" Please don't tell anyone." She turned around and sighed heavily. "Really? You want the rest of the staff to be shocked by the news more than they already will be?" " I need to tell them and I will tell them." She nodded, "Fine. I'll give you twenty four hours," she headed out of the office and slid her badge through the time clock. She let out a slow breath, to calm down her nerves, before pushing through the break room door. She needed to figure out what she was going to do and she had no time to waste.
Chapter 1 Fortunate situation
Although Charisa was fortunate as a child, she didn't think of herself as such. She never had to worry about anything because her family was well off. Although she now suspects that her mother became aware of her father's plot and fled, she never even asked why she had left him five years prior.
Now that she had insisted on staying with him, Charisa felt guilty. She needed a sympathetic ear to weep on right now because she had alienated her mother.
Everyone had left her behind. She ended her relationship with her two-year lover. She was abandoned by her friends. Charisa felt miserable and alone. Charisa pondered what would happen once she somehow passed her finals at the end of the spring semester.
Could she possibly return to school? Would she have a home at all? The house she had grown up in was sealed up and locked. This summer, it and everything within were to be put up for sale.
Sitting on her dorm room bed, Charisa gazed out the window. Sylvia, her roommate, had already departed. Since the announcement of her father's death, Sylvia had scarcely spoken to her. Charisa believed Sylvia had the finest excuse of any of her friends. Her father had probably lost a lot of money because he had been an investment in the Edwards Fund.
Charisa could not believe how bright the day was outside. A deep moan escaped her lips. She had refrained from phoning her mom. Although she was certain that her mother would not reject her, she was unsure about how to approach her. She was now in California, on the other side of the nation.
Charisa had picked up her life, but she didn't think she'd have the money to buy a plane ticket at the last minute.
From Charisa's doorway, a gentle voice remarked, "You're still here."
Charisa looked around and saw Chloe, her sorority sister, standing there. She had a package under one arm and a luggage in the other.
"Yes," Charisa remarked, "I'm not in a rush to get anywhere." After placing her belongings at the doorway, Chloe proceeded to Sylvia's former bed. She took a seat, measured Charisa, and gazed at her.
Charisa did not know how to interpret that. She was never close to Chloe. Despite being a sweet girl and a year older than her, Chloe and she didn't share much in common.
Finally, Chloe remarked, "The past few weeks have been difficult for you." "Are you aware of your destination?"
Charisa gave a shoulder shrug. "I'll probably give my mom a call and ask if I can go with her to California." Chloe scowled. "If you can, that's a long way to go."
Even though she did not fully comprehend the scenario, Charisa valued Chloe's ability to grasp it immediately. But that didn't help, and Charisa sighed deeply once more before turning to face the window once more.
You know, I might have an answer for you, Chloe said.
Charisa faced Chloe once more. All she needed was a solution. "What is that?"
My father owns an upstate resort. It pays pretty well, and he constantly needs extra help over the summer. Even though you're staying in the servants' quarters, you still get to stay at the resort for free. As long as you don't mind spending the summer in a room roughly the size of this dorm room, it's not too bad.
Charisa never had a summer job to do. Although she understood the idea, she was unfamiliar with the actual practice. Still, there was something appealing about the prospect of landing a job. She no longer needed to rely on her mother, and if she saw that she was making an attempt to move past things and improve herself as a result, it could help the two of them mend their connection.
She might even agree to do it on more amicable circumstances than Charisa having to relocate to an unfamiliar place if her mother could assist.
"Will it be difficult to find me a job, specifically?" Charisa enquired.
Chloe gave a headshake. According to my dad, anyone who is unable to ask a few basic questions about an investment is certain to lose their money. Chloe stopped and shot Charisa a pitying glance. It's a severe viewpoint. However, it indicates that he will not be opposed to assisting you. Furthermore, you were unrelated to everything that occurred. Your father was the cause of it all.
For the first time in weeks, Charisa gave Chloe a genuine smile. "Thank you so lot. I don't care what he asks me to do. I'll even clean the restrooms.
Chloe chuckled. "It won't be too horrible. Although it will be a lot of work, you will get to enjoy some of it because the resort is lovely and employees always have two days off throughout the week.
Charisa had no interest in enjoying the resort. Charisa was beginning to see the end of a very dark tunnel for the first time since the beginning of the investigation into her father.
She even doubted that it was a train.
********
Stuart Estates was the first place Charisa had ever had the chance to visit. Although she was aware that many of her father's clients likely frequented this resort, it was much more luxurious than anything her family could have afforded. She wishes she hadn't had to work there to witness and appreciate it.
The vast manor house, which was situated in a mountain valley, served as a venue for a variety of gatherings, including conferences, marriages, and family reunions. Although the majority of guest accommodations were in "cabins," which were buildings that had previously been guest houses or were constructed after the original property was renovated, some of the upstairs rooms were still used as private spaces for visitors.
Nevertheless, Charisa believed she would like her job here. It was clear and crisp. Beauty was all around her. Despite her boss Henry Graven's assurance that she would be too busy to notice their surroundings, it was peaceful.
Tall, with dark hair and pale skin, Mr. Graven was a chilly man. Charisa instantly knew the name and tried not to wince. He was among those who lost their retirement funds as a result of her father's scam. By the way he stared at her, she could tell that he recognized her. He wouldn't be allowed to take any overt action, but he wouldn't think twice about firing her if she offered him a good cause.
The majority of her first day was a learning curve as she went from being the one being waited on to actually doing the waiting. She found the rest of the staff to be sympathetic and friendly, and Mr. Graven was reluctantly patient while she learnt. She was grateful that she didn't believe any of them were aware of her situation. She was glad to go to her room in the evening because it had been a tough day.
Her "room" consisted of half of a little cottage that Charisa assumed had formerly been a campground cabin. It now has illumination and a tiny window unit for air and heat control. Additionally, a common bathroom was constructed on top of it for the two apartments. Although it was not as large as her dorm room, it was cozy, well-lit, and most importantly, private.
As she lay in bed, Charisa reflected about her day. There has been a lot going on. Yes, Mr. Graven was correct. She had hardly had time to take in the breathtaking surroundings. She made the decision to alter it. After allowing herself a few days to adjust to the job, she would pause for a few seconds each day to simply enjoy her current situation.
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