Chapter 1
Chapter 10
Heaven seemed to be grieving on Entice's behalf as she stared at the cold granite tombstone of her father. The wind blew harder, making her black umbrella almost flew away if she wasn't gripping on it a little tighter.
It wasn't the first time she wore her flimsy funeral dress, but unlike when it was her mother's grave she's standing in front of and crying her heart out, she felt nothing but pure emptiness—and immesurable amount of fury towards her dad.
"I'm sorry for you loss," Jessy said, giving her shoulder a friendly squeeze.
There's no tears to wipe away from her cheeks, but she felt the need to rub her cold palm on her face to calm herself down. No, she wasn't grieving. She's furious and about to lose her mind with all the problems her father left on her shoulders.
"Thanks." She faked a smile and let out a sigh as she turned to Jessy, her cold eyes met her friend's. "Maybe it's best if I'll reserve the space next to mom's in case, you know."
Jessy shook her head. "Don't say that. You can get through this. You already survived from a lot of things."
"I don't know, Jes," she said in a breathy way as they walked together towards Jessy's old bug. "Those loan sharks will never stop until they get the money. Where on Earth would I get even half of it? Or at least, a quarter?"
"I got some savings."
She shook her head. "That's for your mom's medication." Another heavy sigh left her lips as frustration clawed her heart even more.
Her eyes stung but she pushed the stupid tears back immediately, reminding herself she's no little Entice anymore who will just cry when she can't figure things out. Besides, there's no one to wipe her tears anymore now that she's orphaned because her abusive dad gambled all their money and loaned more than they can actually pay.
"They will kill me soon, like what they did to my dad."
Jessy snorted. "If only you got a hoe inside you. Dang, girl! I'm sure Mr. Skip will pay off your deaths tomorrow."
She rolled her eyes at Jessy. "As if I'd let that old man touch me for some bucks? Mom will haunt me in my sleep if I'll do such dirty thing."
Jess bursted into laugh. "I'm just messing with you. Cheer up. It's not the end of the world. I'm sure you'll figure something out soon."
She couldn't help but let out the suffocating air in her chest. "It feels like it is to me now. Without the money, I'll soon end up dead. Worse, I won't even get a proper burial."
The wind blew wild, making her shiver. She's in love with the rain, but she's not pleased with today's weather.
"W—What if you'll work somewhere they can never harm you?"
She looked at Jessy, her lips pursed together as she shook her head. "I'm eighteen with no good class records nor an athletic body. There's no way FBI will let me camp in their quarters."
"Silly girl!" Jessy pushed her gently as they both giggled. "That's not what I meant. There's this place in Wild Oaks that needs helpers. If you want, I'd ask Uncle George to take you there. They offered me the job but I don't think I'm ready to leave Mom."
"How much would they pay me, hmm?" Yup. She's more concern with the money she'd get more than the job she's going to accept. Desperate times calls for desperate moves. But sleeping with an old man will never be an option.
"Thrice your wage in that boring supermart. Plus—" Jessy gestured her hand as if making a point, her wavy blonde danced as the wind blew. "—they will take care of your needs. You just gotta do your job right."
Entice paused for a moment to make mental calculations. That sounded like a fair offer to be honest. No. That's way more than a fair offer. She wondered how many hours should she work for such wage?
But never mind. That's the last of her concerns now. Their house will soon be taken by the bank so she'll definitely be out in the streets in a couple weeks. The goons will easily find her and with an empty stomach, where would she get the strength to atleast run a couple yards just so her ego won't be crushed and she could tell herself she died fighting?
She rubbed her palms on her face while thinking. If she'll accept the job, she'll save more money by having free meal and shelter. She won't have to worry about bills anymore but what if the employer finds out about her dad's debts?
Another heavy sigh left her lips as her expression turned more hopeless. "It's alright. I'm sure the loan sharks will find me there, too."
Jessy chuckled softly. "I doubt that. That place is secured, Entice. I promise you'll be safe there."
Her brows furrowed as she shot Jessy a questioning look. "And how sure are you?"
Jessy's lips stretched to form a meaningful smile. This friend of her is so gorgeous she sometimes wanted to ask if Jessy was lesbian. She never entertained anyone, not even the most popular dudes in town.
"Because that place is way more dangerous to trespassers than anyone can imagine," Jessy said, almost a whisper but the corner of her lips was slightly curving.
"What do you mean?"
Pulling the door open for her, Jessy sighed and held the umbrella for her so she can get in. "Just take the job, Entice and I promise you, the sooner you'll set foot on Winter Oaks, the sooner your problems will end."
She didn't answer. Her mind battled with her heart. A part of her got scared because of the weird stuff she heard about Wild Oaks before, like mysterious deaths and severe animal attacks. But if she won't go, what's the guarantee that she'll survive from those loan sharks?
Either or, you'll still end up dead. Atleast give yourself a nice meal before they cut you into pieces.
Her lips pursed together when Jessy shut the door on her side. She watched her went around to the driver's seat and when Jessy was finally settled in, Entice pushed a few strands of her brown hair towards the back of her ear as she finally made her decision.
"So..." Jessy held the stirring wheel and looked at her with hopeful eyes. "What do you say?"
She glanced at Jessy for a couple seconds before she finally spoke. "Alright, Jessy. Tell Uncle George I'm in..."
Jessy's face lighten up. "Great!" She started the engine and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Entice. I'm sure you'll be picked. And once the selection is over, I promise you, no one could ever harm you anymore..."
Her brows curled. Picked? Selection? What the hell was she really getting herself into?
