Chapter 3

3.

Her question made me pause.

My best friend had only been there one day, so she hadn't lost much.

But I was different.

I was only three days away from the end of the week, and my parents had arranged for me to be paid weekly.

Even if the boss was a total scumbag, I wasn't going to let him keep my hard-earned money.

I told myself I'd just finish the week and then leave forever.

I texted Yara back, explaining my plan.

She was frustrated but understood, telling me to be extra careful.

The next day, I went to work as usual.

Several people who had hit it off with Yara asked me why she wasn't there.

I just gave them an awkward smile and made up a random excuse.

At nine o'clock, Victor showed up in casual clothes.

He walked around the workshop first, checking on everyone.

When he got to me, he stared at the screen protectors I was packing and said coldly, "You're not doing this today."

I followed him, confused about what was happening.

He led me to a station I had never seen before in the back of the building.

Everyone there was working in silence, the sound of blades cutting through tape making my skin prickle.

He glanced at me and called someone over.

Soon, a mask and a box cutter were shoved into my hands.

I didn't take them.

"Why am I being moved? What's wrong with my old job?"

"We have enough people over there. I don't need you there anymore," he said dismissively.

I tried to reason with him. "That's not true. I was one of the first ones here, and I'm the most experienced. If anyone moves, it should be the new hires."

"Listen here, you little brat! Do you really think you're something special?" he snapped.

"You're just a temp. This is my factory. You're here to work, not to be a princess. You do what I say, or you get out."

He leaned in with a cold smirk. "Don't forget how you got this job. If it wasn't for your parents, I would've fired you on day one."

"Did school make you stupid? There's no such thing as a free lunch in this world."

His audacity was beyond anything I had ever experienced.

Before I could argue, he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper only I could hear.

"If you don't want to be treated like this, then bring your pretty little friend back here..."

The smell of stale cigarettes and old coffee on his breath made me nauseous.

I pushed him away, tears of anger stinging my eyes.

He just laughed loudly, enjoying my distress.

"One more thing. Since you've been moved due to 'performance issues,' your previous hours are void. If you want any money, you start fresh today and work a full seven days here."

He lied through his teeth without even blinking.

A wave of humiliation and helplessness washed over me.

Years of being the shy, insecure girl made it hard for me to fight back.

I closed my eyes, tears falling like broken pearls.

The man walked away, and the supervisor nearby shouted at me impatiently.

"What are you waiting for? We have a deadline. If I have to stay late because of you, you're dead!"

I wiped my tears and started mimicing the movements of the workers around me.

The supervisor muttered under his breath as he walked past.

"...What a drama queen."