Work

Today has been quite a busy day at work as it is in the evening. A lot of people tend to pass through during these hours. As a waitress, smiling is something I've gotten used to. Having worked at Chicago's reloaded bar and grill for 6 months now, it sure is an obstruction.

After serving a cute couple, I sit on a stool behind the counter feeling my feet hurt. The number of people has reduced and finally , I could appreciate the beauty of this place.

The beautiful spacious but authentic paintings on the wall look amazing. Not only is this place beautiful but the neon lights, bar in the corner and the colours of the wall with their beautiful designs make it look so lively as well as the vibe.

The floors and other surfaces are sparkling clean without a trace of dirt. What stands out the most is an antique chevrolet at the center of the restaurant. The stuff are professional , respectful and attentive which makes people feel welcomed. We are also known for the mouth watering food we carter especially the chicken kebabs as well as many more.

"Shayna" my boss yelled from his office at the back. Sighing, I make my way to his office and I enter without knocking because the door is wide open.

" Sir you called for me?" I ask. Mr Edwards looks up from the files he was working on.

" Shayna Henderson" oh no this can't be good. When my boss calls you by your full name, you definitely are in trouble. My boss is in his late forties and you don't want to mess with him because he takes everything seriously especially work.

"Why are you working two shifts?" Shifting my weight on one leg while fiddling with my fingers, before replying

" Angela wasn't feeling too well so I stepped in for her" I reply nervously.

" Are you managing well?" He asks pushing his spectacles to the bridge of his nose.

" Yes sir" I reply almost immediately.

" You can go home now" he says dismissively looking back to the files on his desk.

" Thank you Sir" with that I go to the dressing room and get my backpack slinging it on my right shoulder.

Removing my phone and headsets, I decide to call my mum while making my way out not before bidding my co-workers a good night.

Working by the mall has its own perks because I get to buy almost everything from here. After purchasing ice cream and other snacks from ShopRite, I buy two packs of hungry lion each containing two pieces of fried chicken with fries on the side as well as cans of soda.

Sitting in my white range rover, I'm about to drive home when mum calls asking me to buy toiletries.

A group of guys kept whistling as I passed by but I don't pay attention to them.

Packing my car in the driveway, I grab a few plastic bags and place them on the kitchen island before getting the last ones from the car.

" Hi mum" I greet her as I enter the living room and as usual she's watching investigation discovery.

"Hey my bunny how was your day?" She asks while pinching my cheeks.

"Tiresome, anyway I bought us take out for supper" I say and sit on her lap. Call me a baby but I love doing this I'm just 19.

"Bunny your big bum is going to crush me" laughing at her , I get up and bring our food.

" Thank you my baby" and I'm attacked with kisses on my cheeks.

" You welcome" we decide to watch John Wick while eating because I'm a fun of action movies.

After taking a shower with a bonnet securing my hair, I pick a blue baggy t-shirt and check all the messages I have on my phone. Laying comfortably in my bed , feeling the soft fleece blanket , I'm startled by the sound of my phone . I must have dozed off because I'm so tired.

"Hey babe" yaz short for yazmine Anderson my best friend says through the phone on a WhatsApp call.

" Hi love how are you ?" I ask with a yawn.

" Why do you sound so tired my baby?"

" Yaz I'm so tired today and my feet are hurting"

" You going to be fine and tomorrow we going out " she says with so much excitement

" I just told you my feet are killing me and you are saying we have to go out tomorrow"

" Oh shush you'll be fine by tomorrow "

" Whatever, yaz I'm tired I want to sleep"

" Good night , hugs and kisses my love"

" Good night and love you"

"Bye" she says in a sweetly sick tone and I know she's doing that to let me know if she has to drag me out of the house tomorrow, she will.

My heart thumped as fear immediately set in it's so quiet that you can hear the sound of a needle falling to the ground. I can hear my heartbeat loudly in my ears. Pain is is what I feel right now . How can I forget when I can see their faces all the time? Their smile that I loved to see each and every single day but don't see anymore.

In all my nineteen years of life, the only times I remember been happy were before my school years. Way before everything took place, I was happy, a contented soul to be precise. That night everything changed and I was never the same person.

It seems no one loves me except mum, yaz , my mother and father who left me a year ago after their tragic car accident.

I remember that night like it was yesterday, their bodies and the state of the car has never made me sleep at night.

After their death, I realized no one really cared about us but my father's money. When my parents were alive, our relatives would come visit often but after their death, smiles turned into scowls and angry faces tht looked at me with disgust.

When I went to them for help, they closed doors right in front of my face despite them knowing what I was going through. They didn't even think twice about it before doing that.

My mother's sister, aunt Emally, who I stay with took me in. She did not treat me like an outcast or I'll treat me instead she loved me the same way my mother did. I call her mum because she's makes me really happy and would do anything for me without thinking twice.

I no longer have the smile I used to have heck I'm not even the person I use to be. I have to pretend all the time , fake smiles and fake laughter is now a part of me , maybe in my DNA.

Who can blame after all I went through. I have this anger that's bottled up and I can't forget everything. My parents death is not the only thing that gives me nightmares at night but that guy.

I wish I could see his face even if it's just once so I could show him the monster he created. The broken vessel he created, the girl he tainted.

The trauma always gets to me. Why did I have to be so unlucky? What did I do to the heavens to deserve this? I will never be the same.

I cry myself to sleep each and every single night but I don't let people see my pain. They don't need to know the broken version of me.

I see a figure in the dark but I don't see the face. It must be him , maybe he has come back to finish his job. I pull the covers over my head while I muffle my cries. Before I know it, I fall into deep slumber not before seeing the figure again. Who is this guy and what has he done to me?