The Promise

The rays of the morning sun shone softly and flickered on the streets of Southern California, conveying a flurry of morning activities.

Luis's alarm alerted him of the adventures ahead. He wasn't a coffee drinker, but he lost sleep last night thinking about the struggles he was plagued with. Luis recently lost his job as a waiter in an exquisite restaurant after he showed up late at work on many occasions. Living in the slums of America, he found it difficult to show up early at work.

"Ew! It's showtime,” Breathing yet another sigh of frustration, he glanced at his wall clock and could confirm it was 8:30 a.m.

A 2 bedroom apartment with cracked walls and worn-out white paint where he resides with his daughter, Cynthia, after he lost his beloved wife. Luis has embraced his ill-fated life and was ready for whatever nature had for him. Not even the penny he previously earned from the restaurant was enough to pay his wife's medical bills, which led to her untimely death, leaving the family shattered and devastated.

"I know you are in a better place right now. I'm gonna make you proud, I promise. I'll be strong for Cynthia, our daughter,” tossing off the bed, Luis kissed his late wife's photograph and assured. He wasn't sure of his destination but was hoping to step out and find a job to support his home. Despite graduating with good grades, Luis still couldn't find a better job, and now his daughter Cynthia is about to suffer the same fate. No company was ready to employ her. While some complained about her good grades, other employees just wanna shift her panties in exchange for an employment letter.

After bathing, Luis was dressed in his rumpled suit and over-starched pair of trousers. Narrowing his gaze at the dusty and over-patched faded pair of shoes, Luis nodded his head in self-pity and dashed to the living room to find Cynthia awake, setting the dining for breakfast.

"Breakfast is served already? You so filled with wonders,” Surprised to see Cynthia setting the dining, Luis beamed.

“Good morning, Dad. Where you off to dressed like this? Going for another job interview? How many more interviews do you have to attend? Let me guess, this Is the 5th one for the month. Gosh! I lost count!” Placing her hands below her jaw, Cynthia wailed in anguish. She can't handle the constant pain of seeing her father of 59 going for interviews that would never yield positivity.

"It hurts me to see you doing this. I should be the one job hunting, not you. I feel so disappointed in myself. I have failed you and Mom,” Cynthia broke down in tears and quietly motioned to the couch to nurse her wounded soul.

"I take the blame for the misfortune. If I were successful, none of this would be happening. Maybe your mom would still be alive. You know how difficult it has been for you to get a job. Remind me what happened to your previous job,”

"My boss dismissed me because I denied him sex,” Cynthia replied, wondering why her father reminded her of the past. At 23, she has already experienced the hurdles in life.

"Exactly my point,” Luis replied, wrapping his hands around her shoulder.

"I stand a better chance of getting a job. Hopefully, I'll get a job today and fix our mess. Remember, we've got less than 3 weeks to renew the rent. Do we fold our arms while we get kicked out? Of course, not. Allow me to do this for us. Just trust me,” assuring his daughter, Luis beseeched.

“Okay, Dad. Just be careful out there. I don't want you to get hurt,” Hugging her father passionately, Cynthia kissed his forehead. She fought back tears as he walked majestically to the exit door.

Shortly after her father's departure, Cynthia heard a loud knock on the door. Immediately, she came out of her room to check who it was.

"Dad, you back home so early? I guess you forgot something…" Cynthia halted after seeing her boyfriend, Kingsley standing at the door entrance looking so excited.

“What you doing here? Isn't it too early? I wasn't aware you were coming. What if my father sees you here?” Cynthia whispered silently and blocked the entrance.

"Your Dad? I knew he wasn't home. I just saw him get in a cab heading to some destination. So you see, I'm safe,” Kingsley teased and gestured inside. 28, tall, with caramel skin, and dark-haired. He's muscular built and extremely handsome.

"You're such a joke. Wait right here while I go get you something to eat,” Cynthia conceded and departed for the kitchen.

*******************

“Where we going? This isn't the route we talked about.” Panicking like a toddler, Luis questioned the cab driver after he discerned foul play.

“I'm fucking talking to you. Say something. You not deaf, are you? Where we going? This isn't the address I showed you. Stop this cab immediately, or I'll be forced to phone the cops to have you arrested. I wanna alight. You can keep the balance. I don't fucking need it anymore,” Danny screamed his lungs out, yet the cab driver was muted and unmoved. He kept driving at speed and pretended as though Luis never existed. Luis was frightened. Anxiety has enclosed his mind. Without being told, he already knew his life was in great danger.

"I plead for your mercy. I'm a poor man trying to survive. My daughter is still young. She can't handle the trauma of losing both parents in a year.” Luis begged. His voice had weakened, knowing it might just be a case of attempted kidnap or assassination.

"Give me everything you've got and get the fuck out of my cab,” authoritatively, the cab driver stopped the cab and requested.

"Say wh..at?” Luis stuttered at the command.

"You heard me right. Just pass the damn phone and cash. I see you wanna get killed. Don't mess with me. I'm gonna blow your fucking brain off if you keep asking silly questions. I just got out of jail. I'm not afraid of going back there. I've got nothing to lose, but you?” Pointing a gun at Luis, the cab driver threatened. With immediate effect, Luis obeyed and handed the cab driver everything he had, including his documents. Opening his wallet, the cab driver smiled. “$400? You so damn broke. I should kill you for wasting my time. But I won't, for your daughter's sake. Now leave while you still can,”

Stepping out of the cab, Luis was dumbfounded and peed in his panties. He watched helplessly as the cab driver zoomed off with his phones and valuables.

"Where do I go from here?” Bewildered, Luis wept.