I wake up when I feel a heavy body on me. The last time I shared a bed with someone was last year, this day last year to be exact. I used share bed with Nova before that but I haven't slept with anyone in a year, so it's strange having someone with me especially if that someone is snoring and moving around like she isn't comfortable. Nova never snores unless she's very tired. She slept off at some point on our conversation last night and she'll feel the pain when she wakes up this morning because she didn't shower or brush her teeth before sleeping, she didn't even take off her shoes. She was really tired.

I push her leg off me gently not to wake her before slipping out of bed. I do a five minute body stretch and head to the bathroom to reveal my bladder and brush my teeth. It's still dark outside and I really want to see Nova before I leave because I have busy day ahead of me. It's Saturday and the breakfast and brunch restaurant I work is always busy on weekends.

I leave the bathroom and walk out of the room. The silence is refreshing and comforting, I have a feeling it'll be like this until noon because everyone was tired last night.

Even though it's silent that I can hear the sound of someone snoring down the hall, I still tip toe to the kitchen, which is dark, I stand at the entrance and move my hand around on the wall to find the light switch, I know it's around here somewhere. "Ah ha!" I exclaim in excitement when my finger graze the surface of the switch. I switch it on and light fills the kitchen.

A smile spread across my face as the family smell of Carmen's chicken pot pie casserole fills my nose. Carmen is their cook and she makes a mean chicken pot pie casseroles. She probably made it last night before going to bed and I, for one can't wait for it to be served for breakfast.

I start the coffee machine and make a beeline to the cabinet where the mugs are stored, I open it and grab a mug. I return to the coffee machine and pour myself a full mug and drop it beside the machine. I carry a counter stool and place it near the window before going take my coffee. I sit on the stool and look at the window.

I love watching the sunrise, it's one of the reason I convinced Nova to let us get an apartment with a terrace that oversees the city and can conveniently watch the sunrise. That's where I spend most of my mornings before Mrs. Johnson start playing her bassoon.

Taking a small sip of my coffee, I watch the sky changes from the white and black spiral thread to having some colors until the moment I've been waiting for, the sun rising. It's like peeling an onion but in this case it's the clouds moving, revealing the sun. I smile because it's one of the wonders of nature I don't get, apparently not only me.

"Beautiful." A deep voice comments behind me.

I yelp, jumping on the stool, my sudden movement cause my half drunk coffee to spill all over my hand and pyjamas short. "Shoot," I mutter, not only because I spilled coffee on my favorite white short but I missed the aftermath of the sunrise.

"I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry." The voice comes again. I get off the stool and turn around to see him standing behind the counter, looking like he just rolled out of bed. "I didn't know anyone was up."

Also surprised to see you awake. I want to reply with that but I stop myself.

"Good morning," he greets.

"Morning," I murmur and grab the stool, putting it where it's supposed to be before going to pour out the rest of coffee, and return the mug to the cabinet after rinsing and drying.

I keep my head down as I walk past Hardin and out of the kitchen, catching his natural masculine scent in the way.

Anyone but him.

Anyone but him. I expect to see Carmen or Pheobe because those are the people that wakes up early in this house but no, it had to be him. The person I plan to avoid for the rest of my life even though I know it won't be possible, I'm still going to try my best.

I return to the room to see Nova still sprawl on the bed, sleeping.

My feet pads against the cold tiled foot to the side drawer where my phone is charging. I see it's fully charged when I unplug it and unlock it to call myself a ride. It will be here in thirty minutes, which gives me enough time to shower and change.

I leave for the bathroom to tidy up and when I'm done, I pack my pyjamas inside the small backpack I brought and leave the room. I'll shoot Nova a text when I get work, she told me last night that her mom has a surprise for me and I don't want a situation where by I won't be available without an explanation when she needs me. I'll be back for the welcome home party tonight.

Attending two night parties in a roll, who the hell am I?

I meet the Uber driver out front and enter the car. The ride to my work is silent, just how I like it.

When I drop off in front of the restaurant, the time is almost eight and it nine thirty, I need to get to work.

I walk towards the back of the building past the dumpster before entering through the backdoor. Not at all surprised to see the manager and the head cook and pastry chef. The manager, Alan is overseeing the work the cook and the chef are doing. The chef is always the one hard at work while the cook don't get to fully work until we have people come in and specifically ask her something.

"Nice of you to come in very early today, Dawn. What's your excuse today? Traffic? Your dog ate peanut butter? You were sick?" Alan isn't my biggest fan ever since he found out I was trying to sabotage his role as the manager of this restaurant by reporting his strange and handsy behavior to the owner of this place, who also give me a chance to take over his job part time.

"Morning Marjorie. Morning Lucille." I greet the lovely ladies as I march out of the room to the employee's room to change without answering Alan's questions but hear Marjorie and Lucille greetings behind me.

I'm not scared of him because I know he won't do anything. He just a wild animal with no venom or claws. He's a narcissist psycho with no back bone.

Opening my locker, I grab my black chef's coat and drop my bag inside. I head back into the kitchen while putting on the thick coat. I stop in front of the door to the kitchen because Alan is standing there, blocking my entry with his best commando look, he arms are folded across his chest, his round glasses makes his blue eyes flashes with hate and disdain.

"You think just because you have the owner's number is reason enough for you to disrespect me in front of my staff?"

I sigh. This again. This here is exactly why I hate running into him.

"I'm pretty sure not saying good morning to you is not a disrespectful move, trust me I've googled it." I don't have a smart mouth and I hate having this kind of conversation with people because I'm not the kind of person that enjoys hurting other, but Alan has pulled all the reserved strings I have.

"How about I tell Mr. Miles that his favorite employee and snitch came in late, how would that make you feel, huh?" He asks, sounding hurt. His tone is enough to make me feel bad for threatening to get him fired but it doesn't, in fact it makes me feel good because now he knows how it feels.

"You are bully, Alan. A condensing asshole. You talk down on everyone without even knowing what's going on. I came in late, I didn't corner you in the kitchen and force myself on you!" I snap, anger building in me as I remember those time this bastard would harass me. It was just innocent touch at first or so I thought.

He would start with causally massages on my shoulder. It started as a joke but then he graduated to slapping me my ass. I called him out on it and he replied with, "don't be such a bitch, Dawn. I know you love it."

He was the manager I didn't know who else to report to until he made me super angry when I frying doughnuts one morning and he came behind me and shoved his hard dick in my ass, saying, "I could take you right here." I felt violated and hurt. I didn't know what else to do and I didn't want to quit because I need the job, so I looked for the owner and made sure I had his number. I drew the line after that and he's been a dick ever since.

He curls his finger around my wrist and point his finger in my face. "I. Didn't. Force. Myself. On. You. I have better taste." He grits.

"Huh uh? Sure you didn't, now let go of my hand before I break your fingers." His threat doesn't work on me anymore because  I'm not afraid of him, in fact I prayed for this.

"I advice you to do as the lady says." A familiar voice chirps in behind me.

I watch Alan's eyes look past my head and how it widens with recognition. He looks down at me and I see him swallow hard. "Gotcha," I whisper and give him a wink before yank my hand off his hold and take a step back.

"Mr. Mil...Miles, it's not what it looks like. Whatever she told you was a lie. I didn't do anything. I never touched her. I swear." I don't think I've ever seen him scared, he looks like he's about to piss himself and I love it.

"Yes, you did." It's not even me this time, it's Mal, the waitress who is also a victim of his harassment.

"I didn't ask anything, Alan but thank you for the truth, let's have a talk in my office."

I give Mal a big, appreciative smile for coming to rescue.

After I got Mr. Miles' number, I called him and explained who I was to him and extend my concern about his manager's behavior. I didn't tell him about his harassment towards me but I did tell him he was harassing his staff and abusing his position of power. Mr. Miles replied with, "I think it's high time I paid that place a visit." I knew he would be here today but I didn't know the exact time.

I know Alan is a narcissist and an egoistic. He's too shallow minded to let me not saying hi to him when I came in earlier slide. I know he would do some stupid and as expected he did. I planned on frustrating him the whole day until Mr. Miles catches him in the act and look how that turned out, I didn't even do much.

Today is going to be a happy one.