Page 18 of His Virgin Angel

“It seems so childish.”

So far none of them had officially complained about Louisa, and Piper wasn’t going to be a snitch either. Telling off an employee wasn’t exactly going to help her in the future with other jobs. Piper didn’t want to be a waitress all of her life. For all of Louisa’s other faults, she was actually good with the customers, and the days that Piper wasn’t there, everything seemed normal, or at least the others told her nothing went wrong. She’d been with them a week. That was all. One week, and in that time it had felt like a total nightmare, even if only when Piper was actually working. The last time Piper had felt like this was back in high school. She didn’t complain to the teachers, and she wasn’t about to complain to the boss now. There were difficult people out there, and Louisa was clearly one of them.

“Come into my office,” Mark said, coming up behind her.

“Have I done something wrong?”

“Just come to my office.”

Giving Leon a concerned look, she followed Mark into his office. He closed the door, and asked her to sit down.

“Have I done something wrong? Is it because of all of the broken stuff? You can take it out of my pay.”

“Piper, stop. Louisa has come to me and complained you’re stealing her tables.”

“What?” Piper asked, shocked. “I would never—”

Mark held his hand up. “How did you hurt your hand?”

“I was picking up broken glass.”

“I can’t help you if you don’t tell me the truth. I still have to run a business here.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“Piper, I like you. You’re a hard worker. Tell me the truth.”

“It’s fine. Honestly, I can do this.”

He released a sigh. “Okay, go on out, and finish your shift. Don’t worry about the damaged items. I’ll deal with them.”

She nodded, making her way back out into the restaurant. This was turning into a nightmare.

****

“Do you want me to fire her?” Mark asked.

Drake had taken Piper home, and the restaurant was completely empty. Jack stared at Louisa’s file. Every instinct inside him was telling him to fire the bitch. She was making Piper’s life a misery. That’s what he did. He removed the problem from Piper so she never had to worry. On another problem of the day, or the week, he’d had to go and speak to Brian’s principal, and make him realize that he’d fucked up. Fortunately, the principal had agreed, so he was going to give Piper a swift apology.

“Piper didn’t complain?”

“No. Louisa’s the one been complaining. She told me that Piper is pushing and shoving her. Taking her tables, talking down to her. There is clearly a natural dislike, and it’s all coming from Louisa. I can fire her, but I don’t want Piper to end up hurt because of it.”

Jack closed the file. “Piper’s miserable, and that’s a first when it comes to her working here. She loves it here.”

“I spoke to Leon and Luther. Piper won’t complain because she thinks it’s childish. I can fire Louisa, I’d gladly do it. For the time being we’re understaffed. This decision is yours. You wanted Piper to have a protective environment.”

Jack stood and started to pace the office. The reason he’d pushed Piper to get employed here was because it allowed him the chance to keep an eye on her. He could protect her here, rather than anywhere else. This also gave Piper a stable life, and the chance to work without fear of his own life entering here. He wanted her to have everything her heart desired, and she loved to work.

If he interfered too much, she may do something else, and he liked the intimacy of being in control of everything.

“Leave it for the time being. I want you to keep an eye on her though. You got shit to do in the office you do it when she’s not around, understood?”

“Why don’t I just fire her?”

“Because I said so. Piper wants to handle this, and as much as I want the bitch gone, I know Piper has her reasons. If Louisa goes too far, fire her. But for now, I’ve got to trust Piper.” Also, he wanted to know more about Louisa, and why the bitch seemed to be targeting his woman. He’d been careful not to draw too much attention to his feelings for Piper. Had he screwed up? He wasn’t going to interfere too much, especially as Piper would start to ask questions. He’d already dodged several over the years concerning his business, and what happened with regards to her mother.

His cell phone buzzed letting him know that Drake was once again outside.

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