The Alpha's unfortunate mate.

Chapter 9 - Prank gone wrong

Chapter 9

The days went by, most of my bruising had faded and I was slowly able to start walking without pain in my ribs. Mark had taken Alicia to a friend’s house and used their bathroom. When he came home he told me how he borrowed their tablets for pain relief and that we can give them money when we are in a safe location. I have not left my room unless dad was not here. Mark would come in and I would help with his homework and if dad came home then Mark would stay in my room with me. We got into the routine of Mark sleeping next to me so I could feel safe. Alicia has started to knock on the door at night until I invite her as well. And it has been a lot of fun, because we tickle Alicia until she laughs. The fun stops when dad slams the front door. We all turn the light off and pretend to be asleep. I needed to go to bed as I start my first shift tomorrow morning. I am extremely nervous.

“Mark, are you awake?” I asked at 3:12am in the morning.

“Mmm, what’s up?” He answered.

He was so tired.

“What if I don’t do well and they fire me and we get stuck here. Will you both hate me because I failed?” I asked.

“Kiara, you could never fail us. And we would never hate you. We will just have to work something else out okay.” Mark told me.

I tried relaxing a little and eventually fell asleep. I got ready for work and went out the front door before dad got up. I got to the diner 25 minutes early.

“Good morning Kiara.” Said Liam.

“Good morning Liam.” I replied.

Rebecca turned around and stared at me.

“Is there anything to go over before I start?” I asked Liam.

“No, just some paperwork to sign and then basic equipment use knowledge which Tony will teach you that part.” Liam said.

“Okay Liam. Can I put my bag  away?” I asked.

“Yes follow me.” Said Liam with a smile.

I followed him to the back room and I saw a room with 8 lockers in it.

“This locker as you can see has your name on it. It is right next to Tony’s locker. Now I heard about what was said last time and I have spoken to Rebecca. If she gets three strikes then we will relocate her. Now Tony will only be here for the week but his friends will be with him. So I do apologise in advance if there is any goofing around.” Liam said.

“That’s okay it’s good to have jokes. Helps us be more out there and happy.” I replied.

Liam smiled.

“Where can I put my lunch?” I asked.

“In the fridge under the counter.” Liam replied.

“One second.” I said as I grabbed out a small brown paper bag.

“Kiara, what are you having for lunch?” Liam asked with the most curious face.

It almost looked like he was sniffing the air at the same time.

“A tuna sandwich.” I replied.

“It smells like the Tuna is off. Anyway, you can just have lunch here. You can get Tony to make you a sandwich or you can have a burger and drink with chips. Literally anything on the menu. I would be happy to offer you meals every day as well as pay you.” Said Liam.

“Are you sure? It sounds like you are losing money if I do.” I replied.

“I am sure. Look I want to give you the best experience I can in a workplace and if that means making sure you are well fed and happy, then I am more than willing to accommodate.” Liam replied.

“Oh okay.” I replied.

“Now this paperwork is for you to sign so you can start working. You will be paid in cash so you don’t need a bank. Is that okay?” Liam asked.

“Yes I would prefer that.” I replied.

“Okay just sign her and sign on this one to say you agree to cash payments. Each week you will get a cash receipt to keep and we both need to sign it.” Liam explained.

I signed away and put my stuff away. As I reached up high to put my bag up, I heard a gasp from Liam.

“Kiara is that a recent bruise?” Liam asked.

“Oh um I feel down some stairs recently and I ended up getting really hurt.” I lied.

Liam looked like he knew it was a lie.

“Hey what’s going on?” Tony said as he walked in with a few other guys.

“Hello Anthony.” I said.

“You were right Tony, she would call you that.” Laughed one of the guys.

“Kiara this is Tony’s friends. Jacob, Carl and Rick. They are all idiots together. No improvement when separated.” Said Liam.

I laughed.

“All right, Tony teach her everything and have fun.” Said Liam as he walked out.

“Kiara, lets go to the kitchen. You will need to peel and cut some onions then put them in zip lock bags. This way, we will have onions separated. We will freeze them until they are needed. And we won’t need to do this later on.” Tony told me.

I found myself looking at his eyes and I couldn’t help but get distracted.

“Kiara? Are you okay?” Tony asked.

“Sorry I was just remembering if I locked the door this morning.” I lied.

“Okay well lets cut onions and lets also peel and cut potatoes.” Tony said.

I obeyed Anthony’s instructions all morning and I couldn’t help but notice Rebecca trying to get his attention when he walked away from me. Then everyone went quiet when Anthony got a phone call.

“Yes sir, no she hasn’t yet sir. I can try sir. I will be cautious sir. No issues here yet sir.” That was what Anthony said.

Once he hung up I saw Rebecca approach him.

“Hey Tony want to have our br_” Rebecca started to say.

“Get back to work Rebecca, Liam pays you to work not flirt with any guys that are in your sight.” Tony snapped at her.

I didn’t realise I was smiling straight away but I realised when she bumped past me with a hard nudge.

“Kiara, can you wash your hands then come and sit with us for a bit?” Anthony said.

I obliged and did as was told.

“Now, Liam has said that you need to eat. Liam also said that we are required to sit here while you eat a burger and chips and salad and a drink. So please, because we need to work. Although I would love to sit and eat lunch and get to know a fellow co worker, I don’t want to get on Liam’s bad side. He will make me run the town a hundred times literally.” Said Anthony.

“Um, okay but I don’t exactly feel comfortable eating near people.” I replied.

“We are kind of like your family, except a workplace kind of family. And the boss said you have to eat. He is worried. He said he noticed in the camera’s that you looked a little wobbly. So you have to eat Liam said. But think about it like this, one of us will cook your food as well as all of ours.” Said Anthony.

”We will make sure Rebecca doesn’t touch your food.” Whispered Jacob.

“Yeah her cooking is s**t anyway.” Said Rick loudly.

I couldn’t help but laugh and then noticed Rebecca dead eyeing me.

“Can I please have a crumbed chicken burger with some chips? I haven’t had it in so long.” I asked Anthony.

“Done, now what drink?” Anthony said.

“Water?” I asked.

“Pfft that’s not fun, how about a milkshake or a can of soft drink.” Said Jacob.

“Leave her be. Now you can cook it.” Anthony said to Jacob.

“Fine, I am happy to cook such a beautiful lady her lunch.” Said Jacob.

I saw Anthony look really angry but heard Rick and Carl laughing.

“Don’t take it the wrong way Kiara, you are very beautiful. But we know Tony likes you so Jacob is trying to make him jealous.” Said Carl while laughing out loud.

Rebecca made her way over and thought I wanted the juice. She “dropped” the bottle onto my edge of my table. Rebecca smirked at me as she apologised.

“Sorry Kiara.” She faked.

She leaned closer to pick it up and whispered into my ear.

“Back off, he is mine!” she said as though she was teething.

“Rebecca that drink was Rick’s so you should of asked before serving. Where is your damn hospitality or are you not really interested in hospitality and you want to be fired?” Said Tony in an aggressive tone.

I had never seen him this mad but why was I intrigued by it?

Anthony got up and grabbed some cutlery and serviettes.

“Hey Kiara, can I sit next to you just to make him jealous? I promise I wont try anything. Just my arm around your shoulder. Nothing else I swear. If I do anything to make you uncomfortable, punch me or push me. I won’t be stupid.” Carl whispered.

I thought about it for a moment.

“We have a bet, Jacob, Rick and I. We know he will get jealous. Jacob thinks he will swear, Rick thinks he will punch me, but I think he will turn red and punch and swear. But it will be worth it. Anthony never gets jealous about a girl usually so we are quite interested in annoying him.” Carl pleaded.

“Okay but no touching anywhere below the shoulders. And no teasing.” I answered.

Carl quickly got up and sat next to me.

“Deal.” He said quickly.

“Oh s**t he’s coming back.” Rick teased quietly.

Rick made a chuckle as he turned to hide his head. Carl laughed out so loud that even Jacob ran out to see. Jacob had the burger and chips on a plate and ran to me so he could place them down and sit with us.

Anthony stood there for a minute.

“Oh hey Tony, can you get my girl a drink?” Said Carl.

Carl placed his arm around my shoulders.

I thought I heard a growl but I saw Anthony look away for a bit.

“Carl, you are a f*****g mangy mutt. And I hope you get your ass kicked soon.” Said Anthony.

His face was turning red but he placed a bottle of water on the table.

“Look baby see she doesn’t want you.” Rebecca said as she wrapped her arms around one of his.

I won’t lie, I got angry.

“Get off me and get back to work Rebecca.” Anthony said.

“Tony mate you got to understand.” Said Rick.

“No you don’t get to talk. Not now.” Anthony said to them.

“Tony buddy you got it wr-“ Carl started to say.

“Don’t. Look you three eat and get back to work.” Said Anthony.

Anthony walked away to the back.

They all had a blank face. Their faces got more pale after a few moments.

“Can we switch spots? I just want to get up to get some sauce from the counter.” I said quietly.

Carl stood up so I could swap spots. I walked towards the counter but the tomato sauce was empty. I walked to the back and saw Anthony was holding Rebecca’s legs up and on the counter top. It looked like they were getting into it. I quickly grabbed my bag then left. I didn’t return to work because of that. But that didn’t stop them.