Chapter 5

That evening, they went to see the apartment.

Bella loved it. It was small but cozy, and — more importantly — close to work. Just one bus ride away.

She signed the lease and scheduled her move for the weekend. The apartment was completely empty, so she'd need to buy some furniture.

"I've got enough saved for a fridge and a bed. Everything else will have to wait."

She got home and didn't find Amanda. She'd skipped university tonight to deal with the move. When Amanda got back, she'd tell her.

Late that night, Amanda came in with Henrique and went straight to her room.

"Good morning, Bella!"

"Morning, Amanda. I didn't see you come in last night. I need to tell you something — it'll be quick, I've got to get to work. I found a place to live. I rented an apartment yesterday."

"Bella, are you sure you can afford rent on your own?"

"Don't worry. It's not expensive, and it's close to work. I really appreciate everything you've done for me — all the help these past months."

"Cousin, I don't want you struggling with rent and then my mom giving me an earful."

"It'll be fine. Just don't let my mom find out yet — I still need to buy furniture."

"No problem."

The next day, Bella and Sandra went to a furniture store during their lunch break to buy the bed and a fridge.

"Girl, everything's so expensive," Bella groaned. "I thought I could afford a full-size bed. Looks like I'm going with a twin."

"Bella, just get the full. A twin is tiny, and the price difference isn't even that big. I've got some money — I can lend it to you."

"Thanks, Sandra. But I don't like owing people. I like to keep my finances clean."

"Don't be stubborn. If you don't pay me back, I know where you live and where you work." She grinned.

"Very funny. Fine, I'll take the loan. But I'm paying you back soon."

Purchases made, they headed back to the warehouse.

The weekend arrived, and so did Bella's furniture along with the rest of her things.

"Bella, let's go out. Grab a beer somewhere," Sandra said.

"As long as it's not a nightclub, I'm in. I need to unwind."

"You don't like clubs?"

"I like going out. I just don't like that kind of club — the ones full of men who think they own the world. When I first got here, my cousin took me to a birthday party at this nightclub. Some guy grabbed me from behind. I slapped him and left."

"Girl, you're insane. That nightclub is where the big-money guys hang out. If one of them catches you, they'll take everything you've got."

"In the moment, I wasn't thinking about any of that. I just wanted to get out of there as fast as I could."

"Did you see who the guy was?"

"Not really. The strobe lights and all those colors — I couldn't make out his face."

"Let's hope he didn't see yours either."

"I don't think so. My back was turned when he grabbed me."

"Oh Lord. If some guy grabbed me from behind like that, I'd melt on the spot." Sandra fanned herself. "Come on, there's a place right nearby."

On the way, Sandra brought up another topic. "Hey, I know a side gig where we can make some extra cash."

"Don't you dare say prostitution."

"No! It's day shifts at a casino. You just serve the tables, and they pay you on the spot. Two shifts and you could buy more stuff for your apartment."

"I don't know. Sounds risky."

"It's all above board — federally licensed. Sure, if you want to make more money, the girls who go out with the foreign clients earn a lot more. But our job would just be waitressing. The escort girls are a whole different tier."

"Sandra, I've never even had a boyfriend. Imagine me as an escort."

"Wait — seriously? You lived out in the middle of nowhere, but come on. In this day and age, a girl in her early twenties who's still a virgin? That's unheard of."

"It's not that extreme! I just want my first time to be with someone I actually care about."

"I respect that. It's not every day I meet a girl who's still — you know." She laughed.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"We're here! And no, I'm genuinely impressed." Sandra pushed open the door. "This place is cool — live music on Saturdays and some cute guys to flirt with."

"We're just going to eat, drink, and talk. I'm not interested in any cute guys right now."

"So what do you think about the casino gig? Tomorrow's my shift — five to ten PM."

"I still don't know. Let me think about it."

They stayed for a while, drinking and catching up. Sandra gave her a rundown of how the casino worked.

A week passed.

"Girl, my head is spinning," Bella said. "This law program is killing me. I never thought it'd be this hard."

"Bella, can you do me a huge favor?" Sandra asked. "Mrs. Silvania says I've got overtime tonight, but I already told the casino owner I'd be there. It's the casino's anniversary — big crowd, I can't miss it. Mrs. Silvania never asks me for overtime, and I can't slip up at my real job. Can you cover for me?"

"But I thought you only work there on weekends?"

"I do! It's just tonight because of the anniversary event. Tons of people, and I can't lose my regular job over it."

"Fine. But how do I just... take your place?"

"I'll call and tell her you're filling in for me."

A moment later: "Done! I told her I wasn't feeling well and you'd take my spot. The tips might be good tonight."

Address, time, everything confirmed. Bella went to the casino and introduced herself to the owner. The woman took one look at her and her eyes went wide.

"Welcome, Bella! Sandra told me about you, but she didn't mention you were this beautiful. You're going to cause me some problems."

"Problems? Why, ma'am?"

"I just told you — you're way too pretty to be a waitress. Look at you. You'll have to wear a mask. I don't want any trouble."

"Thank you for the compliment. I could work in the kitchen instead, if that helps."

"I can't pull a waitress from the floor — two of my girls already called out tonight. Whatever God allows, I suppose." She straightened up. "Come on. Let me walk you through the rules."

"Serve the tables. Don't make eye contact with anyone. Just set the drinks down and walk away. Their escort girls handle the rest."

"Got it. That works much better for me."

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