“Ma’am we are here.” The taxi driver called out, bringing me out of my mild slumber.


    The effect ofst night shots were telling on me, my head felt like a hundred soldiers were matching in it. No doubts, I regretted  following Debbie to the  party. I was hoping the little distraction would help me take my mind off Antonio and his increasing appearance in my life. Instead, it had brought me closer, so close as to sleeping in his home.


    I paid my fare stepping out of the taxi, with my hand above my head, shielding away the rays of sunlight that threatened to blind my eyes. For the first time, I felt really grateful that I only had to work at the club at night. Aside the fact that it gave me time for my school work, it was safer being around this part of the town at night to avoid bumping into someone familiar.


    If Chloe wasn’t the nice person that she was, there is no way i would be taking all of this risk for her. What if someone from school sees me? My cover would be blown and I would be the gossip headline in the entire school.


    Chloe waved at me as soon as i stepped into the bar. The room was dimly lighted with a few patrons scattered over coupled booths. I roved through the gaps between each booth towards the bar where she stood.


    “I didn’t think you woulde, thank you so much, Eve.” She reached for my hands over the bar counter and squeezed them lightly.


    “Common, it’s  nothing. I’m sure you’d  do the same for me. If I needed your help,” I returned her smile.


    “Alright. So all you have to do is mix up drinks ording to the customers order. You are not to serve outside the bar, that’s the job  of the waiters. I would be back before you know it, okay?”


    I nodded in understanding, turning the corner to take her position behind the bar counter, while she packed up her bag.


    “What’s going on here?” The familiar voice of the manager brought us both to an abrupt stop. I exchanged quick nces with Chloe.


    “Eve is here to cover for me while I check out something, I would be back to take over,” she exined smoothly.


    “She can’t.” The manager blurted.


    “Why!” Chloe eximed, her eyes bright with rage.


    “Eve can no longer work with us,” he continued focusing his gaze on me.


    It was my turn to exim “why!”


    “I was going to see youter in the evening when youe for your shift, but it’s  a good thing you came earlier. Maybe we should step into my office Eve.” He motioned at the way in front of him. My legs felt weak. Was I also being fired? Oh God, no!


    I still have a year toplete at school, if I got fired, it would be hard going through my final year. I turned to Chloe, the look of irritation earlier on her face had turned into full blown anger. I felt bad for her, whatever it is she was supposed to go check out would have to wait now.


    I mouthed a silent apology before taking the lead to the manager’s office. I was fully aware of his presence behind me as I struggled to move my feet on the glittering  marble floor.


    I stepped aside to let him open the door as we got to the office. Then following behind him and taking the seat opposite his. Whatever this was had to be serious. The manager solemnly invited workers into his private space. The office was decorated in the style of someone who had great taste.


    The lights from the chandelier that hung too low sparkled over the neatly polished frames of art works that  were ced on the wall. The rug beneath my feet was furry and dippedfortably with each step I took. The cotton drapes had a matching color with the furniture that was in the room.


    “What is this about?” I spoke first.


    “The man your boyfriend messed with, he wants you to start working for him and has ordered your dismissal from the club house. Eve, I truly wish there was something I could do about this, but like I said before now Antonio Bernoti is a very influential man, he has the power to shut down this club and there would be nothing I can do about it. You have to understand that I am as helpless as you are here,” he ended his speech.


    I didn’t  realize my lips had been parted the whole time as he spoke. The words kept bouncing in my head, refusing to settle in. Antonio Bernoti, that devil! Did he think this was going to make me change my mind? How stupid of him.


    “Eve?” The manager called.


    “It’s  fine. You’ve  been a nice man and appreciate your kindness the whole time.” I stood up grabbing my bag.


    “Eve,” he called again.


    “Yeah?”


    “Maybe you should actually go work for him, I think his interested in you and if you ask me, it’s  a good thing being on the side of a man like that,”


    “I’m d I’m not asking for your opinion. And if youy an eye on your Mr influential Antonio Bernoti, tell him I say that he should go fuck himself cause I’m  never! Read my lips, I’m  never, ever going to work for him,” with that, I walked up to the door mming it hard with every little nerve of anger that had formed it way into me.


    I could feel my eyes burning with tears that I couldn’t  let fall out. I took long strides heading for the outside door, knowing fully well that if I stayed a minute longer around here, I was going to break down into tears and I was not ready to loose my dignity in such manner.


    “Eve!” Chloe called out as I passed the bar. I walked faster, not sparing a nce.


    “Eve, wait!” She called again. This time, I broke Into a run not stopping until I had put a distance between myself and the walls of the club. I wasn’t  ready to exin myself to anyone and Chloe was no exception.


    The sun had retreated into the clouds and evening was setting in. When I was sure that I was away from the club vicinity, I leaned on a car parked along a quiet street catching my breath. The air smelled of the garbage floating in the ditch that separated the main street from the lines of closed shops.


    The tears I had held for so long finally slipped down my cheeks. I pushed them away with the back of my palms. There was no way i was going to cry because if that devil. He’d be happy if he knew i was feeling helpless and so for the sake of my pride, I had to be  strong.


    A low moan sounded from within. At first I had thought it was a mistake, then I heard the sound again, this time I also felt the car shaking behind my body. I turned around to peer through the window, it was tinted and I couldn’t see a thing, but there was no mistaking that they was a couple in the car and by all means they were making out.


    I felt stupid for standing there. Charlie crossed my mind. This was good after all, maybe it was time to go home. At least, Charlie was home. I could sleep in his arms and feelforted. It might take a while, but certainly, we could look out together and get other jobs.


    Since there was no work to return to, I decided to take the walk home to kill sometime. I plugged in my headphones, listening to musics as I half jogged and slow walked to my apartment. I made up my mind to tell Charlie about Antonio.  Now there was no reason keeping it a secret anymore.


    ***Belonging ? N?velDram/a.Org.


    “Hey babe, you back on time, what happened?” Charlie was flung over the couch, a te of sandwich settled over hisp and the remote control in his hands.


    “I got fired,” I dropped not mincing words.


    “What?” Heid the te on the table with speed, as though it had burned his skin.


    “Was it because of me? Did I get you into trouble with the manager?” He was moving over to where I stood now.


    Yes, this was partly Charlie’s fault. If he hadn’t made that stupid joke that got him noticed by Antonio, perhaps, we both would still have our jobs  and live our lives peacefully without the knowledge of the existence of Antonio Bernoti.


    “No, it wasn’t because of you. It’s  Antonio Bernoti. He asked the boss to fire me,” I told him instead. I could feel the tears building up in my eyes again.


    “Antonio Bernoti? That bastard!” Charlie cursed.


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