Tell me a secret

Party (1)

Abelina

With a groan I force my tired body to wake up. My tense shoulders making me more agitated than I already am, and the stupid alarm is making it worse. Its five o'clock in the morning on a Sunday and I have to go to work.

My life is hell, sometimes I think it would be better in hell.

I slam my hand on the alarm clock thats ontop of the nightstand.

's**t my head hurts like a b***h'

Before I can rub my temple a familiar small voice asks. "Abelina, is it work time?" My little sister Sandy asks from beside me on the bed. I look at her disheveled hair and give her a small smile that's accompanied by a nod.

She already knows our weekend routine. I wake up, wash up, make us breakfast and take her to daycare. And by daycare I'm speaking about our old neighbor who stays next door. Her name is Rutherlda, but everyone calls her Ruth.

Ruth, is an elderly lady maybe in her sixties that takes care of Sandy's, while I'm at work. I pay her a couple of bucks monthly to do so for me.

After, freshening both me and Sandy. I grab my purse and Sandy's bag and both me and her walk out hand in hand. After struggling with the lock, I'm finally done.

*knock knock

After a few moments that feel like years the elderly woman opens the door. Her friendly smile greets me as she realizes it me. We exchange greetings and she gives me a small hug than she takes Sandy inside. "Don't worry she's in safe hands" is her usual reassurance to me.

I head out of the apartment, after checking out by the front desk at reception. I go to the parking lot where my bike is.

This must not be my day, because why isn't my bike starting. After a few minutes I decide to give up, throw the keys of my bike in my purse and go hike a cab.

After like 20 minutes a cab stops for me.

'Did you hear that? A full 20 minutes trying to hike! Im going to go crazy'

As if my situation couldn't get any more hysterical my phone starts buzzing with messages. I take it out of my purse and its my manager. There are twenty, no! TWENTY-FIVE missed calls that I hadn't heard, from my panicking.

Once I pick up all i hear is scolding "you finally decided to pick the call!" she roars through the phone making me wince. "Im sorry ma'am its just tha -"

"Its just that what ? What tell me now! You know what leave it. We will discuss it once you arrive" and with that she drops the call.

I dont want to admit it but I'm in deep s**t. Miss Carnicky already doesn't like me and to make it worse now I'm late. I'd rather be scolded than fired. I really need this job. Not only for me but for Sandy. We don't have anyone to support us beside me.

"Ma'am we're here" I'm snapped out of my thoughts, by the drivers voice. I take out my wallet to pay the lady but she shakes her head not taking the money. I raise a brow confused, 'doesn't she want the fare'. I clear my throat "thank you for dropping me, here" I refer to the money in my hand.

"You know what young lady. You remind me of my youth. And that boss or manager of yours reminds me of a person I used to work for. So its fine, you can keep it" she says genuinely offering me a small curtious smile. "Thank you so much for your kindness" I reply honestly.

"You have to hurry it up! You don't want to be late" she reminds me and I spring out the car. "Thank you and bye" I say as she drives away.

I guess it isn't that bad of a day'

'Spoke too soon'

"Where the hell have you been?" is the first thing I hear when I open the office to my managers office. My footsteps are slow and measured, palms slightly getting sweaty and lips trembling.

'Please dont fire me'

I quickly sprint towards her oval shaped table and stand infront of her. "Ma'am I...I am sorry for being late. My bike wouldn't start an-" she cuts my words with the glare she shoots my way. "Who gave you permission to speak?"

"No one Ma'am" I answer my voice below a whisper. "Then shut up when I speak" I do just that. If I didn't need this job as much as I need it. I would've left through that door the minute I stepped my foot in here. But my circumstances don't allow my pride to win this time around. So instead I listen to the insults hurled at me by Ms.Carnicky.

'No wonder she has been divorced five times, and is in the process of another one at the moment'

"Did you hear me Abelina?" I just nod. "Because of all the mistakes that have occurred this past month. I'll have to deduct it from your salary at the end of the month. If these problems occur again. I'll have to either suspend or fire you. You get that. Now go and do your job" she shoo's me away than turns her attention to her laptop.

I can hear her smashing her thumbs on the poor keyboard. What did it deserve, shame.

I quickly wear my apron, head cover and gloves in the changing room. I make my way to the kitchen where I find my friend Erica, already there and busy washing dishes. Its almost opening time, ten minutes left.

"Hey Erica" I greet solemnly moving towards her to help with the dishes. "Heard Carnicky scolded you. What happened ?" she asked her eyes still concentrated on the dishes she's busy washing. Though she's here I can feel that her thoughts aren't. By the way she's looking at the pan in her hand. "The usual. She got all bitchy and scolded me" I say it in monotone.

"Whats up with you? You seem like you're deep in thought" I question her, she's not usually this quiet.

Before I can prepare myself Erica wraps her arms around me.

What is she doing ? She knows I don't like hugs.

Even the thought disgusts me. I just let her lean onto me, sink her sorrows and sniffles on Carnicky's apron. After she's done sobbing I'm still in the position I was in, my arms to my sides and looking at my friend wipe the tears in her eyes. I just stand next to her and pat her shoulder. Unknowingly she giggles "you are horrible at comforting people" I don't even try disagree with her because its the truth.

"So are you going to tell me now or during break" I ask her, walking towards the door to go out and lift the 'OPEN' board by the entrance. "Break is fine" i nod and go to the entrance.

The cafè has been really busy today and I feel exhausted. My feet feel swollen and I'm irritated at this point. If I'm not waitering, I am at the till taking orders from annoying, bratty or rude customers.

"I'd like a cappuccino with a little hint of you" the arrogance drips from the losers voice. I look up to see my cheesy 'boyfriend' leaning on the counter. I fake a smile and gasp as if im happy or surprised to see him. "Missed me?"

'No f*ck off"

"With everything in me baby boo" I coo, sarcasm hidden in my voice but i***t here won't get it. "I just came by to invite you to a party at my place tonight" he says enthusiastically, biting his lips in a form of weird seduction.

If I could. I would sell this i***t for $5, but I don't know where, and whom would buy this rich nitwit for that much. I feel a vibration from my apron and quickly take it out.

* +$500 into savings account'

The smile on my face is comedic. I look up too see the i***t putting his iPhone 17 in his pocket. "Don't you like my gift princess" I nod enthusiastically smiling like a fool. "Thank you boo" I say happily twirling my hair like an i***t.

"You'll be at the party right?" he asks. I give a quick nod. In less than a second his out the door. This money is going to help me so much with mine and Sandy's expenses.

'I guess i gotta get ready for the party tonight'

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That was the first part of this long story. And I hope yall liked it because this is just the beginning. In this chapter I just wanted to introduce some of the characters in the story. I hope its evident that Abelina is one of the main characters in the story. I plan on developing the narrative of the story as it keeps progressing.

I really hope y'all love it! As I've mentioned theres more to come.