Alpha Cassius Darkest Claim

ANNELISE POV

"And... that's a wrap for the day."

I exhaled, leaning against the mop handle as I took in the gleaming floors. My back ached, my fingers were raw from scrubbing, and my eyelids felt like they were made of cement.

I was exhausted... But I still had to repeat this routine for God knows how long.

The café in the morning. The cleaning job at night. And tomorrow? The same thing all over again.

I let out a slow breath, rolling my sore shoulders. Just a little longer. Mom needed me to keep this job, her highest-paying client shouldn't know she was too sick to show up.

Rich people replace everything.

I couldn't let her down. Not when she'd already lost so much.

Food. Rent. Medicine. Everything depended on me now.

I took a deep breath and started parking the cleaning materials into the storeroom.

"Perfect job, dear." A feminine voice startled me once I came out of the storeroom, I quickly took a bow.

"Thank you, Ma." I replied respectfully, she was a middle aged lady probably my mother's age, she looked so beautiful and a bit strict.

"You work so hard, just like your mother. I admire that, for your effort? I will double your payment." She praised with a kind smile as I blushed in appreciation.

"That's so generous of you ma, Thank you." I replied with a small bow. Joy swelling in my heart.

Few minutes later, I received the alert in my phone. I was surprised, she had sent way more than I had expected, she had solved our money problems for at least three days.

I was overjoyed and relieved.

"Good girl," she said with a kind smile before glancing at her gold plated watch. "You should get going, it's getting really dark outside."

"Yes, Ma'am. See you tomorrow."

I gave her one last grateful nod before grabbing my bag and heading toward the grand front door.

Once I got outside the estates gigantic gate, I took a deep breather. It was indeed late, as late as 8pm and I was about to take a walk home.

The street was lonely, but the bright streetlights made it better. I quietly started walking, this wasn't my first time walking alone at night, but today felt different. The atmosphere was cold and strange.

The night air blew heavily adding to my anxiety but I tried my hardest to ignore the strange feelings.

Soon, I was two streets away from my house, but that feeling clung to my chest again.

"Nothing is wrong, Annelise. Nothing is wrong." I proclaimed to myself in whispers and kept walking.

Suddenly, the crackle of a dried leaf startled me, making me almost jump out of my skin, and then my phone started ringing,and for some reason or maybe I was just over thinking it, my ringtone sounded so loud.

It was my mom calling so I quickly answered.

"Anne, are you close? You're running late and the city isn't