Shock at first sight

Sophia’s phone rang, its shrill tone drilling into her head. She groaned, chewed the inside of her lip, and pulled the blanket over her head as if that could silence the world.


“It’s Monday morning… who is even calling me?” she mumbled, voice muffled against her pillow.


Her hand smacked around the nightstand until she found the phone and silenced it.

A soft moan slipped from her lips as she rolled over then realization hit her like a freight train.


“IT’S MONDAY!!!” she shrieked, shooting upright.


Her alarm clock glared back at her in crimson digits. 8:00 a.m.


“Oh my God… no, no, no it was supposed to beep at seven, not eight!” Her voice pitched into a whine as she practically tripped out of bed. “Ugh, why today of all days?”


Her very first day at work.


She bolted into the shower, the water barely washing away her nerves. Minutes later she stumbled out, damp hair clinging to her cheeks, tugging at her clothes as though they’d betray her.

“Why did I sleep so long?” she nagged under her breath, tossing things into her bag without looking.
Outside, her beloved Maserati glistened in the morning sun. For a moment, her panic stilled until reality hit her again.


She caressed the sleek hood, whispering, “I can’t take you with me, baby. Not today. Imagine showing up at Wendy’s in this car. They’d probably fire me before I even clocked in. ‘Who’s this rich girl slumming it in fast food?’ No thank you.”


She slipped her keys into her bag and flagged down a taxi.


The moment Sophia pushed through Wendy’s glass doors, she was greeted by the sharp stare of a middle-aged woman standing stiffly near the cashier’s desk.

The woman’s eyes narrowed, following Sophia’s every move.


“Miss Hernandez?” the woman asked, her tone clipped, suspicious.


Sophia swallowed, still breathless from her rush. “Yes, that’s me.”


“This is your first day of work, and you are late. Not a good start.”


Sophia blinked, her pride bristling instantly. “Can I speak to the manager, please? I don’t owe you any explanation, ma’am.”


The woman’s eyebrow arched, but before she could respond, Sophia turned toward a nearby waitress cleaning tables.

“Excuse me, where’s the manager?”


The waitress paused, gave Sophia a puzzled look, then pointed right back at the middle-aged woman.


Sophia leaned closer. “Her?” she whispered.


“Yeah,” the waitress replied before walking off.


Sophia winced and turned back, mustering an awkward smile. “Hello again, ma’am. I think I might… owe you a lot of explanation after all.”


The manager exhaled, unimpressed. “Start tomorrow. Today, you can watch and learn. But come to my office in five minutes.” She pivoted sharply, then added without looking back, “If you are late tomorrow, even by one minute, I’ll fire you on the spot.”


Sophia’s face flushed with embarrassment. “Yes, ma’am,” she said through clenched teeth.

***

By Saturday morning, Sophia was grateful for a free day. She poured herself a bowl of Frosted Flakes, humming softly as the milk splashed into the bowl.

Her phone vibrated on the counter.


“Ava!” she exclaimed, smiling as she answered.


“I feel like we haven’t talked in forever,” Ava said. “Your new job must be killing you.”


Sophia slumped against the counter, spoon in hand. “It has been so… exhausting.” She sighed heavily.


“It’s okay, Soph. Why don’t we go out today? Are you free?”


Sophia perked up. “Yes! Today and tomorrow. I need it.”


“Perfect. Get dressed. Meet me at our regular spot.”


Twenty minutes later, Sophia stood in front of her closet, surveying the modest selection.


“I need more clothes,” she muttered. “But unfortunately, I’m broke.” Clicking her tongue, she pulled out blue pants and a tank top. “This will do. I’ve got to manage everything now. Prove I can survive without their money.”


Stepping outside, she stopped dead in her tracks. A group of teenagers was taking selfies with her Maserati.


“No, no, no, guys, she’s not for that!” Sophia yelled, jogging toward them.


They scattered before she could reach them.

“Damn kids,” she muttered, stroking the car’s hood apologetically. “I’m so sorry, baby.”


She climbed in and drove to the lasagna restaurant.


Ava waved as soon as Sophia walked in.

“You look pale, Sophia. What’s been running through that little mind of yours?”


“Work!” Sophia flopped into the seat. “I’m starving. Out of groceries. And work has been brutal. I didn’t realize life was this hard.”


Their food arrived, and between bites, Ava asked, “Have you talked to your parents yet?”


“No. Why should I? I’m suffering because of them. They wanted me to grow up, so fine I will. But I won’t give in.” Sophia stabbed her fork into the lasagna with unnecessary force.


Before Ava could reply, raised voices cut through the restaurant.


Sophia turned to see the manager of the restaurant tearing the apron off a young waitress.


“You’re fired! Get out!” the manager barked.


The waitress scoffed. “I don’t care! I’d rather starve than work under your rude, disgusting behavior!”


Sophia couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. The girl was bold.


But then the manager slapped her across the face.
The restaurant gasped. Sophia shot to her feet, fury coursing through her veins.


Ava tugged at her arm. “Sophia, don’t. Stay out of it.”
But Sophia was already moving forward.


“Why would you hit her?” she snapped, stepping between them.


The manager’s face twisted. “And how is that your business?”


“I don’t care who you are. Hitting someone like that is vile. You should apologize.”


The waitress, cheeks flushed with humiliation, tore off her ID badge. “I don’t need her apology. I’m done.” She stormed out, tears glinting in her eyes.


Sophia turned on the manager. “Don’t think for a second that makes you powerful. She’s better than you’ll ever be. You suck.”


Gasps rippled through the restaurant.

Sophia’s glare didn’t waver. “Ava, pay the bill. We’re leaving… for good.”

Ava threw the money on the counter and followed.


Outside, Sophia’s anger softened as the waitress, now ex-waitress approached timidly.


“Hey… thank you for standing up for me.”
Sophia smiled warmly.

“It’s nothing. I just hate watching people be treated unfairly.”


“Yeah. You’re right, Soph. She deserves better,” Ava added.


Sophia pulled a card from her bag. “Here. Call this number. He’ll get you a better job.”


The girl blinked, stunned. “This is… Hernandez Enterprises. How could I ever? I didn’t even finish college.”


Sophia placed a hand on her shoulder. “They don’t just run companies. They own restaurants, malls, and more. Somewhere in there, you’ll find a place where you won’t be abused. Trust me.”


The girl clutched the card with tears in her eyes. “Thank you. My name’s Chloe.”


That night, back in her apartment, Sophia dialed her father.


“Dad, I need your help,” she said quickly. “Not money, just a job. For a girl named Chloe. Please. She’s desperate.”


Silence.


“Dad, I promised her.”


Finally, his voice came, cold but resigned. “Tell her to contact Mr. Brown.”


Sophia’s face lit up. “Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”


Ending the call, she turned to find Ava watching her with an incredulous look.


“What?” Sophia asked.


“Why are you working at Wendy’s when you could work for your father? What if what happened to Chloe happens to you?”


Sophia pulled off her top, tossing it on the bed. “No one can hit me.”


“Then work with your dad!”


“I want to earn my own money, Ava. If I work for him, he’ll put me in charge of something I’m not ready for. How would that be fair to the people who’ve worked for years? No. I need to learn the hard way.”


Ava shook her head, then smiled. “Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky to have an empathetic, beautiful best friend.”


“Don’t flatter me,” Sophia said with a grin.


Moments later.


Ava grabbed her bag. “I have to meet a friend. Come with me. You’ll just mope here otherwise.”


Sophia groaned. “I just took off my shirt”.


Moment later, they took a taxi and met Ava’s “friend”.

Sophia instantly noticed the way Ava’s eyes lingered on him, the way their laughter melted together. She trailed behind, arms folded.


“Why did I even come? She’s forgotten I exist,” Sophia muttered, though a smile tugged at her lips. “Still… she looks happy. I hope she falls in love with him.”


As they strolled, a massive library loomed on the corner, its glass windows catching the glow of the evening sun.


Sophia slowed, staring in awe. “That’s huge…”


She turned to Ava. “I’ll just check that out. Catch up later.”


Ava nodded, distracted by her companion. “Have fun!”


Inside, the air was cool and quiet. Sophia wandered slowly, her fingers grazing spines of books that stretched endlessly.


“Wow,” she whispered. “Nice.”


She paused at a shelf, plucking out a nonfiction book. “Space. Why not?” she murmured, opening it.


Then something caught her eye. A shadow. Movement. Someone standing just behind the shelf.


Her breath hitched. The book slipped from her hand and hit the floor with a loud thud.


Sophia froze. Her pulse roared in her ears.
“Oh my God,” she whispered.