Deep

16:♠♠♠♠♠♠

"Where are you?" I texted Avril once I stepped into the Mace's restaurant.

It has now been one whole week since I resigned from my position as the PA of the McConnell's enterprise and this was my first time going out. I have been spending my days indoors searching for jobs and doing other works at home which mostly included starting a YouTube channel or watching funny cat videos.

Let me tell you, cats can be very funny when they want to.

"The table on the farthest corner on your right." Came the reply seconds after I sent it.

The restaurant was almost full with customers and it was only 3:00Pm in the afternoon. The waitresses and waiters were running all around taking and bringing the orders to the right tables.

I looked at my right, my hazel eyes searching for Avril and I saw her talking to a waiter who nodded at her and then left.

She had been the one who suggested we meet today since she had been busy catering for her sick grandmother who had been diagnosed with low blood pressure. I had not yet told her I had resigned from my position and I didn't know how she would take the news.

"Hello there too." Someone appeared in front of me smiling. I looked around and saw that I had already reached where she was but I was still standing.

I rolled my eyes. "Hello to you too Avril. I have so many things in my mind." I explained as I took my seat.

"And what may these things be?" Avril inquired, taking a sip of water from her glass. The look she had on her face made me regret saying what I just did.

I shrugged. "Nothing serious."

"Do this thoughts have anything to do with a certain man?" She smiled at me, battling her long eyelashes.

My eyebrows furrowed. "What man?"

"Dean McConnell." She replied, smiling at me. "Don't tell me his hotness is too much for you to handle."

I grimaced at the thought."Nah and let's not about him."

"You know, I saw the way the both of you were looking at each other that day at the bar."

What! Where was she getting these absurd thoughts from? Cause if the guy had looked at me like she said he did, he had only been planning to hurt me and it was out of hatred.

Wasn't that why my ex beat me up too? Because he hated me? Hadn't Alex said I was the reason why he didn't get the university scholarship he was looking forward to? Wasn't that why he hated me and beat me whenever he got a chance to?

Isn't that why spouses beat their significant other too? Because they hated them and not because of any other reason the gave out? Cause if you really loved someone, you wouldn't lay a figure on them. You wouldn't.

"Dean, Dean, Dean." Avril started calling and I stiffened, turning around to see if he was truly here and she was calling him over.

"Don't do that." I reprimanded when I saw she was only joking.

"But I just saw him, like for real." She looked behind me and smiled."He is coming over." She whispered.

My body stiffened and the hand that had been lying on my lap became sweaty. I was not ready to see him again.

"Steph what is it?" Her smile faded and she gave a quizzical look.

I shook my head. "It's nothing."

Any playful emotions that had been gleaming on her eyes seconds ago disappeared and she focused her gaze on me. "I saw how you stiffened when I mentioned his name Steph. Tell me everything." And tell her I did.

"This is why I didn't want to tell you." I said when I saw the hard hold she had on the glass of water in her hand.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She seethed.

I shifted my eyes from her when I picked the hurt evident in her voice."Because I didn't want you to react the way you just did." I pointed at her hands. "And it's nothing I haven't already-"

"Nothing?!" She shouted,her face red with anger.

I placed my hand on hers."A, calm down."

She shook her head sideways."How can you call it nothing? Did you cry?"

"I-i you know."

"So you did cry." She said to herself, grabbed her phone, stood up and left.

I picked my bag and threw my phone carelessly in it and followed her."Where are you going?"

"To give McConnell a good beating." She walked in long strides towards where her car was parked.

I sighed. This was why I didn't want to tell her in the first place. She was so protective like Vera. I would have to calm her down and stop her from going to see him.

*****
"Yeah. I've to go right now." I informed as I walked to pick my bag.

"Can't we go together?" Vera asked from where she sat on my bed.

She was wearing a purple knee length skater dress and a white sweatshirt. If it was any other place, I would have asked her to come with me. But not right now. This was about me and I had to do it alone.

"I'm not a child Vera. I know how to take care of myself."

"It's not like that Steph."

"What is it like?" I asked.

"You know you are my only family Steph."

I sighed and walked towards her. "Yes Vera and that's why I'm doing this."

"But you know I can support you."

"Vera, you've already done enough. Besides, you don't really earn much from The Italiano."

The Italiano was a restaurant in the city which was always flocked with customers. She has been working there for two years and I wouldn't allow myself to take what she was saving for her future.

"But I wouldn't mind."

"But I would. Now wish me good luck."

She reached for me and tightly hugged me and whispered. "You don't need luck when you have Jesus Christ."

*****
I stared at the man sitting in front of me. He was bald and dark skinned with completely white teeth.

"I'll be here before 8." I said happily after he informed me I had already gotten the job.

"No, you'll be coming at 4."

My forehead creased. "Why?"

I knew this was a bar and restaurant building and I hoped I was getting the latter. Not that I had anything against bars, it's just that I was not comfortable there, more so after that day I had my drink spiked.

"Because you will be working in the late night shift. You'll be leaving here at 10:00." He explained and I released a sigh of relief.

At least I would not be leaving too late."Okay sir. I will be here tomorrow."

"Okay. If you will excuse me now, I have some things to attend to."

I stood up and shook hands with him. " Thank you." I said to him and God. I would use this opportunity and work as I was supposed to.

And there would be no more Dean McConnell in my life.

*****
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