Chapter 9

            I thought I’d have a better morning, but it turned out, It was and always be Alejandro ruining it by just showcasing how wealthy he is. That drives my irritation higher than Everest mountain.

            “Help me find a new apartment,” I said to Lena. She is eating a tuna sandwich that she happily made in my magical kitchen.

           I call it magical cause’ it all happened in just one night. I leave my house for one freaking night, and it turns into a first-class hotel room the following day? What does Alejandro want this time? Does he think that I’ll be an easy biatch? And expect me to rush into his side and declare how sorry I am that I leave him? Damn!

            “Why? You don’t like it?”  

            “If I accept that house, Alejandro will have a hold on me again, and I hate that. I can’t picture myself being with him. Yes, he had all the money this world has to offer. I don’t care. But, that’s not enough if we don’t trust each other, and worst is he doesn’t love me anymore. Being with him is just plain misery.” I can't help to touch where my heart is, and I always wanted to be happy. I’m so tired of being alone and lonely.

            “I get it,” Lena said, and she gently patted my shoulder.

            “I tried to be rational, and the thought that my baby needs a father is always in my mind. But I’m afraid and scared. So, many what if’s and I’m not ready for that, that’s why I keep on running away. I will be a hypocrite if I tell you that I don’t love him anymore. It’s just that I got tired.”

            Lena stopped walking and hugged me in the middle of the street people are looking at us. They maybe think that we’re so dramatic people doing a scene early in the morning. But I need this hug. I close my eyes and wish that everything will be back to normal. But, knowing that Alejandro is here, the word ordinary is not on his vocabulary.

            “Come on, and we will be late. You know that Roland hates that. He will be mad this time.” Lena laughs, and she gently shoved some of my hair strands. “I believe everything has a reason. So, don’t lose hope. You’ll get there. Hang on, trust the process,” and she holds my hand and walks into the café's direction dragging me.

            ‘Yeah, everything will be fine. I know, maybe not now. I guess.

            When Lena opened the glass door, a crowd of caffeinated people welcomed us, and we didn't expect this early in the morning. On the right side of the shop, there's a group of three gorgeous men who are busy sipping their coffee. Two of them wear the sharpest charcoal suit jacket and white inner shirt, and the other one wears a well-cut black expensive suit. And on the left side, they’re four teenagers busy with their phones. They look different because they’re wearing the same blue shirt with different hairstyles and colors.

            “Damn! We’re late Roland will be pissed.” Lena murmured.

            “Yeah, we’re damned,” I agreed. We hurriedly rushed into the counter. Being lazy is not my cup of tea, and I need money.

            As we settled at the counter, I greeted the man who was busy with the coffee machine. His name is Conrad, one of the baristas, he looked at us and shooked his head.

            “Roland is looking for you, Cameron.”

            “Why?” my heart keeps on pounding so fast. Damn! I hope he won’t fire me, and I’ll go crazy if that happened.

            Before Conrad could answer, a voice call on my name, I spin around, and a tall, bald man with a mustache, dressed in his favorite Hawaiian dress, smiles at me, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners. I inwardly sigh. If Roland smiles at me, meaning he’s in a good mood, and maybe he’ll talk about something, not firing me. I notice that Lena was gone. She’ll perhaps finish her sandwich.

            “Good morning Roland, How are you?” I greeted him, showing my best smile.

            “I’m good. I’m good.” He replied, nodding his head. “So, Cameron, the thing is, I’m happy with your service here. Even you are pregnant, you still properly do your job. I’m grateful for that.” My heart was pounding so hard. “But, I’m gonna fire you, Cameron.”

            Cameron paled and stared at him as panic rolled through her chest. “You’re firing me?”

            “I’m sorry. But, yes,”

            “Is this about yesterday? I’m sorry Roland, I promise you it won’t happen again. I need this job. Yesterday… yesterday I got sick, okay?” my hands are trembling.

            “Your due date is coming, Cameron. You will jeopardize my business, and you know that I always need people around here, right? That’s why I’m doing my business a favor.”

            Oh god, I didn’t want to beg, but what choice do I have? The chances of me finding another job at this advanced stage of pregnancy were nil. All that I needed was a few more months, save the money that I’ll need, and delivered my baby safe.

            “Please,” I choked out. “give me another chance. You’ve never heard a single complaint from me. I’ve never missed work for any reason. I have to have this job.”

            Roland just shooked his head, and then he pulled out an envelope from his shirt pocket and thrust it toward me. “Here’s your final check, minus the hours for yesterday’s disappearing act. I’m sorry, Cameron. But, business is business.”

            I took it with a shaking hand, and he turned his back on me, leaving me here on the counter dumbfounded.

            What do I do now? I don’t have the money. I am jobless, and unfortunately, pregnant. And now I’m dragging my baby into this misery.

            “Are you okay?”  Conrad asks. Indeed he heard everything.

            I mask my disquiet with a smile, even if his concern is only a formality. “Sure, I’m okay.” I have to be okay.

            “Hey, Cammy. Why are you still in your dress? Where’s your apron?” Lena asks. I guess she didn’t hear what Roland said.

            “Where have you been?” Conrad asks with a plain voice.

            “Bathroom. Why? What happened here?” Lena’s eyes are alert. She even looked around the place. In her mind, someone attacked me. “Are you okay, Cammy?”

            “I’m fired, Lena,” I said with a low voice.

            “What? Come again? I didn’t hear you.”

            “I said. I’m fired.” I looked at her with teary eyes. I don’t know what to do anymore.

            “Oh my god!” Lena said she couldn’t believe it. I give her a nod.

            “Damn! Where’s Roland? I could talk to him,” Lena’s eyes seem hopeful, but I know that Roland was already firm with his decision, and I should accept it.

            I hold Lena’s hand, “It’s okay. I already know that this time will come but, I never expected this early.” I hug her and kiss her cheek, and I gather all of my things. “See you later,”

            “Wait!” Lena stopped me, “Maybe if I tell him your actual situation, he’ll understand.”

            “No… it’s okay. I will think of something else. Besides, business is business.”

            “But—” Lena was about to protest when a young woman came into us.

“Hi, I’m looking for Sir Roland. I’m the new waitress,” The woman said with a bright smile. She’s beautiful with her brown hair and a heart-shaped face, and captivating beauty. She’s wearing black pants and a white polo shirt, and my eyes caught at the gold brouch placed on the right side of her collar.

     “Quién te envió aquí?” I ask the woman in Spanish. (Who sent you here?)  

         She bows down her head. “Lo Siento, señorita.”   

         “Damn!” and I march my way outside the café. I Heard Lena calling my name, but I never look back.  

          Anger and frustration overwhelmed my emotion. Alejandro was and always ruining my life.

            As I walked back toward my apartment, I started at the envelope that I was holding. Despair weighed me down until each step felt unbearable. Me and my damn pride I should have taken the check Alejandro gave me. To hell with him and his nasty accusation. That check was a big help, and it can provide me and my child the life we deserve. 

           I had all the reason to refuse it. To tear it up into little pieces and shove it under his nose. Maybe that’s why I’d held on to it for so long because a part of me wanted the satisfaction of throwing it back at him, and I just did it indeed satisfying. 

           The check was my reminder that ALelandro gave to me, and somehow he thinks that I’m just some random whore, but what had that got me? A dead-end job that sucked the life out of me on a daily basis, and some asshole run away with my money.

            Enough with my damn pride. Alejandro Sancho could go to hell. I don’t care, I’m going to cash that freaking check.