BORN AN OMEGA.

Chapter: 2

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SORA:

“Here you go, enjoy.”

Gladys slammed the tray down beside the sink before walking away. I didn’t need to lift my head to know it was more dishes. Goddess, I’d been standing here for hours and they just kept coming, nonstop. It felt like my hand was about to fall off, but I didn’t dare stop.

I picked up the plates and started washing. My hand was numb. I couldn’t take it anymore. I dropped the sponge into the water and stared at my reflection in the soapy surface.

I was a complete mess. Sometimes I wondered if I was just unlucky, or maybe cursed. My entire body felt like it was about to give out, and there were still heaps of dishes piled up waiting for me. For a moment, I let myself wonder what life would have been like if my parents hadn’t abandoned me on the steps of a church at six months old.

Would my life have been better? Would I not have to work long hours just so I could feed– I guess I’d never know. It wasn’t like the orphanage had even been that great of a home. I was constantly bullied by the older boys. They took my food, and there was nothing I could do about it. After all, I was nothing but a weak omega.

But… he had always stood up for me. The rich boy whose family owned the orphanage. I was twelve when I met him, and he showed me a kindness I never thought existed. Then, all of a sudden, he stopped coming. For years, I saw him in my dreams. I hoped and prayed that one day we’d cross paths again, but I knew better now.

“Sora… Sora!!”

The familiar voice dragged me out of my thoughts. Mrs. Cheng. When I turned to face her, she stood there with her arms folded over her chest, her face locked in its usual expression–annoyance. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her genuinely happy or smiling either.

“What the hell are you doing?” she yelled. “I’m not fucking paying you to stand around doing nothing when there are lots of dishes to wash.”

I didn’t dare say a word. I stood there with my head slightly bowed. I needed this job–for me and my daughter. She walked toward me slowly, and I could feel the anger radiating off her.

“Sora,” she said in a low, terrifying voice, “can you tell me why you aren’t working?”

“I… I–”

“Let me guess,” she cut in. “You’re thinking about your pathetic life again. I don't pay you to stand around and daydream, Sora! You begged for this job, remember? You were literally crying, and I took pity on you and that little child of yours. Now I have a packed restaurant with hungry customers and not a single plate to serve them food on.”

She stepped closer with every word, her saliva splashing against my face. “You know what I want you to do for me?” she asked quietly.

“No,” I whispered.

“GET BACK TO WORK!” she screamed, standing inches from my face. “If I lose customers, you’re staying here until midnight.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat, my heart racing. I couldn’t afford to lose this job. How would Beauty and I eat if I did? That was when it hit me– I hadn’t picked Beauty up from daycare. My eyes flew to the clock on the wall. 7:15 p.m. The daycare closed at six.

“Shit… shit… shit.”

I ripped off my hair bonnet and apron.

Mrs. Cheng stared at me with cold hate. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

I didn’t answer. I grabbed my bag and bolted through the back door. I could hear her yelling my name, but I didn’t stop. This was the fourth time this week I’d been late. I prayed the daycare staff were still there. I didn’t want to find Beauty alone outside. Thankfully, it wasn’t far from the restaurant.

I shoved the daycare door open so hard it nearly came off its hinges. The place was mostly empty. I ran straight to Beauty’s classroom. Her face was soaked in tears when I found her.

My heart shattered.

“Papa,” she cried, running into my arms and burying her face against my shoulder.

“Mr. Sora,” Headmistress Grace said sharply, “you’re almost two hours late.”

“I’m so sorry. I was working and lost track of time. I promise it won’t happen again.”

“That’s what you’ve said all week. If this happens again, you’ll be charged an additional f*e.”

“Please,” I begged. “I’m really trying… understand me, Mrs. Grace–”

“Enough with your sob stories, Sora. It’s annoying at this point. Pick her up by six, or you’ll find your child on the street.”

Before I could respond, Beauty suddenly threw up. Vomit ran down my clothes and splattered onto the floor.

“You little brat,” Headmistress Grace snapped.

“Don’t speak to my daughter like that.” I pressed my hand to Beauty’s forehead. She was burning up.

Oh no.

This is bad.

I rushed out of there, trying to flag down a taxi, then realization struck me, I didn’t have enough money. If I paid for the ride, I wouldn’t be able to buy her medication. The clinic was almost two hours away. I clutched Beauty to my chest as she trembled violently. I was starving, exhausted, and terrified.

“Dear Goddess,” I whispered, “please help me.”

After nearly two hours of walking, I almost collapsed, but we made it. I waited patiently, and after another hour, it was finally our turn. By the time we entered the doctor’s office, Beauty was pale.

The doctor glanced at her and said flatly, “You need a fifty-dollar deposit, or we can’t treat her.”