The next morning hit me like a punch to the chest. I woke up with my heart already racing, my breath uneven. Annie was shaking my shoulder gently, her voice soft but urgent.
"Tina… Tina, wake up. You're late."
My eyes flew open so fast I gasped, sitting upright with a violent jolt.
"Oh my God—no, no, no…" I groaned, scrambling off the bed. "I'm three hours late. He'll kill me, he'll actually kill me!"
I jumped into the shower, barely letting the water touch my skin, then pulled on my clothes with trembling hands. My fingers fumbled over the buttons, each second mocking me. I didn't even tie my hair properly—I just ran out.
The entire ride to the restaurant, my chest throbbed with dread. My thoughts kept spinning, fast and messy, like my brain was trying to outrun reality.
When I finally burst through the door of my boss's office, I was panting, my breath coming out in sharp bursts.
"Sir… sir, I'm sorry," I muttered, lowering myself to the floor before he even asked. "Please forgive me. I didn't mean to be late. I—"
"Sit down, Tina," he said, voice low but heavy, pointing at the chair in front of him.
I swallowed hard and obeyed.
His office was too quiet. Too clean. Too controlled. It made me feel small instantly. He stood by the window, watching cars rush past outside, the city buzzing with its usual selfishness.
Then he turned to me.
"You don't change, do you?" he said, grunting with irritation. His footsteps echoed across the tiled floor as he came closer. "Always late. Always apologizing."
My stomach twisted painfully.
"Sir, I—"
He lifted a hand sharply, cutting me off.
"Tina, Tina, Tina…" he muttered, my name rolling off his tongue with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. His fingertips brushed the surface of his desk as he leaned toward me.
Then suddenly, his hand was beneath my jaw, lifting my chin.
I gasped.
"Look at me," he said, voice dangerously calm.
His eyes scanned my face slowly, lingering too long. It made my skin crawl.
"You're a beautiful-looking girl," he murmured, almost like a compliment but with an edge that made my stomach churn. "Always neat. Always composed… even in your mess."
My heartbeat thundered.
"I can't keep accepting your apologies," he continued, stepping behind me, his breath brushing the back of my neck. "So your apology must be… worth it."
My blood turned cold.
"Sir…" I whispered, my voice cracking. "Please don't—"
"Hush," he said, placing a finger against my shoulder. His touch made my skin jump. "Think about it. Life could be very easy for you, Tina. Very easy."
I pulled away quickly, my chair scraping the floor.
"I'm sorry, sir," I muttered, hissing out of fear, "but I can't do what you want."
He froze.
His eyes widened.
And something dark flickered across his face.
"Oh… really?" he murmured.
His smirk was slow and cruel.
"I won't fire you," he said. "No, no… I'll do something better. I'll make you beg me to have you on my bed."
My heart dropped straight through the floor.
"Now get out," he said quietly. "Before I change my mind."
I stumbled out of the office, every step shaky, my palms sweaty. By the time I reached the hallway, I was breathing so hard it felt like I'd run miles. I leaned against the wall, whispering a shaky prayer for strength. My knees felt weak. My mind felt scattered.
I was tired. Exhausted. Drained.
And right then… I genuinely wanted to give up.
But the universe wasn't done with me.
"Hey, take this."
Madam Lina's voice cut through my chaotic thoughts. She stood there with her usual stern face, holding out a white sealed envelope.
"What is this?" I asked, sniffing as I took it cautiously.
"It's a letter," she replied. "From the boss."
My stomach clenched.
"He wants you as a waitress," she continued. "More hours… more responsibilities."
So that was his next move.
Of course.
I smirked dryly. "He wants me so badly, huh?" I muttered under my breath.
Lina raised a brow but didn't comment.
Looking at the letter, I realized something… my salary would increase.
Not by much, but enough to keep me alive.
Enough to keep me moving.
Enough to keep my promise to myself.
So maybe this could be a win for me.
Or maybe it was a trap.
Either way… I needed money.
When I returned home, exhausted, expecting to see Annie, the room was empty. I shrugged it off, assuming she was with her boyfriend. I showered and lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
But sleep didn't come.
Only thoughts.
Plans.
Revenge.