LUXURE

14. PEPPERONI

SCARLET'S POV

I woke up the next morning with a roaring headache that felt like it was crushing my skull. My alarm clock was really annoying me. I reached over and accidentally knocked my phone off the night stand, completely missing the off button.

"Shit." I moaned as I grumpily rolled off the bed to retrieve it and turn off the extremely loud and annoying beeping. I took a shower hoping to literally wash the headache away, but to no avail. I needed to take some Advil. I threw my hair up in a bun, put on a minimal amount of makeup, and changed into a pair of ripped jeans and plain shirt. I headed out of the bathroom and grabbed a granola bar, and a couple Advil pills from the cabinet and made my way to the coffee shop. I don't really remember what happened after I left the bar, but my lip had been busted and was now more of a deep purple because of the bruise forming. Mr. McConnor was going to be so pleased with me. I tried to put lipstick over it, but it was still an open cut and the bruise that was forming wasn't just on my lip, so I settled for some chapstick instead, fully embracing my tough appearance. Maybe I'll tell people I got in a fist fight. 

"Well, shit! What happened to your face?!" My co-worker Chase questioned with wide eyes as he stared at my lip. Just the question everyone wants to hear when they are hungover and tired. I gave him my best death glare.

"Would you believe me if I told you I got in a fight?" I laughed.

"Yeah, girl, no way I'm gonna believe that." He huffed and put his hands on his hips.

"I'm honestly not sure what happened, I got super drunk last night." I said as I continued to put all the pastries on display. I didn't want to tell him that I fell and hit my face, that felt more embarrassing. 

"Damn, you got wasted on a Wednesday night?"  I glared at him again, definitely not in the mood to question my life choices. "Alright, alright, geez." He said as he put his hands up above his head and backed away. Thankfully Chase dealt with all the customers today while I made the coffee. The shift went by quickly, thank god, and my headache only killed me slightly. 

"See ya, Scarlett!" Chase said as he ran out the door after his shift. I waved at him as I pulled my clothes out of my bag to change.  I was dreading seeing Mr. McConnor with this busted lip. I could feel my heart start racing as the anxiety set in. I changed into the same skirt I wore yesterday, but a different shirt. I looked in the mirror and shuddered at my reflection. I think the stress has been sucking the life out of me, my eyes and hair looked dull and flat. My skin was pale and grey, and the bags under my eyes were on a whole league of their own. I huffed in annoyance as I re-did my bun, nodded at my reflection, and headed out of the bathroom. It wasn't great, and I still looked like shit, but it would have to do.

"What in God's name happened to your face?!" Mr. McConnor screeched and came to a halt when he saw me. Well, he didn't actually screech, but my head was still throbbing from my excess alcohol indulging yesterday and I did not appreciate his loud nasally voice. 

"I ran into a door." I said with a monotone voice. That was my new generic go-to response when someone questioned my bruised lip. 

"Well, there is no way we can have you greeting clients with that! You look like you got in a fight! What would they think of us?!" Mr. McConnor pointed at my lip. I stood there awkwardly as he drew attention to my busted lip.  "No, there's no way you can be the face of the company, not with that. I'll have you work in the back today. We have a whole shipment of paper that needs to be unloaded and put in printers. Run tasks for everyone from the back today, or until you look more... presentable. And for gods sake. Don't let it happen again." He said as he looked me up and down. I rolled my eyes when he walked away.