'' I am very sorry Mr James. Something came up and I lost track of time?'' I apologized sincerely to my boss. Standing in front of his table in the office. There were worries written in his eyes. He studied me from head to toe
'' Are you sure you are alright? you are not the type to lose track of time ''
'' I am '' smiled '' I am very fine '' I assured him. In fact, it was worth my time in the end. '' What about the other guy, was he upset?" I asked, concerned about the other part-timer
'' haaa. Forget about him... Oh,'' he remembered something. I watched him take out an envelope from his inner pocket and he handed it over to me '' Here. your week pay '' he said
'' oh my... '' I quickly collected it '' Thank you, sir''. I get 10 dollars a week for my work. It isn't much but what can I do? This will be my last salary from him. Because I will be quitting my daytime job because of school and focus on night jobs. I held the envelope tight and then put it in my bag pack '' Mr James? ''
'' Yes ?'' he responded
'' I won't be coming back after today '' he quickly leaned forward in his chair
'' what do you mean you won't be coming back? '' in shock '' You are quitting? Why? Is the work too difficult? Where do you expect me to get another part-timer with your short notice?'' throwing several questions at me
'' the thing is..... I am back to school ''
'' oh yeah... Lara told me'' nodding in understanding '' but you do not have to quit. You can take the night shifts..''
'' Lara got the night shifts '' I reminded
'' I will fire her... you are the one I want. You keep things organized in here and I get more customers during your shift ''
'' please don't do that, Mr James. Lara needs this job as much as I do.'' I lower my head, eyes to the ground. I hated the idea of quitting this job. It is rear to find a good honest boss like him, I wonder if I will be this lucky to get a boss like him again.
'' I do not want you to go, Maria,'' he admitted sadly
'' I do not what to go either but I do not have a choice ''
'' what about this? You come only at weekends. And I will still pay the same 10 dollars'' his words surprised me.
'' What?'' not sure if I heard him well. He would still pay me 10 dollars for working only two days in a weak '' weekends only? ''
'' Yeah. But you have to work throughout the day... can you work with that?'' I was just about to say yes when it hit me that I've got school on Saturdays so it wouldn't be possible
'' it is a wonderful offer Mr James, but one that I most turn down ''
'' why? '' disappointment in his tone
'' I got school on Saturdays as well. My only free day is on Sunday. That will be cheating on the other employees' part, Sir. I am sorry but you should get a much more reliable person ''
'' hh,'' he sighs. Resting back with his eyes closed. He thought for a while '' fine '' leaning forward once again '' I totally understand you... wish you good luck, Maria ''
'' Thank you sir '' I was just about to leave
'' Maria? '' I stopped at my track
'' Sir ?'' turn to face him again
''The door is always open. Whenever you want to come back, I will accept you with open arms ''
'' Thank you for your care and concern sir '' With a smile I walked out of the office, heading straight for my work.
My shift ended. I told Lara I will not be returning and she had to be dramatic about it. I called in sick from my workplace and I was given the night off. Why? Because I knew my mother and sister will be up waiting for me to return. After all, today is my first day at my new school and they would want to know how it went. I couldn't risk them knowing that I work at a late-night club. I don't want to see my mother cry. She has a weak heart and I am very careful when it comes to breaking things to her.
I got home at 8 pm. The moment I stepped in I heard the TV. And the fresh smell of food hit my nose. It has been a while since I eat dinner at home. '' I am home '' I announced
'' Oh, my Good Maria '' Malisa calls out and hurries to meet me up at the entrance and collected my bag pack. She has obviously prepared herself for a night gist '' why are you home so late? I thought mum told you not to go to work today '' she spoke while I took off my shoes '' Or you didn't go to work did you? You usually come later than this. You went somewhere else didn't you? '' said questioned, sounding suspicious
'' don't be silly. Where could I possibly go '' walking in, I spotted my mum in the kitchen '' Good evening Mother'' said out loud as I made my way to the kitchen. With that welcoming warm smile, she stopped what she was doing and turn around to hug me. I hugged her tightly
''Welcome back sweetheart'' After a while, we pulled away from the hug. '' how was your first day at your new school..'' she seemed excited.
''Tell us everything '' Malisa added. Yeah, I will surely tell them a story, but most of it would be a lie. I surely would not tell them about Logan and his group. I hope they don't come to me again after this. I was able to get a reasonable amount of money from them today. That will take me a long way.
'' Yeah, Yeah, I got a lot to tell but let's finish preparing dinner first '' Malisa frowns and walked away to the sitting room
'' You are boring '' she yelled. My mother and I looked at each, it seems like the same thought came to our mind and we smiled at each other
'' Cute !'' we both let out. Malisa is the cutest when she is angry or Upset even my mother says the same.
I told them a story. My first day at A&S High School. And made it sound so wonderful that my sister promised my mum she would do her best to go to A&S. I wanted to tell her not to, I wanted to tell her it was a living hell. But I can't do that. They may ask questions that I do not have answers to. I just smiled at her words and promised her that I will support her every step of the way.
Six am in the morning, I left the house for school '' take care '' I heard my mother say as I shut the door behind me. Another day. I wonder what the day would be like for me. I already planned out my day today. The school will be over by 4 pm. This leaves me with 2 hours and 30 minutes to head to the library and study, try to get a review of the classes I missed and 30 minutes to get to the club for my night shift. I already told my mother I would be walking night shifts at the convention store so they shouldn't wait for me and go to bed early.
My mind suddenly went to Logan and his friends. What will happen today? I wondered if he was upset about me taking his money. If he was, then I would be glad. At the least not only did I take money from our talk, but I was also able to anger him.
Walking down that lonely road to get to the bus stop. Early in the morning with not a single soul on the street. I have gotten used to it, and it doesn't scare me any more. What is the worst that will happen? I get killed which is not an issue after all everyone will die one day. Or I get rapped and that will be a bit difficult to achieve.
'' Maria... Maria...Maria'' Instantly, my body went numb from hearing that voice. I forgot. There is indeed something that can scare me. I slowly lift my head to see them. Those familiar faces.
'' Ma...Marshal?'' shocked to see him here with his gang. Marshal, a 6 feet 4 inches tall man, well built, which makes him appear huge. Messy brown hair, dark brown eyes with a big scar from his nose down to his left cheek.
'' Maria!!'' his deep, aggressive voice spoke with excitement. He walks towards me with about six of his men behind him. They all carried this smile that reads a very dangerous meaning to it. I watched them get closer until they finally came to a stop. A normal young high school girl will get terrified and run away but I didn't. They only scare me because they were our debtors and have the power to hurt my family but other than that. They didn't scare me enough for me to run away
'' Why are you here? '' looking up at him. His smile vanished
'' where is my money? ''