Chapter 2 Melissa

• I could swear my path was clear just now. Despite my usual clumsiness, I was certain no one was heading this way. Now, all my things are scattered on the floor, and I'm really going to be screwed on my first day as a catering waiter. I can't afford to miss the last ferry ride to Staten Island.
• I've been searching hard for another job to take care of myself and pay my mother's medical bills. Growing up, it was just me and my mom. My name is Melissa Bells, the only child of my single mother.
• My mother's story begins with her being the first of 6 children to religious parents with average salaries. Tragedy struck when my grandfather had a stroke, leading to financial struggles. My grandmother took on extra work, and my mother assisted, leading her to meet the man who later fathered me.
• He was initially kind, but things changed, and he took advantage of her innocence. When she became pregnant, he denied any involvement, leading to my mother being disowned by both her parents and the church. She survived through menial jobs and met Rosario, who looked after her until I was born.
• But enough about my past; I need to get out of this situation. I can't afford to miss out on the last ferry ride. Proceeding to gather my stuff, I started by giving a heartfelt apology.
• "I am really really sorry, I didn't see you there, I could swear no one was there, I hope you weren't injured..."
• "You've got to be fucking kidding me." That was when I looked up at the guy because I was rudely interrupted and the first thing, I noticed were his dark eyes which were very dark. I couldn't tell if they were jet black or midnight blue. Caught in the haze of his face was when I noticed that he was laughing.
• In a split second, his face changed and the next thing I heard sent a chill down my spine, "You really must be fucking blind or dumb to believe that I would take that bullshit right now!"
• Okay, the shit just got real.
• "I really don't know why you are pissed at me by swearing at me, I was just trying to apologize to you because I felt bad that I hit you. But looking at it, it goes both ways. You didn't see me coming, neither did I see you coming. If you aren't blind like you just rudely accused me, you should have seen me, so I guess we're both blind then!"
• I wasn't going to let anyone bully me and get away with it, much less a man. I've learned to be strong since I was young so I'm definitely not letting him get away with insulting me. I guess what I said shocked him because he was quiet, and I took that opportunity to pick the last of my stuff off the ground.
• He rudely stepped on my hand. Not so hard, but enough to keep me down.
• "What the hell?! Get your foot off me, I'm not some fucking servant that you can treat like a rag. I'm going to have you sued if you don't get off in the next ten seconds!" I shouted at him as I tried to yank my hand back.
• "Try it, I dare you." He bent down as he whispered into my ear. Why am I getting goosebumps on my skin? Focus Melissa, Mom's sick right now and you need to be on the ferry right now. You need to get yourself out of here as soon as you can.
• "Get your foot off my hand or I'm going to scream rape and tear my clothes right this instant. Let's see you get out of that since you think you're so high and mighty." He was about to give me a reply, but we were both interrupted by the sound of Frank Sinatra's 'You Are the Sunshine of My Life.'
• I choke back a small laugh. You've got to be kidding me, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. What are the odds of a bully like him listening to Frank Sinatra, more or less having it as his ringtone?
• "You've got to be kidding me!" I couldn't help but blurt that out as soon as I got myself together.
• "Frank Dinero, I'll be waiting for your lawsuit. Send it to 'The Anchor Bar' in the next three days at most. Anything later and I wouldn't take you seriously." Saying that he picked up his call and rudely left me still bent forward on the ground.
• That does it, I am certain I'll be late. God, I feel the tears coming in. My frustrations of the day are beginning to set in. Hurrying to catch the last ride as I let out a stream of frustration.
• Whoever’s up there, if you exist please help me get to Staten Island tonight, if not for my sake, for the sake of my mom. Please, please, please, please!'
• I can't have another terrible thing happen to me today. I was late to my job at the diner because I got caught up in traffic caused by an accident on my way from the hospital. Then, I nearly got written up and my shifts were slashed as agreed by me in the terms of the agreement. But I was let off with a warning since it was my first time.
• I had to rush their cause there was an emergency.
• My mother was properly diagnosed just a week ago, and since then, I've been working multiple jobs to meet her medical bills and we can't afford to miss any of the medications or the follow ups she has to go on.
• My only luck in all these is that Rosario left her home to my mom and me. We have a roof over our heads, so I don't have to worry about rent or the next place I'll be sleeping.
• As I was running, a voice spoke into my head.
• “You got this, believe everything is going to work out.'
• I decided to listen to the voice in my head and I kept chanting it like a mantra hoping that some miracle would happen. But I guess all the odds were against me. As soon as I reached the harbor, the ferry had already left.
• Feeling something wet on my face, I couldn't hold back the tears that came. I can't believe it. How did I get so unlucky today?
• Having no other feeling of hope but absolute sorrow and helplessness. I sank to the ground and cried my heart out. I really needed this gig, and I really needed this night to go well. But it isn't going halfway the way I planned.
• Damn, is what it feels like to be alone. I don't know how I'll survive if my mom doesn't get better, but I don't want to think about that now. It's really too much to take in and it's making my chest really heavy.
• 'I don't know how I am going to do it, but I have to. I'll definitely find something else that would be better.' I was slowly assuring myself and trying to reduce the waterworks because I was certain that I had already made a spectacle of myself.
• And that's when I felt it, a stare so intense that it felt like whoever it is was trying to bore holes in my back with their eyes. It sent a chill down my spine. Turning slowly, I didn't have to search long. Right back at me were dark and stormy eyes staring at me with much curiosity. I then watched them slowly turn to irritation. It was the guy from earlier. Immediately his face changed, he turned abruptly and headed in the direction of the harbor. Curious, I wiped my eyes and I followed him.
• "Is he dumb or something? There's no other ferry going across tonight." I couldn't help thinking out loud. But then I noticed that before he reached the end of the pier, someone came up to him and I was able to hear him apologizing profusely with his head bowed for not getting the boat ready on time.
• I couldn't believe my ears. Is this guy some big shot or something? How does he have this man practically on his knees and apologizing without even saying a word.
• Enough about that, I guess I was due for some good karma. If I heard correctly, he said something about a boat. I don't know where it was headed, but I believed if I groveled really hard, he would help me out.
• "I'll just have to try my luck." Saying that, I proceeded to approach him.