Anastasia

Chapter (41): Night Shifts

Running around the hectic café, Sage went up to the counter, took the tray and started serving the orders for the demanding customers. The café has been crowded since the morning and the staff barely took a breather. However, Gina managed to keep an eye on her friend and check up on her well-being ever since the breakup.

Tension broke out between them both since Sage made a decision to get back to her night shift at the club. Both friends had a heated argument about it but Gina had to let it go because she realized it was Sage's way of coping with the pain she was left with. It was tough and challenging to convince Sage to step down from working back at the club considering it was the reason why the breakup happened in the first place.

"Table Nine! Go go go!" said Gina handing the tray over to her friend as she maneuvered her way to reach the table but someone bumped into her, causing the tray to fall from her grip and land on the group, breaking the plates and the glass.

"Shit!" said Sage, looking frantic at first, then anger signs showed on her face. She kneeled down, flipping the tray and gathering what's left of the broken plate.
Gina ran over to her friend and kneeled down beside her. "Leave that now. Check on the other customers. I told them to re-make the order."

Without uttering a word, Sage stood up and went back to the counter, receiving another tray and concentrated on doing her job instead of zoning out.

Soon after, the café quieted down as less customers were seated. Marcus held eye contact with Gina then pointed at Sage. She understood his intentions, so she gave him a nod before approaching Sage.

Scribbling down what came to her mind, Gina placed a hand on her shoulder to grab her attention. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah... just taking a break. We barely had one."

Gina nodded and turned her head to look at the clock on the wall. "You sure about working tonight?"

She didn't say another word but nodded at her friend's words as an answer. Her eyes were never lifted from the notebook she was scribbling on. Sighing, Gina placed her hands on her hips, having second thoughts about the decision.

"I know it's your choice and I should respect that but..." She walked around to be face to face with her although her eyes and mind were somewhere else. "I'm having concerns."

"You don't need to worry about me." she mumbled, tilting her head as she kept drawing.

"Sage..."

"Save it. I don't wanna talk about it." She slammed the notebook shut and raised her eyes to stare at her friend. "My decision. I know what I'm doing. It's always what I have been. A stripper." She took a deep breath. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to change my clothes for my other job."

She walked past Gina and headed inside the locker room. Gina sighed tiredly and Marcus looked at her with a frown. She gave him a shrug with a sad smile, and he nodded pursing his lips, understanding the situation without saying anything about it.

Walking over with slumped shoulder, Marcus opened his arms for his girlfriend and engulfed her in his arms tightly as she sighed.

"I tried."

"I know, baby." He kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back.

She clutched his shirt and sighed against him. "I don't know if I should even blame Adrienne for this or not. She had her rights to break up with her. She was fearing for her little kid. But it's hurting Sage. She really didn't mean to hide this from her, Marcus."

He nodded and stared down at her softly. "None of them are wrong. Just different perspectives, and different fears. It just didn't work out for the both of them."