I was in the middle of my bedroom, feeling the sweat on my palms and my heart racing. I sensed my father's presence in the room, even though I couldn't see him. He was there to punish me for running away.

As he approached me, I heard his heavy footsteps. His overpowering presence made the air around me thick with tension. I was frozen with fear, unable to move or even breathe. I wanted to scream and run away, but my body wouldn't cooperate.

Suddenly, I felt a firm hand grip my shoulder tightly, causing me to let out a blood-curdling scream. I couldn't move. My body was paralyzed with fear. My father's voice was calm and menacing. "You thought you could get away with running away? I warned you not to do it again, and yet you chose to disobey me. Now you must face the consequences."

I felt my father's grip tighten on my shoulder, and my heart pounded with fear. I was terrified and thought I might pass out at any moment.

My father continued to speak, his voice growing more intense with every word. "You are going to learn the consequences of your actions. You will never disobey me again. You will learn to respect me and do as I say. You will learn the hard way."

I realized I had to do something, to break free from my father's grip and get away from him. Summoning all my courage, I managed to break free and ran out of my bedroom, out of the house, and into the street.

The night air was cold and still, and I felt like I had never run so fast in my life. I didn't look back, knowing that if I did, I would only see my father's angry face watching me run.

I kept running, and I could still feel my father's presence behind me. I knew he was still chasing me, and I was running for my life. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise and felt a sharp pain shoot up my leg.

I screamed in agony and fell to the ground. I felt my father's heavy breathing and his forceful grip on my injured leg. I wanted to cry, but I forced myself to stay silent, knowing that if I showed any sign of weakness, my father would only punish me further.

His voice was harsh and menacing. "You see what happens when you disobey me? This is your punishment, now and forever. You will never disobey me again."

I jolted awake with sweat dripping down my face. The nightmare had been so vivid and terrifying that it took me a few moments to realize I was safe in my own bed.

I sat up in bed and reached for my phone, seeing that it was just past nine in the morning. My stomach growled, reminding me I hadn't ate at all yesterday. Between that and the nightmare, there was no way I was going to go back to sleep.

I climbed out of bed and made my way into the kitchen. Opening the fridge, I frowned when all I saw was a small container of yogurt sitting in the back.

Well, I guess that meant I needed to go to the store and get some more food. There was no telling how long that had been sitting there.

I shut the door to the refrigerator and walked into the bathroom, my steps slowing as I neared the mirror. As I looked at my reflection, my heart sank - dark purple contusions and lacerations spread across my neck. I reached up to touch it, wincing at the tenderness of the skin. I hadn't been caught off guard in a long time, but it wasn't the first time I'd been choked, and I was certain it wouldn't be the last.

The chill in the air of October was a blessing - I could get away with wearing a high-necked top to hide my bruises until they healed. Moving to the closet, I searched for something to wear and found a dark green turtleneck that hugged me closely and light-colored skinny jeans. I stepped back to check myself in the mirror, relieved that my wounds were no longer visible. Swinging my purse over my shoulder, I headed for the door.

As I stepped out of my front door, I took a deep breath, inhaling the unique combination of odors that made up the New York City air: hot pavement, exhaust, and people. The city was alive, bustling with energy and life as people went about their days, but my mind was elsewhere. I was thinking of the grocery store just a few subway stops away, where I could get some groceries within my budget. I walked past the familiar old buildings that lined my block, the brick facades and rusted fire escapes, and headed towards the subway station.

The subway station was a contrast to the quiet streets above; here, the atmosphere was loud and chaotic, filled with the noise of people talking, machines clanging, and music playing. The floors were covered in a thin layer of dirt and grime, and the air was thick with a mix of sweat and perfume. On the platform, I wove my way through the throng of people, avoiding elbows and bags and briefcases. I waited for the train amid this chaos, watching the people around me and wondering at the lives they led.

Finally, the train arrived, screeching and rumbling as it pulled into the station. The crowd surged forward, people pushing and jostling to get on board, and I found myself swept up in the tide of bodies. I stepped into the train car, and the doors closed behind me. The car was already full of people, and I had to squeeze in just to get a spot to stand. I leaned against the wall and tried to ignore the uncomfortable press of bodies.

The train moved out of the station, and its motion gently rocked me. As the train sped through the tunnels, I closed my eyes and let my thoughts wander. I thought of the grocery store and the items on my list. I imagined the bright white walls of the store, and the rows and rows of colorful produce, and the feel of the cold, crisp air of the refrigerator section.

A voice from across the car interrupted my reverie. I opened my eyes and looked around, and I saw a young woman talking on her phone. She was speaking in an excited, animated tone, her words filled with emotion and enthusiasm. I couldn't help but feel a little envious of her passion.

The train pulled into the next station, and the woman got off, her voice fading away as the doors closed. The car was silent once again, and I was left alone with my thoughts. As the train moved on, I gazed out the window and watched the darkness of the tunnels blur past.

The train rolled into my station, and I stepped onto the platform. I climbed the steps and was met by the dazzling light of the street. The city was alive with life, and I could see the grocery store at the end of the block. With eager strides, I hastened towards it, my anticipation growing with each step.

As I walked into the store, the sound of music and the fragrance of fresh produce greeted me. My footsteps echoed off the tile floor as I pushed my cart through the aisles. I tried to focus on the task at hand: buying food for the week. But my mind kept drifting back to my job search. I grabbed a bag of apples and put them in my cart, trying to shake off the anxious feeling that was creeping in.

I moved on to the next aisle and passed by the meat section where the smell of cooking rotisserie chicken filled the air. My stomach growled at the smell. I had to remind myself that I couldn't afford to splurge on anything outside of my budget.

When I reached the pasta section, I turned down the first row of shelves and saw that they were stocked with a wide variety of different pastas: spaghetti, penne, fettuccine, elbow macaroni, rigatoni, and dozens more types. The rows stretched out into the distance and disappeared behind a large pyramid of stacked boxes. The number of pasta choices was overwhelming. I grabbed a box of spaghetti and moved on to the next aisle, grabbing a jar of pasta sauce and some Parmesan cheese.

My cart was slowly filling up as I stopped in the frozen food section. Instead of getting the pizza that was on my list, I opted for a bag of frozen veggies since they were on sale.

I was just about to head to the checkout when my phone rang.

I quickly answered, "Hello?"

"Hi! Can I speak with Violetta Pierce please?" A chipper, feminine voice greeted me on the other end.

"This is she," I replied as I pushed my shopping cart out of the way so a woman and her baby could pass.

"This is Maria from Ashwood Hotels. We received your application for the Personal Assistant position and would like to invite you in for an interview."

My heart skipped a beat at the news. "Yes, of course. I'm available whenever is convenient for you," I replied, trying to contain my excitement.

I paused for a moment to appear as if I was checking my schedule. "Yes, that works perfectly. Thank you for considering me for the position."

"No problem. We look forward to meeting you. We'll send you an email with the address and other details shortly."

"Thank you, have a great day," I said before hanging up.

My footsteps echoed off the tile floor as I pushed my cart through the aisles of the grocery store. I tried to focus on the task at hand: buying food for the week. But my mind kept drifting back to my job search. I grabbed a bag of apples and put them in my cart, trying to shake off the anxious feeling that was creeping in.

I moved on to the next aisle and passed by the meat section where the smell of cooking rotisserie chicken filled the air. My stomach growled at the smell. I had to remind myself that I couldn't afford to splurge on anything outside of my budget.

When I reached the pasta section, I turned down the first row of shelves and saw that they were stocked with a wide variety of different pastas: spaghetti, penne, fettuccine, elbow macaroni, rigatoni, and dozens more types. The rows stretched out into the distance and disappeared behind a large pyramid of stacked boxes. The number of pasta choices was overwhelming. I grabbed a box of spaghetti and moved on to the next aisle, grabbing a jar of pasta sauce and some Parmesan cheese.

My cart was slowly filling up as I stopped in the frozen food section. Instead of getting the pizza that was on my list, I opted for a bag of frozen veggies since they were on sale.

I was just about to head to the checkout when my phone rang.

I quickly answered, "Hello?"

"Hi! Can I speak with Violetta Pierce please?" A chipper, feminine voice greeted me on the other end.

"This is she," I replied as I pushed my shopping cart out of the way so a woman and her baby could pass.

"This is Maria from Ashwood Hotels. We received your application for the Personal Assistant position and would like to invite you in for an interview."

My heart skipped a beat at the news. "Yes, of course. I'm available whenever is convenient for you," I replied, trying to contain my excitement.

"Great. I know this is a little sudden, but we have a slot open at 1:30 this afternoon if that works for you?"

I paused for a moment to check the time. If I checked out right after this call, that would give me a couple of hours to get home and get ready, and then another thirty minutes or so to take a cab from Brooklyn to Lower Manhattan. "Yes, that works perfectly. Thank you for considering me for the position."

"No problem. We look forward to meeting you. We'll send you an email with the address and other details shortly."

"Thank you, have a great day," I said before hanging up.

About an hour and a half had passed since the phone call and I was standing in my closet wrapped in a towel as I frantically searched for something suitable to wear to the interview. Since my life until this point had consisted of going to work at the club and coming home, I didn't have many options that screamed professional. Most of my clothes were either too revealing or too casual for a job interview.

My anxiety grew as I checked the time again and again, knowing that I was running out of time to finish getting ready and make it to the interview on time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I spotted a black dress hanging in the far corner. It was one that I had bought on a whim when I first came to New York, and I had completely forgotten about it.

I hesitated as I slid the dress off the hanger, running my fingers across the silky fabric. Taking a deep breath, I let my towel fall to the ground, and the soft material of the dress grazed my body as I carefully zipped up the back. The V-neckline accentuated my collarbone, and the short sleeves hugged my upper arms. The skirt flowed gracefully to just above my knees, and when I twirled around, I saw that the fabric had a shimmer that caught the light. The black color was elegant yet edgy, and the delicate lace trim at the hemline added a touch of femininity that made me feel beautiful and powerful.

I grabbed my crème colored scarf and a pair of black heels, and I headed to the bathroom. I applied a thin layer of foundation and just enough blush to give my cheeks a soft, rosy hue. I curled my eyelashes and added a few coats of black mascara, followed by a light line of black eyeliner on my upper lid. Satisfied, I grabbed my purse from the bedside table and headed out the door.

I felt my lungs expand as I took a deep breath and stepped out of my cramped Brooklyn apartment. I turned around and locked the door behind me. The hustle and bustle of the city surrounded me; honking horns and the shards of laughter echoed off the buildings.

I walked to the corner and frantically waved down a cab. I had barely settled into the backseat before I gave him the address for the Ashwood Hotels interview in Lower Manhattan. As we drove away, I checked and rechecked the address on my phone, feeling as if I was going to throw up from nerves.

I quickly recited the address for the Ashwood Hotels interview in Lower Manhattan. My eyes widened as we drove past mesmerizing skyscrapers that seemed to stretch up to touch the heavens. Even after living here for the past six months, I still couldn't get over how beautiful this city was.

When we pulled up to Ashwood Hotels, my stomach flipped in anticipation. I paid the cab driver and took a deep breath as I stepped out onto the sidewalk. The building was an impressive sight, standing tall and proud against the surrounding skyscrapers. Its sleek glass façade shimmered in the bright sunlight, giving it an air of modern elegance.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as I approached the building's entrance. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves, straightened my outfit, and stepped inside.

As I stepped through the automatic doors and into the lobby, my eyes widened in surprise at the opulence of the space. The walls were painted a rich plum color and had a fine black twine woven through that glowed with an ethereal light. The floor was a gleaming white tile polished so brightly I could catch my reflection in it, if I looked close enough.

The chandelier was a sight to behold - a massive, sparkling creation with dozens of glittering crystals hanging from it. I couldn't help but stop in my tracks to admire it for a moment.

"Can I help you?" came a voice from my right, and I turned to see a stunningly beautiful woman standing behind a sleek black desk. She had long, straight red hair that cascaded down her back, bright green eyes that seemed to sparkle in the light, and cheekbones that looked like they were sculpted from marble. She was wearing a chic, short red dress with a crisp white blazer and a pair of diamond earrings that sparkled in the light.

I immediately felt self-conscious in her presence - my little black dress suddenly felt drab and unremarkable. But I gathered my courage and approached the desk. "Yes, I'm here for an interview with Maria," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The woman's expression softened slightly, and she gave me a small smile. "Of course. What is your name?"

"Violetta Pierce."

The woman nodded and quickly typed something into her computer. "Ah, yes. Ms. Davenport is expecting you. You'll want to take the elevator up to the twenty-fifth floor and follow the signs for the Human Resources department. Good luck with your interview," she said, handing me a visitor's badge and pointing me towards the elevators.

I thanked her and made my way to the elevators just off to the right, pressing the button for the twenty-fifth floor once inside. My heart raced with anticipation. I could feel my palms growing sweaty and my hands instinctively fiddled with the hem of my dress. The silence was heavy and all I could hear was the faint sound of the elevator music playing in the background. I kept glancing at the floor numbers as they changed and tried to calm my nerves.

A light ding sound broke me out of my trance as the elevator doors opened to the twenty-fifth floor. I stepped out into a long hallway with walls that were lined with black and white photographs of people in suits standing in front of various hotel buildings.

Finally, I arrived at a set of double doors with "Human Resources" etched in gold letters. I took a deep breath and pushed the doors open.

The office was breathtaking. A plush white carpet stretched across the entire length of the room, and large windows framed a magnificent view of the city skyline. In front of one window stood a long glass desk where a woman was typing away on a computer. As I entered, she looked up and smiled. Her long, brown hair was pinned neatly against the back of her head and her navy blue suit jacket was impeccably tailored. She stood up and walked around the desk, extending her hand towards me.

"Ms. Pierce, I presume?" she said warmly. "I'm Maria Davenport. It's a pleasure to meet you."

I shook her hand and smiled, trying my best to hide my nerves. "Yep, that's me. It is a pleasure to meet you as well."

She dropped her hand and went back around the desk, taking a seat. She motioned with her hand for me to sit in the one across from her.

"I really appreciate you coming in on such short notice. The boss wants all the interviews done today and what the boss wants, the boss gets!" Her laughter was soft but genuine as she leaned back in her chair.

"Oh, no problem. I appreciate the opportunity." I said, playing with the hem of my dress. She smiled and typed something on her keyboard.

Maria looked back at me with a thoughtful expression. "So, Violetta, let's get started. Can you tell me a little about yourself and why you think you'd be a good fit for this position?"

I took a deep breath and tried to steady my nerves.

"Sure. I'm originally from a small town in northern Ohio and I've been in the city about six months. During that time, I worked at a club in Brooklyn where I held various positions. The environment there was always changing, and I was able to meet people from all walks of life. So I've become quite skilled in dealing with a range of personalities and managing a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. I'm also very organized, detail-oriented, a quick learner, and able to multitask. I also have experience with customer service, which I think will come in handy when dealing with clients and other stakeholders."

Maria nodded as she typed away at her keyboard. "That's great to hear. Can you give me an example of a time when you had to work under pressure and how you handled it?"

I thought for a moment before replying, "Yes, actually. At the club, we often had to deal with high-pressure situations, especially during busy nights. One time, a customer became very aggressive and started harassing one of my colleagues. I knew I had to act quickly to deescalate the situation before it got out of hand. So, I calmly approached the customer and explained that his behavior was unacceptable and that he needed to leave the premises. Thankfully, he complied, and it diffused the situation, with no one getting hurt."

Ms. Davenport looked impressed. "That's excellent. What about your communication skills? How do you handle working with people from different backgrounds and personalities?"

I smiled, feeling more confident. "I think communication is key, especially in a role like this where I would work closely with different people. I'm comfortable speaking with people from all walks of life, and I have a lot of experience dealing with difficult personalities. I'm also a good listener and can adapt to different communication styles."

Maria looked impressed. Maybe I actually had a chance at getting this job.

"Though I am impressed with your responses, Violetta, I have to be honest with you. I've interviewed other candidates with years of personal assistant experience, and that is what the boss would prefer. Being the PA of a CEO is hard work. The hours are grueling and the boss, Mathias Ashwood, is not an easy person to work for. He has high standards and expects nothing but the best from his employees."

My heart sank at Maria's words. I had been so sure just a moment ago that I had a chance, and now it seemed like all my efforts had been for nothing. I tried to hide my disappointment and muster up some confidence.

"However," she begin and just like that my hopes shot back up, "I like you Violetta. Even though you're work experience is certainly different from our other candidates, I think that would give you a unique perspective if you were to work with Mr. Ashwood. And, to be honest, I just have a feeling that you would be an amazing fit."

I tried my best to hide my excitement, but a small smile crept onto my face. "Thank you, that means a lot to me," I said, feeling a glimmer of hope that I might have a chance after all.

Maria smiled back at me. "Of course. And the fact that you came in for an interview on such short notice shows me that you're dedicated and willing to put in the work. That's a great quality to have in a personal assistant."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. On one hand, it thrilled me that Maria seemed to like me and think that I would be a good fit. On the other hand, I couldn't shake the feeling that I might not have enough experience to compete with the other candidates.

The air seemed to thicken as Maria stood up and walked around her desk. I watched her, my mouth dry and my palms sweaty, as she gracefully made her way towards me. Our eyes met and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Her lips curled into a soft, warm smile and she reached out to shake my hand. "Can you start in two weeks?" she asked.

I held my breath and steadied my trembling hand as I shook hers. "Yes! Of course," I replied. It had been a long shot, but somehow I had proved myself worthy to Maria to land the job.

Maria's smile broadened as she spoke again, "Great! I'll email over the details and information on your first day shortly. Welcome to Ashwood Hotels, Violetta."

The words sounded like music to my ears as I thanked her and made my way back down to the lobby with my head spinning with excitement and nervous energy.