THE WAITRESS WAS PARALYZED WHEN SHE SAW HER CHILDHOOD PHOTO IN A BLACK FRAME IN THE MANSION...
Lila woke up early, just like every other day. The first rays of sunlight crept through the thin curtains of her small bedroom, casting a warm, golden glow on the few things she owned. The faint scent of coffee brewing in the kitchen wafted through the air, comforting in its familiarity. Today was going to be another long day. She had a shift at the diner later, but before that, there were errands to run, bills to pay, and her younger sister to take care of.
Life wasn’t easy for Lila. At 23, she had grown used to the grind. There wasn’t much time to think about her own dreams or desires. Between the diner shifts, odd jobs, and helping her adoptive mother at home, she had little space left for anything else. Still, she couldn’t complain. She had a roof over her head, and although they didn’t have much, her family always made sure there was food on the table. Her adoptive mother, Rosa, had taken Lila and her sister in when they were just babies, raising them with love and care despite the hardships.
As Lila got dressed for the day, her mind wandered. Today was a little different. She had been given the chance to work at a high-end party in the city as a server, something she didn’t usually do. The pay was better than anything she earned at the diner, and even though it was just a one-time gig, it would help cover this month’s rent and maybe even give her a little breathing room for once. Still, the idea of stepping into such an extravagant world made her feel uneasy. The rich and powerful lived lives she couldn’t even begin to understand.