Exclusively His

“Do you really think you’ll be able to change who you are?”  I rolled my eyes so hard I thought it’d disappear in the back of my head. Being berated by my asshole of a boss wasn’t really in my agenda today. Come to work on time, deliver pizza to every household who were too lazy to cook their damn dinner. I thought today will be like any other day. But life always had something for me, and tonight, it’s to be scolded by my boss for giving that one lady with an attitude a piece of my mind.   “Jesus, Hudson, do you ever listen to what I’m saying?”   I looked the guy in the eyes and quickly gave him an overall observation at how much he’s been putting on weight for the past year he had worked in this pizza parlor. Man, Johnson really changed. His supposed to be black and slick hair had turned grey, and those eyes that were full of shine once was now bleak. If he looked like this right now, I’m sure I’d look the same too in the future. I didn’t want that.  I needed to find another job. I’m too overqualified for this.  “You can always come back and work for me, Miles.”  I shook my head. Don’t ever think of that again. “Yes, I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson,” I said, sincerely apologizing that I even thought he looked fat. This man had been working hard for his daughter. His wife left him, and it hit him hard. I’m sure the stress was taking a toll on him. “That was wrong of me to say that to that lady, I’ll personally apologize to her and if you want, you can even take a day’s worth of payment from me.”  Mr. Johnson looked at me, his eyes softening. Amidst the strictness of this man, he still had a soft heart. I wonder what’s that like. “Just promise you’ll never do it again, Hudson. You’re a diligent worker, and you’re fast too. We can’t lose you, not now.”  “Thank you and I’m really sorry,” I said, forcing a smile. “I’ll work even harder.”  Mr. Johnson finally lets me go. Another interrogation that I escaped without garnering any wounds or broken bones. Good. As I walked down the hallway, the smell of freshly baked pizza wafted in the air. The chattering of the kitchen crew from the kitchen was muffled, busy from producing Mama Jo’s homemade pizzas that everyone in town loved so much. It’s one of the few Italian pizzas that started five decades ago and was still standing strong up to this day.   This job might be worthless and boring, but it’s far more peaceful than my last one. I don’t think I could ever quit, not when I have finally enjoyed what’s it like to be…  The door to the staff room opened and Linda came walking out. She was surprised to see me but a smile immediately appeared on her face. “Hey, Miles. Did everything go well with Mr. Johnson?” she asked.   “Yes, he’s very lenient when it comes to me. I’ve been messing up after all,” I said, smiling sheepishly at her.  “I’m sure he has a soft spot for you that’s why he keeps letting you go,” Linda said, chuckling.  “I do have a charm that can’t be denied.” I grinned when she laughed loudly.  “That you do.”  The bell chimed indicating I’m being called to the front counter. I walked past Linda after tapping her on the shoulder. “I’ll see you later.”  “Take it easy out there, kid.”  I hurried to the front desk, ignoring the crowd of people dining in. I saw familiar faces seated on their favorite spots, talking to their loved ones without a care for the world. I smiled a little. As irritating as it was, I wouldn’t be able to find myself hating them for being…normal.  “Hey, you have another order, Miles,” Leika said. She was busy handling the cashier.   I stared at the phone, a looming feeling over me. It was as if I’m suddenly alone in the bustling restaurant. With careful steps, I lifted the phone and pressed it on my ear.  “Hello?”  “Took you a long time to answer, Huds.” A chill ran up and down my spine after hearing that baritone voice that tickled my ears.   f**k. Not this asshole again. And here I thought my day couldn’t get even better.   “Mr. Hayes,” I greeted in the fakest cheery voice, “so sorry, it’s a little bit busy tonight, I—”  “Yeah, I don’t give a s**t. You know what my order is, right?”  I grimaced. “How could I ever forget?” I replied sarcastically.  “Just hurry it up. I’m starving.”  He hung up the phone. I wanted to throw the damn thing in my hand and scream out of frustration. This motherfucker had constantly terrorized me, I’m so sick of it!  “Everything alright, Miles?” Jesse asked.  “Yeah, I just have to…make some more deliveries,” I said, my voice almost cracking. I hurried outside after getting the pizza boxes I had to deliver.   That f*****g asshole, I swear to God one day I’d be able to get free from his damn claws. The day that we met was the day I started to regret even coming back to this town.   And for f**k sake, my ass was still healing from the time he rammed me as soon as I appeared at the door. His gigantic c**k was enough to murder someone, he didn’t even need to take out his gun!  I stared at my motorcycle and groaned.  f**k my life. I shouldn’t have quit my profession if I knew I’d end up getting roped with a dumb mob leader who didn’t know anything but to, eat, f**k and kill people.  --