Page 5 of Ghost

My arm dropped as the reality of my situation smacked me in the face.

I was out of a job and my roommate had taken off with everything I owned.

I couldn’t remember a time when things had been as bad. I needed to reach out to the agency and beg for another job. With any luck Mr. Bradshaw hadn’t contacted them and tattled.

Scrolling down to the number, I hit call, praying for a lifeline.

“Elite Angels nanny service. How may I help you?”

“Amelda.” Oh, thank God. She was exactly who I needed to convince.

“Rae?”

“Yes, it’s me. I need your help. I know I messed up royally, but everything is falling apart.”

“Rae,” she sighed. “Maybe you should have thought of that before you assaulted Mr. Bradshaw.” My back went up. I should have done more than that. If anyone had been assaulted, it was me.

The pervert.

Telling her that wasn’t going to earn me any favors, so I opted for remorse.

“Please, Amelda. I just need one more chance. I promise I won’t mess up again. I need this,” I begged.

“Rae, you know our policy.”

“Listen, I?—”

“I don’t want to hear it. Your behavior reflects poorly on us. We’ve overlooked two incidents already and look at where we are.”

“It was self-defense!” I nearly shouted into the receiver. She had to understand. “He touched me, and I?—”

“Look, Rae. I get it. I really do, but you broke the rules. You should have reported it. If you had, things would be different now.”

“Rules?” I choked out a bitter laugh. “Rules don't protect women from hands that think they can take what they want.” The line went deathly quiet. I pulled the phone away from my face to see if she’d hung up, but thankfully she was still there.

“Please, Amelda,” I pleaded once more.

“Fine, Rae, but this is your last shot. Understand?”

“I hear you and I promise I won’t let you down this time, but there’s another little problem I need your help with.”

“Rae…” she groaned.

“I know, I know. I’m sorry, but I need a live-in position. Cassie cleaned this place out and took off with everything.” I looked around at the empty space. When I caught up with her, I was going to kick her ass.

“You owe me one, Rae. Write this address down, it’s the only live-in position I’ve got.”

Grabbing a pen and a receipt from my bag, I scribbled down the address. “Your appointment is tomorrow at eight AM. Don’t be late.”

“Thank you,” I said, choking back a sob. “I won't let you down.”

“Make sure you don’t,” she replied, not hiding the lack of faith she had in me before the line went dead.

I leaned back against the wall and slid down onto my bottom. Burying my face in my hands, I tried my damndest to keep the tears at bay, but it was no use. The tears streamed down my cheek and a sob ripped from my chest. I let it all out, and once I was done, I reminded myself that this too would pass.

Chapter2

Rae

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