Two

MORGAN EDGECOMBE EYES WAS glued to the files in front of her. She was determined to coin out a strategy or a concept from the pile on the desk. As the only child and heiress of Putin Global, much was expected from her by her father and she was determined not to let him down. 

 Her current situation was not looking favourable and she doubted she could get any of what she was looking for in this state.

 Someone entered and she looked up to see her secretary. " Hey, Sandra."

" You are still on that?" Her secretary asked.

" Yes. Unfortunately, I am not progressing."

" Why don't you pick another? That would not hurt your 'perfect daughter' record," Sandra advised.

" I must refuse," Morgan said. " I do not look back when my hand is on the plough and is not planning on starting that record now. I am sure I will figure it out. I am closer to figuring it out than when I just started anyway."

" I must give up. You can never be convinced anyway." Sandra walked up to Morgan's desk.

The latter stared at her friend and gave in. " Alright. I will have a coffee."

Sandra face lit up. " Should I get it?"

****

Who is that?

When the glass door opened, that was the first question that came to my mind. I had thought of this because of the manner the door was opened. I dropped my tray on the counter and turned swiftly to the door. 

As soon as the face appeared, Tanner ran past me to the guest. It was a black-haired lady. She had a brown coat over her shoulders and a black gown under. Her countenance was serious and I wondered who she was for Tanner to welcome her in that manner. I watched him show her a seat and run to me. 

“Don’t just look! Attend to her,” he told me. 

“Who’s she anyway?” I asked, wiping my coffee-stained hands with a napkin.

“ The heiress of Putin Global,” he told me hastily. “Hurry!”

  ‘Why does it matter,’ I muttered dropping the napkin and walked to her in my normal manners. 

  She was pressing her phone when I got to her and I cleared my throat and said ,” And what would your order be?” 

She looked up at me in arrogance but her face soften when our gazes met. But in some seconds, her serious countenance returned. 

“My usual,” She said in an unfriendly way. 

“I don’t know your usual so can you spell it out?” I asked, wondering if she was dumb. “ You haven’t seen me before so you should know I’m new without me saying it.”

“ Are you speaking to me in that manner?” she asked in disbelief. “ Who are you to speak like that to me? Do you even know who I am?”

“ Well I’m someone who respects those who respect me and you’re the heiress of Putin Global, so what,” I replied. “ So tell me your usual and I’ll be out of your presence, princess.”

  Get hold of yourself, Todd. You can’t get anyway by antagonizing the rich, I told myself. But deep down, I know that was the advice I could never heed.

She looked exasperated and was flushed now staring at me in horror. “Why you…”

“ Calm down, Miss,” I heard behind me and turned to see Tanner. “ Go over to the counter, now,” he ordered. 

“Why…” I was saying. 

“ Go over,” he insisted and I went hearing her complain and him trying to soothe her. He arrived at the counter after some seconds.

“ Your looks are the ones that secured your job. You should stay behind the counter.”

I was thankful because being a waiter was stressful. 

I got home by nine pm, tired. I had to sneak into the neighborhood because of the girls. Though it was late, if they caught me, I would have to fulfill all my false promises. Work had been especially tiring this night as more females flooded in tonight. Instead of waiting for the waiter, they would come over to the counter to place their orders. Ugh. 

  Mom had already made the sitting room into a personal cinema when I got in. She was watching a Korean drama which I hated with popcorn beside her. 

“ Looks like someone was successful,” she said after the episode ended and turned to me. She definitely couldn't stop watching those films because of anything. She was literally addicted. All those who watched those films were. At least that was what I thought. It might not be true but I didn't care.

“ Yeah I got a job,” I said and put off my coat. Then I sat down. 

“ Over at Tanner’s, huh?” she asked munching her popcorn, wanting to be sure. 

“Yeah although it was stressful,” I replied. 

“Too much attention, right?”

“Right,” I answered. She always guessed what was in my mind right. 

“Your dad faced that too… and yeah, aren’t you hungry? Your food is in the kitchen,” she informed me. 

  I stood up and walked to the kitchen. It was spick and span. The utensils and cutleries were either stacked, hanged, or arranged in the cupboard. On the cabinet was a bowl of fried potato and egg. I took it and a glass of milk along to the sitting room. 

“Mrs. Grundy gave me the eggs. Her hen laid a lot,” mom said as I sat down. 

“Are you still working there?” I asked her as I dropped my glass on the table and started eating. 

“ No I’m working a shift at the bakery now,” she answered. “ My shift tomorrow is mainly based at night. Just going in the morning to assist. I got to sleep.”

  She stood up and patted my shoulder before walking in. I guess ' sleep ' had power over the addiction. Or maybe it wasn't an addiction from the start.

‘ I need to sleep too,’ I muttered and took a drink from my glass. I looked at the television and was frustrated, watching an emotional scene in the Korean drama my mom was watching. I turned it off.

I got to sleep.