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I was running blindly, my clothes half torn, and my lips bleeding. I worked at a hotel as a waitress, from 6 pm to 10 pm. My boss was a total creep; he would always flirt with me, touching me inappropriately here and there. I had thought about leaving the job many times, but I needed it badly. I had a younger brother. I worked really hard to afford shelter, food, bills, and other expenses. But today, my boss crossed the thin line I had been holding onto for so long. He... he tried to molest me, he tried to force himself on me, and almost raped me. But I managed to kick him between his—well, you know what I mean, in his "baby maker," and I ran, crying like a mess.
Suddenly, I bumped into someone and looked up to see a beautiful girl, around 25 or 26 years old. She had big brown eyes, a small nose, tan skin, reddish- brown lips, and shoulder-length black hair. She was so beautiful.
"Are you okay?" she asked me, concerned. And that was it. I broke down in her arms like a baby and started crying like a toddler.
"What happened? Are you okay? Of course not! I think I'm dumb... no, no, I mean, I'm not dumb-huh, maybe I am... well-" she started rambling in panic. I laughed. She was too cute.
"Now, tell me what happened. Maybe I can help," she said, looking at me.
Should I tell her? Or not? Is it okay to tell a stranger? Should I trust her? I sighed and told her everything.
"How can I go back there? And if I do go, what if he tries to do the same thing? What if, this time, I can't save myself? Oh god, I think—" I babbled in a panicked tone, but suddenly I was engulfed in a tight hug that instantly calmed me down.
"First of all, why would you go back there?" she asked me.
I looked at her blankly. What should I tell her? That my little brother is suffering from leukemia? From that... that awful cancer? And I need money for his treatment?
"Because I need money, and I can't leave the job. I badly need it," I said, my voice cracking at the end.
"My little brother is suffering from leukemia," I added, looking at her deadpan.
"Oh god, I'm so sorry," she said, looking guilty.
Why was she guilty? It wasn't even her fault... I'd known her for all of 45 minutes. She was too kind.
"It's not your fault, uhm-"
"Saanvi," she said.
"Well, okay. I'm Vanya, and it's not your fault. Why are you saying sorry?"
"I don't know," she mumbled, and I chuckled at her antics. Oh my god, she's too cute.
"If you don't mind, can we go to my apartment? You could change into something else," she said, pointing at my clothes. I noticed then that my clothes were half torn, and my left side was partially visible.
Is it okay to go with her? What if she kidnaps me?
