013 Broken

Lana

I turned on the bed sleepily and felt the space beside me, but it was empty.

I quickly opened my eyes to search for Lily, then I saw her on Beatrice’s bed, and I breathed in relief.

But I couldn't find Beatrice, and I got up from my bed and walked out of the bedroom.

When I walked into the living room, I saw Beatrice sitting on the couch, her head buried in her phone.

“Why are you here in the middle of the night?” I asked, slumping on the couch beside her.

“It’s 5 a.m.,” Beatrice corrected, and I blinked in surprise.

“Huh? I slept like 2 mins ago,” I grumbled.

“Lily was a real drag last night. She didn't let you sleep,” Beatrice said, and I nodded.

“I love playing with her, but she can be a lot,” I said, getting up from the couch. “Do you have a test or an early class today?” I asked.

“An early class,” she replied and bit her lips.

Why would she lie about that? If she needed to go somewhere, she could just go without lying.

“Okay… would it be possible to wait for Katelyn? She would be back from her shift early.”

“Yeah…" sure,” Beatrice replied, and I nodded before walking into the kitchen to get coffee.

Today is going to be a long day.

_

I arrived early today, and Harper was shocked. I don’t blame him.

“Glad to see you're energetic,” he said when he saw me.

“I won't say energetic, but we're getting there,” I replied and walked past him to the changing room.

My phone pinged in my back pocket, and when I saw the message I received, my eyes widened.

Unknown number: You stupid bitçh, you think you can get away with what you did?

Is this Ethan?

I knew I blocked him, so he is definitely contacting me with another number, right? Because this sounds like someone who's angry.

A cold chill ran down my spine.

I was just getting over everything that happened with Ethan.

I deleted the message and dropped my phone in my locker along with my clothes before walking back into the kitchen.

Jenna was awfully late, and Harper kept begging me to wait for her.

I really don't want to arrive late at my new job, and this is hella frustrating.

My heart leaped for joy when I saw Jenna walking in. “I am so sorry,” she apologized.

“I have no time to scold you.” I hurried past her to change my clothes and quickly left the restaurant to hail a taxi.

_

As expected, I was damn late and got an earful from the head chef.

When I got into the kitchen, all eyes were on me, and I felt like digging the ground and hiding there forever.

“Arriving late on your second day isn't a good idea. Working part-time is already bad enough,” one of the male chefs, who I think his name is Mark, said to me.

“Is there something wrong with working part-time?” I asked, and the female chef scoffed. I pressed my lips together.

“There’s everything wrong with it. This is one of the Moretti family’s successful restaurants. Everyone works full-time,” Mark replied.

My chest tightened. No wonder everyone seemed to not like me.

They don't believe I am taking this seriously, but how do I explain I only got here by chance?

I quietly walked to my section as everyone got to work.

_

I walked out of the restaurant in slow strides; the sun was already down.

I guess I would be taking a taxi. I don't think I can walk to the bus stop today.

Someone hit me from behind, and I almost fell. When I finally got my footing, I turned sharply to meet Hannah Sanders, Ethan’s fiancée.

Fuçking great!

“Are you blind?” she asked with a frown.

“You were the one who hit me,” I retorted, and she assessed me from head to toe before rolling her eyes.

“Aren’t you Ethan’s plaything?” Hannah said in disgust, and I felt bile forming in my throat.

“Don't you dare,” I warned, and she scoffed.

“What? Am I wrong? It's funny to see that you actually thought he was interested in you for four years. Poor women are truly dumb,” Hannah spat.

I couldn’t bring myself to speak. How did she know we dated for four years?

“Ethan only started dating you because he lost a bet with a friend, and when he saw how invested you were, he decided to keep it going. He was foolish to drag you on for four years,” Hannah added, and I struggled to keep my feet on the floor.

My hands shook; my entire body shivered.

“I can't even bring myself to feel sorry for you. Maggots such as yourself deserved it. You have no idea how hard he laughed anytime he came back from one of your ‘secret’ meetings. I mean, how could you be so stupid?” Hannah laughed.

“Stop,” I whispered, but I don't think she heard me.

“He has always been mine, and you were just someone he used to pass the time,” she kept talking.

I couldn’t hold myself anymore. I could feel my body losing balance when a strong arm wrapped around me.

I crashed on his chest.

“Are you alright?” I heard his oddly comforting, familiar voice.

Cinnamon filled my nose. Is that his scent?

I couldn’t bring myself to reply.

“Mr. Moretti?” I heard Hannah say, but Karl didn't glance at her even once.

His gaze was on me. “Lana,” he called, but I couldn’t answer.

My entire body was too weak; I couldn't even bring myself to speak.

My legs left the ground, and I looked up at Karl, who had just picked me up.

Hannah looked like she was going to say something, but Karl had already turned around and walked away from her.

I felt really tiny in his strong arms, and I didn’t think I would say this, but I am very much glad he came.

Karl put me at the back of his car, and I sat there like someone in a comatose state.

Tears ran down my cheeks for the first time this evening, and I palmed my face to muffle my cries.

My chest heaved as the tears refused to stop falling. I felt Karl sitting beside me, and I am sure as hell he was staring, but all I could think about was what Hannah said.

Everything about my relationship with Ethan was a lie, an elaborated joke.

Karl hugged me to himself, and I cried my eyes out on his chest. No doubt, I completely ruined the suit he was wearing.

I didn't know how long I was at it, but I was glad he didn't say anything.

I hate myself for this.

I promised not to cry for Ethan anymore, and here I am, a crying mess.

The tears finally stopped rolling, and my breathing steadied.

Pulling my head away from Karl's chest, I cleaned my eyes with the back of my hand, but he pulled my hand away and helped me clean my tears.

His huge hands brushed my cheeks softly, carefully, like he was afraid he would hurt me.

“Feeling better, love?” he asked softly, quietly, and I nodded in response.

His cinnamon scent filled my nose once more, and I basked in it.

“Tell me, who is responsible for this? Who needs to be punished?” he said, looking at me so intently, and I felt my heartbeat race.