Chapter Eleven.

Jhelani's POV:

When I went in, I saw the black apron hanging on the side of the kitchen wall just as she said, and I immediately put it on.

"Hasten up with that and get to work." I jumped, turning to see who it was.

"What? Why are you staring like you've seen a ghost? The customers are waiting, and you being such a snail isn't helping matters. I don't want to lose a single unsatisfied customer because of you, girl. So be quick," the shop owner grunted, shaking her head as she picked some stuff from the store before heading out.

Why is she so pissed off and rude to me? It's not like I'm playing around. I rolled my eyes, mumbling to myself as I tied the rope behind my back then got to work.

The first thing I noticed was that there were small papers containing what each customer wanted to have and their table numbers. The papers were pinned to a medium-sized blackboard before the counter. It's easy to see and discard into the trash can that's beside the counter once the order has been served.

My first shift at the coffee shop was going all normal: customers, busy work, trying not to embarrass myself each time the coffee incidentally spills out from the cup and stains the tray.

"It's been a rough day for you, hasn't it? First days are always like that, though," The red-haired girl asked, offering a harmless smile as she kept the empty tray on the counter after serving a round of customers.

I haven't been able to ask her name because of the tight work currently. So for now, she's just the red-haired girl to me.

"Kind of. Just trying as much as possible not to embarrass myself. You know, it's awkward doing such a job, but hey. What can I say? I need the pay after all," I said, laughing nervously, and she joined in.

"By the way, I am Archie," she stretched out her hand. "Can I know yours too?"

"Jhelani," I said, shaking her hand, sides of my lips curling up.

"What do you girls think you're doing? Talking while I'm losing money? Do you think I run a charity here and you could do whatever? I think you must want your wages cut. Get back to work!"

Archie and I exchanged a quick look, stifling a laugh as we got back to work, preparing coffee for the customers next in line before stepping out of the kitchen to deliver their order.

"Here's your order," I said, placing the tray on their table.

"Jeannie got two red-haired bitches working for her. And they are so pretty, but this one looks like a nice bet. She's a badass. Bet she'd be so fucking good riding and sucking my dick in bed," one of the four men who had a long scar across his nose with full beards and a huge body build said to his partner but I tried not to pay attention to their bullshit remarks.

It's your first day at work, Jhelani. Don't let any asshole get under your skin. I chanted in my mind, turning to leave, then someone gripped my wrist abruptly, stopping me.

"Don't be too quick to leave, wild cat. There's so much to what we could do together you know," he said with this dirty look, licking up his lower lips. Fuck. I wanted to puke and have my fist crack into his jaw, crushing it all.

I yanked my wrist away.

"Don't test me," I said throughout my teeth, about to leave when I was pushed back, one of the four men snatching off my apron then tossing me into the arms of one of their men.

They repeated this while I struggled to get off without making a scene, warning them to stop but their didn't listen. They continued, all laughing like hyenas as they had fun with what they were doing. Taking up attention from the onlookers in the room.

It was embarrassing, a weird shameful feeling eating up my skin as the customers stared, whispering between themselves and doing nothing to stop these men.

"What do you guys think you're doing? Does she look like a ragdoll to be used for your own amusement?" Archie butted in to stop them, pulling me away from the thugs, but they were too strong, smacking Archie away, and she fell flat on the floor, earning some bruises on her elbow.

"You're mine now. No one would fucking come to your rescue, little red cunt. You're ours. Our Ragdoll. We can do whatever whenever we like and there's nothing you can do," the hairy beard man whispered into my ear, gripping my wrists behind my back. I tried to fight him off but it was all fatal.

He turned my face, about to kiss me as his rough hand roamed carelessly all over me.

I gave him a hard slap on his cheeks, grabbed the coffee and made sure to splash the whole contents in his face.

"Argh!" He groaned out, crying as he wiped the burning liquid off his face

The other men were shocked, and I used the opportunity to get out of there.

But the bad guy who I had thrown a coffee on his face grabbed my hair, yanking me back sharply until my body collided with his and I yelped, the pain shooting and registering into my brain. I could feel my scalp bleed, hurting.

The man’s fist twisted deeper in my hair, jerking my head back until tears stung my eyes. My scalp screamed, and the burned.

I clenched my teeth, my eyes sharp and daring.

"You think feeding your ego like this makes you any much of a man? Raising your hand on a lady to feel good, powerful, dominant?" I asked, my breathing coming out harsh.

Then, I spat on his face when he was about to say something from his filthy mouth, "News flash, you are nothing but a weakling! Real men don't throw fists at a woman."

"Bitch, I'm going to kill you right this minute!"

Crack!

I saw a fist connecting with the man's jaw and the next second he was crashing against tables until he hit the wall with a thud, a tear on the side of his mouth, bleeding. The customers scrambled away from the scene.

My jaw hit the ground. Stunned.

My eyes slowly moved to the solid frame standing tall next to me. A gasp escaped my parted lips.

It was a very angry Kian standing next to me.

His knuckles were clenched, face hard as stone, his biceps bunched up and his brown eyes burning as they were locked onto the thug.

“You touch her again,” Kian’s voice was low, deadly calm, “and I swear, you won’t walk out of here alive.” for a second, I saw a furious wolf flash in his eyes as he spoke.

My heart missed a beat.

I blinked my eyes and it was gone.

Goodness. Must've been my imagination this time too. I rubbed my palm across my face.

Again, Kian was standing up for me despite what happened between us the other time.

I didn't know what to do or say. My mind was in chaos right now and when when I parted my lips to say something to him— like a thank for helping me out, he brushed past me like I was never there.

My heart hurt a bit. Maybe a feeling of guilt eating it's way up my conscience for doing everything I did to him despite all his help.

Chewing on my inner cheeks, I bit back the words on my tongue.