Golden [ #2 EFS ] ✓

Matchweek Seven: Liverpool vs. West Ham

[Antidote by Travis Scott]

Chapter Seven

   S A M A R A

WHEN TRENT FIRST proposed the idea of sex to help him cope, I'll admit I had my doubts. But he was somehow able to guess my circumstances and I agree, a good review from him will be good from business. I didn't obtain my license yet and I don't have my license to operate, but I have a friend in the government that's helping me stay open. I managed to get recommended to the Football Association because my friend's husband is a football player. He recommended me and he kept my situation under wraps.

Now I find myself twirling in my office chair, thinking about Trent. I've only spent a few nights with him intimately, but I know that I have taken a liking to him. It started off as casual sex—I honestly thought it was only going to happen once—and now I know that I feel more than just lust for him. There's something about the way he treats me that makes me feel so special and rare. It's not just the sex, it's his tender kisses and warm, strong hugs. However, I know that he doesn't feel the same about me because he still feels strongly about his ex.

I understand his pain. I too was once in love like that. I just turned eighteen and my boyfriend from high school proposed the idea to get married. I was naive and dumb; I believed that he actually loved me. My aunt was more than happy to give me away because she always thought I was a burden to her. Nigel, my ex, left me at the alter because he made my cousin pregnant. I was humiliated and heart broken. I thought that I would never develop feelings ever again, yet here I am.

I push my wheely chair back, standing up and stretching. I dread going home; I never know what state my aunt, Shanay, might be in. When my mum died and left the house and gave custody to her, we never knew that she was an addict. She said that she went to rehab and recovered, but she relapsed months after. The house is a mess and I'm struggling to stay afloat with all the bills. My aunt pimps herself out but she uses that money for heroine; not even a cent goes towards groceries or the lights and water bill. I hate going home because I never know if she has some man over that might try something with me.

Its happened once before but I managed to escape and stay with Edith for the night. Edith is my next door neighbour and she knows my situation. She helps me out as much as she can. Things were better when my brother was around, but he packed his things and left without even a word around the time of the Rugby World Cup final. He's been radio silent ever since. I try not to worry myself about him since he is an adult, but he is my brother after all.

I leave my office and trudge down the spiral stairs of the building. I manage to rent this place out for half price. After I explained my situation to the landlord, he cut a deal with me. This way most of the earnings can go to the bills.

Edith has already left because she has great grandchildren to spend time with. I lock up the front door before I start my ten minute walk home. I always take longer than expected to walk home because it's not like I want to be here. Even the other day with Trent, I wanted to go home with him, but Edith phoned me and said that my aunt was home but all the lights were off. I was worried that she might have overdosed again and I wouldn't be able to get her to the hospital on time. I can't lose my aunt even though she hasn't been the best of guardians; she's all I have left. It turned out that she has just fallen asleep and didn't turn the lights on.

I look up at the old brick house on my street. It's the oldest of all the houses because I never had the money to do it up. I push open the front door and am immediately hit with the smell of weed and other drugs I cannot recognise. The kitchen sink is loaded with dirty dishes that I'll have to wash, and I will have to also most probably cook. The lounge is empty and other than the smell, the house is practically void of life.