***

"Good morning," she said to her customers. "How are you?"

"Fine," one of them answered. "And you?"

"I'm great," she replied. "Thanks for asking."

She waited on them patiently. She offered them refreshments. She cleared their tables. She cleaned up after them. She served them efficiently. She was the best waitress in the restaurant.

"Good job," her manager complimented her. "You're doing great."

"Thank you," she said. "You too."

"You're a natural today," she said. "I wish other girls could be like you."

"Don't worry," Eliah assured her. "Soon enough they'll learn."

Her co-workers laughed at her joke. She didn't mind. She was having fun. She liked working with them. She enjoyed serving people. It made her feel important. It made her feel needed. She felt good.

She worked hard all day. She did whatever was asked of her. She was eager to please. She always did exactly what others told her to do. She never complained. She never caused trouble. She never missed a shift. She never had any issues. She was a model employee.

"I'm so proud of you," her boss said. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"Thank you," she said. "I'm so happy to be here."

He gave her a hug. He kissed her on the cheek. He patted her on the back. He praised her for being so obedient.

"You're a wonderful person," he said. "I love you."

"I love you too boss," she replied.

She went home exhausted. She fell asleep immediately. She slept like a baby. She dreamed about her future. She was walking along a path. There were signs everywhere, telling her where to go and what to do. She followed them with a smile. She was always good and obedient girl. She never complained and always did her best. She was happy. The sun was shining brightly. It was warm and sunny.

When she woke up, she was lying in bed.

She felt better than she had in months.

"It's so good to be alive."

***

The next day, she didn't throw up or feel sick. She wasn't dizzy. She was perfectly fine. She was healthy. She was happy. She was glowing. She was radiant.

"I can do anything," she said. "I am unstoppable."

"You are nothing" her reflection said. "You are such a worthless trash. You disgust me."

"No!" she yelled. "I don't believe you. I know I'm wonderful. I know I'm strong. I know I'm capable of anything. I know I deserve to live."

She picked up the bottle and took her pills again. She swallowed them. She drank some water and went to bathroom.

She washed her face. She dried her skin. She brushed her hair. She stared at herself in the mirror.

"I'm so beautiful today," she said. "Look at me! Look at my face! See how pretty I am? My hair is perfect. My skin looks flawless. My eyes are bright and clear. I'm glowing with health. I'm fantastic! I'm incredible! I'm amazing! I'm wonderful! I'm worthy of love!"

She smiled at herself in the mirror.

"I deserve to live!" she cried. "I deserve to be loved!"

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She took a deep breath. She felt stronger than ever before.

"Let's go to work!" she cheered. "Today is going to be an awesome day!"

She was even more excited to go to work. She was ready to do anything. She was ready to go above and beyond. She was ready to be the best employee ever.

She grabbed her purse and keys. She walked out of her apartment and got into her car. She drove to work. She arrived early. She parked her car in front of the building.

"Good morning, everyone. It's such a great day today. Thank you for coming. I'm so glad to see you all. I'm thrilled to be working with you all again. How are you?"

"We're good," they said. "Thanks for asking."

"I'm happy to hear that," she replied. "I hope we're going to have another wonderful day together."

Eliah started working earnestly. She did whatever was asked of her. She was fast and efficient. She did everything right. Her co-workers were impressed by her work ethic. They couldn't believe how productive she was.

"I think I found my true calling," she exclaimed as she looked up at her boss. "I love working here! I love helping people. I love serving them. I love being useful. I love making them happy."

"You're so great!" her boss said. He ruffled her hair with a satisfied smile. "You really know how to help people. I'm so lucky to have you."

"Thank you," she said. "I appreciate it."

"You deserve it," he insisted. "You're the best employee I've ever seen."

"Thank you," she said. "That means a lot to me."

"I know you do," he said. "You're so amazing."

She blushed. She felt special. She was so loved. She knew she belonged there and was a part of the team. She belonged.

"Let's keep working hard," he encouraged. "At first I was worried when you told me abou your boyfriend. You performance became so bad and you seemed depressed, unwilling to work and behaved so disobedient."

"A boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend. What are you talking about boss, haha. You are sometimes so silly, boss."

"Haha," he chuckled. "Okay, I admit it. I was worried about you. But now I know you're okay. You're doing much better. I'm happy you're feeling better."

"I am," she nodded. "Thank you."

"You don't have time for boyfriends," he warned her as he looked down at her with serious gaze. "You have to focus on work. Don't let anyone distract you from what's most important. You can't be disobedient."

"I won't," she promised eagerly. Fresh tears started to appear in her eyes from nervousness. "I promise. I'm going to be the best employee ever. I'm going to be the best worker in the world. Nobody will ever be better than me. I will do whatever the boss says. So, so... I... "

"I know you will," he reassured her. He rubbed her full cheek gently. "I believe in you."

"Thank you," she whispered. She was so happy. "Thank you for believing in me."

"Of course," he nodded. "Now get back to work."

"Uhm. Okay." She smiled and got back to work. "..."

"..."

Before long she left the boss's room.

***