Chapter Two

Aranya's POV

I walked inside the cafe leisurely, my eyes taken in the people lining up in front of the counter.

Today will be hectic.

"Good morning, Aranya." Chloe, my fellow waitress greeted me. She is a very sweet woman. She just got married not long ago. I heard that her husband works in a big company and she's just working here to keep herself busy.

How sweet of her.

I wish I'm working here also to keep myself busy but that's not the case.

I need to work here to survive, I was grateful to work here.

I wouldn't dare complain. 

"Good morning, Mrs. W.illiams." I greeted. She looked up from the counter and smiled back at me.

"You're here, quickly go and attend to the customers." She told me and I nodded my head.

I walked around the counter and placed my bag on the table there.

"Bagel with cream cheese please," one young girl said.

I smiled at her and turned around quickly to get her orders.

I enjoy where I work. In here I feel like my problems are over. 

I feel reborn, even though I know that my time is tick-tocking

I want to be here forever. To live in happiness forever. But I know that will never happen.

I am cursed. 

It is my destiny to be running all my life, it is my destiny to have two strong creatures on my tail.

They will catch up with me soon. I can feel it. They are near but I won't surrender.

"Your bagel and cream cheese is ready, happy eating., I said to the customer as I handed over the bagel and cream cheese to her.

She smiled back at me before walking towards the table.

"Aranya, please quickly make one cup of latte and a cup of espresso coffee., Chloe told me.

"Copy that."

***

I walked out of the cafe at 7:30 p.m, tired and needing to take my motherfucking bath.

I got inside my car and took out my phone from my handbag.

I dialed Bethel's number and placed the phone against my ear.

"Hey." She said immediately she picked up the phone.

"Are you off from work, I'm about to leave the parking lot right now. " I told her.

" Yes, just go to the restaurant and wait for me, I'll be there in twenty minutes." She retorted, I rolled my eyes and sighed.

Her twenty minutes is always forty minutes.

"Okay, I'll be waiting." 

I started my car and drove out of the parking lot.

Bethel's 20 minutes is like forty minutes, so I drove to my apartment first.

I took my bath and changed into another dress before leaving my apartment.

I walked to the restaurant opposite my apartment and it wasn't surprising that she wasn't there yet.

I knew that she would be late.

"Good evening and welcome to Biggie restaurant, I'll be your waitress for tonight,  have you decided what you want yet?" A girl about my age said to me,

I glanced at the menu which I was yet to pick up and shook my head.

"I'm waiting for someone," I said with a smile on my lips. "But I wouldn't mind a glass of water."

"I'll be right back with your water." She told me before walking away.

I unlocked my phone and texted Bethel.

*Where are you?* 

I dropped my phone on the table and glanced around the restaurant while waiting for her to text me back.

My phone pinged and checked it.

Bethel responded.

*I am parking my car, will be there shortly*

Oh boy.

I don't understand how she was able to manage her life as a secretary of a billion dollars company and her normal life.

It just baffles me.

The pay is too good but the sacrifice is a digger.

Not long later, I saw her walk inside the restaurant.

The restaurant wasn't that big so I was able to notice her immediately as she walked in.

She was wearing a plain black skirt and a light blue shirt which she made sure to tuck in.

My professional best friend. She looked really beautiful in her corporate wear.

She glanced around the room and when she saw me, she smiled.

She walked towards my table and sat down opposite me.

"Hey, I'm sorry for being late, I had to sort things out for my boss." She told me.

I smiled and waved my hand.

"I understand, I'm not mad at you., I told her.

She dropped her bag on the table and picked up the menu.

"What did you order?" She asked me.

"I was waiting for you," I retorted. She chuckled softly and went through the menu.

Just then the waitress came back with a glass of water.

"Here is your water." The waitress told me and brought out her notepad, I nodded my head and picked the glass filled with water up from the table. "So have you decided what to order since your partner is here already?"

"Yeah, I'll have creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta and salad please., Bethel said. 

"And I'll have chicken stew and white rice with salad., I ordered.

"Creamy shrimp fettuccine pasta and salad also chicken stew and white rice with salad coming right up." The waitress said.

She walked away and I turned my attention to Bethel.

"How was work today? Was it hard for you?" I asked her.

She sighed loudly and placed her elbow on the table, she supported her cheek with her hand.

"It was just the usual stuff, it is the end of the year so we are only wrapping everything off for the holiday." She replied, "haaa, our company will be having a holiday party in two days before Christmas, I want to be there." 

No.

This is not going to work out. I can't be among so many people.

I can't let my witch sense take over me.

I just can't.

"And before you say no, I've already got a dress ready for you, so you must be there." She said while sending me a death glare.

I don't feel good about this.