Chapter 4

The next day was Saturday—their so-called "party day."

Marcus announced they were throwing a cocktail party tonight to celebrate the building's "new policy initiative."

All tenants had to attend. And of course, I was the server.

First thing in the morning, they put me to work.

They'd bought tons of burger patties, sausages, and cocktail ingredients for me to prep.

"Claire, get these glasses spotless. If there's even a smudge, you'll be licking them clean."

Derek dumped nearly a hundred glasses in front of me.

"Got it."

After last night, they thought I'd finally broken.

That false sense of victory made them drop their guard around me.

I knelt by the sink, washing glass after glass.

Ryan walked past and stopped.

"Claire, that's better." He sighed dramatically.

"Women shouldn't try to be so tough. See how much nicer things are now? Everyone's getting along."

"If you play your cards right tonight, I'll talk to Marcus about moving you back to your real room."

I looked up at him.

"Thanks, Ryan."

He nodded approvingly and reached to pat my head.

I ducked and picked up another glass.

"Ryan, I don't need your help. Go enjoy the party."

Ryan awkwardly pulled his hand back and forced a smile. "Alright then. Such a hard worker."

That evening, the party got underway.

On the rooftop, the air reeked of smoke. Guys were shirtless, yelling and hooting.

Jasmine and the other girls who'd signed the agreement wore skimpy outfits, moving between the men, pouring drinks and feeding them snacks.

I brought up a tray of mixed drinks. Marcus grabbed my wrist.

"C'mon Claire, dance for us."

"I don't know how." I pulled my hand free and set down the tray.

"Don't know how? Then what are you good for?"

Marcus reeked of booze, his eyes glassy.

"Oh right, you're good for scrubbing toilets."

The whole rooftop erupted in laughter.

"To reward our star cleaner, here's a cocktail just for you."

Derek picked up a strong-looking cocktail and forced it toward my mouth.

The straight whiskey burned my throat.

"Drink up!" he yelled in my ear.

I had to take a sip. The bitter taste hit my tongue hard.

"Taste good?" Derek slapped my cheek.

"It's good." I swallowed, fighting back the nausea.

"Atta girl."

Derek seemed satisfied and turned to grab another bottle.

Then Marcus suddenly shouted, "Hold up!"

Everyone turned to look at him.

He stumbled onto the table, holding up his bottle.

"Tonight's been great."

"To celebrate the success of our beauty rent-free program, I've got a special reward for Claire."

He pointed at me with an evil grin.

"Starting today, Claire isn't just cleaning. She's also doing our laundry—including underwear!"

"Hand wash only! I'll check every morning!"

"If they're not spotless, or if even one goes missing, you'll pay a $500 fine!"

The crowd went wild again.

Ryan joined in: "Claire, this is a privilege. Not everyone gets this chance."

I stood in the middle of the crowd, being watched and humiliated.

Their twisted faces looked even more grotesque in the firelight.

Was I angry? Absolutely.

"Sure." I lifted my head.

"I'll make sure they're extra clean."

Marcus didn't catch the sarcasm in my voice. He just thought I'd finally accepted my fate.

"Now you're getting it!"

He hopped off the table and went to make out with Jasmine in the corner.

The party lasted until the early hours.

They got completely wasted. Some passed out on the floor. Others stumbled back to their rooms to keep partying.

And I got stuck cleaning up the mess.

I picked up the bottles one by one and bagged the trash.

Finally, I made my way to the second-floor bathroom.

Their dirty laundry was piled up there.

Underwear formed a small mountain, reeking horribly.

I looked at the pile and smiled coldly, taking photos with my phone.

I put on gloves and picked up Marcus's underwear.

But I didn't head for the sink.

I walked over to the toilet that countless people had just vomited in.

I threw the underwear in and used the brush that had scrubbed who knows how many layers of filth to stir it around.

Once. Twice.

Watching the underwear swirl around in the yellow sewage, soaking up all that filth.

The tightness in my chest eased a little.

But this wasn't enough. Not even close.

My eyes went back to the sink.

They'd drunk so many cocktails and eaten so much food tonight. Their teeth must be full of gunk.

Tomorrow morning, they'd brush extra carefully.

I grabbed Marcus's toothbrush and scrubbed it hard against that sewage-soaked underwear.

The bristles worked their way into the fabric, picking up invisible bacteria and viruses.

Then I stuck the toothbrush deep into the toilet bowl and scraped it against the thick layer of grime.

When I was done, I put the toothbrush back where I found it.

Then Derek's. Ryan's...

Every single one got the same special "treatment."

Moonlight streamed through the window, hitting those colorful toothbrushes.

They looked so clean. So innocent.

Who would ever guess they were covered in their owners' own filth?

"Enjoy."