Chapter 4 Chapter 4

After a long day in school, I decided to drop off at the Pizza Palace. I applied for a job. The owner of the pizza palace was a very disagreeable human being, as she yelled all the time.

I wasn't exactly sure if I was getting the job, but I just needed to check in and see if she finally agreed. She was the only mini shop owner in my area who paid very well, and she paid daily. That was the main reason I needed to work for her.

Depending just on my mom is a no for me because she doesn't care if there is food in the house or not.

I said a little prayer in my heart as I walked into the shop; the customers were much as usual, which shows how good her pizza tasted.

"I am here to see Mrs Barbara; I came here last week seeking a job," I said calmly to the black guy behind the counter.

"Have a seat; I will go get her for you," he said with a slight smile and went towards an entrance that obviously was the kitchen.

I just hoped the lady wouldn't embarrass me; she was just too grumpy.

A few minutes later, the lady walked out with a stern expression, sending shivers down my spine. She gestured for me to come over to the counter, which I hastily did.

"So you're Miss Elizabeth Albie?" She asked as I nodded. "Words, please."

"Yes, I am, ma."

"You are a student, as seen on your application letter, and you wish to work part-time?…"

"Yes, ma."

"hmm… Okay, seeing how keen you're in getting this job, I will offer you a job," she said with a blank facial expression. I was just so happy that I finally got a job. I couldn't wait to get it started.

"Thank you so much, ma, I…"

"Don't thank me just yet. You don't know if the section you will work in is a poor one," she said, wrinkling her forehead. I was ready to work as a cleaner if that would get me money daily! "Well, your job here is to take orders and serve the customers. I don't need to remind you that you must be tolerant, right?" she said as I nodded.

"Yes, ma," I quickly replied, remembering that she doesn't like gestures.

"So you will go over there and put down your name and the days you'd be coming to work; just make sure you come three times per week," she said and walked back in.

I did as instructed and happily danced back home. She wasn't as bad as I expected. At least she didn't yell at me.

I got home happily to find the door opened and a strange car parked outside. My mom was back, and she wasn't alone as usual.

I flung the door open as my eyes caught my mom riding an old man naked on the couch! This is the worst view ever! And so embarrassing, what if I wasn't who walked in? Someone else would have seen my mom fvcking a random man for some little dollar bill!

"Mom!?" I muttered in shock as she swung down from the man's body, wrapping her clothes around her body as the man wore his hurriedly and ran out.

"You came back late today, Elizabeth, what Happened?" She asked, trying to act like nothing happened, which got me even more pissed.

"Are you seriously asking me that? Mom, why do you keep on embarrassing me? Just imagine if maybe Mel walks in here to meet my mom having an intercourse with a married man!… I am so ashamed of having you as a mother!" I yelled as I ran upstairs to my room with endless tears rolling down my cheeks… I would better leave this house for her to turn it into a prostitute's home. By the way, I'm old enough to live alone.

Thank God it's Friday and a lecture-free day at that. I woke up early to not get scolded by Mrs Barbara, and I also had to give a good impression as it was my first day at work.

I changed into a simple gown, ensuring I didn't show my curves as I hung my bag and rushed out to work. I felt happy butterflies in my belly as I couldn't just wait to experience how work would be.

"You are 1 minute late, Elizabeth. I don't tolerate lateness," Mrs Barbara said as she handed me a book, which obviously was the order book.

Like seriously, she was complaining about me coming just a minute late!? How early does she expect me to wake up? And everyone in Baltimore knows how bad the traffic can be in the morning.

I sighed as I kept my bag on a secluded rack, going through the menu and the order book. Barbara's shop wasn't only a pizza palace. She also sells milkshakes and coffees, and one funny thing about Barbara is that she doesn't allow her customers to come in without buying anything. She doesn't obey business rules.

Some minutes after the shop was cleaned neatly, I was asked to change the time tag to "Opened," and just immediately, people started trooping in as if they had been waiting for the shop to be Opened.

My day at work was a hectic one as I kept on walking to and fro, sending and receiving orders altogether. It was an amazing experience as I felt independent once in my life.

I signed out and got my pay for the day as I rushed home. I wasn't feeling good at all, and my eyes kept on spinning as if I was going to fall at any time, definitely because of the endless stress.

The text Edde received kept on troubling him; he knew that if indeed his blackmailer had a clip of him having sex with a random stranger and uploaded it on the net, it definitely would go viral, and that would ruin his hard-earned reputation and image to the public.

He had sent the number to his P.A to track it down, but it turned out unavailable. He also called, and the number kept saying invalid!

Even if he should consider apologizing to Elizabeth, he didn’t have her number to call her! He had never been blackmailed in his life before, and just one-time sex with an infamous virgin was on the verge of ruining his career.

"Fvck gosh! I'm not in the mood for all this now!" He yelled angrily as he deleted a text from his manager about a company's request to collaborate with them. He literally deleted more than five offers, and he wasn't scared because his company was way bigger than theirs, and they only wanted a collaboration to make more money for themselves.

He fell back on his mini couch as he kept reading the text. It was so scary and threatening; his mind drifted back to Nelly's background check on her. She studied at Brighton College, which wasn't far from his house.

He checked the time, and it was already past school hours, so he just relaxed back; the only way he could get to connect with his crazy fan girl was to go to her college himself and stalk her.

Yeah, it might take a long time to see her because the school is large with lots of students, but still, he has to get the woman that was about causing him the most trouble.

It was a new day; Edde stretched and yawned as he stood from his bed. He had slept very late because of the thoughts of his blackmailer.

He has to go to Brighton College and find her to end this whole issue before his dad finds out.

Edde took his bath and had a quick breakfast as he rushed out. Yeah, it was Saturday, and he was going to the college because he heard that a set of students had a practical presentation. He just wanted to try his luck… Maybe it would indeed be Elizabeth's class.

He hit the road with anticipation of meeting Elizabeth. He drove into the student-free school environment. As he packed his car at the lot amongst other vehicles, he covered his eyes with his bulgy spectacles for people not to notice him.

"Hello…" A sassy girl waved, walking towards him with a seductive smile. "guess you're lost and need directions," she said softly, staring into his eyes.

"Yes, please; where are the lab students having a practical presentation?" He asked curiously as she waved her hair back.

"That should be Mr. Adam's class because that's the only practical class right now; come on, I will take you to the place," she said as she tried holding his hand which he pulled off immediately.

"And here we are, cutie. Can I get your contact?" She asked with a wink as Edde sighed, dipping his hand into his wallet and bringing out a random amount of dollar bills.

"Thanks for your help," he said as he handed her the money and moved forward. His mind was too occupied, and couldn't focus on anything unnecessary.

He walked into the Ongoing class; lucky enough, the lecturer was busy narrating stuff and didn't take notice of his entrance.

His eyes drifted to the corner where Elizabeth sat with a guy beside her; he couldn't forget her pretty looks he still recognized her.

"Hey, please leave the seat. You're holding hands with my girlfriend," he said as they both turned to each other in shock and back at him.

"Excuse me!?…"