SOFIA, returning to school after her holiday break, is astonished to find her mother, Angela, on the floor, bruised and battered. Without hesitation, Sofia rushes to her mother's side, immediately tending to her injuries. She carefully assesses the damage, noticing that her mother's face bears a distinct bruise mark. With a fierce sense of determination, Sofia gathers the necessary supplies to heal Angela's wounds, her primary concern for her mother's well-being overshadowing everything else.
Sofia's concern quickly turns to anger as she gently tends to her mother's injuries. Looking up to meet Angela's gaze, she asks with a mixture of empathy and frustration, "Did Dad do this to you again? How many times do I have to tell you? Mom divorced him already!" The weight of past incidents hangs heavy in the air as Sofia confronts the reality of her mother's abusive relationship.
Just as Sofia opens her mouth to respond, they are abruptly interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Her father, Mr. Johnson, staggers into the house, clearly intoxicated. His presence immediately shatters the fragile sense of safety and security that had momentarily settled in the room. Sofia's expression darkens, the frustration and anger she had momentarily set aside now resurfacing full force. She clenches her fists, silently seething as she braces herself for confrontations to come.
Sofia's eyes darken with fury as she strides purposefully towards her drunken father. Her mother, with a concerned expression, tries to intervene by gently grabbing her arm, attempting to hold her back. However, Sofia gently brushes off her mother's grip, her mind focused only on confronting her father. Her emotions are a mix of anger, frustration, and determination as she comes face to face with the source of pain and anguish in her family.
Without hesitation, Sofia steps forward, standing in front of her inebriated father. With a mixture of defiance and concern, she meets his gaze with a steely resolve. Her voice carries a hint of sass and assertiveness as she speaks, her words cutting through the air. "Father," she begins, her tone firm but tinged with disappointment. "Your drinking has become a destructive force in our family, and it's time we confront it." Her father's expression darkens at her words, his anger and defensiveness slowly rising to the surface.
Angered by her words, her father's face contorts with fury as he loses control. Without hesitation, he strikes her across the face with a powerful and angry slap, his hand connecting with her skin with a loud, echoing sound. The impact sends pain coursing through Sofia's cheek, but she doesn't back down. Instead, she glares at him, her eyes filled with defiance and determination.
Her father, clearly consumed by his drunkenness and anger, takes a step closer, his voice dripping with malice. He leans in closer and sneers, "Girls like you are just a plaything for us." Without warning, Sofia's frustration and anger surge through her. She clenches her fist tightly, her knuckles turning white under the pressure. With a swift and powerful motion, she throws a punch, aiming directly at her father's face. The impact is solid, sending him stumbling backwards, a look of shock and surprise on his face.
Sofia, breathing heavily from the adrenaline surging within her, turns to her mother and gently helps her up. She gives her father one last defiant glare before taking her mother's arm. As they make their way towards the door, she tosses one last feisty comment over her shoulder. "Looks like you'll have to find some new playthings, Dad. We're done being your punching bags." With that, she supports her mother as they step out of the house, leaving the chaos and violence behind.
As they walk away from the chaos of the house, Sofia turns to her mother and places a comforting arm around her. Her voice is determined and reassuring. "Don't worry, Mom," she says softly. "We don't need Dad's support. I'll find a job and we'll get through this together." She offers a warm hug to her mother, conveying both strength and understanding.
Sofia, realizing she doesn't have anywhere to go, decides to call her friends to see if she and her mother can stay with them temporarily. However, her friends make various excuses, leaving her feeling even more isolated. Frustrated and disheartened, Sofia returns to her mother, feeling the weight of their situation heavily on her shoulders.
As Sofia stands in front of the vending machine, contemplating her next steps, she's surprised to hear a familiar voice. Looking up, she spots Marcus, her classmate and rival. He gives her a polite greeting, saying, "Good afternoon, Ms. Montenegro." Despite her earlier confrontations with him, she can't help but feel a mixture of surprise and curiosity at his unexpected presence.
Sofia, finding herself in the company of Marcus, bristles with annoyance. She grabs her drink from the vending machine and swiftly turns away, attempting to distance herself from him. However, Marcus persists, following her as she walks away. Sofia's irritation mounts, and her expression remains guarded as she wonders what he wants from her now.
Sofia's pace halts abruptly as she turns to face Marcus, her annoyance evident in her expression. She shoots him a defiant look and snaps, "What do you want?" Marcus glances toward the convenience store and responds matter-of-factly, "Is that your mom near the convenience store?" A sense of surprise washes over Sofia, leaving her momentarily caught off guard.
Surprised by the turn of events and seizing the opportunity, Sofia takes the initiative. She looks at Marcus intently and questions, "You're rich, right?" Marcus nods, clearly wealthy. In response, Sofia takes a deep breath and suggests, "Are you looking for a servant, a personal maid?" The implications of her words hang in the air, leaving Marcus intrigued.
Marcus, a hint of amusement in his eyes, replies to Sofia with a sly smile, "Yes, I am indeed looking for a personal maid." His face lights up at the prospect, and his imagination takes over as he considers Sofia in that role. His smirk widens, and his gaze lingers on her as he mentally contemplates the idea of her serving him in this capacity.
Sofia, her determination evident in her voice, leans in closer to Marcus and assertively asks, "Can I apply?" Marcus's grin widens further at her question, and he responds confidently saying, "Of course you can." His answer leaves no room for doubt, and an air of anticipation fills the air as both of them consider the possibilities of this newfound arrangement.
Marcus leans in even further, his voice low and seductive, and says, "You'll do ANYTHING for me if you become my personal maid, you know...?" Sofia's eyes lock with his, her determination unwavering. She responds confidently, "That's fine. Can I start tomorrow?" Her eagerness to begin this new endeavor becomes abundantly clear. Marcus's intrigue deepens as he takes in her response, fully aware of the power he holds over her in this situation.
Sofia, aware of their precarious situation, shakes her head and quickly adjusts her request. With a sense of urgency in her voice, she pleads, "Can I start now, please? My mother and I have no place to stay tonight..." Her eyes reflect a blend of vulnerability and determination, and Marcus nods his agreement, a smile playing on his lips. He sees the opportunity to use her dire circumstances to his advantage and eagerly welcomes the prospect of having her serve him immediately.
As they enter Marcus's luxurious car, Sofia's mother rests peacefully in the back seat. The atmosphere is tense, and Marcus glances at her mother's bruised face with curiosity. He turns to Sofia and finally asks, "What happened to your mom's face?" Sofia hesitates, clearly uncomfortable with the question, before responding curtly, "Long story." Her reluctance to divulge the details suggests that there is more to the tale than meets the eye.
As they arrive at Marcus's luxurious house, Sofia's eyes widen in surprise. She had heard whispers of his wealth, but the opulence displayed in front of her exceeds her expectations. She can't help but feel a mix of astonishment and awe at the grandeur of the surroundings. The extravagance of his wealth is on full display, making it clear that Marcus comes from a life of privilege and abundance.
Marcus turns to Sofia with a confident smile, extending a hand as he says, "Let's go?" His grin widens, exuding a mix of satisfaction and anticipation. As Sofia takes his hand and steps out of the car, she finds herself caught in the web of Marcus's power and influence, the wheels of their arrangement now in motion.