~~~ Planora ~~~
7:37 AM
" Good morning Earth!" Jenna exclaimed happily, feeling like a free bird.
Ever since Jenna became indebted to her boss, it was as if she had no right to live like an independent lady. She couldn't spend time without her phone, so she doesn't miss his call, regardless of what the clock read.
If she didn't show up, the interest from the loan she ought to pay, would be increased by a certain percentage or be doubled even. It depended on the task she absented from and how it would've profited him. She even ran errands unrelated to her Job description, which was how she found Morticia.
Jenna worked as a chef for her boss' Restaurant, but whenever he was contracted with an event, she was always appointed as a caterer too.
But it was all thanks to her cousin, Mason, that she became a debtor. He was offered a business proposal by an online agency and was asked to pay a huge amount to secure the 'rare' position he was offered. So, he took advantage of Jenna's trust and Oblivion and had her sign as a guarantor for a loan he took from Jenna's boss!
Eventually, she pleaded 'non est factum' but it was to no avail as Mason eloped after he realized he had been scammed and had debts to settle.
But the previous night, she gained her long lost liberty after some officers stormed the restaurant.
~~~ Flashback ~~~
" You're late, Jenna." Wallace, Jenna's boss complained, as he folded his arms standing by the kitchen door.
" The traffic flow was poor. You know most people are returning home by this hour, so it's not my fault." Jenna said dryly.
" Oh, you can join them and return home too. Just make sure that as you come here tomorrow, like the rest of them, you're bringing my money along. So, what do you say. Are you staying or leaving?" Wallace asked.
" I'll stay. Happy?"
" Good girl. " Wallace remarked with a smirk, as he patted her head.
" Now go join them." Wallace said as he tilted his head to where her collegues were. " I cannot disappoint my customers. So you had better be fast about it. " he added before he turned to leave.
'I wish I can strangle you, you asshole! ' Jenna thought inwardly as she clenched her fists and headed for her stand, where her collegues were preparing various dishes. Most of them, just like her, were also indebted to Wallace.
About 10 Minutes later, Wallace returned to inspect the chefs.
With his hands behind him, he took slow steps, inspecting every one, as he would occasionally nod his head or make hurtful remarks.
Just as he was about approaching Jenna, someone tapped him from behind.
" Boss, some officers are here to see you." Johnny said, as everyone exchanged glances.
" For what?'' He asked.
" I don't know boss." the young man replied.
Walking past him, Wallace headed for the front of house, where the officers waited.
A nosy chef, Margaret left her stand to spy, moments after Wallace left.
" They're taking boss with them!" Margaret exclaimed immediately she returned.
" What?!" They exclaimed.
At that moment, it became a competition of the 'fastest feet first' as no one wanted to be left behind to handle everything in the kitchen.
When they got to the entrance, they met Johnny, who stood by the door, transfixed. It was not in the law to shutdown the building, even as Wallace was the owner, since it had no connections with his crimes nor was it a haven for criminal activities, so the police officers, had already left.
" What's the matter Johnny?" Jenna asked.
" Jenna can you believe Wallace was behind it?"
" Behind what?"
" The scam!" Johnny said as he glanced from Jenna to the other chefs briefly, before fixing his gaze on Jenna.
" What scam?" Jenna asked, unable to comprehend what Johnny was saying.
" The issue with your cousin! According to the officers, Wallace was behind the offer your cousin and several others fell victim of! He also lured some of the victims he knew into borrowing from him, your cousin included." Johnny said, as the glint of disappointment flashed across his face. He didn't think Wallace was that evil!
Another chef decided to ask
" How did the officers...."
" What station was the scumbag taken to?" Jenna interjected, as her face was losing color, rapidly!
" Jenna don't tell me you're going there by this..."
But like the feisty lady she was, seeing that Johnny wasn't going to respond quickly, she abruptly made her way to the car park.
" Jenna!" Johnny called out, as he went after her. Knowing Jenna, he knew she was not in the right frame of mind. She could do anything and he didn't want her getting into trouble. He had feelings for her.
Seeing as Jenna refused to stop, but was focused on starting the car, Johnny continued,
" Jenna! I'm not saying you shouldn't go there, but, you might get yourself in trouble! And it's not right if you jump into conclusions!"
Johnny said as Jenna turned to look at him before smiling
" Oh no, you don't have to worry! I'm not jumping into conclusions, I'm running into it!" She said as she returned her focus to the road as she drove off. While Johnny facepalmed as he flagged down a cab to chase after her.
When she got to the nearest station, she didn't have to inquire if Wallace was there as she saw him, cuffed. He was seemingly saying something to a cop, who was recording it on a file.
" Hey! You jerk!" Jenna said as she took giant strides to the counter where Wallace was standing.
'' So it was you all along huh? You were behind the whole thing! Now it all makes sense. You know, I used to wonder why and how you got so close to my cousin, till the extent of granting him a loan, of which unbeknownst to me, I was a guarantor! Do you know what you've done to people? You thief!" Jenna yelled as she paused to catch her breathe, before she continued, not minding the officers who were telling her to keep her voice down. It wasn't so late into the night, so several people, asides the cops were there too, including Johnny who had just arrived.
" You've blown dust in a lot of people's eyes! But it's high time you reap the fruits of the seeds you've sown you charlatan!" Jenna said as her face had lost color. Wallace, couldn't help but stare at her, crestfallen. He had no words.
" Excuse me young lady. You'll have to leave. You're creating a scene!" An officer rudely chimed in.
Turning to face the officer who had asked her to leave, she continued
" This'll be scene 2, Act 1 then! I'm not just speaking for myself, I'm speaking for my colleagues and many other victims!" turning to Wallace, but this time with a low tune, she added
" Do you know how Mrs. Kay survives with three kids, as a widow? Do you think it's all thanks to that useless peanut you give her? No! She works after hours as a launderer, somewhere else, that's how! But of course, you don't let her work efficiently, since you call at anytime of the day or night! Just because you lent her money, the same money you deduct from her salary, every fucking month! You also wanna know when she spends time with her kids? When they're already asleep! And she is just one of the countless people who you've succeeded in making life a living hell for! But now that you're where you belong, I'll make sure you rot in here!"
With that Jenna turned around, to leave, only to see Johnny gazing softly at her.
" Are you coming with me or not?" Jenna said, as she snapped her fingers at Johnny, who seemed lost for a moment.
" Sorry! Let's go. Not like I want to be the victim in Scene 1, Act 2 you know." Johnny said, making Jenna who was frowning, chuckle, at least for a moment, as they left the station.
" Are you okay? How do you feel now?" Johnny asked after a while.
" Yeah. I think I'm doing better now that I've said all I needed to say. And I also came to look at the defeat finely imprinted in his eyes and it felt good " Jenna said with a shrug.
" Are you pressing charges?"
" No. I won't. His innocent wife is going to bear the brunt of it all, because I'm sure others will." Jenna said as they halted their steps, right in front of her car.
" That's very considerate of you. Jenna, I just want to let you know that you're amazing and I... I'm proud of what you did in there. For a moment I thought you were going to scratch his eyes out of something." Johnny said as he gazed at her.
" Thanks. For following me here too. Why were you at the restaurant by the way? You owe him too?" Jenna asked.
" Oh no. I don't. Robert was under the weather, he has been for a while now. So I decided to fill in for him. You know someone has to be on the watch, since a queen like you would be present.'' Johnny said with a grin.
" I see." Jenna said as she smiled. But it was followed by an awkward silence.
Seeing as Johnny was gazing intently at her, she cleared her throat.
" So, I guess have to return to the restaurant. See you later."
" No, don't worry. You just go home and rest. I'll..."
" Nope. The rest of our collegues are there. I can't leave just like that, it's unethical. So, let's go" Jenna said. " That's if you're coming with me." she added.
" Yeah sure. Let's go."
~~~ Flashback ends ~~~
Staring at the ceiling, Jenna smiled once again at the thought of her freedom. Abruptly, she started sniffing.
" Mmmm. That smells nice." Jenna thought out loud, as it prompted her to get out of bed.
" Woah. Morticia. This sure smells really nice! Oh goodness!" Jenna exclaimed happily, as she got to the kitchen.
" Thanks. Good morning Jenna." Morticia said with a smile, happy that she had put a smile on Jenna's face.
" Oh what a really good morning!" Jenna exclaimed as she went over to pick up a biscuit sandwich made with ham, egg, and cheese.
" Mmmm." Jenna hummed as she munched, while repeatedly nodding her head and pointing at the sandwich, making Morticia giggle.
It had a nice balance of salty and sweet flavors, and it didn't taste heavy at all. It paired nicely with the egg and the melted cheese.
" You're good at cooking young lady. Thumbs up!"
'' Thank you. I hope you slept well?" Morticia asked.
" You bet I did!" Jenna replied in between chewing.
" I see you're not leaving for work today, right?"
" Yep. And it doesn't seem like I'm leaving for it anytime soon. It's a long story you see." Jenna said as she picked up a glass of water. Morticia glanced at her, after humming, before she returned her attention to what she was doing.
* * *
After they had breakfast, they did some chit chat, before they both went to freshen up. Jenna, initially wanted to start the a-glass-for-a-story game, till it dawned on her that Morticia had only the shirt and skirt she bought her the previous day. So she decided it was time to do some shopping, after all, she needed somethings for herself too.
~~~ At the Mall ~~~
" It looks sexy on you though." Jenna complimented, as she glanced at her gown on Morticia, which was above her knees. Morticia wasn't really comfortable in it. It revealed her cleavage a little and her back too. To top it off, it was short.
'' If you say so." Morticia answered.
They went ahead to shop for some clothes and shoes as well as some easy wears. Just necessary things in general, as Morticia made sure of that!
* * *
" I'd love some Ice cream. I've been craving it lately. Would you want some?" Jenna asked when they were done shopping.
" Ummm, okay. It's been a while too."
" Okay then." Jenna said as they walked over to a mall kiosk.
Just as they were about to order,
" Morticia?" The voice of a little girl was heard. Morticia and Jenna, turned around looking for the source of the said voice.
" Is that you?" She asked, this time Jenna sighted the girl first and tapped Morticia, before tilting her head towards the little girl.
Trailing the direction Jenna tilted towards, Morticia Froze!
It was as if her body grew stiff!
" What's wrong? Are you Okay?" Jenna asked, perturbed.
" Mommy! Mommy! It's Morticia! Look!" The girl called out to her mother who was several feet away, as she had her back facing them, since she was on a call.
" Jenna, let's leave from here!" Like the speed of light, Morticia took to her heels and ran as fast as she could before Jenna could interrogate her further.
Jenna ran after her, with the shopping bags dancing to every step she took, in a bid to catch up with Morticia who unveiled the athlete in her!
Of course, Morticia was an athlete. Life taught her to do that, flawlessly!