I was not in a good mood.
Today had been so utterly shit that all I wanted to do was go home and eat my weight in Chinese food while watching bad TV.
Not only had I woken up spectacularly late, making me unable to do my morning jog, but I had completely forgotten that my rent was due and I hadn’t yet scraped enough money to cover it. The money I earned from the races having already been sent to my mother, wasn’t an option so I had avoided my landlord, Yasmin, while I slipped out to work. If I didn’t do well in tips tonight, I was screwed. I couldn’t ask Haley for a loan and I really didn’t want to dip into my savings.
As if that wasn’t enough, my car had broken down on the way to work so that meant more money being forked out for a mechanic and I had to call a taxi to get me to work on time. I had thought my day was looking up as my shift had passed smoothly until my last table where this brat of a kid tripped me over. I had been carrying a tray of dirty dishes and while I had managed to save the china, I had gotten left over food all over my white shirt and in the ends of my hair. My fist was shaking with rage as the kid just batted his eyelashes at mommy who laughed it off! I didn’t even get an apology!
Which is why I had a face like thunder as I threw open the staff exit door and left the restaurant. I was still nursing a rage towards that stupid kid when I drew a large amount of smoke into my lungs. I hadn’t even been placated by the fact that my tips were enough for me to get by this month.
I glanced at my phone and saw that it was ten past eight. Justin was probably around the front of the restaurant, the staff entrance being at the back.
‘Hey baby,’ I heard as I blew smoke rings with the exhale.
‘God, Hunter, what are you doing here?’ I groaned.
‘I told you I’d be seeing you around.’ He stepped closer to me and I sighed.
Hunter and I had dated for two years before breaking up. I had thought that I was deeply in love, he was tall, charming, handsome and everything that I had wanted but he decided to go to New York to try and make more money racing. Phantom was cleaning up here, no one stood a chance. Hunter just left, leaving me no explanation other than a two line note saying that it wouldn’t work out. He had chosen the opportunity of money over me and I was devastated.
‘So you did.’ I said impassively, turning away from him and walking towards the front of the building.
‘Why so cold, baby?’ Hunter followed me and I rolled my eyes.
‘Fuck off, Hunter. I’ve had a bad day.’
I stepped into the street that The Marionette was on and I let out a laugh. Parked in front of the restaurant was a silver, Royals Royce Phantom car, Justin certainly did have a sense of humour. Justin opened the door and stepped out, locating me immediately. ‘Emmy,’ he smiled and I threw my cigarette on the ground, stepping on it as I strolled towards him and away from Hunter. I could only imagine his face.
‘Not very subtle, are you?’ I raised my brow at him and he grinned.
‘What happened?’ He glanced at my stained shirt with a frown and I sighed, rolling my eyes.
‘This little fucker tripped me over.’ I growled. Justin laughed gently and opened the door for me. I regarded the car uncomfortably. It was the most expensive things I’d ever come across and I was about to sit in it with a shirt covered in leftover food.
‘Emmy,’ Justin raised his eyebrows at me and I ducked in, completely floored by the interior. There were two separate seats in the back, a tan leather and surprisingly spacious. There were even mini TV’s in the back of the seat. I put my satchel on my chest, feeling very intimidated all of a sudden. Justin closed the door after me and opened the door the other side of, slipping in next to me.
