I need to start looking for a job so I get up really early this morning to start looking. I put on my best clothes, fix my hair, and gather all the information I need for the interview. We don't have much food at home, so I grab an apple and walk out. I leave the apartment in a very optimistic attitude.

No.

No.

And NO.

Is what I continue to get from every store, restaurant, and other places I go into. Some don't even look up to see me in the eye and say no.

I'm frustrated, tired, and hungry but I won't give up until I find a job. Walking down the street to downtown Dallas and near places as I look for any job.

My feet hurt so much I may just drop right here in the middle of the sidewalk.

Everyone keeps saying "no".I don't get why most of the jobs keep asking me how old I am. I know some days I look like I'm 17 but it's just my height standing at a proud 5'2 and my make-up free face. Since I couldn't afford much make-up. Other ask if I have even graduated high school. Really, I know I'm small but really?

Taking a deep breath I stand still trying to not lose it in front of the building I just came out of. I swing my foot back and forth, kicking small pebbles across the sidewalk. Lost in my own thoughts I don't take notice of the sound of glass shattering until I see small shreds of glass laid on the sidewalk.

I jerked my head up seeing the damage I had just caused.

Oh.

My.

GOD.

My hands covered my mouth in a silent scream. The window to a very nice, very expensive car completely gone.

"What the hell!" A man roars from behind me. I flinch at his tone but try to not show panic.

His head glance around trying to find the culprit until they land on me. He is a handsome older man. Salt and pepper hair, neatly styled. He wears a three-piece suit, a very expensive looking one. His steps eat the ground as he stalks towards me. Whether it's the slight fear I feel at this intimidating man, or from being hungry and so tired I do the last thing I have ever expected to.

I black out.

******

' Lisa when your dad comes I want you to go to your room don't come out 'til I tell you to, okay?' My mom looking close to tears tells me. I quickly get up and lock myself in my small room.

I hear the front door openings and know this is not going to end well.

"Marie, where's the food?!" I hear my dad yell. And the mumbled answer from my mom. I wait for him to finish his food. I sit on my bed and read a small book.

The door to my room suddenly opens with a force, I jump at the noise and run to see what happened there I see my mom laying covering her nose in which blood spills from her hand into the ground.

"MOMMY!" Jumping to her side I touch her face with tears running down my cheeks. I turn to see my dad but what I see is just a man in rage. Fist clenched by his side and eyes with a murderous glare. He looked at me with disgusts. Then turn around and leaves. I look back to my mom but her eyes aren't focused. I try to tell her to get up but I'm 5 and I can't really do much, but once she is settled on her bed, her hand comes to my face and caress it with such tenderness.

"I love you so much you are the most important person to me. You are my joy and reason for living. You, Lisa, are special." Choking on tears she tells me. Never would I have thought that would be the first of many, many years this torture would continue.

******

I gasp awake, trying to sit up straight but many things preventing from doing so. A numb feeling comes from the right side of my body. I look around and notice for the first the beeping noise of a machine and the nice looking room of a hospital. Everything starts to come back to me. I remember the face of a very angry man. Very angry with me.

I look around the room trying to figure out what to do next. I can't stay here I won't be able to afford it. I start to take off the needles and cords stuck on me.

"I wouldn't do that if I was you." A voice comes from the door of the room. I turn quickly to see the man upset with me. The sits in a chair by the windows.

"Why am I here?" I ask the man.

"You fainted, I had no idea what else to do so I brought you here. You weren't waking up so I wasn't going to let you go without settling some things first." Oh, my I'm in trouble.

"I won't be able to pay for the damage I caused."

"I know." I turn to look at him, feeling confused.

"I see your face wondering, 'how does he know that?' Well, I did research on the young girl who broken the window to my car, as well as dents on my door." He states. "And what I found was very interesting, to say the least." I feel color leaving my face. My breath quicken.

"It appears you have baggage and lots of it and to top it off jobless."

"Are you mocking me?" I feel anger running through my veins.

"No, I'm only stating facts. And since you ruined my car by my not paying attention to what you were doing, and having no money to pay me. I will make you a deal." He offers.

"What kind of deal." Still not sure of his intentions, I ask.

"One you can't reject."

******

"I think you should accept the deal. " My mom suggest sitting beside my hospital bed. She told me what happened with the accident. With not eating, exhausting myself with work, and stress I finally just dropped.

The doctor had come by earlier right by the time the man had left. He told me everything was fine as long as I rested, ate, and drank a lot more water. I was simply staying to recuperate by I was free to go in the morning. I tried to get out that day but they said it was for the best. My mom agrees, but I still thinking about the bill. I just need to get out of here and get a job.

"I'll think about it."

******

It's turning dark outside and the sky is beginning to fill up with bright stars. I turn towards the window and watch as the night comes.

What are we going to do?

"Have you thought of what I ask you?" I turn and come to face the man. As to which I have no idea what his name is.

I know I need to pay him to get that debt off my shoulders, then find a job and start to earn money again.

With no other choice, I have to agree.

"I just need to know one thing. What is your name?" I ask.

He gave me an unreadable expression. "Alexander Knight. "

"Well, Mr. Knight I agree with whatever your deal is."

"I will come by tomorrow morning so we can discuss the deal after you are well rested. Goodbye, Lisa." With at Mr.Knight leaves my room.

I lean against the bed and drift off to sleep.

*****

"Good morning." Sitting on a chair close to the window Mr.Knight takes a seat beside me.

"Goodmorning, Mr. Knight." I greet.

"Ready. " Is all he says.

"Yes. " I already knew what he was talking about.

"You will work as a somewhat personal assistant to someone I know."

Confuse I ask, " I won't be working for you?"

"No, you will work for someone close to me. It's not an office kind of work." He informs me.

"What kind of environment will I work in?" I ask starting to get really confused.

"A house."

"A house?" I repeat. "What will I do at a house?"

He stays silent for a while, thinking. "I guess you can say you will be a housekeeper."

"A housekeeper." I nod, trying to figure out what will I need to do to be a housekeeper.

"One last question. Who exactly will I work for?" I ask.

Mr. Knight fully turns to face me. His green eyes staring straight at me.

"My son."

1/5/19