Dani's POV

The rain poured relentlessly on the rooftops and pavements, hitting it like it had something to prove.

I stood beneath a black umbrella, dressed in an immaculate black corporate suit.

The day's work had been exhausting.

I claimed to be on afternoon break, but I just needed a break from everything.

Being an intern was very frustrating.

I missed home.

“You're late,” my boss complained.

“In fact, you're always late.”

I swallowed.

“Sorry sir, I was just trying to get food.”

“No more excuses. No excuses please. "

One more mistake and you'll lose the job.”

I sighed.

“What did I expect anyway?”

“Get back to work!”

“Yes sir.”

My shift was over.

As I headed home, I branched at the local store.

I quickly put on my rusty old uniform and started to work.

I was probably late.

I looked at myself from head to toe and sighed again.

This was for the best.

I needed to pay my rent.

The working conditions were uncomfortable.

Hot sweat dripped through my body and my temperature skyrocketed.

I was exhausted.

“Why the panic? I'm used to this.”

I'd try to calm myself down.

London was only just like a boarding house. It was all work, work and work.

I received a call.

I cleaned my wet hands and headed for my phone.

“Hello,” the person spoke.

I sighed.

I knew what this was about.

“Hello,” I said as my voice shivered.

“This is the third time I'm calling! Your rent is due for three months now.”

“Yes sir, I know. I'll get back to you this week.”

I said as nervous sweats ran down my body.

“That's what you said last week.”

He seemed angry, his voice as if he could harm me through the phone.

My expression hardened.

I just had to work more.

To work harder.

“I'll get back to you this week sir.”

He hung up.

I sighed again.

This wasn't what I signed up for.

Why did Dad have to lose his job?

His reputation was being ruined and He seemed downcast all the time.

I could see him pressing his hand against his body so he didn't hurt himself.

And now Mom wanted a divorce.

My breath was shaking as hot tears rolled down my cheeks.

I rubbed my eyes very quickly and it hurt.

I could hear footsteps approaching.

I couldn't afford for whoever it was to see me cry.

After all, it was Dani, the hardworking employee.

I wouldn't want to cause unnecessary pity.

I looked at the plates again and sighed.

They were old, dirty and oily.

And there were a lot of them.

I couldn't even count.

My eyes became dizzy.

Maybe I had overworked myself.

My hand leaned towards the local café counter.

“I can't reach it.”

I struggled to catch my breath.

My head was facing directly at the ceiling.

It seemed I was falling.

“Daniiiiiiiiiii!!”

Someone was screaming.

I could hear it but I couldn't see.

Then everything went blank.

—---

My eyes opened to a big white ceiling.

I was lying on a bed.

I strained myself up and exhaled rapidly.

“Ohh.”

I was in a hospital.

Across the room, a doctor was apparently speaking to my mom, who appeared to be sobbing, holding her hands worriedly with what seemed like faith in her eyes.

My sight was still very blurry.

I looked around again.

Dad wasn't there.

“Don't worry, it was just a panic attack. She stresses herself too much.”

“So she needs a break right?”

“Yes, a very relaxing one.”

“No problem, I can give her that.”

I scoffed.

“Like you care about me,” I muttered to myself.

Both of them turned to me.

“You're awake I guess,” the doctor stated.

“It seems like it.”

I rolled my eyes.

It was clearer now.

Mum rushed to me and hugged me.

She continued to sob.

“Oh my sweet baby, don't do that again.”

“Do what?” I replied calmly but sternly.

“You didn't tell us you took extra jobs, and to wash plates at that?”

She paused.

“My darling, you don't ever have to do that again, not for any reason.”

She said as she rubbed my cheeks.

“Where's Dad?”

She stared at me.

“He's at home, of course.”

“Are you really going to divorce Dad?”

“'Cause I overheard you yesterday.”

I glared at her.

She was stunned.

Her expression changed.

“What's all this?”

“Umm,” the doctor inter”

He exhaled sharply and looked at me concerned.

“The reason you fainted was because you are overworking yourself. The man who dropped you here mentioned that. The earlier you stop this, the better for your mental health. Take care, Miss. That's all.”

“I'll leave you two now.”

The door slammed behind him.

Mom, who had been listening, suddenly turned to me again.

“Danielle, what's this? Which man?”

She looked irritated.

Her eyebrows curled against themselves.

“Do you have to be toxic everywhere?”

I was angry.

“The man you're asking about is my boss. My boss at the local café where I wash dishes.”

Her mouth was left open.

“Oh my God!”

“Mom, you don't have to be all emotional. I'm doing this for the family.”

“You don't.”

She replied almost too quickly.

Her voice was shaky.

“You don't have to do this anymore. For all the world could care, not for us, nor for anybody.”

I bit my lips hard enough to stop myself from crying.

“I promise it will all be fine.”

She wiped my tears.

I could see she was trying so hard not to cry too.

“The set up against Dad?”

“It'll be fine.”

“The debts?”

“It'll be fine my darling.”

“And the divorce?”

She blinked and looked the other way.

“You'll understand someday.”

“If you say you love me then why leave

me?”

“Dani, you're just 24. You have so much to explore and you can't do that with me, not in my small village.”

“And that's why I need to leave you with your dad, so you'll have more opportunities.”

“But I want to be with you. I don't care, Mom.”

“Just because your father and my marriage didn't work out doesn't mean you being my daughter won't work out.”

“I'll always be your daughter?”

“Yes, and I'll always be your mother, anytime, anywhere.”

“A phone call anytime and I'm there, okay?”

I nodded.

The kind of nod not in approval but just in acceptance.

She pulled in for a hug and we embraced each other for a very long time.

The night was far away, so we settled to spend the night at the hospital.

“Wait Mom, aren't those extra bills?”

“My dear, I said you'll be fine.”

—---

The morning breeze was cool, and the morning birds' crows sounded across the city, warning us to wake up.

My eyes opened slowly to the bright room, the morning sun radiating across the curtains.

I got up and, sighting the medical tools around me, I knew I was still in the hospital.

“Mom!”

My eyes rolled to the little chair across the bed.

Mom was lying there with her hands brushing the chair.

“Mother!”

She didn't budge, still deep asleep.

I forced myself to get up and walked towards her.

“Mommy, I'm going to work. It's almost 8 so I'm late already.”

I tapped her shoulder as I kissed her cheeks and headed for the door.

I turned back, headed for her purse, took some money I'd use for transportation and slammed the door behind me.

Since I was already late for work and even without bathing, I hopped on the first bus to work.

My face was filled with worry as I prayed I

wouldn't lose my job.

My hands were shaking terribly by the time I got to the office.

As I walked in through the front door, I could feel my boss staring at me with rage.

I tried to ignore it, my eyes squinted, only looking forward.

“Dani.”

His voice was cold, emotionless, and it sent chills to my spine.