Chapter One
1559 Words
Plates fell and shattered on the floor as Lyra Kim staggered and fell on the slippery floor of the restaurant's kitchen, blood dripping from her wrist that was cut open as she fell.
SLAP!!!
A harsh slap landed on her cheeks, her face swinging to the side from the force.
"Useless!" Branson stood menacingly above her, looking down at her spitefully.
"It was just a simple task, Lyra, but you couldn't even succeed in delivering an order to a customer, how useless can you get?" The Chef asked furiously as he stared at the wasted food on the floor.
"No, Chef, it wasn't my—"
"Quiet!" Serin scolded and landed another hard slap on Lyra's cheek.
Lyra bit down on her lip to stop herself from letting the tears fall. She raised her face and stared at the culprit who had caused her fall by purposely pouring water on the polished tiles.
"Get up, and tidy this mess up, immediately! No salary for you this month! Useless!" Branson condemned and angrily walked away.
"Tsk! What a loser," Serin flipped her hair behind her and slowly walked around Lyra, a condescending look in her eyes.
"Told you I'd make you suffer, didn't I? Hmm," Serin put her chin between her thumb and index finger, pretending to think about something. "This place is not for you; you don't fit in; you should be on the streets, waiting for the next man to c*m inside you, slut," she giggled at her crude joke.
Lyra ignored her and gently stood up and started picking up the shredded plates.
"Answer me, you b***h!" Serin pushed Lyra with her two hands, causing her to lose balance and fall to the floor again, the shredded plates cutting her palms.
"Ah!" She cried out in pain.
"Ha-ha-ha! Yes, fool, cry like a baby, you better quit, or else—"
"Or else what, Serin?" a voice asked behind her, startling her.
"Oh, hi, Kieran, it's not what you think, I was just trying to help—"
"Leave it, Lyra, I'll help, go wash yourself up," Kieran bypassed Serin and took the mop stick from her.
"Thank you, Kieran," Lyra sniffed and quickly ran to the bathroom.
Inside the bathroom, she stared at her pale and tired face in the mirror as she cried quietly.
She put her hand under the tap and the water automatically rushed out, washing out the blood stains from her wounds.
"Ashh!" She winced as the water stung her fresh and open wound.
She would need to visit the pharmacy on her way back to get some ointments so it doesn't scar.
"You alright, Lyra?" Kieran's voice suddenly sounded from the other side of the door.
Lyra startled a little as she heard her name. "Uh, yes, I'm almost done."
She quickly rinsed her hands and washed her face to get off the food stains plastered on her cheeks and eyes.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were waiting to use the bathroom," Lyra apologized as she opened the door.
Kieran was leaning against the opposite wall and immediately straightened up as she came out.
"No, I was just checking up on you. You feeling okay now?" Kieran asked, putting one hand in the pocket of his brown pants.
Lyra felt moved by the genuine concern he showed. For the three months she worked there, he was the only one who treated her kindly and always looked out for her.
"Thank you, Kieran, I'm fine now," Lyra replied, blushing lightly.
"Come on," Kieran outstretched his hand and led her out of the bustling restaurant's kitchen.
They left through the staff only area, where he normally parked his bike.
It was 9 p.m., dark, and the moon refused to shine that night.
"Let me drive you home?" Kieran asked softly, noticing her reluctance.
Lyra appreciated his kindness, but she didn’t trust easily.
"I don't want to bother you, I can go home by myself," Lyra softly rejected his offer.
Kieran smiled, already expecting her reply. "You're not a bother, Lyra. Look," He pointed at the dark street. "It'll be dangerous for you to walk alone tonight. Come on, let me drive you home."
Lyra sighed. He was right; the restaurant
was in a lonely area. "Okay," she nodded.
Kieran fitted the helmet on her head. "Hold tight," he said, as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
The bike sped through the dark streets. The night wind blew against her face, ruffling her midnight-dark hair.
"Can you slow down a bit?" Lyra asked, approaching a blind corner.
A car came at unimaginable speed. "Watch out!" Lyra screamed.
"s**t!" Kieran cursed, but it was too late. The bike hit the car and crashed into a building.
Lyra lay on the ground, head spinning, body numb. She barely made out voices around her but felt an unusual peace. For a moment, she wished she could stay in that darkness.
***
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Lyra slowly opened her eyes, then closed them from the bright light above. She noticed a band-aid on her head and a cannula in her left arm.
'Didn't I die?' Lyra thought.
"Oh no! Please lie down, you just woke up," a middle-aged nurse said, rushing toward her.
"Where am I?" Lyra asked.
"You're in a hospital. You’re lucky you were brought in on time. A second later, and you might not have made it.”
Lyra's stomach tightened. "My friend?"
"He's in the adjacent room," the nurse replied. "Rest first, then you can see him."
Lyra nodded and waited until the nurse left. She carefully disconnected the cannula and crept toward the next room.
The door opened. Relief flooded her. Kieran lay on the bed, legs in casts, pale but alive.
Lyra exhaled. "Thank God," she whispered.
- Writer
