Britah
I can't believe this. He's angry with me? I should be the one getting angry here. He made a terrible move on me. I admit I kissed him too, but what he did was inappropriate. I'm not some random hoe he can just mess with or play with. Maybe I went overboard by slapping him.. Maybe I shouldn't have done that...Perhaps it's why he has thrown me out of Lenah's life.
It hurts to think of not having to see Lenah anymore, but I can't risk by going to her. I could do it in secret, but he has eyes everywhere. She's such a sweet little girl I accidentally got attached to. It's high time I stopped thinking about her conversation and adorable behavior, otherwise I may get killed by the psycho dad.
I leave work early, since I know Mr Vitale pics Lenah up at three o'clock, and right now it's half past two. I rush to Lenah's classroom and find her there with Britney. She hugs me on seeing me. "I'm so happy to see you." I smile.
"Me too. I missed you." Lenah says. "But we'll get to have fun like yesterday, right?" she says. My heart sinks due to the memory of Mr Vitale's ultimatum. I wish it was possible.
"Right?" Lenah repeats.
Before I can reply, I hear Britney say,"Oh,Mr Vitale, you're here early."
"¡Mierda!" (Fuck!) I whisper, cursing my fate. I only hope Lenah didn't hear me.
"I got back early from work today, so I decided,why not." Mr Vitale's deep husky voice sounds from the doorway. I'm screwed. For real.
Lenah runs to her dad and hugs him. He then asks Britney to accompany Lenah to his car, and that's when I know my fate is sealed. I get up and Lenah waves at me as she and Britney leave the room.
"What did I tell you, Britah Laleramo?" Mr Vitale growls at me.
"It was a coincidence." I offer.
"Coincidence? My foot! I warned you. I told you to stay away from my daughter. Seems you're disobedient."
"I already told you. I came here to see Britney. Not Lenah. Coincidentally, she was here too. So how is it my fault?" I say.
He grabs me by my hand and says, "You better not risk this again." His tone is serious and frightening. "Don't try me. Otherwise I'll mess you up along with your miserable life. I'll ruin you completely. So don't cross me." He storms out,leaving me real confused and scared.
His words sounded like death threats and that last statement really hit me hard. If I want peace, I'll just have to get the hell out of this place. After my talk with Britney, I make arrangements for me to move and stay somewhere else. Though I'll really miss Lenah.
Siena...I'll go there. I think. My friend Laura stays there. She can help me get an apartment there.
I ring Laura and she says,"Hello"
"Hey Laura"
"Britah! It's you!" She exclaims. "Hi"
"Hi. Are you busy?" I ask.
"No. I'm free. Is everything fine?" she asks with concern.
"Well...I'm planning on moving to Siena. Do you still stay there?" I ask.
"Yeah. When will you arrive? "
"Monday. That's why I called today..." I reply. "I need your help too."
"Sure. What's up?" she asks.
"Well, I need to get an apartment. Will you help me out when you're free?"
"Anything for my bestie. " she says.
"Thanks" I say. "See you on Monday" I add and hang up.
She still calls me her bestie... How sweet of her. I start sending my application to other restaurants and cafés I happen to find online located in Siena. I hope this works...
I keep working as I prepare for the Sunday memorial service and my departure. The week is actually exhausting. I don't know if it's just luck, but I have an assured job in Siena. I'm glad things are working out.
Saturday, I hand in my resignation letter. Alice, puzzled and angry at the same time approaches me and says,"Why are you leaving?"
"I.."
"You didn't even think of talking to me about it? What's wrong?"
"I'm so sorry,okay?" I say. "It was a tough decision to make. Believe me."
"Where are you going now? "
"I'm moving, Alice. I have to."
"Why?" she asks and suddenly the flashes from whatever happened between Mr Vitale and I flow in my mind. I don't wanna talk about it.
"It's complicated, Alice. But I'll explain everything. I promise." I assure her.
"Listen, I'm not happy about this. But I still love you, and so I'll not stay mad at you. Just please stay in contact, okay?"
"Deal. I'll leave for Siena on Monday. I promise I'll be in contact. And besides, Laura is there too. You can contact her in case you fail to get through to me."
"Okay." Alice says and pulls me into a warm but tight hug. I'm going to miss her though, but I have to leave. Sadly.
I get home, pack my stuff so I only have what to use on Sunday, then call Laura to confirm whether she finalized the apartment stuff. Everything is set. I'm proud of myself for that.
I wake up early on Sunday morning and book an uber to take me to the memorial service happening in Frosinone. The service and luncheon happen so smoothly, and luckily there aren't any issues. As we have dinner, I speak up and say," I'm moving to Siena tomorrow. "
"Really?" Mom asks.
"Mhm. " I reply.
"What for?" Dad asks.
"I figured I needed a change of scenery. "
"But Britah. Siena?" Mom says. "That's too distal." She adds.
"I'll keep in touch. Plus, Laura stays there. I'll be okay." I say. "I also have a job there now... I prepared prior."
"Just be safe,okay?" Britney says.
"I'll be safe. And I'll keep in touch. No worries."
******
I get to Siena at around one in the afternoon, and meet Laura. "Britah!" She exclaims in seeing me. I hug her and she says,"I'm so happy to see you."
"Me too. " I reply. "How are you?"
"I'm good. Wanna see your new apartment?"
"Yes please." I beam.
"We'll talk there." I say.
She takes me to a nice looking building. We say hello to the doorman, he's a nice guy. He's about fifty and has a welcoming attitude. I think I'll get along pretty well with him.
He hands us a key and we continue to the elevator. "Which floor is it?" I ask.
"Fourth." She nonchalantly says.
"Fourth?" I ask in shock.
"Yeah."
"This building has seven floors." I say. "What if the elevator jams?"
"It can't. Listen, I give you my word. This place is the best. You're my neighbor."
"Really?" I beam. She nods with a smile. "Oh my gosh! This is great!"
"I know,right?" She says. "We're neighbors. This place never has flaws in anything. So you shouldn't worry about your asthma."
" I have to be safe. " I laugh.
"Okay okay." she laughs back.
When we get to the fourth floor, Laura says, "We're here. The one on the right is mine, and the one on the left is yours." She smiles.
I stare in awe at the area, before we can even get to the apartments. The hallway that separates our apartments is well lit, with beautiful paintings hung on the walls. "It's beautiful!" I marvel.
"Isn't it?" Laura supplements. She hands me the key and says,"Here you go."
I open it and get in, taking in the pleasant features in the apartment. It's already organized. It contains beautiful comfortable sofas, a luxurious living room and kitchen. My mouth is agape as Laura and I take a tour around the apartment. The view of the neighborhood from the balcony is just breathtaking.
"Wow! I love it." I say to Laura. "How much was it?" I ask.
"Two hundred fifty. A month." She says.
"Really? " I laugh. It looks so expensive.
"Yeah." she says, then sits down on my bed.
"Nice." I say, following her. I get seated and sigh in satisfaction.
"So, what made you leave Rome and move to Siena?" She asks.
"Well, I had my reasons." I sigh.
"Tell me. Don't keep stuff from me. " she says.
"It's complicated. Really." I reply.
"Getting away from someone?" she asks.
"Yes" I admit. I tell her everything about what happened, how I met Lenah and whatever went on between her dad and I.
"Is that it?" Laura asks. "So he threatened you like that and you left?"
"What could I do?" I asked. "Have you met Mr Vitale?"
"Wait, which one?" she asks. "Rider Vitale?"
"I don't know his first name." I shrug.
She gets her phone and types something quickly and impatiently.
"Here. Is it him?" Laura asks.
She shows me her screen and I immediately recognize him. "He's called Rider? " I ask.
"You little fool." she smacks my arm. "How can't you know this guy?" She asks. "He's everywhere, you blind fool."
"Really?" I ask in shock.
"Yeah. Business magazines, fashion magazines.... He's a big deal, and you had no idea at all? You're dumb" she declares.
"Don't blame me. You know I'm not into those things." I say. So his full name is Rider Vitale. Interesting name.
"And you got close to him, but still didn't know who he is? Britah, you even kissed."
"It was an accident, Laura. I didn't expect my first one to be with someone like him." I say.
"You're unbelievable." Laura says.
"Anyways.... How is Siena?" I ask.
"Good. But now that my bestie is here, I think life will be much better." Laura replies and hugs me. Such a good friend.
"I think so too." I smile.
******
I get up in the morning to prepare for work. Though I'm still tired from settling in last night, I have to work. Otherwise who's going to pay the rent and look after me if it's not me myself?
I move with Laura and we part ways from the entrance, since we have different destinations. I get a cab and ask the driver to take me to Elite restaurant, which is my new place of work. I text my mom, Alice and Britney to tell them I'm alright this side, and that there's nothing to worry about.
The cab stops at a parking lot, and when I look out the window my eyes land on an exquisite building, it's a three storeyed building with a rich coffee brown exterior. Perhaps it's a mall or something.
"Thanks." I say to the cab driver. I get out after paying the fare, then look around. This place looks really posh, like it's mainly for the rich and tourists maybe. Cause the parking lot shows exactly that. Reaching the front of the building, I'm sure my mouth drops open on realizing that this is not a mall. It is the restaurant itself. The logo and label proves it.
I'm gonna work here? At this restaurant? How did they accept someone like me? I say in my head. I'm sure this place wouldn't just take anyone. I take a deep breath before I enter the restaurant. It's whole environment is opulent and serene, so beautiful. There are vintage portraits hung on the walls of the place, making whoever gets in, feel at home.
I get to the reception and greet the lady there. This place is like a hotel, compared to how I see other restaurants and cafés. "Good morning Miss." I say.
"Good morning. " she replies with a smile.
"I'm Britah Laleramo. Here to see Mr Reyes." I say.
"You have an appointment, right?"
"Yes,I do. " I reply.
"Alright. " she says and calls his office to confirm it. "He's on the top floor, in his office. You'll find it easily. There's the elevator." She says after some time.
"Thank you so much." I smile and go to the elevator.
Mr Reyes is a soft spoken person, and he's straight to the point. So it doesn't take me long to get into my uniform and start working. When I go to the ground floor to start with work, I meet this waitress, who introduces herself as Ashley. She's actually the first one to notice me."Hey " she says.
"Hey" I reply.
"I'm guessing you're new here. Am I right?"
"Yes. I just started today. I'm Britah Laleramo."
"What a pleasure to meet you, Britah. I'm Ashley Torres."
"Nice to meet you too." I smile.
"I like your smile. And don't worry, you're gonna love this place." She says.
"Alright." I reply.
Ashley introduces me to the other waiters and waitresses during our lunch break. We're over thirty waiters and waitresses in this place. The restaurant is big and busy, so I can't say anything about that.
Ashley was right. I love this place already. We all help each other and it makes work easier for everyone. When I get home in the evening, I cook and have something to have for dinner. Just an egg sandwich and some noodles. Awkward combination, but delicious and satisfying. I should've moved here a long time ago.
Though I still miss everyone. Lenah to be specific. Her egoistical dad is to blame for all of this.