Almost Home [Halted]

| S E V E N |

I wore my black apron and pinned my badge to my polo. Dusting my uniform and ensuring that it's perfect, I walked out and began tidying the place.

Amber walked in and stopped when she saw me.

"DEMDEM! OH MY GOD DEM!" She ran towards me and hugged me. Her bag slid off her shoulder and hung from her elbow, but it didn't seem to bother her.

"Amber, chill." I chuckle and hug her back.

"Man, I've missed your face. How are you, babes? Are you feeling better now? Well, you sure do look much better. And you're finally not wearing any makeup." She caught my chin and tilted my head in almost every direction, inspecting my face carefully.

"Easy with the questions, mate." I pout at her and giggle.

"Okay, yeah, shit, I'm sorry. I just missed you, alright." She walks into and back out of the staff room.

"I missed you too. Life's quiet without your chattering, you know." I arrange the donuts in order.

"Of course, I'm the Amber, after all." She flips her hair. We both giggle.

"But really, Dem, are you okay?" She walks up to me, places her hands on either side of my shoulder and looks at me with a faint smile and hint of worry.

"I'm alright, Amber. I really am much better." I smile at her.

"What're you planning on doing after leaving this job?" She brews herself and me a cup of coffee.

"I don't know. I have been saving for years but never kept any account of it. Well, guess it's time to break open that miller box and do something with that money." I heat two turkey sandwiches.

"That's cool. You're gonna buy an apartment elsewhere and maybe open your own shop and stuff?" She tosses empty sugar sachets in the bin.

"Nah, that's too boring. It'll be a waste of all the saving I did for the past, God knows how many, years. I'm thinking of something bigger!" I grab a seat and place two plates of sandwich on either side of the table.

"You're not planning on opening a strip club, are you?" She looks at me with widened eyes and her head laid slightly back.

I chuckle and say, "Shut up, Amber. I'm not interested in strippers."

"But strippers are sexy. Damn it, you need to learn to have fun, you know." She rolls her eyes as she walks to the table at which I was seated.

"I'm planning on something more fun than that." I take a bite of the sandwich.

"And that is?"

"I'm gonna travel the world." I stare at her with a huge grin drawn across my face.

"For real? Or you're just kidding?" She asks, excitingly.

"For real, Amber. I came to work today because I wanted to see you three one last time before I leave. Also, I'll get my salary in the evening and add it to my savings."

"Ugh, I'm gonna miss you so much. We have to Kik, Skype, Tango, Viber, WhatsApp, everything, everyday!" She rests her chin on the palm of her hand and pouts.

"Kik and Facetime's good enough, I guess?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Whatever. But make sure that you don't forget us three, ever."

"Like I ever could. You'd haunt me in my dreams if I do."

"That, I would do."

We both guffaw and run out of air.

The whole day passed pretty well.

Cinthia went on and on about her honeymoon. And well, she did happen to become pregnant when she returned. Her excitement cheered me up and made me forget everything that was messing up with my head.

Charles talked about a girl he saw at the airport when he went to drop one of his friends off and how he thought she was 'juicy'? I don't quite know what he meant, but oh well.. However, he still went on with the fact that love is trouble and he hates trouble.

Amber stuck to me the whole day. I could tell she was pretty emotional since we had gotten quite close over the little time that I've worked here. She went on taking selfies, saying that we didn't have enough pictures, even though we had many together.

And lastly, Constancia. Well, she did come to work, but we didn't quite talk. There were times when she approached me but I ignored her or Amber interrupted and took me away. It didn't look like she was even an inch guilty for what she had done. Yet, she wanted to talk to me. But I ensured that that didn't happen.

I collected my salary and left with Amber. She drove and dropped me home, hugging me a million times before she drove off. She also handed her favorite necklace over to me, which had a pendant of a cat.

I enter my room and close the door behind me. A smile remained glued to my face. Even though I was sad that I wouldn't be seeing Amber, Charles and Cinthia anytime soon, today was a great day. I felt happy inside.

I change into my pajamas and climb onto the bed. I lay on my back, rest my hands on my stomach and stare at the ceiling with a smile.

I've made my choice. I've picked the key to the door that I want to open. I've chosen a new path to walk on.

I'm going to travel the world.

I'm free.