CHAPTER EIGHT: You too good to serve now?

Niya pushed through the door too fast and nearly stumbled to a stop just outside Mr. Don’s office.

She was seething. Her pulse pounded against her ribs, fingers curled into fists at her sides, and her breath uneven out. She felt a dull ache pressed against her temples, and her jaw locked tight.

Cold fingers closed around Niya's wrist, suddenly yanking her back with just enough force to jolt her. A flash of heat ran through her, not just from surprise but from the immediate need to pull away.

“What the hell are you doing here?” The voice slithered into her ear. 

Rina’s brows pulled together under widened eyes, but her grip didn’t loosen a notch. Her voice came out snippy. “Don’t go in there—” She stopped abruptly, glancing around before dragging Niya farther from the door, tucking them into the left corner.

The fire on Niya’s cheeks died out. “What?” She winced, yanking her arm free. “You’re hurting me—”

“You can’t just waltz in there, Niy,” Rina hissed, finally letting go. “Do you even know how many people have been talking about you?”

Niya’s brows knitted. “I don’t understand. What’s there to talk about when someone quits their job?”

Rina leveled her with a look.

That explained the stares. The sideways glances. The way people had been watching her like she was some reckless daredevil stepping back into a place she’d set on fire.

Heat crept up her neck, but she forced herself to hold Rina’s amber eyes. “That didn’t take long,” she breathed.

Not even twenty-four hours, and already the whole damn town knew.

Rina scoffed, flashing her upper teeth. “Not like you don’t know how it is. Small town, big mouths.”

Niya sighed.

Rina crossed her arms. “So. Spill. Why are you here?”

“I need my job back.” The words shot out of Niya’s mouth like they’d been sitting on the tip of her tongue.

Rina huffed, exasperated. “Don’s not gonna roll out a damn welcome mat just because you changed your mind.”

Niya knew that. She’d known it before stepping inside. Still, hearing it from Rina made goosebumps spread all over her skin again like it had a couple of minutes back.

“I have to try,” she said, straightening her shoulders and stepping away from Rina and the door.

Rina let out a short, humorless laugh. “You really don’t. You have no idea how pissed he was when you quit. You didn’t even give him a reason, Niy. Just up and left after he told you not to.”

Niya’s teeth grinded together. “God, why did I throw my life away for a man?” She thought, but she didn't dare voice out.

She had been so damn stupid. Alex had convinced her to resign to step fully into the role of Mrs. McKenzie without delay. She’d thought she was securing her future, but all she’d done was burn her own safety net.

And now she had to pay back the advance she’d taken before she met him. The same advance she had already spent, convinced she’d never have to worry about money again.

She couldn’t even go back to the local diner—the pay was shit. It had been the first job she’d gladly quit when Alex told her to.

Niya’s knees buckled painfully. 

Her vision blurred at the edges. She felt like crying. 

But then, she suddenly halted, lifting her head, turning slowly like a light bulb had just flicked on.

“I’m sorry, though,” she murmured.

Rina took a step toward her. “For?”

“For yelling at you. On the phone.” Niya threw up her hands, shifting uncomfortably. “I… shouldn’t have.”

Rina studied her for a beat, then sighed, shaking her head. “Yeah, well. You—”

She jumped. The sudden click of the doorknob turning cut her off.

“Uh, look, we’ll get to that, but hold that thought. Don’s coming, and I don’t feel like getting chewed out before lunch.”

She barely had time to spin on her heel before the door swung open, and Mr. Don strode out, mid-sentence. 

As usual.

“—and I need the updated supplier reports sorted and compared against last week’s figures. If there’s even a single discrepancy, flag it before the next delivery. I won’t be here for the rest of the week.”

His gaze flicked to Rina, and his nose scrunched up slightly. “Claire Waters, I don’t—”

“R–Rina,” she corrected quickly, her voice grew smaller under his menacing stare.

The scrunch in his nose held for a second longer before it smoothed out. “Right. Anyway, the fresh produce invoices don’t match the shipment count this time. Double-check the vendor invoices and restock the high-turnover shelves. Make sure we’re not over-ordering again.”

“Yes, sir,” Rina muttered hastily.

And just like that, without so much as a glance at Niya, he walked off.

“Hey, Don… I’m getting off early today,” Rina called after him.

Mr. Don barely glanced back. “Finish up before you go.”

As he disappeared down the aisle, Rina exhaled, then turned back to Niya. “That reminds me… I need to clock out early, which means you can come with me to Roscoe’s. I’ll talk to my manager, see if he can find you a spot.”

Niya blinked, barely processing. “Roscoe’s?” Her voice sounded distant, like she had asked the question on autopilot.

Rina caught the look on Niya’s face and rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t start. They need servers. Have you forgotten we talked about it before that assho—Alex came into the picture?”

Niya had never worked as a waitress. The pay at Don’s had been better than the diner she’d quit first—the one Alex convinced her she wouldn’t need.

But she did need it. And Ma Phil wasn’t about to let her breathe easy until she found something.

Rina tilted her head. “What, you too good to serve now?”

Niya pout. “No, it’s just—”

“Forget it. Offer’s off the table,” Rina waved her off. 

“Fine,” Niya huffed. “But you’re not sleeping with him, are you?”

Rina let out an unladylike snort, looking genuinely offended. “Don’t be stupid.”

Niya shrugged, unfazed. “Then why did he call you Claire Waters?”

They had been on the same level when she left. Mr. Don had never handed her that kind of responsibility before.

“Becauseeee,” Rina exaggerated, drawing out the word. “I basically lived here after she had her baby. You know Don doesn’t leave positions empty. I picked up extra shifts, covered the slack, made myself useful.” She crossed her arms. “Not by vanishing into thin air with no explanation.”

Niya watched her for a moment. She had really screwed herself over.

“Look, it’s not like Don hates you,” Rina muttered. “He just… whatever. I gotta go finish this up.” She gave Niya’s outfit a once-over. “And please, wear something better than jeans. Nine pm.”