SUBMIT✔ (DSD SERIES, BOOK TWO) WATTYS2020

Twlight references

"Are you guys okay?" My boss asks as he walks towards Cheverlie and I.

"Yeah, that was quite a shake but we're good. Just have to clean up a few broken things," Chev says as she sweeps the broken glasses onto the dust collector.

"Good, hopefully not much of our stock has been destroyed. Can you guys place most of them in the cupboards under the counter so if another tremor comes nothing else will be destroyed?"

"Sure thing boss," I reply as I walk towards the counter to do just that.

"Um, Isabelle?" He calls as I step off.

"Yes?" I ask staring at him questioningly.

"Office, now." With that he turns from us walking towards and both Chev and I stare at him eyes brimmed with questions.

"What's that about?" She asks as she stands up with the dust collector in her hand.

"I'm not sure," I reply as I look at the office door.

Why would he call me in there? Did it have anything to do with the news report? Was he afraid of Johnattan and/or think I had done anything bad?

"Well, get in there you know grumpy pants hates waiting," she prompts as she throws the broken glasses in the trash can.

I nod as I allow my feet to take me to the office door. I pass customers who have shocked expressions on their faces, some talking rapidly to the other waitresses about the increase in tremors and others on their phones with worried looks on their faces.

I stop at the oak door and knock softly.

"Come in Isabelle."

I open the door and walk into the small office. It's cosy, warm and neatly organized. A fan is mounted above the mahogany desk in the centre of the room. There are bookshelves piled with books, papers and certificates and a caramel and chocolate rug rests on the floor.

Chris, my boss, sits behind the desk typing away on his HP laptop and slowly raises his eyes to regard my figure.

"Sit," he says gesturing to the wooden chair with leather cushions in front of his desk.

I nod taking a seat eying him warily. He closes his laptop looking over at me before pinching his chin.

"You must be wondering why I called you here." he starts.

"Yeah, a little. I mean you were just like 'Isabelle, office now' like you're going to fire me," I say as I lean back in the chair.

His eyes widen a bit at my statement. "Hell no, I wasn't going to fire you. Your advice has boosted business, it has better than it was three months ago and I would be crazy to fire my star employee."

"I didn't know I was your star employee," I tease as I wink at him. "I'm flattered."

He chuckles at my actions and his cheeks heats up a little.

Great he wasn't going to fire me but why call me to his office?

"So why did you call me here?" I ask as the laughter dies down.

He clears his throat and sits up a little straighter. "Yes. Um, you know I see all my employees as my daughters, mine to protect."

I nod.

"Good. Christina," he whispers my name lowly and I flinch a little at it. "That guy on the news report... Johnattan. Did he... Um, touch you... Inappropriately? Is that why you're hiding? Did he abuse you?"

I sit frozen in my seat. My eyes regard his with fear. That name, his name, sparks so many dormant flames within me. I feel both pleasure and fear as they ignite. It leaves me confused and bothered. On one side I miss his touch, his love and on another I shake in fear at the mere mention of his name. Those memories take over and I break.