C2 Jesse's parents.

Kate.

The police conducted a thorough investigation, ultimately determining that Maddie had killed Josh before taking her own life. Her system showed high levels of alcohol and cocaine.

It was fortunate that I had taken Jesse to work with me that day; otherwise, she might have been a victim too. I never imagined Maddie capable of such brutality.

The autopsy was like something out of a horror movie. Josh had been bounded on his wrists, stabbed fifty-two times, throat slit from ear to ear; I had to skip and move over to Maddie’s report as Josh’s was too dark and painful to read.

She died from cocaine overdose and alcohol poisoning. I know Maddie was crazy but I never thought she was that cold-blooded. Josh must’ve triggered her and she lost it.

I willingly took on the responsibility of raising Jesse, hoping to give her a better life than the one she would have had in the orphanage.

Although I couldn't bring her scandalous parents back, I vowed to be the parent Maddie never was.

Arranging the funerals was financially and emotionally draining. Coffins were expensive, booking spots at the cemetery nearly left me a pauper.

With Jesse in the next room, I scrubbed the blood-stained floors relentlessly, moving between checking on her and cleaning up the grim aftermath.

The stench was nauseating. Each day the bodies remained in the morgue added to the expenses, forcing me to take out a loan to cover the mounting costs.

As if things weren't already difficult enough, Jesse fell seriously ill and needed to be hospitalized. Despite the challenges and setbacks, I refused to give up.

The funeral was a somber affair, attended by only a priest, a homeless man, and my landlord. Even those who claimed to be their friends were absent. Those drug rats wouldn't even show up to give their peddler a sendoff.

I had to move out in hopes of starting over and getting rid of the haunting memories of their deaths. It was Jesse and I against the world.

Financially, things started to look up. My job at the hotel paid well, but just as I began to gain some stability disaster struck.

The hotel was found to have been serving chemically preserved meats, posing a health hazard, and was promptly shut down.

Once again, I found myself unemployed with mounting bills. I vowed never to let my daughter go hungry.

Rather than cry and beg all day, I sprang into action. I scoured magazines, notice boards, and online job postings for "We are hiring" signs. Most turned out to be misleading, offering no actual vacancies. Just a bunch of scammers.

Then, unexpectedly, luck turned in my favor. I came across an online ad for a chauffeur agency and decided to apply. Two days later, I was summoned to their office, Jesse with me since I couldn’t afford a nanny at that time.

With my fingers crossed, I entered the tall building in the bustling city streets. A middle-aged man reviewed my application and seemed taken aback to see I had come with a child to an interview.

"Miss Fierce, I wasn't expecting you to have come with a child," he remarked.

"I have no one else to care for her, at the moment," I explained as Jesse looked up at him innocently.

I prayed that her adorable charm would work on the guy and he would hire me.

"You're hired for the job, but first, find a nanny," he said.

Yes!!!!

With a nanny in place to care for Jesse, I focused on my chauffeur training. I learned the ins and outs of the job, from driving etiquette and timing to handling traffic and emergencies. I absorbed every lesson.

After completing my training, I was officially certified as a skilled chauffeur, ready to serve some of the city's most affluent and demanding clients. The field was male-dominated, making me the youngest and only female chauffeur in the company.

For my uniform, the agency took extra time to design something suitable for me.

The ensemble included a black police-like cap, midnight-dark sunglasses, a crisp white blouse with a bowtie, a pencil skirt, thigh-high stockings, high heels, and matte scarlet-red lipstick. The look was undeniably seductive.

The agency prioritized quality service, and part of that meant looking good. After all, you can't drive the rich and famous if you look miserable or unkempt.

Most of my male colleagues were impeccably dressed, exuding elegance, and intellect.

Being the only woman in the bureau, I sometimes felt out of place or anxious during meetings, but I was determined not to let that deter me. This job’s pay was the highest I had ever had and I will not let that go to waste.

Driving for the affluent was certainly an eye-opening experience. Over three years as a chauffeur, I encountered a wide range of clients and situations. From limousine rides filled with rowdy teens to confused elderly couples who couldn't remember where they'd left their pets, each day brought something new.

Some clients were privileged children whose parents would pay for a chauffeured trip to the mall. Others were creepy men who made unwanted advances. In those instances, the agency would assign a bodyguard to accompany me, posing as an additional security measure for the client but there to protect me.

Despite the challenges, I found joy in my work. I had the opportunity to chauffeur celebrities to red-carpet events, and I couldn't resist sneaking a selfie for Jesse now and then.

Most of my clients were male, and I often wondered if the agency intentionally assigned them to me or if they specifically requested a female chauffeur. Regardless, I always wore my oversized sunglasses while driving, ensuring none of my clients ever saw my eyes, and maintaining a sense of mystery.

It was my signature look and I loved to keep it that way. I didn’t like the attention my eyes brought.

Jesse is the only family I had, she banked so much on me, and above all that I loved her so dearly.

I enrolled her in the best private school, and during the holidays I took her to the beach, Disneyland, and sometimes to the mall.

She adored every moment we shared and that right there, made my heart melt with satisfaction to see her smile and delighted.

I sighed feeling so exhausted from a hard day's work, my feet are sore from wearing those knockoff Christian Louboutin “So Kate” heels.I got from an online store. I opened the door as I held my purse and heels in my hands

“Look Mommy, I made you a present," she said when I walked in, I held her hand, she was growing so fast, she recently turned six.

I closed my eyes and opened them as she instructed. She had a hand-drawn card. It looked so lovely. On it was a drawing of a man, woman, and child holding hands, she drew it herself.

“You make me happy Mommy, I wish Prince Charming made you happy too, “she declared.

“It's so beautiful honey, you did this?”I asked. She nodded. My heart melted with warmth as i hugged her. Someday I will give her the best family she has ever had.

***********

I was informed that I got a temporary three-month contract to be some prosperous guy’s chauffeur. The pay was ridiculously high, it was twice what I got previously. And I always know if the pay is extravagantly good, the client will be a pain in the ass.

Tomorrow will be my first day. I was relatively anxious, not sure whom to expect but all the best to me.

I truly hoped Maddie was here to see how far I have come, she and I would be going on trips and having so much fun.

Why did she kill Josh? Furthermore, commit suicide? I had so many questions that I hoped she would someday wake up and answer. Sadly, she’s gone… forever. I will never get the closure I need.

Jesse is a memory of my friendship with Maddie. I told her about her real mother, that she’s above watching. When she’s older I will summon the courage to tell her how she passed away. She isn’t aware of that part yet.