The doorbells jingled for the eightieth time that morning. The time was now fifteen minutes past eight. Everyone stared at the handsome man who made such a noise to enter the restaurant.

He just sat at a table and crossed his legs while reading an article on his phone. Everyone still stared at him for different reasons. Some may stare because of his face. Some may decide to stare because of his body. Others were forced to stare because of the clothes.

But few people like Abigail had to stare because of the cold aura he was emitting. Abigail gulped her spit and closed her eyes. Yeah, the manager was walking towards her hurriedly. He's coming to say the exact words Abi has memorized ever since the suspicious man has been coming to the restaurant.

"Abi! What are you still doing here? Hurry up and go serve Mr. Leo over there,"  the manager said with a frown on his face.

"Yes, sir," Abi replied and began to make the coffee the man was there for.

She looked at Riley, a fellow worker who became her friend, and smiled at her. She was giving her that funny look that she always gives her anytime the man was around. Abi knows what it meant and ignored her.

Riley was crazy, so what could she expect from a crazy person? The first time Mr. Leo came to the restaurant, Riley was the first person to interrogate her after she served him.

"So, how many heart attacks did you get?" Riley asked her.

"None,"  Abi hissed.

"What?" Riley sneered. "I know you don't want to tell me that you like a boy already. That nerd you like doesn't count as a man, so... duh," Riley rolled her eyes dramatically, and Abi laughed.

"Well, I didn't feel anything for your crush, so let me be,"  Abi voiced and left the place hurriedly. She knew that if she waited a second longer, Riley would keep her there till night. Riley is talkative and funny. She's also crazy and gets what she wants by all means. She's working at the restaurant because her family asked her to prove herself to be a heiress.

Riley is a rich bitch and a lavish spender. She decided to work at a restaurant for three months to show her family that they were wrong by calling her a spendthrift. After working at five places for a month, she almost gave up because it was tiring. She stumbled upon the restaurant she was working in now and decided to push through for three months.

Abi has been the one boosting her spirit and motivating her all along; otherwise, she would have quit a long time ago. Apart from that, her motivation comes from hot boys and dramas. The restaurant, Rhyte Taste, is popular, with many dramas happening every day. Mr. Leo has been the one reason Riley comes to work every day.

"He may come today." That was her anthem every time she woke up in the morning. Riley is an extrovert and likes doing things extravagantly. She wasn't friends with Abi from the beginning because of the way she was brought up. She wasn't taught to mingle with the lower-class people and kept to herself. But that made her to be picked on a lot. Her friends came to Rhyte Taste one day and began to make fun of her after seeing her as a waitress.

They thought her family's company had hit rock bottom and laughed at her. Abi was the one that stood up for her for the first time. She badmouthed them and called one of her former friends a divorced frog. Riley became friends with her quickly, and they were close to one another.

Riley had to leave a simple life within three months or she wouldn't have the position of a heiress. She winked at Abi, who took a deep breath and held the tray containing the coffee with shaky hands. Abi raised her chin up and dragged her feet to the man that she was staring into her soul as she walked towards him.

'Why can't he look away? ', She asked herself and bit her lips.

"Ahh!" She cried out and widened her eyes in shock. She was on the floor and looked at the man in horror.

"Are you okay, Mr. Leo?" The manager ran to the man with a pack of serviette papers.

"Clean his hand now!!" the manager yelled at Abi. Abi quickly got up from the floor and took one of the serviette papers from him. She took Mr. Leo's hand and began to wipe it furiously. She just bowed her head and continued wiping his hand.

"What are you doing?" the man asked her with a deep voice. Abi froze and bit her lips. Did he just talk to her? Is that his real voice? Why is he talking like…

"Are you deaf?!" The manager screamed at Abi and kept shut after seeing the hand of Mr. Leo in the air.

"Look at me," Abi heard his voice again. The man waved his hand at the annoying manager to dismiss him. The manager bowed his head and walked away in a hurry.

"Are you hurt?" the man asked and held her hand. Abi took her hand back from him immediately. It was cold and big. Why did he hold her hand?

She shook her head to answer her question and muttered, "I'm sorry." She disappeared from his sight after gathering the chipped cup and tray from the floor. She was sure that someone tripped her. She looked at her fellow worker and hissed. She was sure that it was Zoe.

She has always been jealous of Abi from day one. The jealousy must have reached its peak for her to trip her. She had told her before that she loved Mr. Leo and asked her to stay away. But how could Abi stay away when the manager made her to be the one to serve Mr. Leo anytime he comes to the restaurant?

Abi walked back to the counter with guilt. "Oh my gosh! What's with the redness, Abi?" Abi heard Travis ask her. He was the only guy close to her in the restaurant after being rejected as a partner by her. He's the only one that really cares for her, apart from those ones that want nothing more than to get into her pants.

"Are you now blind?" Riley asked Travis, who frowned at her.

"What?" Travis rolled his eyes.

"Oh my Travis!" Riley sang with her hands on her hips. "Where were you when she fell with the tray?"

"What do you mean 'fell?'" He asked her.

"She fell, okay?" Riley pursed her lips.

"Are you okay?" Riley and Travis chorused.

"I'm fine," Abi lied and dropped the tray. "Zoe tripped me,"  she added.

"Really?" Riley smirked and made contact with Abi.

"No," Abi said because she knows that look too. It means REVENGE. Riley wants to take revenge for her. The last time Riley had revenge for her was a terrible one. Riley took it too far for her. 

**

Abi had told the workers that she was looking for an extra job. One of the girls, Samantha, made her know that she has one they can do together. Abi didn't see it as a problem and accepted the offer.

Abi was working so hard to pay the loan her father had taken before he ran away with another woman. They both went for decoration at an event. Abi was the main decorator because her mom was a decorator.

Samantha was just there to hand her the pins and fabrics. Some of the guests at the events were in love with the decoration and met with Samantha to get their contacts. They wanted them to be in charge of their events too in the future. Samantha went ahead to give the guests her number and left Abi's contact information out.

Abi divided the money she got from the job in half because Samantha was the one that looked for the job for her. Samantha worked with other decorators when it was time for the people at the event to work with her. It was a bit late when Abi came to know about it.

She was mad, but what could she do? What's done has been done! Samantha later confessed that the people didn't pay that much and complained because they weren't satisfied with the decorators' work.

Abi told Riley what happened, and she swore revenge on behalf of Abi. Samantha was planning to get married soon. One day, they had a party, and Samantha was drunk. Riley seized that opportunity to carry out her plan. She took Samantha's phone and sent a serious message to her fiancé about her false pregnancy.

'Hey baby. I don't know how to say this, but I'll be quick so you can get it over with. I've been lying to you for some months. The truth is, I'm pregnant and married. I've been pregnant for three months now. I'm sorry, baby. Move on and find another woman. Don't forget to invite me to your wedding.'

That was the message Riley sent to Samantha's fiancé. Funny enough, Samantha's fiancé believed the message and went his way. He believed it because Samantha was a wayward girl, and he wasn't too surprised.

Samantha got mad at Abi even though it was Riley that sent the message. She stopped working at Rhyte Taste and relocated. Abi warned Riley never to try such again. It was an expensive joke.

That was why Abi saved Riley's name as 'Evil Witch'.

**

"I wasn't going to, okay?" Riley smiled at Abi.

"You're fired, Abigail."  The manager returned with anger.

"What?" Abi looked at the manager with shock. Why was she fired?

"I said you're fired. Take your things and leave. Don't you know Mr. Leo?!" he yelled at her and scoffed. "Ah! You don't because you don't even have a phone! All you do is watch silly news in your leisure time and cook your life away,"  he spat in disgust.

"At least she is useful,"  Riley muttered. "What did you say?" The manager directed his gaze to Riley, who kept quiet.

"She said- "

"Shut up! I heard her." The manager hissed at Travis. "Take your things and get out. I don't want to see you here when I return,"  the manager declared and walked out of their sight. Abi broke down in tears and began to weep. What is she going to do now? Where would she see another job that would pay her five thousand dollars monthly so quickly? She's unemployed again.

Who would help her now that her already miserable life has turned out like this? They usually say from grass to grace, but she thinks she is going from grass to thorns.

"Abi,"  Riley said softly and shook her.

"Yeah? "Yeah? "Abi cleaned her tears and slid her bag on her shoulder.

"What did he say? say? "Riley whispered with a smile. Abi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Really, Riley? Riley? "

"Oh, c'mon, babe. He must have said something to you when he held you like..."

"Bye," Abi hissed and walked out of the restaurant in anger. How could Riley ask her that after she was fired? Was she supposed to care for her friend more or for the man? The breeze hit Abi's face without warning, and her hair was everywhere. She chuckled and ran her hand through her hair.

"Aargh! "She held her chest and looked at the man that made her get fired in anger.

"Careful with those eyes,"  he said without emotion and looked at her dryly.

"Are you checking me out? "Abi asked.

"In your dreams. You can never be my type. You look like a pig,"  he said, and Abi scoffed. Abi looked at her reflection in the nearby window and scoffed. "This bastard doesn't know the meaning of 'fat,"  she thought in her head.

Abi was a slim girl with the right curves. Not that slim though; she has a little fat in her. She has the perfect round ass, the perky big boobs, and toned arms and legs. She has delicate fingers and a slender neck. Her slim waist and hips were the definition of perfection in ladies. Her voice was so nice to hear—gentle and crystal. Her facial features were sharp too.

Her skin was so fair and spotless. Her lips are soft, pink, and small. Her brown almond eyes were simply beautiful too. They were the definition of perfection. But those pretty eyes of hers glared at the man that almost gave her a scare.

"What do you want?"Abi asked him.

"I'm afraid I'm responsible for what happened to you in there. I wanted to give you this." He stretched out a tube of ointment to her.

"I'm fine," Abi brushed him off, but he grabbed her hand and sighed. His fingers went to his forehead immediately, and she rolled her eyes.

"I didn't ask for that. I don't care if you're fine or not because you're not my responsibility. Why should I give a fuck about you? But if I say I'm responsible for your burn, then I am! This is the least I could do."  The man hissed.

Abi watched him speak coldly to her and said nothing. She was hurt, but what could she say? What was she doing with him at first? Why should she be connected to such a man as him?

"Give it to me then,"  Abi muttered and tried to take the ointment from him. He turned deaf to her request and held her hand forcefully to apply the ointment himself. Silence prevailed between them for a while. He was soon through with the application and turned around without a word.

"Thanks,"  Abi quickly appreciated his help. She didn't want to look like an ungrateful 'pig' to him. He might have heard her, but he didn't say anything to her. Instead, a black SUV pulled up in front of him, and he walked into it majestically.

"Rude Brat,"  Abi rolled her eyes and walked home. 

*****

Adrian held the remote control in his left hand and stared at the television with disgust. His wife also stood behind him with the same expression on her face.

"How did this happen?" His wife cried. "Ask your son when he returns."

Adrian hissed and stood up from the sofa he was sitting on. "Don't you dare walk out on me, Adrian! We're going to be a laughingstock in the whole country if he's anywhere around that cheap slut,"  his wife ranted.

"It's all your fault, Pen! If he had gotten married to that heiress of Hay Company, would this have happened? Now, I see why he's a bastard! bastard!" Adrian spat, and Pen looked at him in anger.

"What did you say?" She trembled angrily.

"You heard me,"  Adrian said with a low voice.

Pen said nothing and began to walk away. Her steps were taken in small strides, and her breath was a little bit heavy. Tears settled in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. Adrian tried to speak, but he just kept quiet and looked at her.

He decided to walk out of the room with mixed feelings. Pen brought out her phone to call somebody. She put her phone to her right ear and sniffed. She dabbed at her eyes to rid them of any tears before going ahead to clear her throat.

"Hey Jay," Pen said with excitement.

"Penelope?"Jay asked.

Jay was the hacker for the family. He was recruited because he was good at what he does, but no one really got to know about his talent. Penelope was the one that found out and decided to get him a contract.

As long as he works for her and her family, he was good to go. But lately, Jay has become big because of his mad skills and talent. He works for many big companies and has become very busy.

"Are you busy?" Pen asked.

"No," Jay lied because he doesn't think it was right to tell the family that brought him from grass to grace about his busyness. He wouldn't have been in that position without them.

"Oh great,"  Pen heaved a sigh before continuing.

"I would love for you to run a background check on a woman. You must have seen the news about Leo by now. The woman that was seen with him is the woman I'm talking about now. Just check everything about her and get back to me as soon as possible."

"Is that all?"Jay asked.

"For now…yes," Pen replied and thanked him for making time to help her.

**

Abi took off the gloves from her hands and inhaled the delicious aroma coming from the sponge cake she just baked. Sometimes, she would have an appetite for something so simple and delicious. Other times, she would go for something that could cost her a lot as long as it made her happy.

In this life, she has decided to do things that make her happy because, after all, it's just a life she has on earth, not nine! Her sister, Ava, managed to run into the kitchen to steal the tray.

"Hey! "Abi yelled. It wasn't funny. Ava had it all planned already because she was already wearing gloves.

"What's with you, Abigail? I'm so glad you're indoors." Abi's best friend walked into the kitchen with a large nylon in her hands.

"What's that?" Abi eyed the nylon and ignored her question.

"Just some junk. Don't worry. I'll stay here for a few days and leave. You must be traumatized, my baby." Her best friend began to walk to her slowly and cupped her cheeks.

Abi stared at her best friend like she was already going crazy. No one told her to come for a sleepover. She was the breadwinner of the house, and thanks to the bastard that gave her an ointment earlier, she was fired! How could she feed her family?

And now that her best friend came to her house to spend 'a few days' without calling, what would she do?

"What's with that look? You can't hide things from me anymore. I'm your freaking bestie, Abigail." Her best friend laughed and took the tray from Ava when she entered the kitchen again.

"You're crazy, Jessica. Take your things and go home because we're broke. You see this cake; this would be our dinner too. So we want to eat like a rich man child and fast like children of our Heavenly Father tomorrow," Ava laughed.

"So, you both haven't heard the news, so why this stupid reaction? It's not funny! "Jessica hissed.

"What news?" Abi asked because how was she supposed to hear any news? The television had been sold a long time ago, and she doesn't even have a phone. In fact, no one in their family has a phone. That's how poor they were.

"You were involved in a scandal with the almighty Leonardo Grey," Jessica declared with a smirk playing on her lips.