#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.”

one pays him any mind.

his pale, freckled skin, bright red hair, and pronounced limp,

she didn’t feel the need

says, gesturing to the

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

of this has to do with the argument she

I refused to get an

of a personal vendetta. Truth be told, I acted petty, and I’m

advantage.

back at the last minute, her hand on the door. “Good luck,” she says.

poor taste, but she obviously doesn’t care. “No employees.

to

She just grins and pushes her way out of the

silence, and I can’t bring myself to look at any

He stacks the chairs. The injury in his leg slows him a little, but

used to working around it

“Abby,” Adam starts.

say, forcing myself to meet his gaze, “I don’t really want to talk about

night. Maybe you should just meet me

want me to stay

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

I’d like to be alone tonight. I’m exhausted,

good night’s

I’ll be getting any sleep tonight, but I don’t want to answer

The last thing I want to do

my

anything to

God, I’m so screwed.

with all

need

escapes. “You, cleaning? Now that would

brows pull together. “I

head. “Me and

am for him to leave, because he gives

spare Adam another glance before

I say to

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

I can provide financial support if you want to continue opening

we’ll talk about it

I do when he’s gone. Sometimes it feels more like we’re

than a couple. Shouldn’t I want him to stay and comfort

got rid of him the

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

the kitchen, I let the tears fall.

a glass of Vodka

had, and room teeters a bit as I

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