And I could really use a friend.
Sighing, I place the tea towel on the counter. “What’s Drake like as a boss?”
I think my question surprises him a little. At first, he doesn’t seem to know what to say, but then he composes himself. “He’s firm, but fair. I think that’s the best way to describe him.” I can’t help the sarcastic laugh that escapes me. Fair, my arse!
“I take your laughter to mean you don’t hold the same sentiment.”
“Drake is not my boss, so I simply can’t comment.”
“Touché,” he says in amusement. I smile back when he does. “I think that’s the first I’ve seen you smile in days.”
“Well, I haven’t had much to smile about.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly opening up to this boy. I know nothing about him.
“That’s a shame. A beautiful girl like you should be smiling all the time. So, why aren’t you?”
“It’s complicated.”
“Try me.”
It’s tempting. It really is. But I’m at a loss for words. “What do you think of free will?”
He frowns at my question. “It’s something God gave us … something we should all have a right to.”
“I didn’t take you as the Godly type.”
He smirks. “Ah, you see, Evelyn … there’s not a lot you know about me.” We both chuckle at that. “So, are you going to tell me why you asked?”
Sighing, I look down at the black high heels on my feet. A pair I chose to wear today. At least I had free will as far as that was concerned. “Nothing, really. I was just asking.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that, but I won’t press you. I know you feel you have a crappy life here, but there are other lives that could be far worse than the one you have.”
I look up to him then. “Are you saying that I should therefore be grateful?”
He puts his hands up again. “Whoa there, tiger. I didn’t say that at all. I’m just saying that when you’re in a shitty situation, the best way to look at it is that there are others who are worse off than you.”
I think on that answer, and of course, he’s right. I have a roof over my head, clothes to wear, and food to eat. Some people don’t have those luxuries. I wonder, though, would someone without the luxuries I have choose to swap her life for mine? It’s a pretty hard question to answer.
“I know you’re right. I guess, selfishly, I don’t look at it that way.”
Joe gets up from his seat and walks towards me. He places a hand on my shoulder and smiles. “Listen, I know it seems pretty shitty now, but you can change things if you really want. I did offer you a chance.”
I think back on what he said before, but I didn’t think he was serious at the time. My heart thumps from the thought of it. “Actually, I do need help.”
He cocks his eyebrow. “Go on.”
I swallow hard, wondering if I can trust him, but also knowing that I have very little choice. “I need tablets.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know anyone who deals in drugs.”
I tut at him. “I don’t mean drugs-drugs. I mean contraceptive pills.”
“Oh,” he says, finally smiling.
“If I gave you the name, would you get them for me?”
“I thought you wanted to escape?”
“I do, but this is urgent. If I don’t have one within the next,” I look at my watch, “ten hours, I’m unprotected.”
“Is this purposeful?”
“Yes, and not by me. I had tablets, but they were thrown in the bin.” I huff the last word out.
“I think I can help you.”
My eyes widen, and a little ray of hope shines brightly inside my heart. “Really?”
“Yes. I also think I can help you escape, but I’ll want something in return.”
“What’s that?” I watch as he leans closer to my lips and purposefully trails his eyes down to my cleavage. Immediately, I know. “You want me.”
He steps away, laughing. “Hey, I’m just being honest. Would you want me to say I’ll do all these things for you and then bring it up? You were worth a lot of money. Surely you must realise that every man who knows this wants to try a piece for themselves? It’s like a woman seeing a five million pound diamond on display. It’s just human nature.”
Disgusted that I let him in, I push him away. “Forget I said anything.”
I start to walk away, but something he says halts me. “So, you won’t be wanting these then?”
I turn, noticing the packet of my tablets in his hands. My eyes widen as I stalk towards him and try to grab it out of his hand. “Ah, ah. Not so fast. You haven’t agreed to my proposition yet.”