Beneath the surface

Chapter 3

Ariana approaches the entrance of the fast food restaurant she works at with purposeful strides. She pulls the front door open and steps inside greeted by the familiar scent of chicken and melted cheese.

''You are here.'' Ariana's co-worker greeted with a wave. Ariana takes a moment to put on her visor, ensuring her hair is tucked neatly beneath and fastens her name tag with a practiced motion.

''Em...Ariana what are doing?'' Her co worker, Gali questioned grabbing a towel to clean her hand. She walks out of the dish washing area towards Ariana.

''What does it look like?'' Ariana replied tapping the visor on her head.

''Well, sorry to break this to you, but you have been assigned to delivery for the afternoon.''

''What? But I'm scheduled for the front counter today. I can't just be assigned for delivery just like that.'' She frowned, crossing her arms.

''Well, you would have to Ariana. James called in sick. We are short-handed.'' Gali insisted,shrugging indifferently at Ariana's complaint.

''That's not my business.You can't just assign me like that without prior noticed.'' She grumbled, placing her hand on her hip, an habit she does when she's pissed.

''Then go question the manager then.''

Ariana scoffed as she watched Gali walk away with sass.

''That good for nothing.'' She hissed. She remove her visor angrily and stormed to the manager's office.

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Ariana approaches the manager's office and knocks lightly.

''Come in.'' A voice from inside called out.Ariana walks into the manager's office, her frustration palpable.The office wasn't that large but efficient, with a sturdy desk covered in neat stacks of paperwork and a computer.Shelves lined one wall, filled with binders and manuals.A whiteboard with the week's schedule and a bulletin board with memos and motivational posters added a functional touch. The ergonomic chair behind the desk and two simple chairs in front of it suggested this was a place for quick, focused meetings. The faint hum of the computer and the quiet tick of a wall clock were the only sounds as she prepared to voice her complaint.

''Sorry to interrupt you sir, but I have a complaint to make.'' Ariana spoke, crossing her arms at her back.The manager set his papers aside, raising his head to look at her.

''Have a seat then,'' he gestured pointing to the seat in front of him.

''Nope, I'll stand.'' Ariana declined with a straight face. As far as she was concerned, she doesn't even wanna be closer to the manager than she already is.Her and the manager don't get along like that because he can be very bossy, and she despises bossy people.

The manager, Mr.Cole, tilted back in his swivel chair with a frown

''Did she just decline my offer?'' He thought to himself pissed. He became instantly annoyed.

''Well, make it quick... I've a lot if things to do. You only have five minutes.'' Mr.Cole stated. Ariana scoffed inwardly and rolled her eyes.

''I was assigned for delivery without being informed earlier.'' Ariana complained, her irritation visible in her voice.

''And so?'' Mr.Cole questioned flipping through the papers on his table, not looking at her.

''You can't just act indifferently about this.'' She protested, her voice rising in a slight yell. She adjusted her standing position, placed her hand on her hip, tapping her feeds angrily. Mr.Cole looked at her over the top on his glasses and smirked.

''It's like you aren't interested in working again.'' He quipped, playing with his ball pen. Ariana looked away, glaring at the other side of the office.

''I can't just be assigned to another duty without being informed beforehand. I should have been told earlier. And everyone is acting indifferent about it!'' Ariana yelled. Mr.Cole stood up on his feet,grabbed his coat and walked to the door.

''Every order from Gali is from me, and if you disobey them, you are disobeying me.''

''And you know the consequences of disobeying me , right?''He spoke, turning slightly and giving Ariana a sly grin.

''I have somewhere important to be. Your time is ticking Rodriguez. If I hear any complaint due to late delivery then that's a query for you.''

Mr.Cole opened the door and walked out of his office. Ariana rubbed her temples in frustration and let out a slight scream.She was fighting the urge to trash Mr.Cole's office so badly.

''We can't do that.'' Her subconsciousness warned.

''Okay Ariana,'' She murmured to herself

''Breathe in,'' She mumbled,taking as much air as she could.

''Breathe out!''

She paced around the office, her hand placed on her hip, trying to keep her composure.

'' We can't be stupid Ariana.If we do, that's one less job for me, and I'd be toast.'' She continued to murmur.

Suddenly Gali walked in, startling Ariana who was pacing around the office furiously..

''What are you doing Ariana?'' Gali questioned with creased brows,leaning by the door.

''You should have been out about a minute ago.What are you still doing here after the manager left?'' Gali continued, stepping all the way into the room,giving Ariana a suspicious look. Ariana scoffed, walking out of the office in anger and bumped her shoulders hard against Gali's.

''That brat!'' Gali sneered,clenching her fists. Ariana stormed into the break room for the staff, grabbed her bag heavily and slammed the door hard on her way out. She slammed so hard that the customers in the dining area had to turn to check if there was a problem.

''Where is the order I would be delivering, Gali.'' Ariana spoke giving Gali a fake smile, which instantly turned into a frown.

''They are in the delivery room.'' Gali answered not paying attention to her facial expressions. She walked to the dining area, leaving Ariana all to herself.

''I hate her so much, i hate all my bossy co workers and annoying managers... I freaking hate them!'' Ariana murmured, gritting her teeth frustration.

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Ariana's patience was wearing thin as she navigated the company's delivery car through the chaotic streets of Los Angeles. The traffic was relentless, and every red light seem to conspire against her. Her baggy shirt clung to her back, drenched in sweat, as the car feeble air-conditioning struggled to offer any relief.

Her phone buzzed with the next address for delivery: 3285 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles. It was an unremarkable part of the town. Ariana rubbed the side of her neck with a sigh of fatigue as she drove to the address.

She looked through the window of the car to confirm if she was at the right place.

''3285 Glendale Boulevard.'' She muttered, checking her phone again for confirmation.She packed the car, took out the boxes of pizza and walked to the gate. She rang the door bell three times before she finally got a response. A girl about her age answered the door.

''Here is your delivery from Leavers pizzeria palace.'' Ariana spoke, handing the boxes of pizza to the girl. She thanked Ariana and closed the door.

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Ariana slumped on the driver's seat with tiredness as she leaned back on the sear. Her stomach rumbled loud as a result of hunger. She brought out the sandwich her grandmother packed for her in the morning.

'' I need a drink.'' She mumbled to her self, wiping the sweats on her forehead with a napkin. She glanced at her phone for the time and leaned back on the car seat.She has been working for the past 5 hours.

''Two more deliveries to go, and I'm done for the day.'' Ariana thought to her self starting the car and heading to the next address on her phone.

After completing her shift, Ariana finally parked the car in a quite corner of a parking lot close to a convenience store. It was evening and the sky was painted in hues of orange and pink, transitioning to deep blues as the night approached. The city light began to twinkle, and traffic on the streets reduced gradually. Ariana slumped forward, resting his head wearily on the steering wheel, her eyes closed in exhaustion. The aroma of pizzas and burgers still lingered in the car, reminding her of a busy afternoon she had just endured.

She stepped out of the car and walked into the convenience store to get a drink to quench her thirst. She got a five dollar tip from the lat delivery, so she wouldn't worry about spending extra money. She entered the convenience store, her throat parched due to the thirst. Her eyes darted around the brightly lit aisles until she spotted the refrigerator section. She grabbed two bottles of canned drinks, carrying them to the counter for payment.

On stepping outside, she pulled the tab upwards and away from one can in haste,gulping the content down in one go. The cool liquid soothed her dry throat.The empty can crinkled in her hand as she sighed in relief, finally feeling refreshed.

Ariana disposed the can and decided to take a walk. She checked from the entrance of the store to see if the delivery car windows were rolled up. Upon confirming, she stretched her arms and headed down the street.

As Ariana was walking down the street with the other can of drink in her hand, she noticed a boy and a girl about her age at the corner of the street, arguing loudly. Although she couldn't see their faces, she could tell from their expensive outfits and distinctive figures that they were well-to-do. One particular item caught her eye: a white beanie with an exquisite purple design that the guy was wearing. Their argument was intense; Ariana overheard snippets like the guy saying, "You can't do that," and the girl retorting, "I don't have anything to say to you again. Stop stalking me. We'll meet at school tomorrow."

Figuring they were classmates, Ariana decided to mind her own business and continued walking. She soon reached the main road and stood on the sidewalk for a few minutes, watching the cars and vehicles go to and fro. The road was mostly filled with cars, with only a few pedestrians crossing. Lost in her thoughts, Ariana was abruptly jolted by the loud sound of a car screeching. She traced the noise and, to her horror, saw a girl lying on the ground, hit by a car. Recognizing her from her fancy outfit, she realized it was the girl she had seen arguing earlier.

Looking through the car's glass window, Ariana spotted the same fancy beanie on the head of the driver—it was the guy she had been arguing with. The driver quickly reversed and sped off before anyone could catch up to him. Ariana crossed the road, but it was too late to chase the car. She raised alarm, and people from a nearby spot came rushing out. A lot of people started to gather around the girl, and in about three minutes, the police and the ambulance arrived at the scene.