CHAPTER 9

Michelle's POV

I dress up for work the next day, feeling stronger than ever. I take my time to look pretty, not wanting the past incidents to define me. I choose a skirt that compliments my skin and felt very pretty.

I finish my make-up and stare at my reflection at the mirror, heaving a sigh at how impossible it was to conceal the dark circles under my eyes.

I shook off every negative energy and set out for work.

I barely had time to put on my apron, eager to start working when my boss walked on me with a sardonic expression.

"What are you doing here?" My boss asked, hands akimbo and without a trace of humor.

"Sir, I... I came to work," I answered, confused about his question.

"Where were you yesterday? And don't lie you didn't beep my calls. I reached out to you because we had a handful here, yet you never responded." He said deadpan.

"Errr, Sir, I was not well. I'm sorry, I couldn't reach out to you to tell you." I said apologetically.

He was clearly having none of it as he waved his hands to shut me up. "You're a lying bitch. Lizzy saw you in Dan Mario's Club dancing your ass off on Friday," he said with a quizzical expression.

Lizzy stopped her cleaning and shot me an apologetic face. It isn't her fault but then, I rolled my eyes at her before tearing my gaze away.

"I'm sorry boss, it won't happen again." I said, hoping that the conversation will end.

"Get back to work and consider this your Christmas bonus. The next time this happens, you will be sacked." He said, before walking out on me.

I took a deep breath of relief and joined Lizzy at the counter.

"I'm sorry babes. I should not have told him. But he was so inquisitive. I had no other choice," she said genuinely.

"I understand. It's not your fault. I know how depressing he can be." I said with a smile.

"With his huge ass," she added and we laughed.

"But seriously girl, what were you doing there?" She asked inquisitively.

"I should ask the same," I replied with a smirk.

"Okay, I will go first. I went with a couple of friends who were so into this Zayn Welms guy. They bought five tickets and the guy who was supposed to complete them fell terribly sick and couldn't go, hence, yours truly was dragged into a club. That was where I saw you. You were with your best friend, dancing widely at the beat of the song. I wanted to come over to say hi, but then you were gone, puff" she said with a dramatic disappearance, "like a wisp of smoke. I shrugged and went home," she finished.

"I'm a Zayn Welms fan. In fact, he's my celebrity crush," I said with a giggle which prompted a snort from her.

" I went to the club to see him, but somehow I got drunk in the process and was raped. I went to get drugs only for my boyfriend to sleep with my best friend." I said with a shrug.

Lizzy's mouth opened wide in an exaggerated shock. "I'm so sorry honey. No one should face this traumatic experiences you just faced. Meanwhile, it's high time I tell you that your best friend is such a bitch." she said and I laughed.

I turn around to make coffee for the next customer.

"Speak of the devil," Lizzy whispered and shook her head.

"A burger and coke please," I hear the unmistakable voice from behind. I didn't expect Chole to come back after betraying me.

"Lizzy, please take over. I need to use the restroom," I said without turning back, desperate to leave.

"Okay Mitch, I got you." Lizzy responded before turning towards the counter.

"Wait Mitch! Don't go please. I really need to speak with you." She said, her voice breaking.

"I'm sorry, I really need to pee," I answered before dashing towards the restroom.

I enter the bathroom and stare at my reflection in the mirror. I didn't want to ruin my make-up and make Chole think I'm still broken.

"Of course you're still broken," an inner mind whispered.

I wait and pace around in the bathroom for a while before coming out. The first person I bump into was Chole.

"I really need to talk to you," she said, stressing every word.

Now, she's dead serious.

"I still have 10 minutes more," I said, praying she has something else to occupy her. The last thing I needed was a reminder of what happened.

"I'll wait for you," she said with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

I nodded faintly and nudged my elbows towards a seat she usually occupied whenever she comes here. She understood and went over there.

I pleaded inwardly for the time to stretch to avoid meeting her, but mother luck was against me, as a few minutes later, it was 2pm.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked with a straight face.

"Can I come back for the meantime please? My rent has not yet expired and I don't know where else to stay. I'll move out next month, I promise." she said looking at me squarely in the face.

I let out an unamusing laughter. "You are joking right? You had the audacity to come here to ask that I let you back after all you did to me? I'm sorry Chole, but I won't." I said with finality.

"It's still our house because my rent is part of it. I don't care if you forgive me because I know you won't. All I ask is that you let me stay in the house for a little while until I see a house of my own." she said with no trace of humor.

"Fine," I said, surprising myself.

"How much is your rent?" I asked with a smirk.