I wake up feeling restless. I get dressed and make my way to the kitchen to make myself a coffee. Hailey is sitting by herself eating breakfast so I join her, and sit down in the chair facing her.
‘I’m sorry I haven’t made an effort to talk to you Hailey. I haven’t meant to be rude. I’m still adjusting to a lot. And I’m out of it,’ I explain to her.
‘Oh, don’t worry about it,’ she says. ‘I think we all keep to ourselves the first night we arrive. We’re all here because of something bad. We all understand it’s normal to be antisocial at first,’ she says.
‘Thank you. I’m glad you don’t think I’m snobby,’ I say, with a smile. Hailey looks up at me and giggles.
‘Snobby! I haven’t heard that word in years,’ she laughs, and Debbie enters the room smiling.
‘Zurielle! I’m glad to see you up and about. Are you ready to type up your resume’?’ She asks, and I stand.
‘Yep, that would be great, to get started,’ I say and follow her out of my room to the computer room.
I type down everything I have learnt from my mother over the last few years, hoping it lands me a half decent job somewhere, and Debbie goes over it.
‘I’m impressed. You have some really good skills. You could possibly find a job as a receptionist or secretary, somewhere. The only problem is not having the certificates that show what you’ve learnt,’ she says.
‘I only need to be given a fair go, and I’ll show them what a dedicated, hard worker I am. Even without the qualifications,’ I say.
‘Well, I think you have the confidence and the skills for a fair go, so fingers crossed,’ Debbie says, crossing her fingers and smiling.
‘Oh, I almost forgot. I have something in my office for you,’ she says, and we go into her office where she hands me a brown box.
‘You left your mum and dad at the hospital,’ she says, with a sympathetic smile.
I take the box and decide not to open it. I go to my room and put it in the empty corner next to my backpack.
Hailey and I have lunch together and decide to make dinner together; she is really sweet. Our birthdays are on the same weekend, one night apart, next month. I’ll be twenty, and Hailey will be twenty-one.
The next day Debbie tells us all to meet in the dining area for a job that is available. Hailey and I sit next to each other as usual on a black leather sofa.
‘A cafe in the city is looking for two casual workers who can work the morning shift. You’ll be shown how to make coffees, so experience isn’t necessary,’ she explains.
Everyone else in the room is completely disinterested. Hailey gives me a wink, and we put our hands up for it. ‘Zurielle, Hailey. It’s all yours. You’re required to wear a plain white shirt and a fitted black knee length skirt, so if you don’t have those items, I suggest you go to the front room and find them. You start tomorrow morning,’ she says, smiling.
The next morning when Hailey and I are showered, and fully dressed, we sit on our beds chatting before we have to leave.
‘You know, you’re beautiful enough, you could get some kind of modelling job instead of serving coffees for a living,’ Hailey says.
I look in the mirror and am puzzled with the beauty everyone thinks I have. I’m slim; probably too slim for my liking, and I have okay-sized boobs, I guess. I have always thought women with larger breasts are more attractive.
I have long, blonde hair, which I put up in a high ponytail as I’m going to be working with food and drinks.
I have bright, blue eyes but they’re not anything special. I have an average button-nose and high cheekbones. I’m not unattractive but I don’t think I’m model quality either! I’m only 5’4, so I’m probably not tall enough for modelling anyway.
I don’t think I’m any more beautiful than Hailey.
‘I think you’re more stunning than me,’ I laugh.
‘Girl! You must be blind if you think that!’ She says, laughing, and I shrug my shoulders.
‘I must be blind then,’ I add, and we both laugh.
‘Ladies! It’s time to go. Chop, chop,’ Debbie says, and we wave goodbye to the other girls, and jump on the bus taking us to Cafe Charm.
We get off the bus thirty-minutes later, and go inside the cafe. It’s the most elegant and posh cafe I have ever seen. Hailey follows me in and I grab her hand and pull her through the tables with me.
An older man stands behind the counter at the register. He has light brown hair, light brown eyes, and is probably in his late thirties.
‘Good morning Sir. I’m Zurielle. This is Hailey. We’re here for our first shift,’ I explain.
‘Hello Zurielle and Hailey. Welcome, welcome. I’ve been expecting you. I’m Mr Fulton. Here, take these aprons and put them on. There are notepads and pens in the pockets. For now, you will greet customers and take orders. Be as polite and as welcoming as possible. We get a lot of regular customers each morning who work across the street, in that building over there,’ he says, pointing to the building facing us, through the window. ‘They’re from Pure Fashion Industries. Many of the staff are here most mornings, and sometimes even the CEO, Mr Brightly, even comes in for a coffee.
Hailey and I nod and gape at the big, fancy building through the windows.
‘Oh! I love their magazines!’ Hailey squeals, delighted. ‘They’re worth billions, so if they order something we don’t serve, write their order down, and I’ll figure something out for them,’ Mr Fulton says.
Hailey and I nod, and follow Mr Fulton to the kitchen.
‘I may need you ladies to occasionally come to the kitchen to help prepare meals or wash the dishes. I will teach you both how to work the coffee machine throughout the day,’ he explains.
Hailey collects a spray bottle and a washcloth and starts wiping down the empty tables. I greet any new customers and take their orders. Mr Fulton lets me watch him make their latte, and cappuccino. I put their coffees down on the table carefully.
‘Latte and a cappuccino,’ I say, and the woman smiles, and pulls her coffee closer toward herself.
‘Thanks honey,’ she says, smiling. She has black hair and blue eyes. She is stunning, to say the least, and I wonder if she is one of the models at Pure Fashion Industries. She looks around twenty-two. The guy pays no attention to me and stares at his laptop. He looks at least twenty-five years old. He is quite handsome, with black hair and blue eyes.
I return her smile and reach into my pocket for my pen and notepad to take the order from the man sitting on another table.
‘Welcome to Cafe Charm, Sir. What would you like to order?’ I ask.
‘Just a black tea thanks,’ he says.
‘Okay, Sir,’ I say, spinning around and giving the order to Mr Fulton. When the black tea has been made, I set it down in front of him on the table.
‘One black tea. Anything else you’d like?’ I ask, and he looks me up and down, and licks his lips, and I become uncomfortable.
‘I may want a refill when I finish this tea,’ he says.
‘That’s fine. I’ll come back soon,’ I say, leaving his table quickly. Just what I need - sleazebags.
The man with the laptop curses and rubs his forehead, in frustration.
‘What’s the problem, Mark?’ His friend asks, annoyed.
‘I can’t open the file, it’s like it’s frozen or something. I really need to read through it before I get back to the office,’ he explains.
‘Is it urgent?’ She asks.
‘Ace sent it to me. I need to read it before the meeting starts,’ Mark says. I walk back over to their table after hearing their conversation.
‘Hello. I hope the beverages are perfect,’ I say, noticing that Mark hasn’t touched his.
‘Would you like us to make you another coffee?’ I ask, and he lets out a heavy sigh.
‘No, it’s fine. I probably won’t be able to drink it anyway. I have to get this stupid thing working,’ he says, his eyes still glued to the laptop screen.
‘Would you like me to open the file for you, while you drink your coffee?’ I ask, helpfully. His eyes finally leave the screen when he looks at me; he looks taken aback.
‘Hello. I’ve not seen you in here before,’ he says, giving me a friendly smile.
‘It’s my first shift. I will be here in the mornings,’ I reply, with a smile. The woman smiles, as she looks at me and the handsome man, smiling at each other.
‘Sir, have your coffee, and I’ll happily sort out your file problem,’ I tell him, gesturing for him to move over.
He is a little stunned, and looks at his companion wondering what I’m doing.
‘It’s worth a try,’ he says, shuffling over and letting me sit down in front of his laptop.
He watches me, curiously, tap and click on his mousepad, and after a couple of seconds the file opens.
‘Here you go. Enjoy your coffee,’ I say, smiling. The woman grins, and the guy scratches his head wondering how I just opened his file in two seconds.
‘Wait!’ She tells me, before I can walk away, and puts her hand out to shake mine.
‘I’m Grace. This is my older brother, Mark,’ she says, smiling, and shaking my hand, before I shake Mark’s.
‘Nice to meet you both. I’m Zurielle,’ I say, sweetly.
‘Zurielle. What a beautiful name! I’ve never heard it before,’ Mark says, smiling.
‘Thank you,’ I reply.
‘How did you know how to do that? With the file?’ Mark asks, out of curiosity.
‘Oh! It was easy. Mum taught me a lot of shortcuts, and tricks on the computer. I keep busy solving IT issues in my free time. I really enjoy it. Hopefully I’ll be in admin one day,’ I explain, smiling.
‘Interesting,’ Grace says, grinning. Mark nods.
‘Well, I know where to come to when I need some help,’ he chuckles. ‘It might mean more coffees, but you’re only across the road,’ Mark says, standing, and pushing in his chair.
‘Oh! You work at Pure Fashion Industries,’ I say, amazed.
‘We do,’ Mark replies.
‘I’ll always finish at eleven, so if you ever need help, I’m always available after eleven,’ I explain.
‘Thanks. I’ll make note of that,’ Grace says, smiling, standing, and following Mark outside, and elbowing him in the ribs. I push in their chairs, and wipe their table.
I hand the bill to Mr Fulton who takes it and gasps.
‘Zurielle!’ He says.
‘Yes, Mr Fulton?’ I ask, worried.
‘They just left you a one-hundred-dollar tip!’ He announces, surprised.
‘I find that hard to believe,’ I say, going over to him and taking the receipt with a handwritten note on it.
‘Thank you so much, Zurielle. You saved me from a potential outburst at work. I even got to finish my coffee,’ Mr Fulton reads.
‘I can’t accept the tip. One-hundred-dollars is far too much,’ I declare.
‘You obviously went above and beyond for them, so you must take it. Coming from the shelter, you’ll need it,’ he says. Hailey smiles in disbelief at the amount.
‘I wish I got tipped a hundred bucks!’ She says, grinning, and I shove the one-hundred-dollar note inside my bra.
We finish up at eleven, and Mr Fulton says he will see us the same time tomorrow. We catch the bus home and go over the morning’s events.
Inside the shelter, Debbie is in her office. I knock on the glass beside her door, politely, even though the door is wide open, and she will see me when she looks up.
‘Hello love. How was your first shift?’ She asks, spinning in her swivel chair.
‘It was amazing! I got tipped a hundred dollars for helping some guy with his laptop files!’ I tell her, pulling the one-hundred-dollar note out of my bra and showing her.
‘Well done. I’m sure you deserve it,’ she says, happy for me.
‘Eh. It was nothing,’ I tell her, and leave to find Hailey in the kitchen, grilling cheese-and-tomato-toasted sandwiches for lunch.
The next morning, we arrive at the cafe, and Hailey focuses on taking orders and learning how to make the coffees, while I wash the dishes, and wipe down the tables.Mark and Grace arrive just after eight o’clock, and sit down at the table they were sitting at the day before.Hailey takes their orders and makes their coffees. It’s getting quite busy, so I tell Hailey to keep taking orders while I serve people their coffees.‘Good morning. Your latte and your cappuccino,’ I say, as I place each down in front of them carefully.‘Good morning, Zurielle. How are you this morning?’ Mark asks, sipping his cappuccino. I freeze for a moment. Did this handsome man just ask me how my morning is? No man has ever asked me how my day is. I’ve been standing here gawking at him in admiration. I blush a little, and look away at Hailey who is taking orders.‘My morning has been very good,’ I reply, happily. Mark nods and smiles.‘Good to hear,’ he says.‘Enjoy your coffees. Call me if you need anythin
‘I’ve never had a boyfriend, so I don’t have an ex,’ I explain, watching her go wide-eyed, as she sits down on her bed.‘Are you a virgin?’ She asks.‘Um, I guess so,’ I say, shrugging my shoulders.‘Zurielle! You’re almost twenty-years-old, and you’re super, and I mean super hot, and super beautiful. And you’re a virgin,’ she yells jumping on her bed like it’s a trampoline.‘We need to get you laid girlfriend! Or better yet: have you ever thought about selling your virginity? Do you know how many rich men would want to buy your virginity? You’d probably get paid enough to buy your own house!’ She yells, jumping up and down on the bed again.‘Hailey! Stop yelling. All the other women will hear, and no! I’m not going to sell my virginity. I’m not something you can just buy. Besides, I wouldn’t give it to someone who wants it for the wrong reasons,’ I explain.‘Well, you’re no fun,’ Hailey pouts, and gives me a playful push on the shoulder.‘We should get to sleep. We have work in the m
Hailey begs to come with me to the Snake Pit for safety reasons, but I really want to spend some time alone afterwards, so I go alone.At 6pm, I leave the shelter and walk to the Snake Pit, after half an hour I arrive at road where the Snake Pit should be, there are people arguing, alcohol bottles lying on the ground, and lots of people standing around smoking, and speaking loudly.Even in my oversized hoodie and my skinny jeans, I get a few wolf whistles and men saying, ‘Come over here sweetie!’I keep my head down just enough to avoid eye contact with anyone, and look at the address again to find the right place. The Snake Pit must be around here somewhere… There are a lot of old and rundown buildings, and many drunk people staggering around.I hear the sound of motorbikes stopping, further up the road, and walk in their direction. Outside the Snake Pit are at least fifty, if not more, Harley Davidsons, and their owners, who are smoking and socialising.Hanging above their heads is
On the Yarra River, I spot the Evan Walker Bridge, it’s my favourite bridge in the area made of smooth metal. I make myself comfortable and sit down on a bench, and look out at the water. This bridge always calls to me; the way the piano did at the bar. No one else is around and the stars shine brightly above me.I listen to the sound of the river flowing beneath me, and look up at the stars, at two in particular, shining extra brightly.‘Mum, Dad… I miss you so much,’ I say, bursting into tears.I wonder what they think about me being in a homeless shelter and going to live at a bar next to a biker’s club house. I can imagine the look on Dad’s face. He would be so worried. I saw him worry and stress before work functions, so I can only imagine how worried he would be for me right now.‘Don’t worry Dad. I remember your words, like it was yesterday. I won’t let any man fool me or use me. Men are brutal, heartless, monstrous beasts who only want to fulfill their desire, before they toss
Goosebumps appear on my arms, and my hands tremble with fear, and I drop the note. I stand and look around, at all the people coming and going in the street. The man who murdered my parents could be any of these men!Fear fills me, and I’m scared, so I rush past people, needing to get away. He is here somewhere, watching me and I don’t even know where.My breathing is heavy as I hyperventilate, I pace in circles, looking all around me, panicking. A car horn beeps and someone’s arms latch onto my waist, pulling me out of harm’s way. The car speeds past with the horn still blaring at me.Having warm arms around my waist is soothing; my breathing returns to normal, and I’m feeling more relaxed until someone shouts in my ear.‘What is wrong with you?’ A man yells. I look into the eyes of the man I spilt my coffee on and register him still holding me. I glare at him, and he steps back, and releases me from his grip.‘What is wrong with you?’ I yell back.‘You can’t just go around grabbing
I keep to myself most of Sunday, and think about my parents, the murder and the note. I think about visiting Hailey, and don’t, because I’ll see her in the morning at work.In the middle of the night, I wake to a man yelling and screaming, at the club house next door. It goes on for half an hour, before I get up, open the window, and peer out at the club house, and see a few members outside smoking.‘Hey guys!’ I yell, and they look up at my window.‘Zurielle!’ They all yell, happily.‘Um, I’m trying to sleep and whatever’s going on over there is awfully loud. Do you think you can turn it down a notch, so I can sleep?’ I ask.‘Viper! You need to muffle him! Zurielle’s trying to sleep,’ one of them yells, to Viper, who must be inside.‘Sorry Zuri. We’ll do business a bit more quietly for you. Sleep well!’ He yells back. I close the window and go back to sleep, uninterrupted.I get ready, get on the bus, and wave to Hailey as she gets on, and runs up to me.‘Zuri! How was your weekend a
On Tuesday morning, I wave to Hailey as she steps onto the bus.‘How did you go at Pure Fashion Industries, yesterday? Did Mark make a move?’ She asks, wiggling her brows.‘No, he didn’t; he’s a gentleman. The work is easy. I always get it done, on time,’ I answer.‘Do you think Mark will ask you out on a date?’ She asks, and I roll my eyes.‘He is very handsome, but I’m not interested in him that way. I’m just enjoying normal conversations with him. It’s nice not getting asked what bra size I am, and other lewd questions,’ I explain.‘Fair enough. I won’t be surprised if you hook up with him eventually,’ she says, grinning.We get off the bus, enter the cafe, and I get straight to work, taking orders; Grace and Mark are not in yet. Mr Fulton asks Hailey and I if we can work a few extra hours, and we say yes.It’s just after midday when Mark comes running into the cafe, huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath.‘Hey, is everything okay?’ I ask him.‘Hey. I need a take away latt
AceAt work, I spend hours drawing and creating new designs for upcoming fashion shows, and the monthly magazine. I make sure everything runs smoothly, and on time. Pure Fashion Industries is known as the best fashion business in the world.Everyone wants to work for me but they also steer clear of me; I know I’m not easy to get along with, and I prefer it that way.Beautiful women always try to seduce me, but they’re only interested in my bank account, and my bedroom skills. Once I’m done with them in the bedroom, I tell them to leave straight away.They’re always angry and annoyed, and they insist on us being a couple, but for three years now, women have meant nothing to me. I’ll never forget the day I realised women are nothing but selfish, gold-diggers. I was going to propose to Ava; I even had the ring in my pocket. I organised a romantic, surprise dinner, and I left work early to surprise her, at my condo.A shitty old car was parked in my driveway, which was odd. Inside, it s