The sky was dark-grey, the winds picked up, and the big clouds looked like it could burst at any point, as the air felt cool on my skin.
Going to work today was probably a bad idea, but damn I needed the money.
I quickened my pace as the clouds began to gather up in the sky. Droplet of moisture began dripping from the sky, getting the first splutter of rain when I was halfway across the street.
I hated getting drenched in the rain.
People began running for cover, and umbrellas were open as the clouds sputtered out their dewdrop of water, and cars honking.
A tinted Mercedes Benz car drove pass me in a flash, splashing dirty water on me.
"Asshole." I cursed, taking a look at my shirt.
I have no idea why rich people tend to act like jerks. The person couldn't even stop to apologize for ruining my shirt.
The rainfall became more intense, swishing of my skin as I ran closer to the Café.
Out of breath, I arrived at the door of the Café. I hurriedly walked inside, getting a few glance from the customer, resisting the urge to yell, What? Never seen a girl get drenched before.
I knew I looked hideous, with my hair wet and sticky all over my head, my make-up running down my face, like a bride dumped at the alter, and my clothes were not any better, as my once white shirt clings to my breast, leaving no room for imagination, as it left my black bra on display. All I wanted to do was just get back home, take a hot shower, grab a cup of hot coco, while watching Netflix, and then snuggle into a warm blanket.
I scanned the room, for any trace of the manager. Eleanor Mitchell, she is in her early forties, with blonde straight hair, busty, and tall. She was anything, but definitely not nice. Eleanor, or better still the Witch, like I love to call her, was the manger of the Café, and an annoying one at that.
Trisha, a colleague of mine waved at me, motioned for me to come in. "Thank you." I mouthed to her, as I hurriedly strode over to the changing room provided for the staff, only to see my two best friends, who also happen to be my colleagues.
We all work as bakers in this café. Melisa and I have known each other for years, but Katherine joined the café a year ago, and then there is Ray, the fourth member and only guy among us.
"What happened to you?" Kat asked the moment I stepped in.
"The rain." I mumbled, as I began unbuttoning my shirt.
"Why didn't you just take the bus?" Mel asked, handling me a towel.
"I missed the bus ." I shrugged, wiping off the water from my hair.
"Oh you poor thing." Kat cooed, as she walks closer to me and she pulls me into a warm hug.
"You're gonna get wet." I said, pulling away from the hug. "And besides, I'm fine." I mumbled, hating the look of pity in her eyes.
"Here, change out of those clothes before you catch a cold." Mel said handling me her spare uniform.
"It won't fit." I groaned.
"Well, you've got no option. its either this or that of Kat's." Mel said, gesturing to Kat's petite figure.
"Aye." Kat pouted.
Katherine had all the features, body shaped like a hour glass, long jet black hair in wavy curls, oval shaped face, pink lips, 5'2 and sexy, with beautiful brown eyes.
Melissa is a beautiful blonde lady with curls, slender built like an athlete, 5'4 height, square shape face, and beaming blue eyes.
And I, on the other hand. I always wished I had blue eyes like my mom, instead of my boring hazel one, round shape face, brown hair, pointed noise, full pink lips, 5′6 height, and curves. I had a thin waist and large thighs, making me look like I was shaped like a pear.
I wouldn't call myself beautiful but I was just an okay person, some people pass me as cute.
"We gotta go, those cupcakes ain't gonna bake themselves." Kat uttered.
"See you in a bit." I said.
Smiling at me, they exited the room.
I exhaled, pulling my shirt over my head, I shiver as the feeling of a cold metal touched my chest.
I looked down, seeing my necklace laying between my cleavage. A smile formed on my lips as I held the necklace between my fingers, admiring it.
It belonged to my mother, It was all I had left of her.
I was a little over ten when she left for work, but never came home that night. She got caught in a bad storm, the next morning we waited for her to come home, but she never did. The police were informed, and there was a search party organized for her, but she wasn't found, all they found was her necklace and damaged car, but she wasn't.
6 months later, her body was found by the river side, barely recognizable. And that was just the beginning of my misery. After a year of drinking to stupor Dad couldn't stand the loss so he committed suicide, leaving I and my brother Vincent behind. Since we were both underage, we were taken under the care of my grandma.
After 9 years it still hurts like a bitch.
I blinked away the unsheared tears that threatened to fall, I could feel my throat burn from struggling with myself. I feared I'd never stop if I let myself go.
I let out a deep breath, swallowing the lump in my throat as my hands finds its way behind my back, pulling down the skirt zip before taking it off, my panties was sticky so it came off with it, then my bra. Luckily for me my nipples were small, so I never had any issues with dressing without bra.
I changed into the spare uniform. Which fitted like a second skin, I was surprised at how such simple clothing items seem to enhance my curve, hugging my ass perfectly, and the shirt clinging to my chest, making my breathing a bit difficult as it made my breast look bigger.
I took out my wipes and softly patted it against my face until the makeup was off, before running my fingers through my hair while taking a deep breath. I grab a hair tie and pack my hair in a ponytail, then exited the changing room.
I made my way over to the kitchen, sliding the door open. I'm welcomed by the balmy sweet fragrance of vanilla that somehow smelt like paradise.
I take in the sight of my colleagues, going back and forth, grabbing a thing or two, to bake with. My eyes wanders off to Kat, struggling to reach the ingredients for frosting the cupcakes she had baked.
I walked over to her, stretching up, standing on my toe and leaning my left hand on the counter as I reach for the ingredients with my right hand. I grabbed fondant and then the whipped cream, placing them down on the counter. Due to my height, its was easier to reach it
"Show off." She mumbled.
I chuckled, grabbing my apron when the door suddenly creaks open, as Eleanor hurried inside with the intensity of an earthquake, huffing as her eyes scan the room, like she was in search of something or someone.
I quickly turned around, but I guess I wasn't fast enough as she called out my name.
"Valerie! " Eleanor barked.
Oh for goodness sake!
"Yes, Ms. Eleanor." I said, trying to be as polite as I can be.
"You are late." She uttered.
I tried not to roll my eyes. "Yes Ma'am, I'm sorry."
"Why did you arrive late?."
"My bus didn't arrive on time, so I had to run down here." I lied, I wasn't going to tell that I missed the bus, because I overslept. "
"That is not an excuse.. We do not need tardy people here so if you come this late again, I will report you to Mr. George and get you suspended or even worse." She uttered, with an evil grin on her lips.
That had gotten the attention of everyone, most of them had stopped baking, eavesdropping the whole conversation.
Mr. George runs the whole thing, he owns the café among other things. He is surprisingly rich for someone who owns a three star café . Some people say he runs some dirty deals to acquire his wealth, some say he inherited his wealth from his late wife. He can be intimidating and dominating, strict, but nice. Not someone you will want to mess with.
I personally think Eleanor has a thing for him, as she constantly hovers around him.
" Give me a break witch" I would really love to yell, but I bit back that remark, and instead I said "It wouldn't happen again."
"Good, and one more thing." she ordered, her eyes meeting mine squarely. "Button up your blouse. This is an exquisite café not some cheap brothel." pointing her perfectly manicure finger at my chest.
I looked at my chest, and saw that the first button had popped open. I'm guessing, it must have opened the time I stretched to get some ingredients for Kat.
I fasten the top button "Better? " I asked.
Eleanor twisted her lips at me " Much... "she said, turning around to exit the kitchen, before she suddenly stopped by the door, with her fingers wrapped around the door knob. "Oh, that reminds me.. You will be covering Daisy's shift for the day... She called in sick. "
" What? "
" Do you have a problem with that, Valerie? " M.s Eleanor raised a brow. A deep furrow appeared on her forehead.
The way she mentioned my name, like she dared me to go against her order.
Of course, I did. Don't get me wrong. I'll gladly cover a shift for anyone, but definitely not Daisy... Daisy was Eleanor's minion. A slut and snitch, all in one package. Daisy is a waitress here.
With a tight-lipped smile "Not at all. I replied.
"Good.. The show is over, everyone get back to work.. " With that said, she left.
"Ahhh!" I yelled. "Why do I have to be the one covering that two face bitch shift." I said, slamming my palm against the counter.
Ouch! That was probably a bad idea. I felt the sting flow through my fingers.
"Inhale and exhale." Kat breathed, demonstrating.
I rolled my eyes at her. "I'm not doing that shit." I said, having Mel chuckle.
"It's not shit like you called it.. Its emotional yoga, it helps with calming down your nerves, when you feel like flaring out in anger.." Kat laughed, grabbing the frosting bag, bringing the tip to the cupcake to frost.
"You should probably leave.. Daisy shift started few minutes ago." Mel urged, handling me a tray with a cup of cappuccino and bagel. Which I reluctantly took.
"Hurry your ass girl.. You don't want to keep the customers waiting." Kat joked.
"Who says I don't? " I asked, balancing the tray in my hand.
"Your payroll." Mel laughed.