Harley’s POV
“Please just do this once; do this for me,” Molly pleaded in the changing room.
“You know he asked me to stay out of his sight. What happens if I come across him at the party?” I asked with concern.
“That won’t happen because you will be cleaning the other side of the building. I would have done it myself if not for the appointment I have at the clinic,” she answered softly.
“Don’t,” came Jade’s warning.
“Next time, if you are picked to be among those cleaners attending the party, I will cover for you. Please help me out; this appointment is very important for me, and I can’t afford to skip work because Sophie won’t let it slide if she finds out,” she pleaded.
I was scared of losing my job as well. What would happen if I came across Glen at such an important event? Wouldn’t he fire me after everyone had left?
“Fine, I’ll do it, but just so you know, you owe me big time,” I answered seriously.
“Thank you so much,” she said excitedly, and then hugged me as I hugged her back.
“Now then, what do I have to do? Do I have to go home, take a quick shower, and then join the group that’s going to the party?” I asked simply.
“No need to go home,” she answered, and then quickly went to her locker and took out a folded black cleaning suit.
“You will have to put this on because we seriously have no time. After changing, you will go to the back of the company; that’s where everyone is. I already talked to them, so they all know that you will fill in for my spot,” she said.
I shook my head in disapproval as I took off my clothes.
Not so long ago, I was very uncomfortable taking off my clothes in front of her, while she was very comfortable and encouraged me to be comfortable as well.
When I first took off my clothes in front of her, I was scared that she would laugh and mock me. But she yelled, “You work that awesome body,” making me laugh. From then on, I began to feel comfortable around her, and with time, I didn’t notice when she was around or not while I changed.
“I hope I don’t bump into him,” I said again and then grabbed the suit and put it on.
“You won’t; now hurry up and join the others,” she urged.
“Fine,” I answered and then smiled at her before walking out and going to where everyone was waiting.
When they saw me, they all greeted me happily.
“You are right on time, see,” Shin said, pointing at a small bus that was approaching us.
“I’m glad I made it in time,” I answered and then looked at the sky.
The sun was already setting, and the sky was so clear. Just feeling the breeze sweep past my face made me feel at ease, and my worries seemed to vanish.
“Come on, let’s go,” Shin called when the bus parked in front of us.
“Okay,” I answered and then got in with the others and sat close to the window. While the bus moved, I focused on the streets and smiled a few times when I saw something funny.
“Do you like the streets that much?” Shin asked, startling me.
I quickly looked at him with a rapidly beating heart.
“Shin, you startled me. Weren’t you at the back?” I asked seriously.
“I was, but I figured you would like some company,” he answered as I forced a smile across my face.
“Disgusting,” Jade whispered silently.
“Thank you,” I replied.
“So, I have been watching you closely since you joined the company,” he said as I frowned.
“Why was he telling me that? Did he want to fight me? Everyone who usually watched me closely in the orphanage was either scheming or trying to frame me for something.”
“You are hardworking, polite, and friendly,” he said as I nervously shifted my gaze back to the streets. I was getting uncomfortable with his words. Everyone who praised me ended up backstabbing me, mostly boys. The girls only liked me because I was ugly enough to make them look better in every way possible.
“Harley…,”
“We are here,” the driver announced loudly as I sighed in relief.
I wanted nothing to do with Shin. Although he was a friendly person and usually chatted with everyone, he looked very suspicious whenever he was cleaning an office. I came across him twice when he was cleaning. He grabbed a watch from the table and threw it in his pocket. I wasn’t sure if he was stealing it or not because there was never a report of anything like that missing in the company.
“Let’s go,” Shin said, and then stood up.
I, too, got to my feet and quickly came out of the bus, as everyone did.
We were all stunned by the tall, huge building that had lights and a red carpet at the entrance. A lot of paparazzi were screaming and taking photos, while some rich-looking people walked the carpet.
“Get to work,” the driver said, getting my attention.
“Right, everyone, let’s go,” Shin announced and then walked further away from the building as everyone followed. On the left side was a huge gate that automatically opened when we stood at the entrance.
We quickly went in and entered a building that looked like it was connected to the tall building. We found a lot of people moving back and forth in different cleaning and waiting outfits.
“Sir, I am Shin, and those behind me are the rest of the cleaning crew,” he reported to a tall man who looked scary. He had a mole on his nose and gray hair. He wore a suit, and he looked like he was observing everyone who was moving around.
“You are a minute late,” he said coldly.
“I apologize,” Shin answered.
“You said the same thing last year; it’s so annoying. Now then, go and change and get it over with,” he said as I looked at Shin in surprise.
If he knew Shin, then why was Shin introducing himself to him?
“Right away, sir,” Shin answered and quickly rushed down the corridor as everyone followed. I was about to run after them when the man stopped me.
“You, I have never seen you before,” he said as I quickly smiled politely.
“I am Harley; I joined the company a few months ago,” I answered.
“I see, Harley. If you greet me, you should always introduce yourself because I….” He cut his sentence short when a lady in a waitress outfit approached us and whispered something in his ear.
“Shit, why did that stupid girl have to get knocked up when a huge party was about to take place? So did she have a miscarriage?” he asked lazily.
“No, sir. She called to inform us that she was just stressed and overworked; that’s what led to the bleeding. But she and the baby are okay,” she answered.
“What the hell? So we are short of hands, and we need someone to fill in her place,” he whispered and then looked at me from head to toe.
“Get her; she will do,” he said.
“What?” I asked loudly.
“You will fill in the vacant waitress spot for the night; that’s an order,” he said as I shook my head.
I was about to refuse when the lady grabbed my hand and dragged me with her.