Lady Raki (S1)

Chapter 1

"Bye, Ray! See you next week!" my coworker shouted, his voice bouncing off the walls of the bustling restaurant. "Oh! And happy 18th!" he added, a wide grin plastered across his face, just before I slipped out the front door. I turned back, smiling, and waved goodbye, feeling a bittersweet pang in my chest. "I'm totally quitting," I contemplated, the thought lingering as I stepped onto the sidewalk.

I worked at Mami's, a place renowned not just for its tacos but also for its risqué charm, where waitresses dressed to catch the eye—quite literally. I had only taken the job to spite my mother, a rebellious act fueled by the knowledge that neither Daddy nor my butler Brad approved of it. They understood my motives, even if they didn't agree with my choices. The job had been a wild ride, one filled with laughter and unexpected friendships. But lately, things have soured. Sam, the relentless creep who seemed to pop up wherever I went, had found me again, and his presence had turned my enjoyment into discomfort. I refused to work in a place where I felt like prey.

Making my way home, I reveled in the soft lunar glow of the midnight sky, which filtered through the trees lining the street. My backpack felt reassuring on my shoulders as I ambled along in my slides. "No way I'm walking alone this late," I muttered, half to myself. I dialed Brad's number, feeling a hint of relief as I heard his voice on the other end.

"You ready, Ray?" he asked, a familiar warmth in his tone.

"Yep! Come get me!"

As I rounded the corner, a sudden voice called out from a shadowy alleyway. "Hey...someone please."

I paused, instinctively glancing around. "Is anyone there?" I shouted, my voice echoing off the grimy brick walls. Silence hung heavy in the air, and against my better judgment, curiosity lured me closer. "I'm here, right here!" the voice winced again, tinged with urgency.

Peering down, I spotted a man wedged between two overflowing trash cans, his face obscured by a black hoodie. One hand rested gingerly on his abdomen, while the other sprawled uselessly at his side. "Here, I'm here..." he repeated, desperation dripping from his tone.

"Sorry, I don't have any cash on me," I said, slowly backing away. Just then, the screeching of tires sliced through the tension, and I turned to see Brad's familiar face hanging out the window, looking frantic.

"That's my ride, so I should—" I began, but was interrupted.

"My phone, my phone! Can you get it for me? That's all I want. Please!" The urgency in his voice stopped me in my tracks. I hesitated, weighing the creeping dread against my curiosity.

After a moment's inner battle, I approached him and crouched down, gently probing his pockets for the elusive phone. As I felt the damp fabric of his clothes, I frowned. "What the hell were you doing before this? Why's your chest so wet?" I asked, searching for clues among the sogginess of his outfit.

He chuckled lightly but it carried a bitter edge. "I just ran into a little blockade that wasn't on the map, is all."

"Ray, let's go! You know your mom will fire me!" Brad yelled again, his tone sharp and impatient.

"Okay, just a second!" Suddenly, the man called after me, his voice strained, "Please, dont leave yet..."

But just as I was about to get up, I felt a vibration on my hand. I finally found the phone—"Boss" flashed ominously across the screen. I lifted it to show him. "Hey, your boss is calling you."

Before I could register what was happening, I heard Brad's incredulous voice behind me. "So this is what you've been up to, huh?" I jumped, realization slowly started dawning in his eyes as he stared at the man.