Troubles again

Chapter nine
Gwen POV
I'm so grateful I decided on time. I didn't want to leave, I was so scared of where I would go.
I've never left the house unless Heidi wants me to follow her somewhere. I've been staying at home all day.
But I had to make a decision quickly especially when I overheard Dixie and Heidi talking about ruining my face.
I know I'm not as beautiful as they are, but I won't let them ruin my face. So, I picked the only clothes I have on me and left the house that day, that night.
I was so scared at first. I had nowhere to go or turn to.
I had to sleep in front of a closed shop. I prayed throughout the night. I was so very scared.
In the dawn, I found some water to wash my face and legs, and arms.
Then, I resume my search for a job. I went into the restaurant I saw the day I and Heidi went to the stadium to watch Ryder play.
Fortunately for me, a girl just call sick and wouldn't be available for a month. They can't wait for her, so the manager had placed outa vacancy to fill in the position.
So, I got it with no stress.
The manager is exceptionally nice and he kept saying I was beautiful. Well, I expected him to chase me out with the way I was dressed.
But he likes me and gave me the work quickly.
I begged him to let me stay at the store every night and I will pay back by cleaning some of the rooms at the suites.
Surprisingly, he agreed. I didn't know fate could shine so bright on me. I was so happy and I worked diligently.
He was so satisfied with my work that when the worker came by, he had her placed in the suite while I had to operate the bar, then some of the rooms at night.
I just collected my salary a few days ago. I saved some and brought some foodstuff.
I'm still going to stay at the store because houses around here are very sumptuous. And I don't want to rent a house far away because I don't want to hinder my work.
I'm just so glad I made that decision that day. Well, I never saw Heidi and her sisters after that day.
It's late and time for another shift. I walk into the dressing room. I pull off the company shirt and hang it. I look at myself in the mirror and smile.
I just got myself some new clothes and they all look good on me.
Last month, all I do was change the two clothes I had on me. I would wash it today so I would be able to wear it the next day. And it has really worked well for me.
I walk inside the store and lay on the bed. I still have to go tidy up three rooms before morning.
I feel so tired. But at least I won't get bitten again. I'm finally free from slaps. That's a great achievement for me.
I sit up and quickly make myself cereal. I finish up quickly and walk out. I lock the door of the store and move to the receptionist of the suites.
Sarah is a nice lady and I love her. She's older than I am and more understanding of my plight. Most days last month, she would give me some amount of money to buy food.
I promise to repay her in the future and I will still do so.
She hands me the keys and I move to the first room. I'm making the VIP rooms today. Something tells me the rooms have already been paid for.
It happens like that in Rock and Brews. People would already pay for Yaamava resort and suites.
I unlock the door and walk-in. I start making the bed. I sweep the floor and mop my own place.
"Do you know that Ryder is coming here tonight?" I hear one of the attendants say as I make my way into the second room.
My heart made a sudden thud in my chest. What! Ryder is coming here? The mere thinking about seeing him again makes my heart flutter.
"Wow, I can't wait to see him," a lady jubilates.
"Did you hear the news?" I stop in my track to hear what they wanted to say. I don't know why I desperately want to know.
Well, I only want to know if Heidi has succeeded in getting the love of her life.
"Well, Heidi went out with Ryder. I think she's the new girlfriend."
" Who told you that! Ryder isn't ready to mingle," someone argues.
I feel a purge of sadness as I listened. I don't know why. At least, it will mean Heidi would never find me. She wouldn't even think of finding me.
Then I can be able to be who I want to be.
I shouldn't be hearing this type of news. I walk inside the room and close the door.
I try to do my night chores without thinking about Ryder or Heidi or my other family members.
It is just me here and I'm happy the way I am.
If I keep on with this, I will eventually be able to afford an apartment around here.
When I walk back to the store, I felt hungry again. So, I took a cereal again.
The manager does give us lunch out of what we sell. So, it enables me to save the money I could get.
I lay on the bed and try to think of my mom. When she was still alive, my father was never mean to me. He treated me like I was his daughter.
We laugh and smile together. But the moment she died and he had to show me he never loved me to begin with.
One of the bullies I had in high school told me my father only pretended to love me because of my mom. And in the real sense, he never loved me. And that, he regretted ever having me.
When I confronted her about it, I couldn't take it.
She told me Heidi told her. And Heidi said she heard from her mom. Then, Heidi apologized and said she never meant for the bullies to hear it.
She used to be my friend at that time. I should have known she had a hidden plan all along.
Well, her mother was also different at that time. She was always caring for me and she even talked to my father to make him get back to me.
But my father refused to have anything to do with me. He abandoned me. And the moment he died, the enjoyment I had enjoyed died with him.
I close my eyes against the tears that threatened to seep from under my naturally long lashes.
Life is always unfair.
I drift off to sleep, to wonderland, where there are no sufferings or tears.
I open my eyes suddenly and realize it's seven in the morning. I quickly made my way to one of the rooms that haven't been occupied. I do collect one from Sarah every night and I would make sure I tidy the whole place.
It's how I've been living for more than a month now.
I take my bath and wear this long green dress. It looks baggy and I love it like that.
It enables me to mask my feelings. It does feel like I'm moving in a space with no one to bother me.
I am going to buy rice at the restaurant today. I have been spending my money wisely.
I style my hair in a bun and look at myself in the mirror fastened to the bathroom door. I look good and well, beautiful.
I walk out to Sarah, "Hi Sarah. Good morning," I smile at her.
This morning is her shift and she's already prepared, waiting for Roanna to take up.
She smiles at me too, "Good morning, how was your night?"
I hand over the keys, " Great, and yours?"
She chuckles lightly, " I was unable to sleep. I'm going home to do so now," she says and I laugh.
"The manager wants to see you. He will be here by lunchtime," she says and I nod.
I start to walk away. Then I reason within myself if I should ask her about Ryder.
Wouldn't she think there's more to it? Because I told her about the reasons I'm suddenly looking for shelter.
In fact, she wanted me to come and stay with her but she has kids. And I didn't want to inconvenience them.
And yes, she knew I talked to Ryder and she sees it as a blessing to me. I mean not everyone gets to talk to a star.
I don't want her to think I'm asking because I have hidden plans.
Well, she's older. It doesn't matter if she thinks like that. What matters is that she doesn't think like Heidi and she doesn't leak secrets like Dixie.
All good. I walk to her again, "Ehm, I wanted to ask if Ryder came yesterday."
She gives me a long stare before her small mouth curve into a smile. I look away, embarrassed.
"Come on, I'm not going to make fun of you. After all, it's normal to feel that way," I look up at her again, glad she's not reprimanding me. She's the best anyways.
"Ok. He came so late yesterday night. Do you know he comes here often?"
My eyes narrow at the confession. I never knew.
" Well, you might have avoided yourself unknowingly but he's coming to the restaurant today."
My heart made a sudden thud. He's coming to the restaurant?
Sarah smiles again, " I can't wait for fate to take its cause on you guys. You will look amazing together."
I blush harder, " Don't say that. Heidi is the one meant to be with him."
Sarah frowns suddenly, " Who told you that? Is it because they took photos together?" She laughs, " Don't you know that was how he took pictures with Bella?"
I don't even know who Bella is but I just know it wouldn't work well with us.
"Yet, nothing will happen between us two," I finish up in a voice that gives no room for more conversation.
I walk back to the restaurant and put on my uniform.
Ryder isn't someone I can associate with. He must be with someone like Heidi and not me. I don't know why I had to ask Sarah about him.
And yes, I pray he doesn't come over to the restaurant today. Or let him wait for me to go for lunch before he comes.
"Hi Alex," I wave at him and he does the same. We are the two on the morning shift. Though, I do have a longer shift than others because I needed the money.
I walk to a group of men at a table by the left. I hand them the menu list before I move to a couple and do the same.
I enjoy working here and I always stay happy while I work.
After handling some more the menu list, I move back to the group of men.
They were gisting about the weather and the impending storm.
"Can I have your orders please?"
"Sure," one says, "Italian rice please."
"Same here with a cocktail."
I quickly collect the menus and look over at the ones that were ticked. I come back at them, "Be right back."
I turn around to move but the face of the person staring at me makes me stop beating for a while.
When I finally remember to breathe again, it started to hammer wildly in my chest.
What the fuck is Heidi doing here?
Heidi is also looking and smiling at me as if she was prepared for me. How did she know I'm here?
What should I do?