Melissa stood at the edge of the kitchen, her hands fumbling as she tucked the money into her pocket. She didn’t need to be told twice that she was in deep trouble. The glances from her colleagues didn’t help either; their eyes were filled with a mix of sympathy and pity. One whispered under her breath as Melissa passed, “You’re screwed.”
Her heart sank further, but she kept her head up. Approaching the office at the corner of the kitchen, Melissa tried to steady her breathing, attempting to suppress the storm brewing inside her.
The manager sat at his desk, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the table. The sound was maddening, like a countdown to her doom. His nostrils flared slightly, and Melissa knew this was going to be bad.
"You requested to see me, sir?" Her voice was soft
