#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 one still

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

feel the need to poach him with all

on,” Olivia says, gesturing to

at Karl and Adam as they go. Olivia’s gaze lingers

has to do with the argument she

she use that to convince everyone to leave? I refused

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

advantage.

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

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

going to

just grins and pushes her way out of

to look at any

the chairs. The injury in his leg slows him

any complaints. I guess he’s used to working

“Abby,” Adam starts.

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

you should just

don’t want me to

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

my head. “If you wouldn’t mind, I think I’d like to be alone tonight. I’m exhausted, and

a good

a lie. I very much doubt I’ll be getting any sleep tonight, but I don’t want to

The last thing I want to do is talk about it. I

and then somehow try to wrap my head around what I’m going to

even anything

God, I’m so screwed.

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

don’t need help cleaning

cleaning? Now that would

brows pull together. “I

head. “Me and Ethan

I am for him to leave, because

doesn’t spare Adam

I say

the cheek. “Don’t worry,

provide financial support if you want to

about

do when he’s gone.

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

of him the first moment I

He

kitchen, I let the tears fall. I can’t believe this is

a glass of Vodka

had, and room teeters a bit as I take

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