𝙨𝙪𝙜𝙖𝙧 | nanami k.

01

"Why?" your co-worker, Ash, asked why you weren't coming with them tonight. They were planning on going out tonight but you know you can't. You have a nightshift at the cafè that your bestfriend's uncle owns.

You fixed your dress pants, preparing to go home so you can change into your other uniform. You almost forgot to reply when you were stuffing your things inside your bag. "I can't. I have work tonight." you've said this a couple of times already that it actually sounds like a lie.

She let out an exasperated sigh, placing her hand on her waist as she give you a concerned look. "Again? Or is the boyfriend or girlfriend not letting you go out?"

You chuckled, twisting your lips. "I always have work on weekdays, Ash." you didn't answer her other question because you didn't know what to say either.

As if he can control me.

"Well then we can go out on weekends." she probed. You shrugged, you don't know if you can, but instead you said, "I'll think about that." you muttered, unsure.

Before she could say anything, you bid her goodbye, but when you reached the elevator, she caught up to you. You look at the beautiful bouquet of flowers she was holding, then a sigh escaped your lips. You almost forgot about that.

You didn't say anything and just grabbed it from her. "The person just keeps getting me entertained." she stared at the flowers with admiration, pertaining to the anonymous person. She gave you a smile and waved, so you turned around and waited for the elevator.

You put a hand over your mouth as you yawned, you were tired but you needed energy for tonight's shift. It's a Friday, most likely there will be more customer than the usual. Your eyes then went to the flowers, and admired how pretty it is.

There's no card. No message or anything, as always. The random gifts started when you were 2nd week new as a part-timer at the company you're working at. At first you got weirded out by it, thinking some weird stalker got it from you.

The gift would always be on your table early in the morning. You figured the admirer must've been an early bird. Sometimes you would try to go to the office earlier than usual just to catch the anonymous person sending you gifts. You failed, though.

You got tired eventually, and the flowers you were holding is probably the sixth gift you received now. You never once threw it away because you weren't that rude. Besides, the flowers are always nice, it makes you smile that someone makes effort to give you expensive gifts like this. It just makes you upset that the admirer wouldn't even show their face and ask you out straight to your face.

Maybe it would give you a reason to break up with him.

When the elevator doors opened, you started walking even though your feet were killing you. You don't wear heels at the office since you struggle in it. Besides, wearing flats are more comfortable for you.

The walk to your house isn't that far but it felt like ages when you finally reached the door. You're used to this kind of routine but you can't help but think if you actually have a decent job that pays much more than the two jobs you have right now, then you wouldn't be dreading like this.

"I'm home." you shouted while removing your shoes. I definitely need a foot massage. You placed the bouquet on the table and saw that the flowers from last week were still in the vase. You kept in mind to replace it with the new ones, because right now, you should be taking a shower.

You opened the door to your room and did your business. You didn't have the time to put make up on so you just grabbed your bag, and rushed down stairs. A pair of eyes were on you when you walked to the door to put on your shoes.

"You're working again?" your dad gruffly said, and you can smell the reeking alcohol from where you stood. You can't help but roll your eyes as if he doesn't know this already. "Yeah." that was the only response he got when you fixed yourself before going out of the house.

"Bye." you say, not having the energy to talk to him because he's been drinking again. Same old routine, I tell you. He's never gonna listen to you no matter how many times you tell him not to. He'd always say you shouldn't dictate nor tell him what to do and what not to do. It'll always end up with an argument, with neither of you backing down.

You sighed in relief when you made it on time. You didn't want to be late even though Dash's uncle, Hector, is a big sweetheart. He treats you like his own daughter, still, you didn't want to take advantage of that. He's still your boss, after all.

You greeted your co-worker, Terry, who in return, nodded at you. He's a man of few words, but he's nice. You actually kinda like this environment more than the one at the company you're working on. The air felt tight there, like you need to act so formal (which you're not used to because you're a blunt person), and you didn't like it one bit.

But you have to, if you don't want to be broke.

The night was busy, and you didn't have the energy to smile but you still did, even if it was a forced one. You picked the songs to play in the background to somehow lift up your mood and erase the tiredness in your eyes and body.

You brought up your hand to scratch your eye, then removed it when a customer ordered an iced coffee. After a few hours, there weren't much customers left so you sighed deeply through your nose. How long 'till I get home and rest? You thought to yourself, holding back a yawn but failed.

Your eyes were getting teary from the yawns, waiting for the clock to strike 11pm. The pain you felt on your feet made your legs wobbly, making you shift your weight to one leg to another. A sigh escaped your lips for the nth time this day, you don't know why, but it felt like today was extra tiring for you.

Soon enough, your shift was done and you almost raced to get your stuffs at the back. You logged out, saying your goodbye to Terry. The cafe is open 24/7 but you only work for 5 hours, because this job was offered by your gay bestfriend, Dash.

Your eyes felt heavy, and you struggled to keep it open, trying to pinch yourself to keep you awake until you reach your house. You kept yourself awake by listening to loud music blasting in your earphones. You're used to walking in the night, since you carry a pepper spray with you all the time, plus you're not that afraid to kick someone's balls.

Relief washes over you when you finally stepped in front of your house, jogging to the door to open it hastily. You guarantee your father is sleeping soundly now, and your assumptions were true when you saw him passed out on the couch with the tv left on.

You turned off the tv, removed your shoes and put the blanket over his body. He still smells like alcohol which made you shake your headin disappointment. You entered your room and tossed your bag on the floor, plumping face down on your bed.

A buzzing sound from your phone made you groan loudly on your pillow. You didn't want to check it, but you wanted to know who it was. When you saw the message, you just rolled your eyes, and placed it back on the bedside table. Not caring to answer.

Fuck him. I need to sleep now.