002 Facing Reality

Lana

My hand trembled badly, and the tray threatened to fall, spilling its contents, but I tightened my grip on it.

Ethan was smiling and laughing with Hannah. He looked happy, happier than he ever was with me.

He was able to bring her to a restaurant and have lunch with her openly, whereas he had to hide me for four years.

I took deep breaths and put on a smile as I walked up to them.

“The food you ordered,” I said and placed the dishes on the table.

Hannah was very beautiful; her skin glowed brightly, enhancing how stunning she looked. It’s no surprise Ethan chose her over me.

“I didn’t order crabs,” I heard Hannah’s voice, and I turned toward her, trying my best not to look at Ethan, who had visibly stiffened when he saw me.

“I was asked to serve this. I had no idea you didn’t order it,” I said politely, but Hannah looked mad.

“I’m allergic to crabs! Why would I ask for it?” Hannah’s voice was getting sharper, and I didn’t know what to do.

I’m honestly not about to get disgraced by my ex-boyfriend’s fiancée.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I’ll take it back,” I said through my teeth. I just wanted to serve the food and leave, but now this.

“Is something wrong?” a voice said behind me, and I stiffened.

Damn it. Of all days, the manager had to walk in now.

“She served me crabs, which I didn’t order,” Hannah reported. She looked at me disgustedly, like she couldn’t stand the sight of me, and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“I didn’t know-” I tried to speak.

“Are you really talking back?” Hannah asked with a frown.

“Apologize to Mrs. Sanders. How dare you talk back?” the manager yelled at me. I bit my lip hard, I didn’t want to apologize to her.

“I’m sorry,” I managed, because I really didn’t want to lose my job. I needed this job to pay my damn bills.

“We’re sorry, ma’am. We’ll train the staff properly,” the manager apologized and signaled for me to leave.

I walked away from them, not without taking the plate of crabs with me.

All this while, Ethan was quiet. He didn’t say anything to defend me when it was obviously not my fault. It’s really over between us.

I wasn’t the one who took their order, but I was the one who got yelled at.

“I’m really sorry, Lana. I accidentally placed the crabs for table three on their tray,” Jake apologized, but I really wasn’t in the mood to talk.

I nodded and walked past him to the bathroom to stifle my tears. My lips trembled, and I pressed them together hard.

“You won’t cry for a jerk, Lana,” I said to myself and took deep breaths.

Hannah Sanders is a real bitch.

---

By the time I got home, I was already about to fall. I hadn’t eaten anything except the donut I bought during lunchtime.

I think I’m weak mostly because I ate so little today, but what choice do I have? I need to save up for rent.

“Beatrice?” I called as I walked into the living room of my apartment. When I got no reply, I knew she hadn’t gotten back from school.

Beatrice is a law student at a university in Los Angeles. She’ll be graduating soon, and I have no doubt she’ll ace her bar exam.

I checked my phone for the time, it was almost 7 p.m.

That’s quite weird. Beatrice always comes back from school before 6 p.m. I’m a little worried, but I just hope she gets back soon, or else I’ll be marching into that university.

Just as I was about to make dinner, I heard the door open and Beatrice walked in.

“Welcome!” I screamed from the kitchen, but she didn’t answer. I frowned, watching her go into the bedroom, my concern deepening.

Didn’t she hear me? I believe I was loud enough for her to hear.

I finished making dinner and set the table, but Beatrice still hadn’t come out, which made me really worried.

I was about to go get her when I heard a knock on the door.

I opened it to see Mrs. Shaw.

“Good evening, ma’am,” I said with a smile. “Hi, pretty,” I waved at adorable Lily, who would be seven in two weeks.

“Hi, Aunt Lana,” her cute and soft voice replied.

“I have a night shift today. Would you please watch Lily for me?” Mrs. Shaw asked politely.

“No problem,” I said excitedly.

This wasn’t the first time she’d asked me to watch over Lily, and I enjoyed the little girl’s company, so I always agreed.

Mrs. Katelyn Shaw is a widow. Her husband died five years ago, and she’s been taking care of Lily all by herself. She’s a nurse.

“Thank you so much, Lana. You’re a lifesaver,” Katelyn thanked me, and Lily ran into the house while I chuckled lightly.

“Be good for your Aunt Lana!” Katelyn yelled after her daughter, who got comfortable on the couch, and I chuckled again.

“I’ll be back in the morning,” Katelyn informed me.

“Good night, Lana,” she waved.

“Good night, Katelyn,” I waved back and shut the door. I turned toward Lily, who gave me a bright smile, showing her perfect little teeth.

“I made dinner, Lily. Are you hungry?” I asked the little girl.

“Yes!!” she said excitedly, and I couldn’t help the smile that formed on my face.

“I’ll go get Aunt Beatrice, and then we’ll eat,” I assured her, and she nodded eagerly.

I walked toward the bedroom. “Trixie?” I called, but she wasn’t there.

“Trixie?” I called again, but nothing.

I heard faint sniffling and frowned. The noise was coming from the bathroom, so I walked toward it.

I pressed my ear against the door and heard her crying. My younger sister was crying in the bathroom.

What the actual hell?