great, considering how worn out I actually feel, but my absence being excused by me being with Viktor is next level. 

"You can't do that!"

"I honestly can't see what's the problem with having a free day of work." Viktor continues to patiently button up his shirt, calm and unbothered by the fact I'm tearing my hairs because of his act of stupidity.

"It's not the day off that is bothering me! It's the fact I have it because of you!"

"Yeah? And I still can't see what's the problem with that." Viktor gets up off the bed and goes to the little hallway and standing in front of the mirror hanging on the bathroom door, he fixes his shirt and I just sit on the small couch next to the bedroom desk and try to cool down.

"You can't do this. You can't use your name or connections for doing whatever you want." I try to sound calm and collected. I stare at the ground, with fingers entangled in my hairs and holding my head. So much for having a great morning.

My remark makes Viktor laugh. That kind of mocking laugh that tells you 'You're mistaken'. 

"Little one, I can do whatever I want. Why did I create these connections then?"

"Well, use them for yourself! I don't want to be the city's gossip!"

"And why do you think you will be?" Viktor walks next to me, then squats in front of me and pulls my hands from my hairs and into his big palms. I lift my gaze and meet his, his face so close to mine I feel his steady breathing.

"Because, first, I was seen with you in an obvious sex room, then I was excused from work by you. I don't want to be talked by people. I don't want to be connected with your name in any kind!"

"Why are you working?"

His question surprises me. Why do I work? Why do people work? Because they need money. Not everyone is blessed to be born with the silver spoon in mouth.

"What do you mean by that? I work, because I need the money!"

"Yeah, but what for?"

"Because I'm a grown up that has needs? Not to mention I'm saving for college."

"I have enough money to shower you with lux and cover all of your needs. You don't have to wo--"

"This is out of question!" I slap him and jump out of the couch, towering over Viktor as he's still squat. He looks me straight in the eyes and no matter how intimidated I feel by his gaze, I won't crack up this time. What is he suggesting is disgusting.

"But why? You'll have everything," he gets up placing his palm on the spot I just slapped and fast enough, again I'm the one who's being looked at from higher. He's taller than me and even with heels on, he's still at least four inches taller than me. What a bummer, I'm used to being the tall one with my 5'6 feet height.

"I won't be your whore!" I shoot it and hurry to look away from him, so I just go back to collecting my clothes. I need to get dressed up.

"My whore?! Mallory, this is straight pissing off!" Viktor shouts at me and it startles me. I stop in my tracks for a moment and without looking back at him I ask a question, then go back to putting on my jeans.

 "Then what will I be?" I whisper, almost unnoticeable. 

I ask shyly, awkwardly. It is exactly what I will be. A cheap whore. A gold-digger. And it'll last for no longer than a few months. I can't even dare to say a year. It'll be until he finds another girl he likes and buys with luxury. Then I'll be kicked out and will lose everything I got used to. And will lose every chance to have the future he would've promised me. 

"Mallory, look at me." I feel Viktor a few feet behind me. He walked closer, but in an acceptable distance. But I don't respond to him. I just put on my red blouse and shove it under my jeans.

"Mallory! Look at me, goddammit!"

"Why?! What do you want?! To convince me otherwise?!" I turn back to him and shout. Anger and regret rush through my veins. What did I get myself into?! 

"I won't try to convince you otherwise, because what you're saying is big bullshit! All I'm offering you is to have the life you deserve!"

"I know how such stories end! I've read enough books. So please, don't bother. Just drive me back home and don't try to contact me ever again."

"I... Okay. Get ready. I'll wait for you in the car," Viktor sighs defeated and raises his hands in retreat. And thanks God. He breezes past me and leaves the apartment. He gives me one last glance while closing the door and leaves me in peace to get ready.

The adrenaline leaves my body and I start to feel like a complete idiot for getting into this. It feels like I was drunk till now and now that I finally sobered up I realize what a mess I did.

I sit back on the bed and embrace myself with arms, then a tear rolls down on my face. And then another one. A few silent tears make their way out of my eyes. I'm such a fool.

                       ***

                    

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay..."

I spent the ride back to Long Beach in complete silence. I glued my eyes to the rear window and didn't peel off a word, although Viktor tried to pick up a talk numerous times. And now we're finally in front of my home, I feel relieved that I'll get away from him. 

I leave the car and quietly close its door, then run to the front door of the building and hide from his eyes behind it. I wonder what will my mother's reaction will be once I get home.

I take off my heels so I can sneak in home as quietly as possible. I climb up the stairs to the second floor and search for my keys in the white clutch.

I put the key in the keyhole, but before I can unlock, the door fastly opens and I see my mother standing at the doorstep, her face getting red like tomato. 

"Mom?!" I get startled by her. She's squeezing the doorknob and doesn't let me in.

"What do you want?" she hisses and I smell her strong alcoholic breath. 

"Um, I'm getting back home?"

"You don't live here anymore," she indifferently says and reaches for the traveling bag thrown on the floor behind her.

"What do you mean I don't leave here?! Let me in!" I try to walk past her, but she stops me by shoving the bag in my hands.

"You're 18. You can take care of yourself." And then she slams the door in my face!

"Mom, let me in! You lost your mind!" I start banging at the door, but she doesn't open it. I try to unlock it, but I can't. She has put her key in the keyhole. She lost her freaking mind.

"Go to your boyfriend, Mallory! You chose him last night!" she hysterically screams behind the door.

"Okay! So be it! But from now on you don't have a daughter!" I shout, hoping that threatening her will scare her.

"I don't have a daughter anyway."

I wipe out the tears from my face, grab the bag and leave. If she thinks I can't survive without her, she's deeply wrong.

"Hey, Jen!" I call Jennifer, hoping I can stay at hers for a day or two. I know my mother will call begging me to come back when she sobers up.

"What's up, girl?"

"Long story short, my mother kicked me out of home. Can I stay at yours?"

"Mm, I don't know. I don't think my parents will agree."

"Come on, can't you ask them?"

"I don't know, Mal. My dad is quite... rigorous."

"Okay, okay. I understand."

And I hang up. Mixed bitter feelings fulfill my body. I'm tired, sad and angry. I've helped her enough times and she rejects me without even trying! So be it.

I can't think of another option than going to work. I'll ask Larry to sleep on one of the couches until my mother reconsiders.

                        ***

"Mal? Didn't you have the day off?" I bump into Tom, who is smoking a cigarette at the staff exit.

"Yeah, is Larry here?"

"Mmm I think so, why?"

"I need to talk to him about something."

Without any further questions, Tom steps aside, freeing the entrance for me. I enter and walk to Larry's office, then take a deep breath and knock on the door.

"Yes?" I hear his muted voice. Here goes nothing.

"Hey boss, it's Mallory. I--"

"Mallory?!" I don't finish my sentence, as Larry interrupts me by wide opening the white door. "Mallory, what are you doing here?!"

"Can I talk to you about something?"

"Come in, come in." Larry gives me access and I enter, then he carefully closes the door. He walks nervously to behind his desk. Something tells me he is not happy to see me, if not even scared by my presence.

"Boss, it's kind of a weird thing to ask for, but can I stay here to sleep for a day or two? My mother kicked me out of home."

I watch his facial expression curve to real surprise. He lifts his eyebrows to an extension I didn't know someone can reach. His anyway wrinkled face covers with even more age marks and his jaw hits the desk by opening it so wide. 

"I fear this is not possible, Mallory," he finally opens his mouth and mutters.

"Please! Just for a day or two! Until my mother realises what she did! Please!" I start begging Larry as if my life depends on this. And well, it does. I have no place to stay.

"I'm sorry, Mallory. I can't let you do that."

"But why?! I have no money to rent a hotel room! At least give me some money in advance! Please! I know it's just the beginning of the week, but I need a place to stay. Please!"

"Why don't you ask Viktor? I know he won't reject you."

Mentioning Viktor, Larry awkwardly scratches his half-bald head and I freeze in my place. So this is what's about.

"No, no. Sorry to bother you. I'll manage to find something that will work."

"Mallory..."

But I'm already outside his office. Whatever Viktor did for Larry must be big. You can't imagine the fear I saw flashing in Larry's eyes when mentioning you-know-whose name.

"Mal? Wait, Mal!" Tom runs after me as I storm out of this place. I stop in the middle of the parking and look back at him.

"What?" I cross my arms. I'm humiliated to a breaking point, but I try to look as confident as I can, but it's almost impossible. 

"I accidentally heard your talk with Larry--"

"So you eavesdropped?!"

"No. I accidentally heard it."

"Yeah, call it however you like. What do you want? To mock me?"

"N-no, God, no! I wanted to offer you a place to stay."

"Where?" My eyes lit up hearing this. So maybe I do have someone to trust.

"My house."

"What? No. No, no, no!"

So much for giving me some hope. I can't stay at his. There's no particular reason that stops me from doing so. I just feel bad and guilty for almost sleeping with Tom.

"Come on. I told you I'll look after you. Plus, I can't let you sleep on the street. You can stay as long as you want. Mi casa è tua casa."

"Mi casa what?" I doubtfully stare at him. What did he just call me?!

"My house is your house. That's what I said," Tom awkwardly scratches his arm, expecting my answer.

"And in what language?" I arch an eyebrow. The language sounds painfully familiar.

"Italian. I assumed you'll understand me."

"And why is that?" I feel the anger getting over me again. I'm pissed off at myself for getting myself in this big mass of bullshit.

"Because, you know..." Tom coughs, clearing his throat and looks away from me, obviously ashamed of what he said.

"No Tom, I don't know."

"Okay, never mind. Just... forget it. You can stay at mine. I live alone anyway. What will you say? Come on, it'll be fun!"

The last time I heard that I ended almost getting molested, then almost gave my virginity to Tom. I don't know how fun it'll be now or what to expect.

"Okay," I sigh. "But only for a day or two! Until my mother changes her mind!"

"Of course, doll. As long as you want."

I walk to him and he pulls my travelling bag from my hand.

"Come on, I have an hour and my shift will end. I'll make you a coffee."

"I need something stronger than coffee," I sigh.

"I'll make it Irish coffee then," Tom jokes and I finally smile.

"Thank you, Tom. Really."

"It's all my pleasure."

I sit on one of the bar stools and watch Tom doing his job.

Why did I have to mess up with Viktor Russo?