Sofie's POV
I sighed as I rubbed my clammy hands on the apron that was firmly looped around my waist.
The day had gone quite tiring for me.
I wanted to do nothing more than go home, flop myself on my bed and sleep till the next day, afternoon even though I knew that was impossible.
I was about to sit down on a stool behind the counter to rest my aching legs briefly, when I felt a shadow loom over me.
Regardless, I sat down but I scoffed inwardly on seeing who it was.
"Take that order to table fifteen and be fast with it. Stop being a sloth," Daphne Humphreys, a co-worker who was also the restaurant owner's girlfriend spat condescendingly at me.
"I have been working since the day began, Daphne. How exactly am I a sloth? And if you cared to know about the affairs of the restaurant, you would know that we are on a break at the moment." I responded coolly, but with a warning note to my voice.
I was exhausted, and I didn't want to take my anger out on anyone.
Especially not on Daphne who could easily get me fired by the boss.
I often wondered whether Daphne or the boss ran the restaurant.
"Are you talking back at me? The fucking nerve you have, you dirty brat! Don't worry, I will report you to Richard. How dare you speak to me in such a rude tone?" Daphne barked like someone who had just gotten bitten by a dog.
I squeezed my eyes shut to repress the biting insult that was threatening to tear out of my mouth before I fluttered my eyes open once more.
I got up from the stool, and looked Daphne in the eye. "I never spoke rudely to you. I was just enlightening you on what you may have forgotten."
I paused to glance down at her wristwatch. "I have to go now, break is over. Excuse me." And with that, I trekked back to the kitchen before Daphne could respond.
I had lied.
I wasn't on a break. My break had long passed.
But since Daphne was dumb as fuck, I easily fooled her.
I inwardly praised myself as I carried the tray of piping hot food to the main area of the restaurant.
I made sure to avoid Daphne's piercing glare as much as I could.
And before I knew it, I was done with work for the day.
I peeled off my work clothes and placed them into my assigned locker before pulling on my t-shirt and denim pants.
Afterward, I grabbed my bag and left the restaurant.
The thought of heading home caused my heart to throb with trepidation and a heavy feeling of foreboding.
I lived with my abusive parents in a small house situated a few blocks away from the restaurant, and I hated it.
I hated going back home to my parents, and desperately hoped for the day that I would move out of their place.
They were chronic drunkards, and thieves that always stole my money to fund their disgraceful alcoholic lifestyles, and whenever I confronted them about it, they would flare up at me and sometimes, they would even beat the living hell out of me.
Lately, I had started saving some money to get my own apartment but I was yet to save a quarter of the money that I needed.
With a sigh, I pushed the wobbly gate to the house open while inwardly hoping my parents were out of the house.
The sight that met my eyes when I turned around made me gasp in fright.
Four muscular men with clean-shaven heads were standing in front of the main entrance to the house.
They were all dressed in black suits with dark sun shades to match which made them look even scarier.
My voice failed me for a brief moment as I tentatively walked toward them.
Had my parents borrowed money from a loan shark again? Had they come to take the house as collateral?