#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.”

but no one pays him any mind.

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

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

on,” Olivia says, gesturing

at Karl and Adam as they

wonder how much of this has to do

leave? I refused to get an

be told, I acted petty, and

advantage.

hand on

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

going to be

She just grins and pushes her way

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

He stacks the chairs. The

used to working

“Abby,” Adam starts.

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

should just meet me tomorrow or

want me to

Karl, thankfully, stays quiet.

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

good night’s

I’ll be getting any sleep tonight, but

with some sort of explanation for this. The last thing I want to

to wrap my head around what I’m

even anything

God, I’m so screwed.

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

need help cleaning

dry laugh escapes. “You, cleaning? Now that would be a

pull together.

my head. “Me and Ethan

must see how desperate I am for him to leave, because he gives in for once. “Fine.

He doesn’t spare Adam another glance before he’s

call you,” I

me on the cheek. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this

financial support if you

we’ll talk about

I do when

him to stay and comfort me? Isn’t that what

I got rid of him the first

the dishwasher going. He nods and gets to work

the tears

pushes a glass of

I’ve lost count of how many I’ve had,

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