Chapter 2:

Shit, shit, shit! Mondays are the worst and no one can convince me otherwise. It is currently past eight and I was supposed to be at work an hour ago. Joel is going to kill me.

I feel like I've been hexed. You want to know why? Let's go over how my morning has been so far. For some very weird reason, I overslept and missed my alarm, hit my leg during a marathon to the bathroom, slipped while having my bath, burnt the toast that was supposed to be breakfast, broke my favorite mug and earned a cut on my thumb...wait the cut. I raised my thumb to eye level and hissed as I realized that the bleeding has stopped. Still hurts like a bitch though. Stupid mug.

Anyways, shall we continue? I completely forgot about the cut on my thumb when I checked the time then started hurrying to work and now I'm in a taxi. Stuck in a traffic.

"Is it not moving at all?" I asked the driver impatiently. 8:02am, the time read on his headboard.

"No ma'am, I think there was an accident" he answered, glancing at his wristwatch too. I guess it's not just me then. It's just Monday. Could this day get any worse?

"Fuck" I cursed and rummaged my black purse for some money so I could pay him. I'm getting off and trekking. I can't stay any longer. "Here, I'm getting off" I handed him the money and he took it from me with a nod.

"Alright then" I opened the car door and looked crossed to the sidewalk. An accident on a Monday morning.....unavoidable. I looked to my left, it's was a jumble of vehicles all honking irritably. I hurried my steps in hope of getting to Joel's earlier than I had hoped. It was twenty minutes away.

My phone vibrated repeatedly in my purse but I ignored it. Wrong timing, caller. Next time, I should definitely apply for a job in a place that is not thirty-five minutes away from where I live.

I tapped my foot at the edge of the sidewalk impatiently as I waited for the traffic light to turn on red. As soon as it did, my heeled boots clicked against concrete as I crossed to the other side of the road. A familiar rock music started to get louder as I walked closer to my workplace and my lips tightened as I got closer to the source.

Tattoos and Hair ofcourse.

"Good morning, Camy" The narcissistic brown haired owner greeted. Camy, what a nice nickname. Peep the sarcasm.

I didn't bother faking a smile. Hiding my irritation, I turned my head slightly as I walked by "Morning, Jace" I called not missing the choking smell of his perfume.

Jace. His workplace is a few buildings before mine and let's just say he knows his work. From what Alyssa-- an assistant chef at my workplace also a friend-- told me, he was disowned by his parents and came here to start over. He brags about it everytime he comes by too. He is friends with half the people on this street and is a party monster.

Frivolous? Yes but smart? Definitely. He put the parties to good use because now his Tattoo parlour plus hair salon is every rich folk's favorite. If only he didn't think everyone in a bra wants him, maybe he would be atleast a little bit likeable.

"You look nice!" He yelled behind me and I rolled my eyes. Disgusting pervert. I pulled my shirt over my backside fighting the urge to flip him my middle finger. I'm late, I don't have time for these.

In eight minutes, I'm pushing through a crowd of people and trying to get to my table. I spot Joel glaring at me from the kitchen. Shit. I dropped my bag on my high top stool and rushed over to him. Okay here's the story, I had to help my neighbors with an emergency. Good enough.

"Hey Jo, I--" I started but he cut me off.

"Attend to the customer's first. We have a lot to talk about later" he said before leaving to his office. I paused and sighed. Well, mom is not going to be excited to hear that I got fired.

Alyssa passed me a sad look. She hurriedly poured chopped carrots into a pot and started stirring. "Sorry, he's not in a good mood. We're flooded with customers" She said and I nodded with a smile.

"I should get to work then" I said and she nodded before I resumed to my spot. I plastered a smile. It doesn't matter if it's genuine.

"Good morning, can I take your order?" I asked the middle aged woman that eyed my name tag with a frown.

"A bowl of chicken burrito" she said as she placed some money on the counter. I took the money then I typed her order in my computer, sending it to those in the kitchen.

"Alright, anything else?" I asked and she shook her head before making her leave.

Another lady was next in a suit and her ponytail so tight I wondered how her hair didn't come out of it's roots. She looked straight at the large screen that displayed our menu.

"Good morning, can I--"

"Lasagna and a bottle of Coke" she cut me off. Rude. Maintaining the smile on my face, I took the money the dropped on the counter and typed in her order.

Three hours later, we had only two people left eating at different corners of the restaurant and a few other coming to buy take outs. Don't these people have other places to go? I sighed and slumped on the table. I should be used to this but it seems like I'm not as I can't feel my fingers at the moment.

I felt a tap on my back and I looked up to see Brad, one of the waiters. "Joel says you should see him" he said and I nodded.

I groaned and stood up. Well, I'm getting fired. I started to make my to his office and saw Alyssa give me a thumbs up. I shot her a worried look. Is this how you're going to make enough money to start your own business? Take care of your kids with Jerry? My subconscious mocked right before I knocked on the door.

"Come in" His gruffy voice answered. I stepped in with a nervous smile and quietly closed the door behind me.

"Hey, Joel. Busy day it was, am I right?" I said, attempting to lighten up the mood but his blank face said otherwise.

"Why were you late again Camila?" Oh! The reasons are not just serious, I just had the worst morning ever.

"I'm so sorry. I had to attend to an emergency with the neighbors" I quickly lied and he raised an eyebrow. Did he buy that?

"What emergency?" He asked and I opened my mouth to speak but he raised his index finger making me stop. "Nevermind, I don't care. Just don't let this happen again" Thank God!

"It won't" I hung my head low. Hopefully.

"You can leave" he said and I hurried out of his office in relief. Alyssa passed me a worried glance and I gave her a thumbs up which she returned with a grin.

I took my phone to finally attend to any call or message I missed but heard footsteps approach my desk. Does it ever end?

Inhaling a large amount of air, I looked up with a smile. "Good morning, can I--" The rest of the words got stuck in my throat.

I couldn't believe my eyes. "Hello, Cam" He greeted, his voice still as warm as ever.

It was Jerry. Jerry Whitlock was standing right in front of me.

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02/04/2023