Chapter 5

Pink walls, pink mattress, white hello kitty pillows with pink design, a white washed wardrobe matching the pink surrounding, pink and white bean bags, and a pink ceiling chair overlooking the driveway.

"You don't like it? I painted it myself" Kelvin spoke but I picked out a little change in his mood.

"It's great, absolutely great. I love pink" I hurriedly explained.

"Really?" He beamed happily.

"Yes" I nodded affirmatively.

"That's great. Ohh, my room is up the corridor, knock if you need anything"

"Thank you"

"I'm doing what I have to do"

I pinched him in the arm.

"Don't use my words against me, naughty"

He grinned and kissed my cheek.

"Night night pumpkin"

"Good night Kel"

He grinned wider at the nickname.

I looked around the room and didn't think it was horrible again, after all, it was my brother's sweat and energy.

I opened the wardrobe and saw new clothes hung neatly and in order, something tugged at my heartstrings, I smiled and arranged the rest of my clothes in the wardrobe.

"Shower time"

I entered the shower and turned the warm water on, a sigh escaped my lips as my tensed and tired muscles began to relax.

After a few minutes of sponging I cleaned my body and put on my baggy pyjamas, as soon as my head hit the pillow, I feel asleep.

"You're useless, you little wench. How many times have I told you to leave my slippers exactly where I keep them"

"Aunty no, I love you please, I just wanted to arrange the house, I won't do it again. I won't do it again, please don't sell me to the orphanage"

"I won't because they will be no use for a worthless wench such as yourself at the orphanage. Just die already.

She dragged Selene and dumped her into a lake a little way from their house.

Selene afraid of water struggled to keep herself afloat.

"Please, aunty help me. I don't want to die, please"

The woman turned and went back into the house.

I sat up straight in my bed as sweat poured down my face.

Willing my legs to move, I went to my bathroom and splashed water over my face.

"Stop running, she can't hurt you, not anymore. She can't hurt you anymore"

I stripped out of my baggy pyjamas and turned the cold water, the prickling sensation brought back memories of my time in the cold winter rain.

I fisted my hands.

After showering, I went to my wardrobe, and picked out a white crop top and blue jean and a black sweater.

The sound of someone hammering something finally caught my attention.

Kelvin poked his head inside my room and smiled.

"Up and early, you must be the early bird" he smirked sarcastically.

"Got to hustle to survive no matter the time" I smiled back at him.

"Are you okay?" He looked seriously at me.

"Why are you asking? Don't I look okay?"

"To most people, yes, to me; no. Something is bothering you"

"The nightmares are back"

"Nightmares, want to talk about it?"

"Some other time, I promise."

"Okay?! I bought groceries, who's cooking. It better not be me, I'm a bad chef, not even a beginner, I could totally ruin cereal. Either too much milk or too much sugar or something less than okay"

"That bad?"

"Yes, that bad"

"Then I'll take the wheel"

Loud bangs and clangs were coming from downstairs.

"What's going on?"

"I'm refurbishing"

"Finally, you don't expect to woo a woman with a house in that state"

I smirked to Kelvin who blushed red and turned away.

As Kelvin said, it really looked refurbished.

The sofa leather were new, a big rug lay in the middle of the parlor.

He walked up to one of the men working and they shook hands.

"Thanks man"

"No problem, it really needed refurbishing"

Soon they cleared the mess and left the house.

"Let's see, what we got. Fish, bacon, ham, sausages"

I pulled out the sausages.

After a while Kelvin came down wearing khaki pants and a black tank top, exposing his very big biceps.

He caught me staring at it and flexed it for me.

I rolled my eyes.

He inhaled the aroma and smiled.

"I can tell it's going to be delicious"

I passed him sausages with hot and spicy crayfish dip.

"Coffee?"

"Americano or Latte"

I made coffee and passed it to him.

He took a sip and sighed.

"Good food is good life"

"Of course, a four decade year old man like you wouldn't know because of how he feeds"

"Did you say four decades? I'm twenty four not forty" he pouted and I pinched his cheeks.

"When do you start work?"

"Why are you asking?"

"It's twenty minutes to twelve"

"Shit, I'm almost late. I begin afternoon shift, I'm going"

I'm coming with you"

"Why?" He asked confused.

"I am also going to look for a job, just because I arrived yesterday does not mean I should laze around"

I scrubbed the plates and cups we used, dried them and put them in their respective rack.

Kelvin started the engine of his truck and I entered, strapping my seatbelt.

He put on the radio and Make You Feel My Love by Adele blasted through the speakers.

"Okay, basic things you need to know. First, here's you own key, keep it safe. House address in case you want to catch a taxi is fifty-three Whisp Lane. Here's some money for your transport and important stuff and nothing else. Where are you going to get a job now?"

"I don't know probably at a coffee shop or something"

Kelvin frowned a little.

"What?"

"I don't know if I should take you there, I don't like their personal services"

"Ohh c'mon, anywhere would do. Just to earn a little cash here and there"

Kelvin looked at his watch.

"I'm running late, look, I'll drop you at Ray's Mobile Electronics, you will have to? find your way to Dusty's Tasty Doughnuts.

Okay? Tell them that you're the one that wants to collect Kelvin's favour"

"Just like that?"

"Yes, that's all"

"Okay"

Kelvin packed his car beside a van.

"Is there anything you forgot?, I can say it know before you leave"

"No, I still remember"

"Cool, I'll be leaving then"

I waved him bye and walked up to the man repairing a spoilt laptop.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes?"

"Can you point me in Dusty's Tasty Doughnuts direction"

"Use a fucking Google map"

"I would have but my phone isn't too good..."

"How much do you have, I'll repair it for you"

"That's the thing, I dont have plenty money, I..."

The man ignored me and went back to soldering something on the keyboard.

I stomped away from there muttering profanities under my breath.

After wandering about with no luck, I decided to grovel if I had to.

I turned but it was a different street, the van was not there.

I tried retracing my steps but it only confused me even more.

I turned sharply and slammed into someone.

He was of average build and had white streaks of hair, looked in his late forties.

"I'm sorry" I bowed and apologized sincerely.

He walked past me.

I grabbed the ends of my hair and uttered a low groan.

He stopped, turned back and walked up to me.

"Is everything alright? You look lost"

"I am lost, I don't know where exactly I am"

"What are you looking for?"

"Dusty's Tasty Doughnuts"

"You shouldn't go around saying that, you could attract hatred from his rivals"

I placed a hand over my mouth.

"You're lucky, I was heading down to Dusty's for a quick cup of coffee. Coming?"

"Yes, wait for me"

We walked side by side in silence before he asked.

"So why are you looking for Dusty's. The thrill of hot and different coffee or pastry"

"No, I'm look for a job"

"A job. It's not weird to see people struggle for a job at Dusty's but I'm afraid you're out of luck. The application letters have already been submitted.

"I have my ways" I replied confidently.

The man looked at me strangely before saying in a cool and calm voice.

"You are a woman in your prime, even if you don't go looking for a man, men will come looking for you. I don't see why you would want to seduce an old man for a job like that"

I paled.

"It's nothing like that. Really. He owes my brother a solid favour and I'm going to collect it"

"Dusty does not owe favours"

"My brother said so, so I'm going"

"And if it doesn't work out, will you result to that method?"

"Of course not" I shuddered at the thought of seducing a man far older than my own Dad, not that I would seduce a man my Dad's age.

We entered a busy street and the man slowed his steps.

"Stay close, you wouldn't want to be lost in the crowd"

Soon we emerged from the crowd.

"What is this place" I asked looking around excitedly.

"It's called 'Ozone . A place free of mafia attacks.

Mafia Jason thinks this is a worthless place and he never steps his feet here. It's safe to say it's safe"

I chuckled.

"Safe to say it's safe"

"There it is, she's a beaut"

I saw a very large glass Cafe in the center of the street and roads were constructed by its sides, it had a big doughnut on the top of the roof facing the entrance.