Deal day.

Evelyn's leg shook as she briskly walked into the examination room, she could feel herself falling apart already. She had made her research before taking the exam, of course, she got familiar with her opponents and it was sure to reduce her confidence level. If it wasn't for the good word Gabriel put in for her, she doubted if she'd been scouted for the promotion exam.

How would she? when people of higher stats and connections had bought off slots, she had no choice. But there was a limit, all Gabriel could do was take her to the river, she had to do the drinking. She had to pass the exam, she had been dreaming about it for weeks. You know, how glorious her life would be after she'd aced the exams and moved to headquarters. It was superb, she would get some time off within the week, which would mean she would get to spend more time with Danny.

Obviously she would be earning more, she would save up and move to a bigger house with Maya. Or better still, drumrolls... she would get a bigger house and move in together with Danny, it was always Danny. She was in the equation too, she told herself a lot. But she had to pass first, there was the fear of getting dip shitted. She had accessed the rest and was pretty let down by her results.

Ronnie the first guy at the front was related to the mayor, Detranada the girl behind him is the ex-wife of one of her superiors. Saul who was sitting on the opposite was loaded, the mother-fucker was the heir to some family fortune or something. The girl behind Saul was bald, Evelyn couldn't recall her name or who she was, but she seemed to be everywhere and fluent with everyone, Evelyn was certain the girl had better chances than her. Eunice was everybody's girl, shawty's been working in that branch since God knows when and then there was Alexa. Evelyn sighed, she didn't have to analyze Alexa's case, she knew her rise to fame.

Evelyn could hear her heart pounding as she sat, visibly trying to look like she got it all under control. Her temperature rose, her head spiraling out of control. She fought the consistent nudge urging her to take the easy way out, to bail. She didn't have to move to headquarters, she could still stay here. The pay was shitty, but she could manage.

* * * * * * *

" You thinking of bailing? "

Evelyn turned to her right as she spotted Alexa smiling deviously at her.

" What? "

" You're thinking of bailing right? " Alexa repeated.

" Why would you say that? " Evelyn was more concerned about how Alexa knew.

" One, you just confirmed my thoughts with your question, and two... " Alexa shook her head, carefully scrutinizing her with a mocking look, " You're trying too hard to look tough, your hands are shaking Evelyn. "

Evelyn's glance went to her shaking hands that were supposed to be hidden beneath the table, " I'm not... I'm not bailing. "

" Right, I want to see you at the headquarters... I guess. It'll be boring there, might need the um

... the distraction. "

Okay, Evelyn was pissed. She bit her lips as she turned her gaze from Alexa. surprisingly, Alexa's mean talk gave her the confidence boost she so desperately needed.

" Hey, Lexy. " Evelyn called with a bolder tone.

" Lexy? "

That's it, she was going to go for it. She was going to do what Maya has been begging her to do for ages, she was going to choose violence. This wasn't nice, but it was the right thing to do. She had tried her best to evade Alexa or have any confrontations with her. But it seemed like Alexa was begging for it, and she was going to give it to her.

" Since we're both going to headquarters, I must say... I feel sorry for you. " Evelyn pouted.

" Excuse me? " Alexa was amused, " Sorry for me? "

" Yes, how are you going to thrive there? "

Alexa chuckled, " What are you talking about? "

Evelyn took a deep breath, " I'm going to pass this exam because I worked hard for it... obviously, " She smiled, " Can't say the same for you though. "

Alexa's composure drastically changed, her brows lifting as her gaze settled.

" What do you__

" Common, give me a break. We both know that you either sucked dick to get here or you're gonna do it later, either way, you're still sucking dick. "

Alexa furiously glanced around to observe the crowd and to her dismay, they were all watching. " Evelyn! "

" But it's okay, here is your domain. What I'm worried about is... we're headed to a much more sophisticated, bigger, and fully equipped place so... " Evelyn paused right in time to give Alexa back that mocking smile she once gave her.

" Evelyn don't you dare. "

" I'm wondering Lexy, which dick are you gonna suck first? "

Alexa twitched, her feet springing up to action. It appeared to be happening at the speed of light but unfortunately for Alexa she was interrupted.

" Stay put, the exam starts in a few minutes. "

* * * * * * *

Maya counted her footsteps as she journeyed to where Gabriel was, she had gotten his text. She was anxious of course, who was she kidding? she was scared. Especially with what Evelyn revealed about her suspicions of Gabriel. There was no way Gabriel knew the details of her side-hustle, but that was the issue. If he was indeed weary of her, he would be open to thinking just about anything. Not that she wasn't guilty, but Gabriel didn't even know her crime.

She wanted to be with him, she loved him. But Gabriel wouldn't understand sacrifices, he wouldn't understand why she had to do it. She was grateful for Gabriel giving her the silly pep talk of being one and patient with one another. How could he know what patience is? he had a well-paid job, and a fabulous house and his future is pretty much mapped out for him, and he had a lot to offer. But what about her, she was a joke. Before she got her official journalistic job she'd been a mess, taking shitty jobs, and almost getting raped. She had dreams, she wanted to open her beauty store.