#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.”

mind. It looks like he’s the only one

his pale, freckled skin, bright red hair, and pronounced limp, Ethan doesn’t come across as

didn’t feel the

says, gesturing to the

and Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze lingers on

much of this has to do

leave? I refused to get an important

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

advantage.

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

but she obviously doesn’t care. “No employees. A

That’s going to be

don’t answer. She just grins and pushes her way out of the

myself to look at any

and Karl. He stacks the chairs. The injury in his leg slows him a

up any complaints. I guess he’s used

“Abby,” Adam starts.

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

the night. Maybe you should

don’t want me

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

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

good night’s

very much doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight, but I

The last thing I want to do is talk

to wrap my head around what I’m going to do next.

even anything

God, I’m so screwed.

deal with all this right

need

“You, cleaning? Now that would be

pull together.

my head. “Me

how desperate I am for him to leave, because

doesn’t spare Adam

you,” I say to

“Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. I respect

can provide financial support if

we’ll talk about it more

feel as relieved as I do when he’s gone. Sometimes it feels more

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

of him the first moment

the dishwasher going. He nods and gets

I’m in the kitchen, I let the tears fall.

pushes a glass of Vodka Soda across

bar. I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had, and

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