3\/3\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch your south beture hit yourself\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch your mouths before I hit you myself\u00a0<\/p>\n
Violet\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was just about to tell Penelope to stop talking nonsense when the bell above the restaurant door chimed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned my head slightly and sighed the moment I recognized them, they were two of my coworkers from the store. They wore the same uniform as me, a black button\u2013ups tucked into fitted slacks, with the store pin shining on their collars.\u00a0<\/p>\n
One of them, Mia, wrinkled her nose when her gaze landed on me. \u201cShe\u2019s still eating and chatting when she\u2019s supposed to be working. God, she\u2019s so annoying.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her friend, Lacey, snorted. \u201cGive her a break. I mean, it\u2019s the only time someone actually talks to her.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at them indifferently. I\u2019d known for a while now that my co\u2013workers didn\u2019t like me. They didn\u2019t even try to hide it. Maybe it was because our manager praised me too much, or because I actually followed the rules while they did whatever they wanted. I didn\u2019t care enough to figure it out. It wasn\u2019t worth the energy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I focused on Penelope again, ready to ignore them like always, when I heard one of them hiss, \u201cI know, right? Nobody would want to talk to a bitch like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The straw between Penelope\u2019s teeth snapped in half.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She slammed her hands on the table so hard the ketchup bottle jumped. \u201cThat\u2019s it. I\u2019ve had enough of this bullshit.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I scrambled to my feet. \u201cPenelope, don\u2019t do anything.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy can\u2019t I do anything?\u201d she barked, eyes blazing. \u201cWhen these two ugly rats won\u2019t shut their mouths?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My lips twitched. Rats?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia\u2019s jaw dropped, her cheeks reddening with fury. \u201cRats? Who the hell do you think you\u2019re talking to?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you hear me stutter? You should be grateful you\u2019re Violet\u2019s coworker, because if you weren\u2019t, I would\u2019ve already rearranged that disaster you call a face.\u201d Her hands clenched at her sides, like she was just one second away from actually doing it\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou better shut your mouth, slut,\u201d Lacey spat, stepping forward. \u201cDo you really think you can intimidate me with that fake bad girl look? You\u2019re nothing but a pretty face who\u2019d sell herself to the highest bidder.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Penelope opened her mouth to fire back, but I stepped in front of her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned to them, voice low. \u201cWatch your mouths before I hit you myself.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lacey blinked. \u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I held their gaze. \u201cThe only reason I\u2019ve kept to myself is because I want to live a peaceful life. But don\u2019t mistake that for weakness. Say whatever you want about me, I honestly don\u2019t care about whatever childish nonsense that comes out of your mouths. But if you insult my friend again we\u2019ll have a real problem.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia stepped closer. \u201cWho do you think you are, Violet?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone who knows all the things you do behind the manager\u2019s back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t miss the way her expression faltered, nor how Lace flinched beside her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I were to tell him, I wonder what he\u2019d do. Because we both know he\u2019d believe someone like me over people who steal and don\u2019t even do their jobs right.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
1\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch your mouths before thit you my self\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia bit her lip, eyes flickering with panic for a second before she masked it with a scowl. They hadn\u2019t expected me to talk back, no one ever does.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia scoffed. \u201cLet\u2019s just go to another restaurant. I can\u2019t stand being here anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She turned around stiffly and walked out, Lacey tailing her\u00a0<\/p>\n
Once the door shut behind them, I turned to Penelope, ready to apologize for what happened. \u201cYou didn\u2019t need to hear that, I\u2019m sor-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her hand was pressed to her chest, eyes wide and dramatic \u2018Oh my god.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I frowned. \u201cHey, what\u2019s wrong? Are you okay?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I just fell in love with you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou are so cool. Should I just break up with Kai and be with you instead? We\u2019d make an awesome couple. I\u2019d take such good care of you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
>>\u00a0<\/p>\n
I rolled my eyes. \u201cYou should really start heading back. My break\u2019s almost over.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She pouted. \u201cI\u2019m serious, though. I\u2019m a very passionate lover.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shook my head, laughing quietly as I paid for our food. She didn\u2019t even argue this time, though her mouth twitched like she wanted to. But we\u2019d already had the conversation, I told her to treat me like a regular person, and not to make a fuss about me paying for things.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We stepped outside.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should go meet that boyfriend of yours,\u201d I said, nudging her playfully. \u201cHe\u2019s probably already bored stiff at his dad\u2019s company.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She grinned. \u201cAlright, alright. I\u2019ll go. But hey, you know I\u2019ll support you no matter what, right? Whatever you choose to do in the end, Kai and I have your back.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded and hugged her tightly. \u201cI know. Thank you, Pen.\u2018\u00a0<\/p>\n
We let go, and with a quick wave, Penelope turned to leave.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I watched her go, took a deep breath, fixed my uniform, and walked back inside the store.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Two more hours passed before the shift finally ended. My entire body ached as I tried to stretch the tension out of my shoulders, rolling them back with a sigh. My feet were sore. Today had been a long day.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed open the locker room door and pulled out my duffel bag, swapping my work uniform for a pair of jeans and a simple shirt. I tied my hair into a quick bun.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After making sure I had everything, I zipped up the bag and stepped out of the changing room into the back hallway,\u00a0<\/p>\n
Edward, the manager, was there, talking to Mia in his usual stern voice. He stood tall and composed, with neat glasses and that serious expression of his. He wasn\u2019t exactly handsome, but there was something about him that made most of the workers blush when he spoke or even looked at them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stopped for a moment when he looked up and saw me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cViolet,\u201d he said, smiling lightly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
2\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch your mouths before I hit you myself\u00a0<\/p>\n
+25 Bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia turned too, her expression darkening instantly, like she wanted to toss a tray at my face. I barely looked at her.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m on my way out, sir,\u201d I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHold on a second.\u201d He said, then turned back to Mia. \u201cDon\u2019t slack off next time, I won\u2019t be giving another warning after this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry, sir,\u201d she mumbled, eyes on the ground. \u201cI\u2019ll do better next time.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou should, it would help if you learned from Violet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her fists clenched, but she nodded. \u201cYes, sir.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may go.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Mia didn\u2019t say anything else. She turned around quickly, storming toward the door. Lacey, already waiting, leaned toward her with a whisper I couldn\u2019t catch. Mia didn\u2019t answer, she just kept walking. After they disappeared, Edward walked over to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re leaving already?\u201d he asked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded. \u201cYes, Mr. Edward.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He smiled again. \u201cOne of the customers came to the front desk earlier, she said you helped her find her kid. She wanted me to thank you.\u2018\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, that little boy who hid behind the display racks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nothing,\u201d I said, brushing off Edward\u2019s words with a polite smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cStill, I\u2019m glad. At least I have one dependable person here\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, sir. I\u2019ll see you tomorrow then.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course. You should go. Don\u2019t let me keep you waiting. Be careful on your way home.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, sir.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I turned and pushed the glass door open, stepping into the night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The cold air brushing against my cheeks felt good, and I sighed. It wasn\u2019t that I felt uncomfortable around Edward, he was a good boss, and he had never once crossed a line. But still, I knew how fast rumors could spread, especially when you\u2019re a woman working multiple jobs just to survive.\u00a0<\/p>\n
All it would take was a whisper. \u201cShe\u2019s probably sleeping with the manager.\u201d And people would believe it. So I kept my distance, just to be safe.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was about to keep walking when my phone buzzed in my bag.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I frowned, fishing it out my new phone. Barely anyone had the number.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of course,\u00a0<\/p>\n
My aunt.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I stared at the screen for a second, thumb hovering. I didn\u2019t want to answer it. I already knew whatever came out of her mouth would ruin my night. But I was heading back to the house anyway, and ignoring her call would only make things worse..\u00a0<\/p>\n
I picked up, holding the phone just slightly away from my ear, bracing myself for the usual barrage of complaints or insults.\u00a0<\/p>\n
3\/4\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watch your mouths before hit you myself\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cViolet,\u201d she said softly, \u201cwhen are you coming home, dear?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Huh?\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry?\u201d I asked, caught off guard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen are you coming home?\u201d she repeated. \u201cI believe my words are not that hard to understand.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2026I\u2019m on my way,\u201d I said slowly, suddenly on edge.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She chuckled lightly. \u201cThat\u2019s good. Come home quickly. You have a visitor.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath caught in my throat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A visitor?\u00a0<\/p>\n
COIN BUNDLE: get more free bonus\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Nights Burn With Regret \u2014 by Nathan Perez 37 3\/3\u00a0 Watch your south beture hit yourself\u00a0 +25 Bonus\u00a0 Watch your […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27953","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-craving-the-guardian-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27953","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27953"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27953\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27953"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27953"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27953"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}