Chapter 1

I looked at the bills covering almost half the exterior of the fridge, the ref magnets were barely holding them together. My little brother cried in his room while I ran through my passbook expecting a few drops of money we could use to get by.

When I saw that there was none, I sighed and went to pick up my brother from the crib. I danced gently to lull him to sleep and then my phone vibrated from my pocket.

It was a message from Kim, my bestfriend who moved 2 states away from us just a month ago. What she sent me was an ad for a vacant secretary position at a famous company.

"I'd stick out like a sore thumb here..." I said to myself and replied to her text with an LOL.

As I was about to put my brother back in the crib, I heard a knock.

"Auggie?" I heard my aunt Laura say outside the door which I opened immediately.

"Here, I brought you some food. Are you ready?" she asked.

I nodded and took the food to the dinner table. It was about time I go and freshen up to get ready for an interview at a cafe downtown.

The shower poured cold water on my skin and I hugged my arms. I stayed still, thinking. What the hell am I doing with my life? Why was everything so hard?

I stepped out and took out my overused interview clothes. I had them since last year and kept wearing them to my interviews which never really worked.

My shoes were nowhere to be found so I had to duck and look under my bed. When I found them I went to the vanity and started combing my hair.

In the process, I got to take a look at myself and couodn't help noticing I look so much like my mom. Brown wavy hair, green eyes. Dominant jaws. So much like her.

Laura came in and interrupted my moment.

"Go rock your interview, I'll stay here with Kevin until you get back," Laura said smiling gently.

She was my mom's sister. She never got married so she always treated us like the children she never had. When my mom passed away after giving birth to Kevin, she was there for us. Even now that five months have passed, she took care of us and I was thankful.

I gave her a hug and went out, fingers crossed.

The ride to the cafe was nerve wracking. The traffic was so bad I had to stop 2 blocks away and walk to avoid being late.

While I navigated the streets, my phone rang and it was Laura. I failed to notice that I stopped in the middle of a pedestrian lane and just as Laura spoke, a car blew its horns at me causing me to jump and drop my phone.

I ducked to pick it up and when I stood up to regain my composure, a man in an expensive looking suit stepped out of a Merecedes Benz.

He looked to be about my age. Tall and slender but not too skinny, his brows were thick and formed almost a straight line as he angrily walked towards me. His jaw was perfect and square and his hazelnut eyes looked at me fiercely.

I admit he was beautiful. But the situation I'm in doesn't really call for admiration.

"Excuse me! Are you blind? It was a green light and you weren't supposed to cross!"

Even his voice was nice. Husky and deep.

When I woke up from my daze courtesy of my phone ringing profusely, I managed to say I was sorry.

Laura was calling again. This could be an emergency.

"Listen, sir. I'm very, truly, terribly sorry. If you could just allow me to pick up my phone for a sec and I'll talk to you afterwards." I politely said and turned my back on him to answer my phone.

My coat fell so I had to bend down to pick it up. I realized my skirt had grown on me and it was probably too short by now which meant he might be seeing more than he should behind me. I quickly stood up and faced him.

He gave me an irritated look but his ears were red as if he got caught peeking but it would be impossible to say he was checking me out. He leaned on his car. Damn, what a view.

"Yes hello? Laura? What's wrong?" I asked on the phone.

Her panicked voice spoke on the other end of the line, "It's Kevin. Auggie he's so sick he started vomitting and I didn't know what to do so I rushed to the state hospital. The doctors were asking about stuff that only you would know about. Would you come here please? I know you have your interview but-"

I cut her statement saying I'd be there immediately and ended the call but I realized I was too far and I might be there too late.

"Sir, I know you want to have me reported to traffic police for jaywalking but I really have to go," I said to the man in the tux.

He proceeded to talk about how I was just trying to run away when an idea suddenly hit me.

"I... might have an idea how you can make sure I'm not running away," and he replied with "What do you suggest?"

I inhaled sharply and crossed my fingers.

"Please take me to the state hospital."