Arriving at work, I was met with Margaret who was looking very pleased.

“I got the job,” she chimed in a hushed tone. “Thanks.”

Well, that was fast! It had been only a few hours and she already took care of that!? The lady asked me to stop by her place this afternoon, she explained.

And in other words, we’d be both quitting today. I didn’t know if that helped or made it worse. Then again, mad as he might get from the news, Margaret wouldn’t let him go off too much, and with Mr. Will coming to pick me up, I’d have him providing back up too.

Overall, I think I’m in a good position.

“Are you telling him now, or at the end of the shift?”

“I erm, I think I’ll do that at the end.”

“Yeah, that might be better. That way, if he acts up, we can just turn our back and leave.”

Our shift was as to be expected. Boring, dull, unmoving. Another night, another zero guests. How long would the restaurant endure with business going like this? It wasn’t my problem, so that question fizzled out of my mind being replaced with how should I give the news to the angry man standing outside his office.

It was a quarter to eleven, so Abby’s father was almost arriving, making the matter seem urgent, but at the same time, I wondered if I should wait for him before doing any talking.

Violet, you’re being indecisive again. Think of Abby.

I wanted to quit for many reasons, but spending time with Abby and not making her worry were the main ones. I had to do it.

Margaret saw me walk towards him and wished me good luck.

“Can I help you, Ms. Evergreen?” he asked, sounding completely uninterested.

I began by telling him someone would be picking me up in a few moments. He didn’t hide his displeasure and told me he was counting on me staying until later to help set up the place.

“Sorry, but my family doesn’t like me coming home so late.”

“They are exaggerating,” he snorted. “Nothing bad happened the other nights, right?”

Was he like that with his own daughter? What a jerk. Still, his reaction when I answered it was Mr. Will who was coming to pick me up and not my dad was amusing. It was like a bucket of cold water was poured on him.

“You two are close?”

“Y-yeah. His daughter and I are… well… dating.”

My voice cracked, but he believed me. And sure, it was a lie, but that would be changing soon and would give a lot more credence to him coming to pick me up.

He made no coment about it, he only briefly widened his eyes, before asking if there was anything else I wanted to discuss with him. I was hesitating a bit, but then, I heard the doorbell and saw Mr. Will coming inside, giving me the final push I needed.

“I just wanted to tell you I’m quitting.”

He gritted his teeth, most likely wanting to berate me but not daring with Mr. Will walking towards us.

“If that’s what you wish, Ms. Evergreen,” he spoke from his practically shut mouth.

This was easier than what I had expected, thank goodness. My mouth was even twitching into a pleased but also nervous smile.

“One more thing mister,” Mr. Will said, now taking the lead in the ongoing conversation. He placed a hand on one of my shoulders before continuing. “Let’s talk about her compensation.”

I looked at him confused. Not that I didn’t know what he meant, I just wasn’t looking for any money, just getting out of that rotten job with no fuss was enough.

“I’m sorry sir, she quit without previous warning and as such she doesn’t get compensation.”

“Normally I’d agree with you, yes, however… let’s talk about the long hours Violet has been working since she started here. And the fact she was working more time than what is legally allowed for someone of her age and still in school. Are we solving the matter talking, or should I call a lawyer?”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

CEOs are scary when they get serious. I hope I never get on his bad side.

The two men walked inside, leaving me and Margaret outside, waiting.

“Lucky you, having your in-law liking you that much,” Margaret hushed with a few touches of her elbow.

“H-he’s not my in-law!” I hushed back.

“Don’t take it to the letter, it’s just a way of speaking. And besides, didn’t you say you’re dating his daughter?”

“T-that w-was… Erm…”

“…Do you think he can negotiate my compensation too?” she asked with a wry smile.

I wasn’t even expecting him taking charge of mine to begin with. Had he perhaps talked about it with Abby while I was out? He sounded well informed when he confronted the manager, so I was convinced that was it.

Some minutes later, the door opened and out came Mr. Will holding an envelope that he handed over to me. It felt thicker than what I could have expected. Just how much was in there?

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

“Y-yeah. I just need to bid farewell to Margaret.”

Margaret smiled and waved at me, saying it was all right and that we’d be meeting again some other time. I didn’t know what she meant by that, but she told me Abby and I were going to be invited for Mrs. Fletcher party, so we’d be meeting at her new workplace.

I felt surprisingly relieved by that. Margaret had been such a common source of companionship throughout the year I worked there that I grew attached to her, apparently. Not to the same extent as Abby, but still enough for me to come to miss her.

“Erm, thanks for helping me dealing with him,” I told Mr. Will once we got inside his car. “And for coming pick me up.”

“After everything you’ve done, it’s the least I can do. I’m still surprised Stan didn’t say nothing about it.”

Oh, he did, almost every day, until Abby started doing it too. Unfortunately, it took a long time for me to do something about it. Now, I was finally free. I could finally get some proper rest, and after that, finally invite Abby to the pool. And go on dates. Give her lots of attention. Be more patient too.

I’ll need to buy a bathing suit though…

I wasn’t excited about it. It was basically me walking around in underwear, wasn’t it? And even if you disagree with my view on that, you’ll have to agree it covers just as much, right? And it’s not like I haven’t imagined Abby wearing a bathing suit and liking the idea, but after seeing her only in her bottom undies so many times, it didn’t tickle my fancy all that much.

Hmm… Would Abby like to see me in one?

Probably, yeah. She’d never come out and say it, but she’d probably love to see me in one.

Hmm… Maybe I’ll ask her to come with me to buy one…

It was a nice idea for a date too.

“Are you going to search for a new job?”

“No, I intend to stay free at least this summer.”

“I think that’s a good idea. After what Abby told me, I think you should enjoy your holiday.”

“Fufu, I knew she said something to you.”

“You know how she is, Abby absolutely adores you.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“It’s nice that you two are such good friends.”

“…Actually, we are in love with one another.”

If I hesitated as much in everything else as I did telling him that, my life would be a lot easier. That, however, doesn’t mean I was doing fine after telling him that.

My eyes widened and I held my breath, feeling my body completely stiff. I wanted to look at him, but I could only keep my eyes facing the front, watching the streetlights coming and passing by as we drove down the streets back to his place.

Why!? Why did you tell him that!?

My mind was rushing in search of a reason with zero success.

“Are you two finally dating?” he asked.

“Not yet… I think.”

“You think?”

“Sorry, I… we both know we like each other but… none of us have confessed yet.”

“…Are you taking things slowly?”

That might be it for Abby… I’m… I guess I’m waiting for the right moment? I couldn’t quite point out why I haven’t said anything up until now. Or why I started by telling her dad how I felt about her. Maybe my talks with Margaret and having told my ex-manager I was dating Abby emboldened me. It certainly felt great saying it out loud.

Be it whatever it may, I spoke out, and I was going to take responsibility about it.

“Can I have your blessing?” I asked, finally looking at him.

“As if you need to ask me that,” he answered with a grin, still looking where he was driving. “In fact, I think I already gave it to you before.”

Back then it was a misunderstanding, now it was serious. Even so, I didn’t press on the matter any further. I was burned out and we were starting to park in the building garage. It was time for me to calm down to meet Abby with a good expression.

“Ready to meet her?” he asked me after he locked the car.

“Haah, I hope she doesn’t act too excited.”

“I think you’re in for a disappointment.”

No, I was already expecting her rushing me, I was just hopeful she’d show some restrain.

Well, if she acted any different, that’d just be weird.

“One more thing, Violet. Next year, if you think about getting another part-time job, come talk with me, ok?”

“Erm, I don’t think that…”

“Not at Eleanor’s company, I’m talking about a project I have.”

A project? This was a first I heard him talking about it. What kind of project was it? I was curious but he said it was still too soon for him to talk about it and that I should keep it a secret for the time being.

Being so trusted by him, it was an odd feeling, especially when I asked if my dad knew about his plans. He did not.

“Hi there!” Abby cheered as she latched on to me after thanking her dad for bringing me back.

“Fufu, I’m back.”

“I’ll leave you two alone now,” Mr. Will said smiling.

“Ah! Mr. Will… no, Will. Thank you again for driving me back home.”

You should have seen the pleased face he did just because I dropped the “Mr.” from the way I address him.

“Did something nice happen between you two?” Abby asked when we were alone.

“We just talked a bit,” I told her while taking a bite of the food she prepared for me.

“Ok, keep your secrets,” she chuckled, seeing right through me.

You’d think it’d be hard to keep secrets from her with the way Abby can read me, but the way she respected my space, it was actually super easy.

“Tomorrow, wanna go somewhere?”

“Hmm? Where?”

I showed her the envelope I got. I was still to count the money, but I was certain it was a lot.

Tomorrow, we’d be celebrating.