Chapter 1 Running Away

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains from the east, prompting the woman to shift away from its glare. But it wasn’t the light that forced her to rise, it was the loud, incessant knock on the front gate, rousing her from her bed instantly. Rose sluggishly sat up, her movements heavy with sleep, before heading toward the door. Opening it, she was met with the stern gaze of an older woman. “Aunt Sofphia…” Rose muttered groggily, addressing her aunt. “Get up already,” Sofphia commanded. “Just a little longer, please. I’m still so tired,” Rose pleaded, rubbing her eyes. “No! And where were you last night, coming home so late?” Sofphia’s tone was sharp, her frustration palpable. It wasn’t the first time she’d stayed awake, worrying, as her niece came home at ungodly hours. “I was working,” Rose replied flatly. “At the casino again, wasn’t it? How many times have I told you to quit that place? Why don’t you find something else? There are plenty of other night jobs out there,” Sofphia chastised, her expression darkening with anger and disapproval. “This is the only way to keep us from starving,” Rose explained earnestly. She understood their financial situation well—ever since Uncle Joshua had passed away the previous year, their household had been in steady decline. “We’re not that desperate. I can take care of us. I don’t want you to get involved in that hellish casino. It’s a den of vice, and this house doesn’t need money earned from there,” Sofphia retorted firmly. “Aunt, nothing bad has happened. And as for our expenses…” Rose paused, her voice softening. “Leave that to me.” “I’m begging you, Rose. Don’t do anything risky. If your parents were alive to see this, I wouldn’t be able to sleep,” Sofphia said, her voice tinged with desperation. This time, Rose couldn’t hold back the discomfort in her expression, but she smiled faintly and nodded. “Alright,” she said simply. Sofphia’s face softened with relief, and she stepped forward to embrace Rose in a gesture of concern and care. After their conversation, Sofphia went downstairs to prepare breakfast while Rose shut her door with a sigh. She hurriedly showered, changed clothes, and joined her aunt at the dining table. Once breakfast was done, Rose grabbed her bag and other essentials before stepping out of the house. Sofphia remained in the living room; her eyes glued to the television. Closing the door behind her, Rose exhaled, her exhaustion evident. During the day, she worked as a regular employee at a private company. But at night, she worked as a drink hostess in a casino, where her nightly income matched nearly half her monthly salary. The money was good, but it came at the cost of enduring the unwanted advances of patrons. Rose walked along the sidewalk, heading out of the neighborhood. Instead of taking a taxi, she remembered a pawn shop nearby. The diamond necklace a man had given her at the casino the night before was still in her possession, waiting to be sold. Walking two more blocks, she reached the main road. Spotting a jewelry shop across the street, she waited for the traffic light to turn red before quickly crossing. The cool air inside the jewelry store was a welcome relief. Wealthy patrons haggled over prices, their voices rising above the glittering displays of diamond rings and necklaces. Rose approached the counter, her eyes meeting those of the saleswoman, who greeted her with a professional smile. “Hello,” Rose began. “I’d like to sell this necklace.” She pulled out the necklace from her bag and placed it on the counter. The shimmering silver heart pendant, adorned with tiny diamond droplets, sparkled under the light. The saleswoman looked momentarily stunned before asking, “Are you sure you want to sell this?” “Yes,” Rose replied curtly. After a brief transaction, the necklace was sold, and Rose left with a substantial check in her bag. As she exited the store, an unsettling feeling crept over her. Glancing around, she noticed a pair of men watching her. Quickening her pace, she cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. The faster she walked, the more certain she became that the men were following her. Without a second thought, she broke into a run. The men immediately gave chase. Rose turned sharply into the nearest alley, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of their footsteps grew louder, spurring her to dart into another side street. She stopped at the corner of a building, pressing herself against the wall and holding her breath as the two men ran past. Exhaling in relief, she cautiously peeked around the corner to ensure the coast was clear. Certain she was no longer being followed, she stepped out and began racing. But then, the sound of shouting erupted behind her. “There she is! Quick, after her!” Rose didn’t waste a second. She sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, her only goal to escape. She didn’t care why they were after her—survival was all that mattered. Reaching the end of the alley, she came to a halt, panting heavily. She glanced left and right, then over her shoulder, relieved to see no sign of her pursuers. She tried to piece together what had just happened. The men… Their faces looked familiar. Then it clicked. She had seen them before—at a nightclub, on the night she’d been with that man. Could they be after her because of that? No, it couldn’t be. She hadn’t done anything serious, just slipped him into a sedative. And he had paid her willingly. Returning home cautiously, Rose froze when she saw the two men standing by her front gate. “What should I do?” She whispered, scanning her surroundings for another way in. Slowly retreating, she made her way to the back fence. It was just as tall as she was, but there was no other option. She tossed her bag over first, then climbed up and over with care. Safely on the other side, she exhaled in relief. Entering through the back door, she tiptoed through the kitchen. The house was eerily quiet, as though no one was home. Rose hurried upstairs to her room, locking the door behind her. She peeked out the curtains, her heart racing as she watched the two men outside. One was on the phone, while the other appeared to be scanning the area. Would they break in? They finally walked away, their silhouettes fading into the distance. Rose sighed a long sigh of relief and collapsed onto her bed, still trembling.