Chapter 13: Throwing Out The Trash

I stood for a few seconds, somewhat paralysed. I shunned myself and forced my knuckle to tap the door. It was a pathetic attempt, but he heard it.

"Yes?" Liam asked harshly, and I already regretted my decision.

"Hi Liam," I said as I sheepishly opened the door. He was hunched over his desk with work; my heart fluttered, but I instantly felt dread as I saw his angered expression. Although he appeared terrifying, he was still incredibly handsome. Dammit, Laura, get a grip!

"What is it?" he snapped dismissively, still facing his paperwork.

"I-I am sorry to disturb you, but I need to talk to you about—"

"Laura, if it's to do with your role in the kitchen, there is nothing to discuss," he barked harshly without looking at me. I couldn't understand it, but him avoiding my existence really hurt. I entered the office like a terrified animal, visibly shaking like a leaf.

"Stay where you are; we need to make whatever it is you want brief. I'm in a rush." 

"Liam, it's about y-yesterday; it's not—" 

"Not what Laura?” Liam hissed as he got up. “You conversing lovingly with your sweet werewolf is not what I heard?" he scorned sarcastically nearing me. 

Werewolf? I thought to myself; it was quite clever! Oh, Liam, you have no idea how close you are to the truth! I tried very hard to stifle a laugh, but within mere seconds, Liam had me pinned against the wall.

"You smiling? Are you trying to insult me further, as you exploit endearment towards that fleabag?" he snarled dangerously. “You think this is all a game? Fucking inconsiderate woman!" 

"N-no, p-please Mr. Custos—" I started to beg, but Liam punched the wall next to me. I flinched in response, cowering at the giant before me. I trembled in absolute fear and decided to keep my mouth shut.

"Until you have finished with your little fuck around with him, then we can talk, but right now I do NOT want to see you! Now GET OUT!” Liam shouted in pure rage. I could not move; I was frozen on the spot. My legs refused to listen to my mind whilst my heart was weeping at his cruelness.

With one hand, Liam effortlessly shoved me towards the door. If his words did not sting so much, I'd be able to keep my balance, but I landed on my foot with all my weight, hurting my ankle. It was embarrassing falling like a large lug. I winced at the pain, and tears started to form, but I managed to conceal it. I clumsily got up and limped out of the office without a word. My heart was too wounded to attempt to say anything else; it was pointless. I was a bloody fool to trust my gut. What was I thinking?

"You're suspended until I phone you," he hissed without looking at me. 

"It's fine, sir; I resign, thank you for everything."

"Laura."

I looked at Liam with anger and grief. He returned my gaze and said conflicted, "I Liam Custos, rej—" He held his heart and his breathing became strained, then continued, "Request that you take out the trash then go. That is all."

I closed the door, and I struggled to make my way to the kitchen. I can't feel anything, because everything I am is numb. I lifted the last two bags of garbage and made my way outside. I was in so much shock, that I did not know what to do. I guess do my last job in this place and brace myself to return to my prison. Jerry is going to lose his shit because Liam touched me— It doesn’t matter; I'm fucking doomed in every way with that crazy bastard.

Shit, this is not good, I mumbled to myself as the pain in my ankle intensified. I opened the heavy dumpster lid with difficulty and threw out the trash. I stared at the decomposing mess of bags— this was an accurate representation of my existence in this world.

I took a trembling sigh as I tried to hold in my tears and turned to make my way back. I started becoming now lost in my new fear. As soon as I enter the bistro and clear my locker, I need to let Jerry know I am finished.

"Well, well, well, look at what I found roaming in the streets like a hobbling hobo," ridiculed a familiar voice. I could feel the hairs on my neck standing on end. The kitchen back door was still a distance from the dumpster, so I could not merely run to escape this unwelcoming confrontation. 

"What a loser! Twenty-four and yet here you are single, fat, working as a lowly waitress taking out the trash. It's no wonder MY Michael fucked around behind your back all those months. He couldn't stand you, grew tired of your useless arse, but because he is such a generous heart, he continued to look after you," Amber mocked as she emerged from the darkness. Just my luck, I sighed to myself; of course, this witch will appear out of nowhere in a dark alley.

I anyways smiled as I neared her with difficulty. She was now nothing, but just a mere grain of sand in my eyes; for later I will be dealing with the spawn of satan himself. I might as well see this as a warm-up for what’s to come. She looked at me confused, probably thinking I'd jump in fear trembling for my life. No bitch, I've had a shit few fucking days, so you better come at me with all you got.

"Amber, I'm only saying this for your own good. Instead of focusing on a nobody such as myself, as you so accurately described. Rather spend that effort on Michael. You'd be surprised by all the weird and wonderful things you might learn. For instance, where he had poked his dick the last few months, or if you truly are the only one he is currently fucking. I'm completely off the radar, but the world is a big place and has lots of rarer and more beautiful options."

Amber's face paled at my words, then it contorted to that of an old hag as she initiated her attack towards me. I only observed Amber's movements and carefully dodged her flying, crafted, gelled claws and uncoordinated punches. I was about to grab her wrists when, all of a sudden, I felt large, familiar arms binding around me, holding me in place. 

"Michael? What are you doing? Let fucking go of me!" I roared in absolute terror.

He tightened his hold and looked at me in a way I could not interpret. "It's been a long time since I held you this close, Lau; it almost feels nice. I can appreciate your features and smell your sweet perfume." He eerily inhaled my fragrance and then continued, "If only you had accepted my offer and given me a second chance. I would have stopped fucking around in a heartbeat." 

"For how long, Michael? Our four-year relationship clearly meant nothing to you," I hissed bitterly, trying to wriggle myself free. He fucking disgusted me! The audacity of him, but this is how Michael is and always will be. No matter who he encounters, it's always the other person's fault. 

The arsehole sneered and placed multiple subtle kisses against my temple. A gesture I used to hold so dear. I nearly burst into tears as the pain of his betrayal submerged freshly in my mind.

"I let you go without a fight; I left you to do as you pleased while you broke my fucking heart! Why do you want to step on me further when there is nothing left to shatter, Michael? I am nothing. What more do you want?" I asked, my voice trembling as unintended tears escaped.

Michael grabbed my neck choking me so that I couldn't scream for help. He looked at where my scarf loosened and I could hear his breathing quickened as his fury grew. "So you have already been fucking around, and quite heavily I see. Is it with that fucking joker?”

He continued to stare at my marks and crushed me more. “We didn't even have this much fun, you fucking hypocritical, slut! No matter, I am going to fix this." He looked at Amber and then nodded.

I started to panic and desperately tried to call for help, but it was all in vain. The woman sneered whilst she adjusted her oversized rings on her fingers. I tried to kick and shove Michael off of me, but my sore ankle hindered my pathetic attempt. Amber pulled her fist back and punched me four times in the face with all her might. One on my left eye, one on my cheek and twice on my lips.

Her rings punctured and deeply sliced my skin, it was so sudden. At first, the pain was as if it was a blunt object causing a slight sting, and then that familiar sharp burn followed just as suddenly. My eye was on fire, warm fluid running down my cheek, and then my eyelid felt hollow. I lost my eye I just know it. I wasn’t sure what was left of my lips, probably a huge gash. Four of my teeth damaged. Between the strangling and the blows, it all went by so fast. I know for sure my face has been ruined for the rest of my life, but now I understood what this was all about.

Once Amber stopped at Michael's command, he firmed his arms around me, I was dazed and concussed, slowly fading from the lack of air supply. His hand around my neck softened and he whispered ominously, "Now there is nothing, only a large and useless dirty mess which needs to be thrown out. Let's see anyone else try to fuck you again."

He lifted me with difficulty and then threw my slumped body recklessly into the large dumpster, causing me to hit my temple on the corner rim of the steel bin. I tried to speak, call for help but my lips did not work and my voice had left me. Blackness started to shroud me, and a sharp ringing followed by static noise sounded in my ears.

The lid of the dumpster closed, suffocating me in the putrid stench of rotten food. I gagged as I was losing consciousness and my logic. I was so close to making something of myself. The man I once loved with all my heart betrayed me, and then does this? I guess it was my fault; I should have known what I was getting myself into. Stupid, stupid woman! Guess Mom and Dad picked right. 

My… mind… is becoming more… foggy. I don’t know how long I have now been in this smelly coffin, but I was drifting between sleep and consciousness. If I do somehow get out of this alive, hopefully, Jerry will be put off by my ruined face. The joke's on you, Michael; you might have done me a favour— 

My thoughts stilled as I heard the heavy iron lid swing open, and the familiar muffled voice of a distressed man sounded, but then silence. I was out.