Chapter 7 #3
“Just Cindel, please.” I find myself unable to look away from his yellow, crooked smile.
“I’m not sure. A little under a year?” I force myself to look away, desperate to find anything else in the room to keep my attention.
My focus settles on a dollop of dried ketchup, on the edge of the heavily used table.
“Nine months and twenty-one days to be exact.” He rebuts, with his grotesque grin still on display.
Why would he know the exact timeframe down to the day? Did he plan on firing me and look up my hire date?
“Have you read the handbook? The one you signed when you were hired at this establishment?” His fingers barely laced together as he sets them in front of himself. He reminds me of a fat house cat that likes to play with its food but too spent to actually give chase.
“Yeah, I kind of remember signing—”
He leans forward instantly interjecting, “Section eight, third paragraph. Employees will adhere to rules and regulations put in place by Star Mart, including but not limited to any personal use of electronic devices during working hours.”
What? Who would memorize that? Apparently, this guy. I bet he lives in his mom’s basement. I was very much over this one-sided conversation.
“If you're going to fire me, just do it.”
He puts his hands in a defensive motion. “Woah… Hold on right there, little miss. I feel like there’s been a misunderstanding here. You’ve become an essential Star Crew member here at Star Mart. Also, I feel like we’ve become close as of late. Let’s not be so quick to throw all that away.”
Close? He can’t be serious! “Excuse me?” I lean back, feeling the room becoming uncomfortably smaller than before. As if he could read my thoughts from my physical response, he reacts.
His arm shoots across the table, like a frog’s tongue snatching a bug. He has me by the wrist, securing me to the table.
“Let. Me. Go.”
I try to yank my arm back, using my other hand to try and pry him off me, only to have that arm also pinned down by his slimy grasp.
With both hands holding me firmly on the surface, he leans over the table.
I want to leave, but I can’t break from his hold.
He takes his bottom teeth and rakes them over the ends of his gross mustache, combing it in a downward motion.
I look over my shoulder to find I’m completely alone. My throat burns as acid begins to climb its way up. How did I not notice the door to the backroom was closed?
Nice job following Creepy Craig to a secluded location, Cindel. Why don’t you just make an extra key to your apartment for your stalker while you're at it?!
His breathing has become heavy, but he remains unnervingly calm. Such a contrast to my panicking struggle to break free.
“I’ll scream!” I warn him.
“That wouldn’t do either of us any good. I plan to inform corporate of your delinquency.”
Delinquency? What delinquency?
He didn’t need me to defend myself, because he could read it from my expression.
“Won’t they be surprised when they learn you’ve been skimming your drawer for months.” His feline smile displays each one of his yellowed teeth, and I want nothing more than to knock them out with my boot.
“That’s not true and you know it!” I growl.
He tightens his grip on my wrists before standing. Then without warning, he moves to the door faster than a man of his size should. Now he stands between me and any chance of leaving this room.
I back up. Trying to put as much distance between me and this disgusting liar of a man. He could ruin my life. Any chance of getting a job in this city if he reports this. I’ll be labeled as a criminal. A thief. Could I do jail time?
I take inventory of what’s around me and how I can get out. I’ll worry about the slander later.
He’s watching me. His chest shakes slightly, and an unsettling chuckle tumbles from him.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told Alex about you. Others may want you for themselves.” His lips purse, soon morphing into a sickening grin across his pockmarked face.
“I’ll tell you what?... No one needs to ever know about the little ‘money issue,’ if you do something for me.”
What could I possibly do for him? Also… who would want me and who the fuck is Alex?
My breath comes out in short huffs. That’s when I noticed… it.
His tan trousers are tented. He’s fucking aroused?! Fuck! I may actually vomit. I felt hot and cold all at once.
“Just like her… pretty with a little bit of fight in ya! I like that,” he admits.
My ears are ringing much too loud for me to think straight.
His vile mouth continues moving, but I’ve tuned it out.
Move, Cindel! Grabbing the first thing within reach, I remove the red canister from the wall.
He’s starting to stroke himself, ahead of undoing his belt. I don’t want to see what happens next.
Pulling the clip, I start unloading the backroom’s fire extinguisher onto him.
“Ah, what the fuck?!!!” He tumbles forward, as if the door is pushed from the other side. My revolting manager hits the floor, face first with a cry. “You bitch!”
Unknowingly, a head of bouncing red curls pops through the ajar door. “What’s going on in here?!” She marvels at the scene before her.
The metal canister drops to the ground with a thud as I rush toward my savior. I leap over the blubbering oaf, who’s complaining about his nose or whatever. As I step past the threshold I declare, “I quit, asshole!”
Mairead squats next to him, whispering something to his foam-covered form. I couldn’t hear what was said, but as if she knows the drill, she grabs our belongings and we get the hell out of that fucking place.
We stand before the store for what feels like longer than necessary. With adrenaline still coursing through my body, I am sure if I am waiting for the police to show up or if I might act on my impulsive urge to light the whole damn building on fire. I know neither would be good.
I turn to Mairead who seems pleased as punch to be out in the sun.
“What’d you say to him?” I finally asked.
She proceeds to remove her apron and drops it to the ground.
Without a word, she rummages through her bag for various items. Types on her phone in front of taking a rip from a vape stick.
I didn’t even know she smoked. It smells like watermelon.
As calmly as someone could be who just quit their job on a whim, she replies, “I told him to enjoy his last fucking can of tuna while he still can.”
I can’t help but laugh. It was funny. A little creepy, but I needed the distraction.
Mairead threw her head back and laughed wildly.
Both of us must have looked high or like we just committed a crime.
I liked her from the start, but now she has my admiration.
She was exactly the kind of friend I needed right now.
Friendly, sweet, but capable of kicking ass and taking names.
All of this is wrapped within a seemingly innocent package.
There’s more to this girl than I initially thought.