Scorching Heat Down South

Chapter 3

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six months later.

Claire sighed tiredly as she entered the fancy kitchen to collect another tray of glasses filled with sparkling champagne. It was busy with servers noisily coming in and out in such a hurry it almost made you dizzy. She was at Levi's parents' house. They were one of the richest families in town, if not the richest. From what she'd heard from folks around town his mother apparently came from old, old money which his business savvy father had turned into an absolute fortune. The last time Claire had seen Levi was on that day she'd encountered Philip outside old Stern's diner. She had assumed he'd left a little while after that and gone back to college.

She, on the other hand had gotten another job with a posh catering company and today they were working at Levi's house. Which honestly speaking was more of a mansion than just a mere house. It was that big and that impressive. Easily the most beautiful she'd never seen, let alone set foot in. The inside was elegant. Everything classy, tasteful and expensive. She was constantly afraid she'd accidentally touch something and break it. What ever she broke in here would probably cost a small fortune. Levi's mother was hosting one of her usual annual parties which Claire had heard where always an exquisite and wickedly luxurious affair. And she had finally seen it with her own eyes, even though she wasn't a guest but a server.

She put the tray, filled with empty glasses on the table and leaned against the kitchen counter, stealing a moment to catch her breath. Her feet ached, so did her cheeks from constantly smiling. "Claire!" Mrs Bailey her employer called her. "There's no time to rest. Get back out there and serve the guests." Claire thought that Mrs Bailey didn't look so bad for someone in her late forties. She certainly wasn't a classic beauty but her blonde hair was stylishly cut and her hazel eyes were pretty. She was nice enough though a bit harsh sometimes, especially when things went south. Which usually happened in the catering business.

Claire was grateful she'd gotten the job. It was only part time, when she wasn't at school or at Stern's but it paid pretty good which was another plus. After she'd given her mama her first check she'd unwillingly made herself her work slave. All mama wanted from her now was money and always more money. Claire was constantly exhausted, sometimes she felt as though she would collapse during her work hours.

She was glad however, that no one else had tried to get into her room and hurt her again. That had been the third time in her life that one of mama's men had tried to rape her. It was a blessing that it had never happened before and she prayed that God would continue to protect her. She had even bought a baseball bat that she kept hidden within easy reach underneath her bed. Swearing to herself that if anybody dared to try she wouldn't hesitate even for a second to bash their skulls.

Claire let out another sigh, this one heavier and more distracted, "I came in for a refill." She said and Mrs Bailey immediately thrust another tray into her hands and said, "Get out there. Go, go, go!" Then added to another girl, "My God, Stacey are you stupid! Don't you dare try and engage the guests in conversation again. If you do you're fired!"

The girl looked down like a scolded toddler and Claire almost felt sorry for her. Before she left she checked if her tie was still on straight. Her uniform was a black skirt that ended just above the knee and white shirt and two inch sensible grandma shoes. She'd tied her dark hair into a secure low bun on the back of her nape.

She took a deep breath and walked out. The gathering was located outside, in the backyard garden. It was beautifully decorated with all kinds of dazzling golden lights hanging on the trees and a wide stunning open tent. A jazz band played such beautiful music that Claire was tempted to stop what she was doing and listen. But that was obviously out of the question, she was here to work. She walked around smiling and laughing, stylishly dressed guests. Anyone who wanted anything to drink would simply stop her and grab a glass. She had a constant smile on her face as per instruction from Mrs Bailey.