My Boss My Slave (English Version)

“Pa…” I caught my breath as I entered the house, hugging my books. I just got home from school after a long walk. I was hurrying with my classmates because I was afraid I would be late meeting my friends, who would also apply for an offered job by the old business owner. The class will be over in one month. I’m looking forward to my next vacation. I’ll be able to save up enough money to buy my father a television. When he saw how quickly I was acting, Father frowned. He appeared surprised and disagreed with the steps I wanted to take. “Pa, I’ll just take a shower and then leave,” I said while kissing his hand in respect. Aunt Ingrid was secretly scowling at me. I knew what her eyes meant with just one look. “Do you want to eat first? Your Aunt Ingrid had already prepared dinner.” I observed Aunt Ingrid’s actions. It was crystal clear that it disgusted her for me to join the table and to avoid conflict; I smiled and shook my head at my father. “No thanks, pa,” I said with a sweet smile to my much-loved father. I only have my father. He is a source of strength for me whenever I face a problem. I promised my mother before she died I would never abandon my father. “My friends and I agreed we would change clothes first before meeting at the waiting shed when finished. If I take too long, I’m afraid they will leave me behind.” My father is getting on in years. His skin color is tan. He is medium-sized, and his eyes are chinky. Father is a loving and hardworking man. Even once, I never felt a father’s lack of concern and love for me. “Who are the people applying with you, and will they accept you all? When most of your classmates are your age? Leticia, you’re only seventeen, and you also knew that you’re underage.” I sighed and interrupted his sermon. “Mr. Regino is nice, Pa. He gave us snacks yesterday.“ I stopped talking in my father’s chastisement. “Bribes can not measure a man’s kindness,” he says empathically, his voice uncertain. “Pa, there are many of us, and if what you suspect occurs, we will fight. I will not let something happen that you will despise.” “Just make sure, Leticia, because if something bad happens to you, I might kill someone.” “Is that real, Leticia?” Aunt Ingrid could no longer stand it and interrupted our conversation. She has been my substitute mother since the death of my biological mother. We don’t get along, but I let her do whatever she wants to avoid getting into trouble. I want a peaceful life for the three of us, and I don’t want my father to become embroiled in an argument with me. I don’t want to give him any headaches. “Here it is, auntie, my biodata.” I handed Aunt Ingrid the paper and smiled at the stern aunt. “Perhaps there was an error in the information I entered.” She gave it another glance and frowned. As a result, I turned to my father. “Papa, please check that all of my answers are correct,” I say as I hand my father the thin white paper. He silently read it, occasionally looking at me. “You’re still a minor, Leticia. Working at Ma’am Celia’s restaurant, I agree with you. But what about that? What would your position be in that case?” I swallowed and was unsure how to respond. Father might become enraged. “H-he said, I-I’m applying for a position as a server,” I stammered. “But, pa, the pay is enticing.” “Oh, Gilbert! What if it’s a fraud?” “I think it’s not what you think, auntie,” I openly snorted. “What if you get in trouble? Of course, your father has another dilemma! How does that sound? Do you think it’s not upsetting?” “Ingrid,” Father said emphatically. “When are you going to get home? I’ll just come and get you.” I nearly jumped for joy. It means that Papa approved my new job application. I was overjoyed and hugged my father tightly. The bio-data he was holding almost crumpled when I hugged him. After showering, I changed my clothes. I put on the white dress, which reached my knees. I put on makeup and let my long hair down. It reaches up to my waist. I was supposed to trim my hair, but Father and I argued because he refused. In front of the mirror, I examined my reflection. I’m only seventeen years old. But I already appear to be an adult. My expression was so innocent. While I inherited my father’s chinky eyes, I inherit my thin rosy lips, from my good mother. I’m not quite that tall. I’m only 5 feet and 3 inches tall. But I hoped that as I grew older, it would increase. I put lipstick on my lips and smiled at myself. Leila handed it to me so that my lips would look more beautiful. It’s my first time applying makeup, so it feels nice. Finally, I put powder on my cheeks. I only put in a small amount. Still, the difference is significant. My age seemed added. My innocent face no longer seemed like my age. Aunt Ingrid let me borrow her shoes. It is cream and has a three-inch heel. In front of the mirror, I took a deep breath. I felt like I saw my mother’s face in me. I inherited my milky-smooth skin from my mom. I said my goodbyes to my father, who offered to accompany me to my destination, but I declined because he also needed to work from his entire day’s work on the farm. He gave me a look before finally letting me go. As I walked to the agreed-upon waiting shed, I held the bio-data in my slender hand. The darkness had already dispersed, and I could hear the wind whispering. I hugged myself as the night air caressed my skin. Even though it was nearly eight o’clock, only two of my friends arrived first. What happened to the other? Couldn’t they keep going and change their minds? What a squandered opportunity. The class is ending; if they only accept this job, they could save lots of money on tuition. “Leticia!?“ Wena seemed stunned while looking at me with interest. My cheeks are slightly flush as she scans my entire body. “Are you certain about the position you’re applying for?” My brow furrowed, and I felt a little nervous. But should I give up now? Maybe I’m just anxious because there will be other people interviewing us? I returned my gaze to her. Wena is wearing a thin blouse and a short skirt. She’s known at school for changing boyfriends as frequently as she changes dresses. She was well-known for being a man-cheater. But what does that have to do with my supposed job? “Where have the others gone?” Sheila and I locked our gazes on each other. Like me, she is a minor. Sheila was modest and friendly, not passive. She smiled and looked at me with skepticism. Wena chuckled, drawing both of our attention to her. “Well, cowardice struck them. Those bitches will not continue because they are afraid of false rumors. Don’t tell me you’re a coward as well.” “What kind of gossip?“ Sheila asked, stuttered, causing me to stare so hard at her that her insides were almost visible. She shook her head. Her skirt rose as she made the gesture. “Well, whether true or false, I’m still going. The job is simple. I could save a lot of money in just three months of vacation,” Wena explained. She is right. Work begins at six a.m. and ends at three a.m., according to what we discussed with other colleagues and Mr. Regino. I believe I can do so because we will only serve customers. When I consider the pay, that may not be a difficult task. A car stopped in front of us, interrupting my thoughts. It was stylish, large, and brand new. When the car door opened, I almost froze. Sheila screamed as a large man violently grabbed her. While I was nervous and scared, Wena’s face was nearly the same color as vinegar. Because my knees weakened, the bio-data I was holding fell to the ground.