"Have a happy holidays!" Liliana said excitedly, handing a small gift to a little girl that had stopped by her gift giving stand. She smiled as the little girl scurried off to her parents, glancing around the outlet mall out of boredom.

Her name tag, Ms. Bjørgaas, shone under the harsh florescent lighting, the cheap plastic gleaming unattractively. She sighed, watching people walk around, frantically shopping for holidays—adults with so many bags their wallets must be empty, and children running wild with holiday glee. The air smelled of cinnamon and pine from the nearby seasonal kiosks.

Leaning back in her chair, she crossed her arms over her chest, enjoying a small break from the constant smiles and appeasing of little kids. But anything for a few pennies. The tuition wouldn't pay itself. Liliana was dragged out of her thoughts as a pretty woman walked by her stand, face flushed from the cold outside air.

Shit.

Her mouth went dry, and she gulped, eyes glued to the figure. The sway of the woman's hips, the way her eyelashes fluttered when she blinked—oh fuck. This was bad. Liliana hardly even registered the little boy in front of her stand saying hello, her mind and attention solely focused on the woman. She needed her. And she needed her now.

Turning back to the boy, she forced a smile, handing him a present before discreetly pulling out her phone. She had a plan. A big, risky plan that could potentially land her in serious trouble—jail kind of trouble. But it was worth the risk.