Chapter 8

Rome I have to admit it. That happy motor mouth female did a good job on her first day. Everywhere in the rooms were free from dust and even the floors were so clean I could practically see myself through it.

She managed to rearrange my closet that had the most damage done. I did laundry a week ago and left the clothes all over the place since I didn't have the time to put them where they belong. Julia, however, color coordinated them and place them in groups instead of having pants mixed in with sweaters and T-shirts. Now it was a lot easier to find the things I need.

Jimmy had informed me that she left sometime after five and I wondered why she stayed over time, but after seeing the tasks she managed to accomplish on her first day, it's no wonder she left that late. That closet alone would have taken me at least two weeks.

Today was Thursday which simply means she was coming today again, and I decided to stay for a while just so I can personally ask her to do something for me. The last thing I wanted to do was see her or ask her what I wanted to. I know Josh would go on and on about not liking someone for this reason, but she was just too damn happy all the time and she talked too much.

I take a sip of my coffee and checked the time, she had ten minutes left to get here. Just then I heard footsteps coming towards the kitchen, I guess she earned a point from that since Jimmy also informed me that she was late on the first day.

I watch as she entered and place her bag on the floor at the entrance. She didn't notice me, and I took that time to study her. She stood there as if she was in her own world, she was wearing black jeans with a matching hoodie. I narrow my eyes wondering why she was so over dressed in this hot climate. She even wore the hood over her head. She looked like she just came from robbing somewhere.

"I'm burning up in this piece of shit," she mumbles.

"So why don't you take it off, smart girl?" I asked. She was such an odd woman.

It was obvious from the way she jumped back and placed her hand over the left side of her chest that I startled her.

"Sweet baby Jesus!" She says dramatically.

I watch as she fixes the hood over her head, I was barely seeing her face.

"I didn't know you would be here," Julia says looking away from me.

"I live here, don't I?"

She nods instead of giving a smart reply like I thought she would, "Is there anything you would like me to do for you before I start cleaning, make you breakfast or something?"

Something was off about her. She didn't seem much happy today, I can't complain though. I stood from the stool and place my now empty cup in the sink, "I don't like having breakfast, but you can cook dinner for me."

"I can do that, what time do you get home?" She asked all while avoiding eye contact.

"You can just leave it in the microwave," I say watching her. Her left wrist was wrapped with a bandage, and she kept fixing the hood to cover her face.

"I can do that, is there anything specific you want for dinner?"

I thought about it. Josh went grocery shopping for me like he always does, so the refrigerator and pantry is filled with everything I need, therefore there was no need to be specific about what I wanted.

"No, surprise me."

Her big hazel eyes finally glance at me before she cast them down wards again.

"Are you feeling well?" I asked talking a step towards her.

"I'm fine, I'll just go and get started. Have a good day at work," she says before grabbing her bag from the floor and rushing out of the room.

I didn't get the chance to tell her I needed her assistance with finding and helping to train workers for the hotel. It was all Josh's idea, he figured that since she lives in Greengrove and is familiar with the people then she will be able to carry out this task.

I could do this on my own, but my hands are a bit full, and she didn't need to clean the house three days of the week especially when I'm the only one living here and I'm only here for a few hours every day.

Julia I rush up the stairs and enter one of the restrooms I cleaned on Tuesday. I didn't expect him to be here, maybe if I stopped and listen to what that rude security guard had to say then I would have had the chance to avoid him. I didn't care what he had to stay, he was rude, and his attitude was the last thing I need this morning.

I removed the hood from my head and stare at my reflection through the mirror. There was an ugly swollen bruise on my left cheek and a small part of my neck and ear. I had the stud in my ear to thank for the small cut behind my ear. If I knew I was going to get a bitch slap from mother demon, then I would have removed it.

I'm the ungrateful bitch, she said. After everything I did for her, after everything she put me through. I'm the ungrateful bitch? I didn't even do anything.

I move away from the mirror, if I stared at my reflection any longer then I would break the mirror from all the anger I felt within.

Yesterday I ended up having to stay with Emmie and her family for a second time. Thankfully they didn't ask any questions. Ajax had opened his mouth to ask during dinner, but Anthony managed to shut him up before he could fully complete his sentence. The last thing I wanted to do was break down and cry all because and innocent child asked the wrong question.

I mean I'm pretty sure they see women walking around Greengrove with bruises and such before. It was Greengrove after all, things outsiders wouldn't consider normal was the norm for us. It was a sad and messed up way of living, but what could I possibly do to change that? Most of the people who reside there are fucked up in the head. My mother and ex are at the top of that list.

I didn't wear makeup. It just seemed too time consuming, but I had to stop and purchase concealer on my way here. It was cheap because I couldn't afford the more expensive ones I saw. Hopefully this one would get the job done. I grabbed the concealer from my bag and looked in the mirror.

I didn't deserve what they did to me, no one deserves what they did to me. Thankfully I wouldn't have to stay there for much longer. I should have asked Rome how much I would get paid, but I'm sure it will be enough to stay at a motel for a few days or just until I figure things out.