Inessa

2

INESSA

I locked my apartment and walked down since the diner was just ten minutes away.

"Hey, Inessa." My colleague, Elena, greeted me.

"Hi," I said and kept my clothes inside. Turning back I saw her standing beside me, she was applying some mascara. "Anything special?" I asked.

"You don't know? Gosh, Inessa, someone is coming to buy this diner." She screamed and burst my eardrum.

"Ohh."

"What Ohh?" She asked in disappointment.

"So, is there any reason for me to get excited?"

"Everyone is excited because this person is none other than Leonardo Rossi. He is rumoured to be the most handsome man. Though I have heard that he is very cold and cruel but who cares. At least we will get to bless our eyes today by seeing his handsome face." She continued to tell me how great he was but I cared less. I was already dealing with a lot.

"Let's get to work or else our manager will kick us out," I replied.

"Yeah!"

"Attention everyone." The manager said grabbing everyone's attention. "I am sure everyone is aware that Mr. Rossi is soon going to visit the diner. I expect the best from all of you." He said and then assigned work to each of us. I was told to clean the room where he was going to stay.

This diner had three floors. The first floor was for everyone, the second was the VIP section and the third was exclusive to the owner.

It was my first time coming up here, and I couldn't help myself from appreciating its beauty. There were two rooms and one office.

Stop wasting time Inessa. You are not here to drool over this room.

Finally deciding to stop admiring this place, I started dusting and cleaning. It took me two hours to make this room shine like a diamond. Okay, bit exaggerating but I cleaned it well. Once I was done I left the room after locking it.

Soon he was here. We all stood in the corner as he walked inside and was followed by a man who I guess was his assistant and our manager. The meeting continued for what felt like an hour before Mr. Rossi and his assistant came out. He was looking around when his eyes caught mine. I quickly lowered my gaze not trying to give any wrong idea. I didn't want him to think that I was staring at him because I wasn't. I just happen to raise my head for a second and he looked in my direction exactly that moment. I sighed as he walked past me and left the diner.

I saw our manager standing still where he was earlier. He looked pale. "I am sad to announce that everyone present here does not have this job anymore. Mr. Rossi is the new owner and he fired all of the employees working here. Please change first. Collect your all belongings and take payment before leaving. It was nice working with you all but now we are on our own. Thank you and good luck with your future."The manager said.

What!!! How could this be possible? Is it some kind of prank? Who fires all the employees at once? Does this even make sense?

I felt numb. I couldn't move. It was hard for me to believe that I have lost my job. This job was the only source of my income. The month was about to end, I needed to pay rent and now I was jobless all of the sudden. Just when I thought nothing will go wrong now, fate proved me wrong.

Trying so hard to not have another panic attack, I started counting 10, 9, 8... My hands trembled as I tried to collect my things. I looked at my uniform which I loved but now had to return it. A drop of tear fell and I knew if I stayed any longer, I will break.

Hold yourself Inessa you can't break here.

Trying to breathe slowly, I somehow managed to calm myself and then returned the uniform to the authorities.

"I am going to miss you, Inessa." Elena hugged me.

"Me too. What did you plan to do now?" I asked breaking our hug.

"I am going to my home town. I just talked with my mom, and she called me back. My dad is sick so I will look after his shop."

"Have a safe journey back, Elena. I will miss you."

"What have you decided?" She asked.

"Haven't decided anything yet. I need to look for a new job."

"I wish I can help you."

"Don't worry about me. I will surely get another job."

"Well, I am leaving then. My cab is here."

"Goodbye. And take care."

"You too." With that, the only friend I made here left.

I walked out and then looked back. This was the first place that gave me hope to survive. Now this place also abandoned me.

As I started walking in the opposite direction from the diner, the sky got darker and soon the rain started pouring. The memories started coming back like a nightmare and I hoped for no thunderstorm. I was scared of thunders. It reminds me of the day I lost the only thing I had.

I couldn't help and so I let my eyes cry as much as they wished. I had no idea what I was going to do. It seems like the whole world stopped around me as I continued to walk on an unknown path.

God, If you are listening, please help me. Either give me death or at least make it a little easier to breathe in this world.

Three months have passed but nothing got better. I still feel his presence. He was far, far away from here yet he made sure to leave me alone. The memories of abuse and violence haunt me.

I am tired. Tired of all the torture, all the hurt, everything.

I am tired of living.