De Luca

Chapter 1

Nathalie POV

Present

I woke up in a sweat. The oversize t-shirt I wore to sleep stuck to me like a second skin. I blinked a few times before I got up to take a shower and change the sheets on my bed. I hated it when I had that nightmare. I sometimes wished I could erase that memory from my brain. I wished that I could erase Trent from my memory. Although he is behind bars, I'm still scared. I know I shouldn't be. He got life in prison, for christ's sake.

Whatever it was that ‘boss-man’ did I was happy for, I would have been overjoyed if he had killed him. But knowing that he was in prison and would not be getting out, that was fine with me.

Defending myself against Trent is how I learned how to fight. It’s a pretty messed up way to learn how to fight.

Ugh, midnight nightmares are the worst. They keep you up, leaving you to your dark thoughts. I shook my head, thinking of what’s right in my life. I was off today, so, you know, that’s good. And with that on my mind, I went back to sleep.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Come on, snooze finger, don’t fail me now.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Seriously, I just want to sleep technology, please shut up. I snoozed it one more time, but then it dawned on me. Why is my phone even alarming? It’s freaking Thursday! Once in a blue moon, I get off from both my jobs on the same day.

I picked up my phone, tapping it awake, and checking the date. My phone reads Tuesday. “Lying bastard of a phone,” I mutter to myself. I got up to go check my laptop. That’s my boo. I know it won’t lie to me. It was on sleep mode, so I pressed the spacebar waking it up. Writing in the right corner, big and clear, reads TUESDAY.

“Son of a b***h! I’m late! “I shouted to no one in particular. A bus ride is like 2 hours long; oh, the times I wished I had a car; however, I don’t have my license. But I can drive.

I rushed to get in the shower, taking a hoe bath. Not really. I took my time; when I was done, I nearly slipped on the bathroom floor. I choose a quick, simple outfit, dark jeans with a red long sleeve v-neck fitted shirt, and black sandals. I grab my purse, house keys, and scarf, and I ran out of the door.

I bumped into so many people on my way to the bus, the sorry’s that I gave was ridiculous. Two hours later, I was at work; World Cuisine Restaurant. A part of me believes that Jessica, my boss, works for the mafia. I helped her with her books once, saw some figures that just didn’t add up, but I acted normal and never questioned it. Anyway, the restaurant has a world-wide variety of cuisine.

The menu switches up every few weeks, sometimes every 6 months, it depends on how Jessica feels.

I briskly walked my way to the employee’s locker room, throwing my things into my locker. I made a quick switch into my work clothes; a white t-shirt and a black cocktail apron. I slipped on the black low heel boots that I always leave here and tried to sneak out to the cash register.

When I made it out, I bumped into Jessica, the very person I am trying to hide from. The devil is a liar.

“Hey Nat, how come you were so late today? Usually, you are here before Jazmine.” She says, and I honestly didn’t catch it. Why? Because I am trying to think of a LIE, and nothing is coming to me. Do I be honest, or do I lie? Well, I can’t lie because no excuse is coming to me!

“Uhm. I--hmm--I got nothing. I really got nothing. I swear that today was Thursday, and it wasn’t, and I am so sorry, please don’t fire me.” She looks me dead in my eyes and starts to laugh. Like, I am here freaking out that she will fire me, and the old hag just laughs at me.

“You should see your face.” she mimics a scared face. “Just go and help Lance. You know how he and Jazmine are when they have to talk to each other.” she breathes out, wiping the few tears that escaped her eye.

“You know, it wasn’t that funny,” I shouted at her, and she just shook her head.

Quick little fun fact: Lance and I f****d around a couple of times. We are best friends with the f**k buddy package. No one caught feelings 'cause we dated who wanted, f**k who we wanted. And if we are both single and horny, it’s just a phone call away.

Sadly it came to an end. Lance got into a serious relationship. His girlfriend and I are good friends, she knows about Lance and me, and she was totally cool about it. She’s pregnant, and he doesn’t know it just yet. YAY! Anywhooo, I was working the register when he came to cash one of his customers.

“b***h you owe me big time.” he turned to me and poked my head.

“What did I do?” I acted like I was clueless, but I know what I did, I left him to deal with a cocky Jazmine.

He growled at me. It was more of him saying grrr. “I should put my foot up your ass. Trade tablets,” I giggled. We exchanged tablets, and I got into the work mood. I went around, introducing myself to the clients. I informed them that I would be their new waiter and recalled their orders.