CHAPTERS THREE
1179 Words
Those Emerald green eyes faintly glowing in the dark pierced through my soul. Everywhere went quiet
My senses…. Numb. How could he be totally calm in chaos?
There was something about his gaze.
Calm…….. But dangerous.
He tilted his head slightly, almost like he was studying me.
Trembling, I quickly lowered mine.
In avoiding his gaze, I still felt it, closer this time.
His eyes watching;
Every shaky breath I took.
Every failed unspoken word.
Every time my eyes darted across the room.
Every time I tried to wipe the sweat trickling down my skin.
The feeling of him closer made everything weighty.
“I — I'm sorry sir! I didn't mean to, I, I'll pay… I'll pay back, I promise.
My heart bulged heavily against my chest. Every single breath felt like a pound of struggle.
Silence was all that could be heard, but his aura was something powerful and dangerous.
His gaze dropped to the shattered bottle on the ground and then briefly to his watch.
And just like that….
He walked away.
Leaving me frozen on a spot.
That was it.
No anger
No insults
No drama
Just silence…and a commanding stillness he left behind.
Faint and expensive fragrance hung in the air.
Who was he?
I stood there, frozen, staring at the space he had just walked out of, like he had taken something with him.
“Yola!
Bernice’s voice snapped through the noise.
“Oh my God—what happened?”
I didn’t answer.
My eyes were still on the floor.
On the shattered glass and what was left of the DRC.
“Yola… talk to me.”
My throat tightened.
“I… I broke it.”
“Broke what?
Following my gaze. She froze
“Oh”...
For the first time since I’d known her—
Bernice had nothing to say.
“He was here, just right here,” I whispered.
“Who was here?
“The one who ordered it.”
And?
“…He left.”
“Left?”
Yes, I said, nodding slowly.
Bernice frowned, confused. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“I know…
My hands were still shaking.
“Yola…” she lowered her voice, glancing around. “We need to clean this up. Now. Before Madame sees.”
That name alone made my chest tighten.
“If she finds out!
“I know,” she cuts in.
We moved quickly.
Too quickly.
Like if we worked fast enough… Maybe this never happened.
But every piece of glass I picked, felt like a dejavu.
“Get me a waste bag,” Bernice said under her breath.
Rushing off, I came back almost immediately.
We packed everything without uttering a word.
The tray, the broken glasses, the bottle,
Especially the bottle.
Bernice held it for a second longer than the rest.
Do you even know how much this costs? She asked.
“No,” I shook my head.
“More than we make in years!!!
I felt my stomach clutched hard.
Don’t think about it right now, she said quickly, tying the bag.
By the time we were done, the club was already thinning out.
The music felt distant now.
Like I wasn’t part of it anymore.
“Let's go Yola”.
The audacity of you both to think I wouldn't find out! Madame's voice barked sharply, making me lose balance immediately.
Everything that happens in this building is under my watch”, especially my money! Do you know why? Well, because I don't joke about it.
“Now both of you stupid, lousy bitches, better speak up and tell me what the hell happened to my D.R.C” right now!! Or else somebody is going to be losing their tongues at this instant, so you are all pretending to be dumb.
Her voice was so loud, it made my heart pound loudly, very thick sweat ran down my skin.I could feel my T-shirt getting soaked up.
Taking a glance at Bernice, I felt horrible for dragging her into this.
“Are you dumb people? Who the f**k broke my bottle? Madame said, slamming hard against a table.
“It was … It was me”.
“Of course it was you. First you showed up late and now you broke a fortune."
You didn't even spill a glass of it, you broke the whole God damn bottle..
“I'm sorry,” dropping to my knees! Please forgive me, it was a mistake."
I promise I'll pay back.
“Pay back ? You foolish thing." She slammed at me.
Do you even know how much that bottle cost, huh?
Answer me !
“Do you even understand what you’ve done?”
I shook my head slowly.
Madame let out a short, cold laugh.
“That bottle…”
Stepping closer, she said.
“…is worth eighty-five thousand dollars.” My ears rang as my stomach clutched even harder.
Eighty… five… thousand?
I could barely process it.
That wasn’t money. That was a lifetime.
“That’s not something people like us can fix,” Bernice whispered.
“It cost a filthy eighty-five thousand dollars.”
“And none of you make me that kind of money,“ not even this whole damn building if I sold it .
Her eyes blazed with rage as she chuckled.
“I’ll pay it…” my voice came out barely above a whisper.
Madame’s lips curved slightly. “With what?”
Silence.
“You’ll work here until every cent is repaid.
“Madame.”
The voice cut in, not loud, but enough.
We all turned.
Omar stepped forward.
I think there’s been a misunderstanding.
Madame’s eyes narrowed. “What misunderstanding?”
Omar glanced at me briefly and then back at her.
“The gentleman who ordered the DRC…”
Already settled the bill before he left.
He what? Bernice whispered in disbelief.
He paid?I asked, my voice unsteady.
Madame studied Omar for a moment.
How certain are you?
“Very certain ma'am."
“Where's the cashier?” Madame called out.
“I'm here madame”. A girl said, stepping forward.
“Bring me the transaction receipt and teller with the record of a successful transaction of eighty-five thousand dollars right now."
Madame said with a stern voice and straight face.
“Here it is, Ma’am.”
Locking her sharp gaze against mine, she said.“You’re lucky, Very lucky.”
Walking away, she says, “You're both dismissed.
Turning over to Omar with tears swirling in my eyes.
“Did he really pay?”
“Yes, he did.” He was like a ghost, he had this presence.
I really think you should stay off work for a while”. Omar said.
“Yes Yola! Bernice affirmed.
“Let's go home, Yola." You’re not staying here tonight.
. We’re leaving together.
“Something about this doesn't feel right! Why would he pay? “Is this real kindness, or is it the opening of a trial I would not be able to take."
“Who exactly did I get involved with?"
- Writer
