Chapter One: COLD SHIVERS
1164 Words
Her legs ache terribly after standing throughout her entire afternoon shift.
She mopped the beads of sweat gathered around her forehead. She was tired to the bones and wouldn't mind resting for a while, but the thought of being scolded by the manager was enough motivation to keep working.
She never wished to be a waitress, but she had no better option, as she could barely feed to survive with her mother and little sister.
The sweet aroma of brewed coffee and freshly baked sandwiches wafted through the air. Customers sat patiently, waiting to be served.
She was carrying a tray containing a cup of coffee when her phone rang. Her hands jerked away from the tray. Then she dug into her pocket and brought out her cell phone.
A smile spread across her face when she saw the name on the caller ID.
"Hello, mom," she beamed.
"Cara, your sister... She's not doing well. Please, I need you here now" her mother said frantically over the phone. "I took her to MediCare Hospital."
The smile on her face vanished almost immediately. She almost sank to the floor. "What! What happened?"
This morning before leaving for work, Cara had noticed her sister acting strangely that morning but brushed it off. Did something go wrong?
"Please, just hurry. It's urgent," her mother began to sob.
Her stomach twisted into a tight knot as panic washed over her, making her heart hammer against her ribcage.
The chattering of customers faded as she struggled to breathe. Her mother’s panicked voice made her knees wobble, and she had to grab the counter for support.
She swallowed hard as she tried to act calm.
"Please stop crying mom, I will be there in a few minutes."
Her hands trembled as she picked up the cup of coffee, her mind clouded with confusion as she walked. As she walked, she bumped into a man.
"You clumsy fool!"
Cara stiffened at the sound of the cold voice which sounded like thunder. Bracing herself, she raised her head slowly to see who it was.
A tiny gasp escaped her lips as she watched in horror as her gaze slid down from the face of a man whom she assumed to be a customer to his suit that had coffee spilled on it.
His towering physique exuded dominance, commanding attention. He stood before her, dazzling in his well-ironed suit. She felt like a mouse in his presence.
She blinked repeatedly as she tried to apologize to him but it seemed the words were stuck in her throat as she could barely utter a word.
The man grabbed her hand and then took a menacing step closer to her, closing the gap between them.
A shiver ran down her spine as she met his piercing blue eyes, blazing with fury.
"I could have you fired for your stupidity," the man barked harshly.
This time, the customers were attracted to the scene as they watched with keen interest. One of the waitresses who saw what happened quickly dashed toward the manager's office.
Her eyes darted around the restaurant in fear and then it became misty as she focused her gaze at the man standing so close to her, glaring at her.
"I—I am sorry," she stuttered. "It wasn't intentional." She apologized, a little pleading attached to her tone.
Just then, the manager walked in with hurried steps. He gasped at the coffee stain on the man's suit.
"We apologize for this behavior, Mr. Sebastian," the manager pleaded.
Mr. Sebastian? As in Sebastian the businessman?
Sebastian ignored the Manager's words and regarded them with a glare. He already had a bad day, and now, coffee was thrown at him. As if losing the business deal was not bad enough already.
Cara's breath hitched, and her legs wobbled as if the ground beneath her had suddenly turned to quicksand. The man, whom the manager referred to as Mr. Sebastian, glared at them and strode out of the restaurant muttering under his breath.
She almost ran after him to plead again but the manager's icy glare pinned her in place.
"I've always known that you have nothing good to offer. Just yesterday, you spoiled the coffee machine!"
"That was a mistake," her voice trembled slightly as she tried to defend herself. “The machine was bound to get damaged”.
She had complained countless times about the faulty coffee machine but he paid little attention to her. And now she's been blamed for it.
The manager rolled his eyes, he had been looking for ways to fire Cara. She had been a pain in the ass for him.
He pointed his finger at her, his face contorted in rage. "Not a word from you. You have succeeded in chasing one of our esteemed customers. You're fired. Do not show your face around here! "
The words pierced through her like a knife. Her stomach churned, which made her take in sharp breaths.
This job meant a lot to her. Getting another job would be difficult. She quickly fell to her knees. "Please, I need this job. I will do better," tears streamed down her face.
"Get lost!" the manager yelled at her.
Cara felt helpless.
This was too much to bear; her sister had been admitted to the hospital, and the only source of her family's survival had been snatched from her.
Tears rushed down Cara's cheeks, where was she supposed to see another job that paid well like this one? Sadness filled her heart and the thoughts of why she was fired came to mind.
She had to meet her mom soon; her mom must be in a state of panic.
Cara wiped her face, stood up, grabbed her things, and left the restaurant. As soon as she stepped outside, tears involuntarily spilled down her cheeks. She would think of a solution later.
Her mother had an accident years ago which confined her to a wheelchair.
Taking one last look at the restaurant, she walked away. She stopped a taxi and gave the driver the directions to go, who in turn sped off.
Soon, the driver pulled up in front of the hospital and she paid him. And rushed out of the car.
Her heart pounded furiously as she rushed to the front desk. She was about to ask questions about her sister when she saw her mother.
"Mom!' she called in tears, her hands reaching to wipe them away.
Her mother snapped her head towards her, and Cara ran to her; she bent slightly and hugged her mother, who was also sobbing.
Emily tried to smile, but remembering what the doctor had told her a few minutes ago, tears began to form in her eyes.
Cara drew back gently. "What happened?" A mix of panic and confusion in her gaze.
Her mother's eyes glistened with tears, then she sniffed. "I have bad news."
"Your sister had a seizure...her condition is quite critical.”
- Writer
