#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.”

him any mind. It looks like he’s the only one

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

threat. I guess she didn’t feel the need to poach him with all the

says, gesturing

Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze

much of this has

that to convince everyone to leave? I refused to get an important

a personal vendetta. Truth be told, I acted petty, and I’m sure she used

advantage.

her hand on the door. “Good

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

That’s going to

answer. She just grins and pushes her way out

of silence, and I can’t bring myself to look at any of them. Ethan lingers

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

guess he’s used to working around it

“Abby,” Adam starts.

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

should just meet me tomorrow

want me

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

wouldn’t mind, I think I’d like to be alone tonight. I’m

good night’s

I’ll be getting any sleep tonight,

some sort of explanation for this. The last thing I want to do is talk about it. I need

try to wrap my head around what I’m going to

anything to

God, I’m so screwed.

I say, turning to Karl. “I can’t deal with all this right now.” I gesture between

need help cleaning

escapes. “You, cleaning? Now

together.

“Me and Ethan have

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

He doesn’t spare Adam another glance before

I say

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

I can provide financial support if

talk about it more

when he’s gone. Sometimes it feels more

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

of him the first moment

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

I let the tears fall. I

a glass of Vodka Soda across

I’ve had, and room teeters

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