Chapter 1 Unsettled

LEIA'S POV

"I'm sorry miss Summers, your work is great, but you do not have any relevant work experience for us to hire you" my interviewer said to me as I sat in his office.

"But you said my work is great " I defended

"Yes I know, but I am in no position to hire someone without the required qualifications. It's company's policy " he explained as tears gathered in my eyes.

This is the fifth rejection I'd be getting this month and I was beginning to get exhausted.

I picked up my bag and canvass, and then walked out of the building. How am I supposed to get work experience when no one is willing to employ me as an artist?

I walked away as I headed towards the coffee shop where I presently work.

"Good morning Mrs. Madison. Did you sleep well?" I greeted my employer hoping she wasn't in a cranky mood.

"Hi Leia, yes I did," she responded curtly, without asking about my own night.

Mrs. Madison, my employer, is a 60 years old woman that has a son named Carter, an asshole to be precise.

She owned a coffee shop, in Manhattan, New York where I worked from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday as a cashier.

The place was understaffed, so I often juggled multiple roles to keep the shop running smoothly. I did the waitressing, prepared the coffee, and sometimes cleaned the place after work.

Mrs. Madison wasn't paying well but I still do all of these things, and yet she doesn't even appreciate my efforts.

Her very nasty character is the reason why most of the employees stopped working with her. But I chose to stay since I haven't been able to find something better.

I stashed my personal items into my locker and made sure everything was in order before any customer walked in.

To prepare for the first customer, I tied on my apron. I stepped behind the bar and switched on the electronic cash register alongside the coffee machines.

For a whole year, I had the privilege of learning how to prepare coffee from Lucia, who used to work here. She taught me the art of creating designs on the coffee and the techniques for preparing a good espresso.

I learned Lucia's complete guide to coffee, and I appreciated the time she invested in teaching me. Lucia was the best thing about this shop until she left.

The first customer was Ana, an old woman. She loves having her coffee at the shop. She always insisted I make her espresso, claiming I had a special way of making it and it tasted better than the ones she had ever tasted. She is a flatterer and a dear old soul.

More customers began to walk in , so I had to take their orders and have them prepared, keeping up with the rhythm of the early morning rush.

After attending to a lot of customers, to the point that I exhausted myself, I decided to take a quick break since it was almost time for lunch.

Carter walked right into the shop as I was having my lunch. He stared uncomfortably at me for a minute or two. Then he walked into his mum's office without a single word and I was left alone. What was that about?

After lunch, I went to the laundry room to wash all the napkins that coffee was spilled on. I heard the door close behind me and I looked back and saw it was Carter.

He had this salacious look in his eyes and he kept coming close till there wasn't space between us.

"Hey Kitten, you look good today," he remarked, rubbing his hands against his lips as he looked me up and down appreciatively.

This weirdo.

" I told you not to call me that. What part of 'I don't like it' don't you understand?" I said to him not hiding my irritation.

"It's not my fault you look so good, Leia. Only if you know what you do to me."

"I don't have time for this and I need to continue what I'm doing," I replied, trying to maintain my distance.

"No one is stopping you, " he retorted.

With that, I left his side and continued with my tasks, my back turned to him. I couldn't see what he was doing but then I felt his hand grip my waist.

His proximity sent warm breaths against my neck. His hand moved to my breast, and instinctively, I gave him a swift strike to his groin. I heard him wail in pain.

"You fucking bitch!" He yelled as he crutched low holding his daddy's gift as he gritted his teeth in pain.

"There is more from where that came from. Just try me again, and you'll see what I'm capable of. You're messing with the wrong girl, " I warned him.

Imagine having to deal with such harassment every day.

"You're gonna regret ever doing this" he angrily muttered before storming off.

After he left, the breath I had been holding came out in a gasp " What the hell" I said to the quiet room.

Carter had been making advances at me but never this bold. He only made flirtatious comments, some perverted and others cringy but he never dared touch me.

I always drew the line and put him in his place.

More reason why I need to find my way out of the job.

After the worrying encounter with Carter in the laundry room, I did not see him again for the rest of the day and I had no troubles or warnings from his mom. It seems mommy's boy was too ashamed to report to mommy. I snickered.

The day progressed rather well, with no other bad encounters with customers as usual and I finished my task and left the shop after closing hours.

I stopped by a grocery store on my way home and grabbed some food items.

Afterward, I took a bus going to the South Bronx, where I shared a small apartment with my best friend, Scarlet.

Scarlet is the most amazing friend I've ever made. Easy to talk to and fun to be around.

Scarlet is beautiful in a classical way, she has flowing golden curls and ivory skin; with piercing green eyes. She was taller than average and slim like those catwalk models, but in her 'ordinariness' she was stunning.

Something radiated from within that rendered her irresistible to both genders.

Scarlet gets home earlier than I do, but she doesn't enjoy cooking, so I do the cooking for both of us. I planned to make Chicken Riggies tonight, an Italian American dish, combined with chicken, peppers, onions, and rigatoni pasta in a spicy tomato cream sauce.

I don't want to brag but...I am an amazing cook. Everyone should know that but not everyone should eat my food. VIPs only.

When I got to my apartment, I dropped some of the stuff I bought in the refrigerator and some other spices in the cupboard.

I called out for Scarlet when I noticed she had not come out from her room since I walked in.

She answered and came out looking stunning with a nice dress and bold makeup.

My girl is undeniably sexy and that dress. Damn, even I am tripping.

"Where are we going tonight? I asked her

"How do I look?" she asked not caring to reply

"You look so good, chica. I should lay you on a canvas. Tell me darling, where are you going?" I said as I walked up to her and twirled her around as she laughed gleefully.

"So...there is this guy I just met and he is so charming. He is taking me on a dinner date tonight," she said with excitement in her voice.

"Can you believe he gave me his credit card to do some shopping, and of course, I got you something nice" she added

Now that's what I like to hear.

"Seriously? This guy must be fucking rich" I said to her in incredulity and excitement.

"Yeah, he is. See what I got for you." She said as she brought out a black short dress that was quite revealing. Uh ohh... who let the harlots out?

She saw the self-righteous look that quickly covered my face and she said scoldingly. "Wipe that look off your face now. You need to start going out and pop that cherry of yours. You've been working so hard and you need a break. Do you even know what a dick looks like?" She made an incredulous face as she asked the last question.

Of cos, I know what dick looks like. I kicked one today, but I dare not say that out loud. For now.

I threw a pillow at her, and she giggled dodging it. But she was right though.

I needed to pop my cherry and get a taste of the gist and frenzy.

The truth is that I'm not the type of girl who believes in waiting for the right guy or after marriage. I just don't have the time to even think about it.

It's high time for me to explore my lady part.

I took the dress she got me and caressed it. The dress is actually gorgeous asides from its sluttiness.

"So would you consider going out tonight, even if it's just for a drink? You never know, you might meet your Prince Charming." she asked

"I have work tomorrow and I'm honestly exhausted. I might consider going tomorrow night." I said still shying away.

"I knew you'd say that. But it's fine. One of these days I will take you out to have a drink and I won't take 'no' for an answer. I gotta go now, he is already waiting outside for me." She blew me kisses as she rushed to leave the house.

"Take care of yourself and be careful," I called to her as she dashed through the door leaving me as I wallowed in self pity.