A Welcome Help
Rachel
Mr. Barney didn't allow me to stay in one of the hotel rooms, and now I don't know what to do. I was completely stuck, with no perspective on where I could go.
Fortunately, he agreed to let me leave my luggage in the hotel storage. This at least relieved the burden of carrying all those bags without a defined destination. I didn't have a phone or contacts to seek help, but it was clear that being homeless on the streets would be an even worse situation.
After my conversation with the manager, I found myself standing near the service exit, close to the hotel parking lot. My mind was in a state of confusion, and I felt completely disoriented.
At that moment, one of the kitchen staff from the restaurant came out and, recognizing me, approached.
“Aren't you going home?” She asked, “Or are you waiting for someone to give you a ride?”
Under normal circumstances, I would have completely ignored this young woman. I would have responded harshly and reprimanded her, telling her she had no business meddling in my life and that I didn't owe her any explanations, as she was merely a servant in a low-quality hotel restaurant. However, given the unfavorable situation I found myself in, I controlled my words and expressed a kind smile.
I noticed she was holding a cell phone in her hand, which gave me an idea that could save me from spending the night on the streets.
“I need to make a call to my sister, but I'm having trouble with my phone” I explained amiably. “Could you lend me yours?”
It was horrible to have to beg for a cell phone to do something as simple as make a phone call, but at that moment, it was truly necessary.
“Of course, I'll lend it to you” she replied without even questioning “You can use mine.”
The fact that she agreed so quickly to help a stranger made me uncomfortable; I would never do such a thing. However, I accepted the device she handed me with a kind smile.
“Oh... by the way, my name is Lindsay” she introduced herself “And you're Rachel, right?”
“That's right” I confirmed, already dialing the numbers that were stored in my memory.
I didn't find it strange that she knew my name; after all, when Mr. Barney assigned me to work in the restaurant kitchen, he quickly introduced me to the entire team as the newest "temp."
I hadn't paid attention to the names of the people around me, nor was I interested in doing so. After all, as the manager made clear to everyone, my presence there was only temporary.
After dialing the number again, as the first attempt went straight to voicemail after several calls, I began to reflect on the irony of the situation. Sarah and all her friends, including the brothers I barely knew, had tried to contact me repeatedly after the accident she suffered. However, I didn't answer any of those calls or bother to return any of them. At that time, I wasn't interested in hearing about my "family's" news.
Now, however, I was fervently hoping that Sarah would answer my call and welcome me into her home. After all, if she didn't, I would end up on the streets. However, despite several attempts, Sarah didn't answer at all.
"Don't be like that, Rachel," Lindsay tried to console me. "Maybe I can help you..."
I looked at the poorly dressed girl in front of me and almost laughed at her offer. But I quickly managed to control myself.
"Maybe she's right..."
"Look, here come my friends," she said, and I saw that a few more restaurant employees were coming our way. "Do you want a ride? Nick has a car today."
"Maybe there was a light at the end of the tunnel," I thought with a sigh of relief, as everyone joined us and, after some additional introductions, we headed together towards the car that Nick had borrowed that night from his father.
As we approached the vehicle, I noticed a man standing inside a nearby car. I didn't want to believe it was Enrico, even though it seemed clear to me. It would be bad luck and would seem like a very tasteless joke of fate.
I stayed close to Lindsay's friends, trying to go unnoticed among them. Fortunately, the car left a few minutes later, and I sighed in relief that I wouldn't have to face Enrico again that night.
"Get in, girls," the guy Nick ordered, in a hurry. "I'm exhausted!"
We all got into the car, and when Nick started the engine, his words made me somewhat apprehensive.
"Tonight promises!" he said, with a weird smile. "I can't wait to get home."
I looked at Lindsay with a question in my eyes, but she just shrugged, as if to tell me to relax.
"Where are you going to stay, Rachel?" Lindsay asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Isn't she coming with us!?" the other guy, who I believe is called Robert, asked in amazement.
"No, guys... I'm just catching a ride," I quickly replied.
Where to, I still didn't know, but I wouldn't let them know that.
"I thought she was going to join our little party, Lindsay," Nick complained, and I looked at the other girl suspiciously.
But she also didn't seem to like the joke because she quickly asked, "What's this about a little party, guys? I'm not joining any little party either!"
The mood became tense in the car. Sitting in the back seat, I felt uncomfortable, questioning the intentions of everyone there, while Lindsay continued to express her displeasure about the supposed party, and the atmosphere seemed increasingly strange. I, in turn, had no idea where I was being taken and began to consider possible alternatives to get out of this situation.
The last few days haven't been easy and when I finally thought I'd found some help, I was faced with a situation like this, completely unexpected.
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