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Chapter1| How Hard
"Hurry up Ed!" I yelled as I placed the burnt yet delicious bacon in my mouth; on any normal day, I'd have hit the road, but I overslept today. Somehow I dreaded waking up and leaving for work today.
"I am on my way!" my little sister replied from the room; I couldn't help but roll my eyes; she was a lot to handle. "S!, I can't find my socks!" She announced a few minutes later.
" or you mean you forgot to wash it? " I heaved out a sigh; then I headed to the room where she stood in the middle, dressed in a beige pant and a white top."Um..., " I licked my always dry lips, " I will get you a new pair, let's just go or else we will miss the bus, "
Edna sighed, closed her eyes for a while then opened them, "Sorry Sta, but you are right, I just forgot to wash it, "
"I know, let's go then, " With that said, I picked up my bag, packed up my 'hair', and we both headed out of our two-bedroom house. The only possession of my Father that he didn't sell or gamble with.
As I locked the door, Ed intertwined her hand with mine; I, in turn, gave her a small smile. Just like any normal day in our lives, we walked towards the main roads at a fast pace. As, except the littered road filled with broken glasses and half-naked women waiting for the next man to pass on their diseases, there was also a huge risk of us getting mugged.
And I just couldn't take the risk; after all, there was a 50/50 percent chance of me being jobless a few hours from now. Once we were out of the old alley, we headed to the usual road where we always stayed to wait for an Uber driver.
I dropped Ed by the gate of her school; she was meant to be in first grade. However, she somehow was too smart to be in first grade; so her school decided that she could fit in with the third graders, and her school fee was completely free, I couldn't thank God enough.
Sometimes, I realized how much it would cost and the many night shifts I would work to be able to deal with paying two thousand dollars Of my debt every month, in addition to her school fees. " bye Sta, " She kissed my cheek.
" have fun, " I whispered, waiting till she entered the gates, then I hopped back into the Huber with my chest puffed and my face lit in a huge grin. My next and final stop was my workplace, which was a few drives away from Edna's school; it was way easier this way because I could work and earn money while looking after my baby sister.
"It's right there, " I pointed to the messy back route driveway. I paid my fee and alighted from the taxi, and then I headed inside the restaurant.
Once in the dressing room, I changed into my short leather skirt and white shirt with a powdered face and lipstick so red It could be mistaken for blood. For a while there, I stared at myself in the mirror in contempt as I wondered what I was doing there and who I was doing it all for; II me, and, I could just quit and forget about good-forsaken ken job where I was counted a hooker and harassed without laws.
However, when I remembered Edna, I concluded it was all worth it, I shook off my thoughts as unpleasant thoughts and memories began to cloud my head." You've got this," I muttered, then I headed over to the counter where Jeremy, as usual, was busy with his work in his black tux.
" Hey Jeremy, how's it going today?" I chirped.
The hot black guy turned me, mee paused, then smirked," damn, you look hot as hell," I rolled my eyes; he had said it to me so many times that it didn't even feel like a compliment anymore.
" I know I am hot Jeremy, but there's no need to keep telling me over and over again. Besides, anyone in a slutty dress like this will look as hot as hell, How about you hand me the usuals for table six and I will be on my way,"
He laughed at my words, "It's amusing how you don't hide your disdain for working here, but I like the fact that you don't let it affect your job and how hard you are doing everything to win them over."
"Hatred won't pay up my bill, so... Hard work it is, "
Jeremy chuckled, "You are damn right. and hot," then he handed me the shots of Vodka with an expected wink. I shook my head at his gesture, then I headed to table six and handed them their usuals. They were two businessmen who had been visiting the restaurant for years, and they both took a liking to me since I joined here.
I served five more tables, and then I headed to the break room, " Ugh, finally you are here; what took you so long, girl? the boss has been looking all over for you!" Mia, my only friend and colleague, chided as I walked into the dressing room.
"she... did?" My face took in a horrified expression at the thought of what she would do to me. I knew what I did last night and the last thing I needed was this.
"The BIG BOSS," she added, frightened. Even more frightened than me who was going to be receiving her wrath.
I licked my dried lip and took in a deep breath. "O- okay, I will be right back," Loud but slow music boomed from the main restaurant as I walked my way through the hallway that led to the boss's Office.I have been doing my work for the past two years since I found this job. I did know what the people working here did, but I never thought anyone would have any interest in me.
And they didn't until yesterday; I cleaned my sweaty palms on the skirt, which made no difference if you asked me. Losing the job meant suffering and pain for both Edna and me; we didn't have any savings, even with all the tips and pay I got from the job. A shallow sigh escaped my lip as I thought of the consequences of my earlier actions. Now that I think back, I shouldn't have done that.
Before I knew it, I had arrived at the boss's Office. I once heard rumors about the boss, but I had never seen her before and I never dreamt of ever seeing her. I contemplated just quitting without meeting her; after all, there was no way she would show me mercy after the strings I pulled yesterday." Come in," she said before I could make a decision. Shocked, I opened the door and walked in.
I didn't have the time to check out the office with the intimidating gaze I felt on my body, behind the large oak office table sat a woman in black with jet black hair, skin as white as snow, lips as black as charcoal itself and a sharp foxy eyes that seems to be calculating. If she were to be given the role of a Disney character, I bet she would fit the role of Maleficent.
Ugh, this is all Ed's fault; how could I be thinking of a Disney character while faced with the risk of losing my Job?
For a few minutes, her gaze never left mine. I gulped; oh boy, this is not gonna be easy." Talk," she said, interrupting the silence.
"What? I inquired.
" Did I stutter?," Her voice turned firmer.
I licked my lip," Yes, ma'am," With a deep breath, I proceeded to tell her about the man who almost raped me in the club last night, " I was being molested, and I defended myself," I managed to add.
Her lips pressed into a firm line," You have been working here for quite a while now, and I heard you are good at your work. I would hate to have to sack you, which is why you have two options. One; go back to that man and accept his offer and you can continue working here, Two; disagree and quit on your own,"
" What?" I almost scoffed," B-but... that doesn't make any sense," I argued.
" Are you trying to say that I am dumb, Mrs Normans?!" she snapped.
" No ma'am,"
" Then make a choice, your Job or your integrity? It's impossible to keep both if you want to continue working here,"
I bit my lip. I had known I had to let one go at some point, and no matter what, I would always choose," My integrity, I will quit," I concluded.
She stared at me with a little tug of her lips." I guess you chose what's best for you," She leaned back on her chair, "Pack your things, Mrs Normans; you are no longer needed here; your pay for the month will be sent to your account." she said, and waved me away.
" Yes ma'am," disappointed and frustrated, I walked out of the office back to the dressing room.
" What did she say? What happened? why aren't you saying a word?!" Mia questioned the moment she spotted me.
I smiled, yet my shoulders slumped, "what do you think?"
"Oh my God, t-this! What do you plan to do now?"
" er, Walk around till it's time to pick up Edna, then I will return home," I shrugged.
Mia sighed, "I am talking about your debt, Sta; you haven't even paid half of it yet. Where will you get a job that pays as much as this?"
I massaged my temples, " I will figure something out... can you help me pack my things at least? I need to get out of here,"
" Okay," she said, her brown eyes coated in sympathy. I smiled as she patted my shoulder; I knew I could do this; it was just a job, after all; how hard could it be to get a new one?
~P-Lia~.
Thanks for reading Accidental Ruination. Don't forget to leave your reviews and comments, as your feedbacks are highly appreciated.
Thank you.
💕💕💖
~P-Lia~.
