#Chapter 17 – Betrayal
Abby

“What? Why?” Some of them have worked for me for years, Olivia the longest of them all. What would

drive her and the others to quit so suddenly?

No one answers.

“Why are you all quitting?” I repeat. I’m not letting them leave here until I get some sort of explanation.

No one looks at me. Clearly, none of them want to be the one to step forward and tell me the truth.

After all these years together, they were just going to sneak away in the night without an explanation.

Without even finishing their shifts.

Finally, Olivia comes forward, a determined look on her face. “Because they’re joining my restaurant.”

I turn to her, my eyebrows going up. “Your restaurant?”

She nods.

“But why? Am I not good enough to work for?”

She shrugs. “I just haven’t enjoyed working for you. I’ve felt for a long time that I could do a better job,

and so I started my own place.”

I thought we were friends, but I can see now that I was mistaken. That realization alone is almost as

shocking as the news that every single one of my employees wants to work for her over me.

A wave of insecurity crashes into me. Maybe I’m not as good a boss as I thought I was. I’ve always

strived to make this a good place to work. A place where employees can actually enjoy their shifts, but

apparently, I didn’t do a good enough job.

I can feel Karl’s eyes on me, and I suddenly wish I just took a cab. Of course, after telling him I didn’t

need his help, he had to bear witness to my failure.

“I didn’t realize you felt that way,” I say as monotone as possible. I can’t let them see how hurt I am.

“You’re still stuck in this ridiculous family system.”

“Right.”

“And I just know my place will be really popular.” She looks around at the others. “Everyone else

agrees.”

head, but no one pays him any mind. It looks like he’s the only

and pronounced limp, Ethan doesn’t come across

didn’t feel the need to poach

gesturing to

slip past her, glancing sidelong at Karl and Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze lingers on Karl,

has to do with the argument she witnessed between

that to convince everyone to leave? I refused to get an important Alpha a reservation,

acted petty, and I’m sure she used that to

advantage.

on the

in poor taste, but she obviously

That’s going to be

grins and pushes her way

myself to

stacks the chairs. The injury in

I guess he’s used to working around it

“Abby,” Adam starts.

don’t really want to talk about it right now. I need

Maybe you should just meet me tomorrow

me

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

my head. “If you wouldn’t mind, I think I’d like to be

good night’s

a lie. I very much doubt I’ll be getting any sleep

of explanation for this. The last thing I want to

wrap my head around what I’m

even anything

God, I’m so screwed.

with all this right now.” I gesture between the

don’t need help

laugh escapes. “You, cleaning? Now that would

pull together. “I was genuinely

shake my head. “Me

leave, because he gives in for once. “Fine. We’ll talk

spare Adam another glance before

you,” I

the cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. I respect your business

support if

talk about it more

I do when

a couple. Shouldn’t I want him to stay and comfort me? Isn’t that

him the

get the dishwasher going. He nods and gets to work on

kitchen, I let the tears fall. I

order another drink, and the bartender pushes a

count of how many I’ve had, and room teeters a bit as I

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