stingy boss

The bell above the bakery door rang sharply as Athena pushed it open.

The sweet scent of baking dough greeted her immediately, tempting her senses, though not strong enough to calm the storm inside her that had raged since morning.

Athena wore a long beige coat, now slightly crumpled at the hem, and a loose gray wool scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail, with a few messy strands falling across her cheeks. She walked quickly toward the side wall, where a navy-blue apron with the shop's logo hung.

Without a word, she slipped off her coat and replaced it with the apron. Her thin hands trembled slightly as she tied the straps behind her. She tried to compose herself, but the exhaustion and sleeplessness were still evident on her pale face.

Before she could step into the kitchen, a cold voice called out from behind the cashier counter.

"You finally made it," said Janet, not even bothering to look up from her book. Her tone was sharp, completely devoid of warmth.

Janet sat upright behind the long wooden counter, dressed in a dark brown blazer with a small gold brooch on the collar. Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun, revealing her long neck and a gaunt face marked with deep lines at the corners of her mouth. A cup of black coffee steamed gently beside her, while her fingers tapped impatiently on the ledger.

Athena stepped forward and bowed slightly. Her voice was soft and steady.

"Good morning, Madam. I came early as usual. And here's the money Lucy brought to help me. I couldn't return all of it… I had to use some for my husband's medical treatment."

She handed over a small beige canvas pouch with a worn zipper, stuffed with the cash she'd carefully counted the night before.

Janet finally turned, narrowing her eyes as she looked Athena up and down.

"Wow. After the whole kidnapping drama, now suddenly you've got a husband. And he's sick, too? You just keep adding burdens to your life," she said with a mocking smile.

Athena looked down, silent, though her jaw tightened slightly. The glare in her eyes showed she couldn't accept her marriage being called a burden. To her, Asher wasn't a problem, he was the missing piece that made her whole.

"There's only $11,000 left. So you spent $9,000... on your new husband," Janet said as she poured the contents of the pouch onto the counter. Her fingers moved swiftly, counting the bills with the rough sound of paper brushing together.

Janet stared at Athena, then leaned back in her chair, folding her arms.

"Starting this month…" she said slowly, her tone cutting, "your salary will be cut by 50 percent. For the next five months."

Athena's head shot up. Her eyes widened, eyebrows raised in disbelief, her breath felt tight at that moment.

"Five months?"

Janet gave a cool nod. Her face was expressionless, as if she were just reading numbers off a calculator.

"If you've got a problem with it, get a second job. Or ask your husband to help. But this place? I don't run a charity."

Athena swallowed hard. Her hands gripped the sides of her apron, and her breath began to shake.

"Madam… if I only get fifty percent, I won't be able to cover my daily needs. I have to pay for electricity, rent, food… and I'm not alone anymore. I, I need my full salary," she said, trying to stay calm. "At least don't cut it that much. Please. Twenty percent would be more manageable."

Her eyes were red, but she stood firm.

Janet looked at her like she was a child throwing a tantrum. Then she gave a thin smile, more of a sneer than a gesture of sympathy.

"Well, here are your choices, Athena. Full salary and you quit this job? Or stay and pay off your debt… on half your wages."

Athena said nothing. Her gaze dropped to the floor, then closed slowly. She tried to calm the rising panic in her chest. Her hands stayed clenched, and her posture stiffened like she was holding up a weight no one else could see.

The shop felt silent. The old clock ticking in the corner and the sweet scent of baked goods only made the air feel heavier.

Finally, Athena gave a slow nod. Her voice barely audible.

"I'll stay."

Janet said nothing else. She turned away, shrugging.

"Good. Start cleaning the display. We open soon."

Athena nodded again, then slowly turned toward the kitchen. Her steps were heavy. The blue apron on her chest now felt like a shackle more than a uniform.

That day, Athena worked tirelessly. She baked dozens of bread and cake filled with all kinds of jam, packaged them into boxes of various sizes, while Janet handled the endless stream of customers.

By 6:15 p.m., Athena finally removed the apron that now clung to her like second skin. Her sleeves were damp with batter and oven steam. Her face was pale, slightly sweaty, and her eyes hollow from sheer fatigue.

She slowly made her way to the small back room, changed her shoes, then slipped on her beige coat and gray scarf, now damp at the ends. She grabbed her old canvas bag and walked out of the shop without saying a word to Janet, who was still busy counting the day's earnings.

The cold air slapped her skin.

The evening sky had turned gray, and snow fell gently, covering the sidewalks and brittle leaves with a soft white blanket. The streets were quiet, only the sound of her footsteps and her breath escaping in faint clouds.

She walked down her usual route, long and silent, each step heavy with Janet's words echoing in her head. Now and then, she glanced up at the sky, hoping all of this was just a bad dream.

But just before she reached the intersection, she stopped.

Someone was waiting there. Standing beneath a streetlamp now glowing dimly, stood a familiar figure. Asher.

He stood under the light snowfall, wearing a brand-new black parka jacket with a soft gray faux-fur collar, dark jeans, and brown leather boots that looked untouched by mud or snow. His hair was slightly damp but neatly combed. Athena had never seen those clothes before.

Asher's eyes lit up the moment they met hers, and his lips curled into a gentle smile, a smile that instantly melted the weight in Athena's chest.

Athena paused. A smile tugged at her lips, soft and instinctive.

"Your clothes…" she said, stepping closer. "They're new?"

Asher gave a small nod and smile.

"They're from Lucy," he said, glancing down at himself. "She said… it was a wedding gift."

Athena lowered her gaze, her smile widening even as her eyes glistened faintly.

"She's so kind…" she whispered. "We really owe her. She's done so much for us."

Asher nodded again, but this time, his eyes didn't meet hers. His expression turned blank, like his thoughts had drifted somewhere else.

"She also helped me today," he said softly. "Took me to the police station."

Athena froze mid-step. Her head turned sharply toward him, her gaze filled with anxiety, not anger, but something deeper.

"The police station?" she asked carefully. "Were they able to help you?"

Asher looked straight at her. His eyes seemed to say more than words could.

He gave a slow, single nod.

A gust of cold wind blew Athena's scarf. She looked down, inhaling deeply.

Her face changed.

Not angry. Not sad. But afraid.

Something in her eyes flickered, an old fear returning. That one nod from Asher was enough to shake the fragile peace she'd been holding on to.

She didn't say another word. No complaints. No accusations.

She just looked down the road, then kept walking. The snow fell heavier now, and their footsteps crunched softly in the slush.

Her mind raced ahead. Wondering who Asher really was. If she might lose him the moment his true identity came to light. If all their quiet, happy mornings… were only temporary.

But she kept walking.

Because if she stopped now, she knew she wouldn't be able to face the truth.

Asher walked beside her, silent, as if sensing the burden forming in his wife's chest. His fingers hovered near hers, aching to reach out, but he held back.

And Athena walked on.

Thinking about loss. About love. And about the courage it would take to keep going, even when the future was still hidden in shadow.