Pinnacle Of Power

Chapter 10:Does he think I’m stupid?

Mona's POV

I turned around and glared at him.

"Isn't the fare complete?" I asked coldly.

"Oh no, not that", he said, waving it off with a hand. "I just wanted to say-you" pointing at me, "are a beautiful woman, and I as a handsome man", pointing to himself, "will make a beautiful little thing. What do you say?" He asked, giving off his ugly grin.

I scrunched my face in disgust and just kept walking. Why did I even stop to answer him?

What a perverse man!

Seeing that I ignored him, he drove slowly beside me and kept talking.

So he knows how to drive slowly huh?

"OK, how about you be my friend, what ya say?"

"Not interested," I replied, hastening my steps.

"OK, how about you make me your taxi man...I will come pick you up anytime you want?"

Did he think, after the way he drove today I'd make the mistake of ever entering his taxi in this lifetime?

"You didn't succeed in killing me with your terrible driving and now you want another shot? No, not a chance. Now leave me alone".

He didn't seem fazed by my reaction and just blew me a kiss instead.

Eww.

"I'll see you around pretty gal. I'll be rich one day and ya can't say no to me". Then he laughed and sped off.

What nerves! What made him think I rejected him because he was a taxi driver? I just shook my head and walked on.

Soon, I was standing in front of apartment 12B. I knocked loudly-the music coming from inside was deafening.

A young man, chest bare, covered with tattoos opened the door, and with him came the smell of w**d which made me cough. His eyes were red and the way he acted showed he was under the influence.

"Are you the delivery man?" he slurred, swaying slightly.

Man? I'm clearly a woman.

"Um...good evening Mr. I'm Mona, from Angie Deliveries, and I am here to deliver a package".

"OK," he drawled, "So are you a man...or woman?", he asked as he took another puff of his blunt and blew it right at my face.

I coughed a bit and used one hand to wave the smoke off my face while I balanced the box on my other hand.

What has my gender got to do with my job?

"Sir, I'm here to deliver a package to Benita Gonzales. If she's in, could you please let her know I'm here?"

"Yeah sure, but why don't you come inside and give her yourself?" he asked, l*****g his lips and eyeing me.

Does he think I'm stupid?

"It's against the company's policy to go beyond the customer's door during deliveries, sir".

"Oh, to hell with the company's policy. I'm the one telling you to come in,". Then he added slowly, "No one will know if you don't say anything right?" he added, stepping aside and gesturing with his hand for me to come inside.

Telling him no bluntly could piss him off—and I couldn't risk a bad rating. My boss will go ballistic.

"Um...just a minute," I said, stepping a few feet away from him.

I glanced around the place and I saw I could make a run for it if he tried anything stupid.

But I paused and dialed the number on the package, hoping to God the person it was meant for picks up. Thankfully it was answered on the first dial.

"Hello, good evening...is this Benita Gonzales?"

"Yes, who's speaking?"

"This is Mona from Angie's Deliveries. I'm here to-"

"What took you so long? You should have been here before now," she said, evidently displeased.

"I'm sorry ma'am. I've been outside your door for over five minutes. The man I spoke with didn't inform you I was around".

"Oh really?" Her tone softened a bit. "I'll be right down".

"Ok, ma'am ".

I turned back and saw he was still standing there, staring at me.

"Well, don't just stand there, come on in."

I pretended not to hear him and just kept my head low.

"Aren't you hearing me? I said-"

"DIEGO!" a woman's voice boomed—probably Benita. "What the f**k are you doing standing there? Why didn't you inform me that a package had come for me?"

"Oh...I...I was just about to inform you before you came down".

Liar.

"Just shut your f*****g lying mouth already. If that were the case, why'd she call me up herself?"

He shot me a glare, realizing what I'd done. Then he turned to her. "Really? I'm at fault here now? All I did was try to help."

"You ain't helping anybody. You'd better get out of my sight before I dig my fingers into your brains."

"Alright, alright, I heard you," he muttered, walking away—but not without shooting me a knowing look.

I ignored it though. Just another spoiled rich kid.

She motioned for me to bring it up to her, which I quickly did.

"This is it, yeah?"

"Yes, ma'am".

She took it from me and signed the logbook I handed her.

After she signed, I thanked her and placed the book back in my backpack. I turned to leave when she called me back.

"Here's a tip for you... My brother can be a real jerk sometimes."

"Oh, that's no problem...thank you so much for the tip." With that, I turned and headed out.

Not too far away, I took the money out of my pocket and counted it. $150! I squealed in delight. With this, and the other money I'd stashed away, I'll be able to move out of the shelter and get Mia her cat food. I was still in my excited mood when I noticed my phone's light was on. An incoming call and, as usual, it wasn't ringing out.

I looked at the caller, and it was Tiffany—my best friend and colleague.

"Hey, Tiffy."

"Hi, Mo. Where you at?" she asked. She calls me Mo—short form for Mona.

"I just finished a delivery at Lancerston Crescent. What's up?".

"Ok babe. So there are three more packages to be dropped off, all on the same route. You up for it?".

"Of course, I'll be there soon."

"Alright, hurry up."

"Yes, ma'am".

I dropped the call and quickly got on the next bus.

I got to the office and as soon as Tiffany saw me, she gave me a tight, big bear hug like she hadn't seen me since forever. She was always like that and I love her so much.

"OK...you're squeezing my lungs. I can't breathe Tiff".

She snorted and released me. "Like you don't love my hugs."

"Nope I don't," I said teasingly.

She gave me a death glare, and then without warning, I pulled her into my embrace tightly.

"Ok...are you trying to kill me?" she asked, wheezing.

"Nope. Just giving you some sugar", I smirked.

As soon as I released her she breathed out and playfully pulled on my cheeks, making us both laugh.

"Nice one, Mo. Ok, time to get back to work. These are what you'll be delivering", pointing towards the items. "I got some to do as well".

"Thanks, Tiffy".

"Stop thanking me, girl...I told you I got you. Now come on, let's get going.

We headed to the junction, said our goodbyes and boarded different buses to our respective destinations.

I finished delivering and got back to the shelter at almost 12:30am. I was already exhausted. Mia was there waiting for me-my cute fur baby.

"Meow", she greeted softly, wagging her tail.

"Yes, Mia I'm back now. Sorry, I couldn't get your food. I'll do that tomorrow I promise".

I arranged the blanket and lay down, while Mia curled into a ball beside me.

I fell asleep quickly, hoping for a peaceful night's sleep.

But I had the same nightmare again.