Page 21 of Property of Max
“Sure,” I laugh, and she takes off running toward Micah, her braids bouncing.
“Miss. Campton,” Micah’s nurse greets from the kitchen. “My replacement will be a little late, but I don’t mind staying until she gets here. I’ll watch Bree as well.”
“I can’t ask you to do that,” I say. “That’s not what you’re paid for.”
“You didn’t ask,” she says softly. “I offered. I just hate that you’re working a second shift when you only got home from your first one an hour ago.”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Me too. But I’ll be okay.”
Glancing at my watch, I nearly groan. I’m already late, and if I don’t leave right this second, I’ll be in a heaping load of trouble.
“Are you sure?” I ask, rushing the words.
“Go,” she says firmly.
Smiling, I pull her into a quick hug, whisper my thanks, then hurry to do the same with my kids.
“Can we order pizza?” Bree asks, eyes bright.
“Already ordered. It’ll be here at five,” I tell her. “Now I have to go. Love you both.”
Not waiting for their response, I turn and rush to my van.
Please, God… don’t let them fire me.
***
“You’re fired.”
“Please, sir,” I beg, my voice shaking. “I already worked my regular shift today. I’m just here as a favor.”
“Then you should’ve been here on time,” he snaps. “You’ll finish out this shift and then turn in your uniform.”
My stomach drops. What am I going to do? As much as I hate this job, it pays well enough to keep us afloat. Losing it isn’t an option.
“However…” Mr. Gumphrey leans back in his chair, eyes dragging over me in a way that makes my skin crawl. “I’m sure I could be persuaded to change my mind. You are a pretty thing.”
Revulsion spikes through me, hot and sharp, and I take a step back. “Excuse me? Did you just…” I choke on the words, shaking my head. “If you think I’d let you touch me just to keep this job, you’re insane. I’ll take this straight to HR.”
He chuckles, low and smug, like I’ve just told the funniest joke in the world. “HR? Lila, sweetheart, who do you think signs their checks? Who do you think they’ll believe? You, a single mother desperate to keep her job, or me, the man who’s been running this restaurant for twelve years without a single complaint?”
My hands tremble at my sides, anger and helplessness battling for control. He knows exactly what he’s doing. And worse…he’s right. To him, I’m nothing. Replaceable. And if I fight back, I’ll be the one left ruined.
“What do you say?” he smirks, leaning forward in his chair. “Want to apologize to me on your knees? Persuade me to let you keep your job? I might even be generous and give you the VIP tables for a week or two.”
The bile rises in my throat, my skin crawling. I want to slap that smug look right off his face. But the truth presses down heavy: I can’t afford to lose this paycheck… but I can’t afford to give in to him either.
The bile burns at the back of my throat, but I force myself to swallow it down. I can’t scream. I can’t lash out. Not if I want to keep food on the table for Bree and Micah. So instead, I give a small, stiff nod.
His smirk widens like he’s already won. “Good girl. Now… why don’t you show me just how sorry you are. On your knees.”
My stomach twists, but I shift my weight, taking one step forward, just one, before the door swings open.
“Mr. Gumphrey?” one of the servers pokes her head in, eyes darting between us nervously. “We’ve got customers waiting at the front. Said they need to see a manager.”
Annoyance flashes in his eyes, but he schools his expression fast. “Fine,” he says, waving her off before turning back to me. “Get back to work, Lila. We’ll finish this little conversation tomorrow morning when you come in for your normal shift.”
I nod again, my heart pounding, and escape the office before my shaking legs give me away.
