BEYONDERS

ZARLIA’s POV

""Zarlia, hurry up and come over to wash these dishes!"

Manager Leo yelled, making me sigh unhappily. My face fell. Why would Letisha tell such a lie? I shrugged, mumbling under my breath. All the restaurant's cleaning had been dumped on me because Letisha had called in sick – again. She was pulling one of her usual stunts.

I hated Letisha, but I had no choice but to do the work without complaining. The manager clearly favored her, and this job was my only source of income. I just hoped and prayed my application to the Stetson Empire was accepted this time.

Just then, my phone pinged. I snatched it up and tapped the message.

"Thanks for your application to Stetson Empire. We are impressed by your background and would like to invite you to interview."

"Oh myyyyy…" I screamed, immediately stifling my excitement so I wouldn't draw attention to myself. "Yes!" I dropped the napkin I was using to clean the table, a happy smile blossoming on my face. Finally, I could leave this damn place!

"I said, you should hurry up! You have work to do in the kitchen!" Manager Leo yelled angrily, but I arched my brow lazily.

"Excuse me, Mr. Leo," I retorted, my eyes bold. "You don't get to yell at me like that anymore." I looked sternly into his eyes, and I could see him fidget a little. A smirk played on my lips as I walked majestically out of the restaurant. I knew Manager Leo was staring, and I was damn satisfied.

Three years ago, I had started hunting for jobs in big companies, but I'd failed miserably. I had no choice but to stick with Manager Leo's Restaurant.

He was a perverted man, and I had caught him making out with Letisha before. He'd tried to make advances on me, but I'd refused, which led him to torture me by making me work harder.

My apartment was fifteen minutes away from the restaurant. I had moved out of my parents' house because of their constant snide remarks about my job search, but I was going to visit them today to share the good news.

I arrived at the house and was about to knock when I overheard a conversation that made me freeze.

"That Zarlia bitch. My biggest mistake was taking her in, that day. I should have just thrown her away. She's so useless, just like her parents who died in a car accident. After raising her for so many years, she wasn't beneficial at all. Instead, she's a useless person who works in a stupid restaurant." It was my mother – no, my fake mother, i could recongnize the voice vividly

"Mummy, let's just kick her out then," someone else responded. It was my brother, his voice shallow but apt.

"We can't kick her out. She still provides for us sometimes, don't forget that. I don't know how she can't see the handwriting boldly written that I don't like her. Well, let's keep taking advantage of her naivety." My fake mother’s voice echoed.

My eyes widened in disbelief. I took a few steps back, struggling to hold back tears. It all made sense now – the preferential treatment my supposed brother received, even though he never did any thing better than i did.

A tear slipped down my cheek. I hesitated, wondering whether to go in or not, but after a few seconds, I couldn't bring myself to face them. Not after what I'd heard.

"Romero," I thought quickly, I'd go to Romero. His embrace is always so warm, and the reassurance in his eyes and voice was exactly what I needed. It might not take away all the hurt, but it would bring me some comfort, it always did, Romero was my medicine, his smile alone could turn my awful day to a delight.

"Romero better be around," I mumbled, fumbling with the key and opening the door. His place was empty, the lights were on and the TV was playing. But something was off. I could hear soft moans coming from the bedroom.

I stood transfixed. It couldn't be. Romero wouldn't cheat on me, not today of all days. I inched closer, each step heavier than the last. The tears I'd fought to hold back were now streaming down my face.

"Romero, tell me who does it better between the both of us?" I heard a familiar voice. Letisha. I'd recognize her voice anywhere. Her warm high pitched voice was different, i could pick it out even in the midst of a hundred voices.

"What do you mean?" Romero retorted. "Zarlia has never let me touch her. Not even once in the two years we've been dating."

Letisha giggled. "Let her continue taking care of the restaurant while I continue to take care of her boyfriend." She hollered excitedly amidst the moans.

"You're so naughty. You know I'm only with her for the money, but that bitch always gives most of her money to that useless family of hers and only gives a little to me…" Romero smirked. He grabbed Letisha's waist, pulling her in for a kiss. But just before their lips met, something hit his head hard.

"Zarlia," he mumbled, his hand clutching his head.

"Fuck you!" I screamed, tears choking my words. "I put food on the table every day. I help pay the rent, yet you never appreciated it!" It felt like the world was swallowing me whole.

"Letisha, it isn't enough that…" I struggled to finish my sentence before storming out of the room, desperate to regain control of myself.

Nothing could have prepared me for this. Romero had always treated me like a princess. The way he looked at me… I always saw love in his eyes. His gaze made butterflies flutter in my stomach. I knew I hadn't given him any physical intimacy because of my moral beliefs, but I thought he was okay with waiting until we were married.

I took a deep breath. I already had good news today. Not even Romero can ruin it. "If Romero can cheat, I can cheat too," I told myself. Tonight, I'd go to a club and find a man who could help me forget all this frustration. And tomorrow, I'd move on.

When I re-entered the apartment, Letisha flashed me a smug smile. I ignored her and went to change.

I looked at myself in the mirror. The dress looked good on me, i knew it was better to get the compliment from another eyes, but i could see it, i liked how young I looked in the plum gown. I had bought it the previous week, hoping to take Romero out for dinner when I got paid.

The dress resting high above my knee, showing off my tan thighs, and slender waist. I knew Romero would love it; it wasn't my usual style, it was the kind he liked, he enjoyed seeing me dress sexy.

As i had expected Romero was shocked by my appearance when I came out. It wasn't the Zarlia he knew. The Zarlia he knew would wear a maxi skirt and t-shirt. He’d always seen me as a nerd, but today, I’d stunned him.

Ignoring the cheating duo, I walked out of the house and headed for the club, a smile resting on my face on seeing the surprise in Romero’s eyes.