Amber's POV

I tore my eyes away from him, breaking our intense eye contact.

"Can I take your order, sir?" I asked. My voice was meant to sound calm and in control, but it had a mind of its own as it squeaked instead.

He could completely sense my fear.

I swallowed hard as I tried to ignore the intense look he gave me.

He coughed, tearing his eyes away from me as he turned to look at the menu.

"I'll have the chef's special." He ordered. His voice was emotionless.

I nodded as I took note of his order.

I then proceeded to the kitchen. As I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me. I clenched my hand, hoping to alleviate my anxiety.

I increased my speed, hoping to get as far away from him as possible.

I walked into the kitchen and gave the chef his order. I waited, leaning on the counter, for the chef to hand me the wine.

So what if he was my new boss? It's not like I'd have to see him every day. The last I checked he had a really big company, and he couldn't manage both at once.

I clenched onto the countertop, trying to control myself.

"Are you okay? You look a bit shaken." The chef asked snapping me out of my thoughts.

I turned to look at him, my heart still pounding. "I'm fine," I answered trying to force a smile, even I wouldn't believe me.

He handed me a tray with a bottle of wine and a glass.

I took deep breaths to control my breathing as I returned to Liam.

He was now typing on his phone. That was good, at least he wouldn't give me any of his attention.

I placed the glass on his table and opened the wine bottle. It only made him more aware of my presence.

His gaze followed me through my every move.

I placed the bottle on the side after filling the glass.

I had turned to leave when I felt a grip on my arm.

I gasped turning around to face him. I felt an intense electrical shock when our hands made contact.

"Tell me, why did you decline my job offer?" He demanded.

Did he even have to ask? After our last meeting, I'd say it was enough reason for us never to work together, let alone our unfortunate history.

He held my eyes with his. I noticed how his jaw tightened.

I pulled my hand away from his grip. "It would never have worked out," I answered instead.

He snapped out of his thoughts as he broke our eye contact.

I pulled my shirt down to better adjust my appearance.

I turned around. I hadn't walked that far when I felt liquor spilt over the back of my pants.

I gasped at the liquor running down my leg, making it uncomfortable in the cold weather.

In utter shock, I took a moment to examine myself. I now had red wine dripping down my pants. It didn't help that my uniform was white. I've always hated my work uniform because it made me feel like I was in some ugly nurse uniform. Apart from how uncomfortable it was having the red liquid running down my legs, it also looked like I had just got my period.

"Oops," Liam muttered. A smirk appeared on his face.

I turned around angrily, clenching my hands.

The glass rested on the table, with not a single crack, but was now empty. This was not an accident.

I imagined all the possible ways to strangle him. I could do it with my bare hands, hit him over the head with the wine bottle and then strangle him with my hands or I could grab a napkin and use that to strangle him.

Or I could show him I was better than this.

"It was an honest mistake," he said drawing out his words. He laughed sadistically.

I relaxed both my face and my hands as I tried to pull the biggest smile possible. "No worries, sir, I'll have someone here soon to clean it up." I smiled. "Do you need anything else?" I asked.

His smile faded as he turned his eyes away from me.

I thought so.

"How about I pour you another glass?" I offered.

Without waiting for his response, I moved and poured into the glass again.

If I didn't need this job desperately, I'd be the one to pour wine on him.

I walked away, returning to the kitchen. This time I watched my back.

Near the kitchen in the hall, I searched for Fredrik, one of the cleaners here.

The red spot on my pants was the first thing he noticed. "What happened to you?" He chuckled.

"You may need to go upstairs to clean up, there was a slight mess." I spat ignoring his question.

He looked at me with a brow raised as he laughed.

"Where are the extra uniforms?" I asked.

He held back his laughter as he pointed to the storage room two doors away.

I gave him a threatening look which got him to stop.

I walked to the storage room and searched through the messy room where I found the extra uniforms. There weren't any pants of my size left in the cupboard. I pulled a black skirt from the pile. It seemed to be the right size. This would just have to do.

I avoided eye contact with the staff in the hall who laughed and whispered among themselves about me as I walked to the bathroom. This couldn't get more embarrassing.

I pulled the bathroom door open, entered a stall and slammed its door, letting out all my anger.

I nearly broke my pants zipper as I opened it angrily. I exchanged my trousers for a skirt.

The skirt was too tight for my liking, but it fit fine.

I exited the bathroom stall, feeling a bit calmer.

"What happened to you?" a voice asked.

Phoebe emerged from one of the bathroom stalls. She leaned on the door frame for support. Her eyes were red and swollen.

I pointed angrily at the pants in my hands.

She chuckled.

How was this funny?

"How did that happen?" she asked.

"More like who happened?" I snapped. "His name is Liam Carson, our new boss," I answered.

She looked at me with a brow raised.

I turned to the sink, allowing the water to run as I used it along with the paper towels to wipe my legs. They now felt sticky.

"It was probably an accident," she said trying to calm me.

"Believe me," I answered running the wet paper towel over my leg. "It was no accident at all. He did this intentionally." I pointed to the mess.

I had finally had the chance to let all my anger out.

"Wow," she chuckled. "I wonder who hurt him so badly. In most cases, it's always a woman. I'd punch that girl in the face." Phoebe remarked. She swung her hand in a fist to make a demonstration.

Her words felt like a bitter pill. I did the same thing to him.

The swig seemed to have taken a toll on her. She held a hand on her mouth, almost as if she was about to throw up. "Maybe you should go home," I suggested.

She nodded as she ran back to the bathroom stall.

I wish I could help her but deep down I knew I was only seconds away from having Janet breathe down my neck.

I returned to the kitchen.

"Where have you been? The order was done ages ago?" the chef asked.

"I had a slight mishap," I replied. I took the white apron off the side and wore it over my clothes.

I collected the tray on the counter and returned to Liam.

I placed the food on his table. His wine glass was nearly empty.

I took the chance to fill it halfway.

After that, I excused myself and waited nearby in case he needed me.

I watched the rain outside. The thunder rumbled as dark clouds hovered over the city.

This kind of weather frightened me. I couldn't help but think of what dreadful things would happen today.

Liam finished his meal and then wiped his hands with a napkin.

I returned to his table to collect the dishes.

"Tell me Amber, how does it feel to sink this low?" Liam chuckled. "You really should give me a lesson or two one of these days." He snared.

I could feel my temper rising. It's a miracle I haven't popped a blood vessel by now.

"Please excuse me," I answered with a smile.

I returned to the kitchen with the plates before returning to his table with his bill.

He slammed a cheek onto the table. I examined the amount written on it.

Not even a dollar for a tip from his bustard, after everything I had to endure.

Janet walked into the room with some papers in her hands.

"How was your experience today sir?" Janet asked.

"The food was good," Liam commented. So, he was capable of saying something other than insults. "But I need you to tell me, what kind of establishment are you running here? Do you think it's okay for a waitress to shamelessly flirt with customers like that and make inappropriate remarks? It's unacceptable." He yelled. "It makes me think that maybe I invested my money in the wrong business, and I should just have this place shut down instead." He continued.

My jaw dropped in shock. Even for him, this must have been too far. He had made so many attempts to anger me but not once did I give in.

Janet looked over at me with her shocked expression matching mine. She then looked at Liam apologetically. "I'm really sorry sir but this kind of behavior usually never happens here. We are very sorry that this happened to you," she said.

"I-I didn't..."

Janet looked at me, silently deadening me.

"Are you trying to say that I am lying?" Liam asked. He raised his brow as he stared at me.

"Not at all sir, in fact, I'll deal with this accordingly." Janet cut me off. She then turned to me. "Amber, you are fired. Meet me in my office after this." She said.

"But I-I didn't..."

Janet cut me off again. I managed to anger Janet as she stared at me with her hands folded.

I couldn't believe he was doing this to me.

At first, I was angry, but now I was just confused.

"To my office now!" Janet demanded.

I sighed knowing I had lost this fight. Maybe I could talk to her in private and convince her of the truth. Maybe I still had the chance to keep my job.

I noticed the tiny smirk on the corner of Liam's mouth.

He might have won the fight but I hadn't lost the battle.

I strode hesitantly to Janet's office. Janet stayed behind to speak to Liam. He seemed extremely upset and persistent in his narrative.

I waited outside Janet's office with my back to the wall.

What was I going to say? How could I make her believe me?

I had to tell the truth about everything that had happened. If necessary and given the chance, I could ask her to bring up the security camera.

Janet walked toward me, her short hair bouncing off her shoulders.

Without acknowledging my presence, she unlocked her office door and then matched right in.

She left her door wide open; I took it as a cue to get in.

I hesitantly entered her office.

Janet hesitantly flipped through some pages. She then wrote something down on a slip.

"Your paycheck for the two weeks that you've worked here," Janet handed me a paper.

I stared at the paycheck with tears whelming up in my eyes. I couldn't believe this was happening.

"Listen, ma'am, this whole thing is just a..."

Janet cut me off. "Are you going to take it or not?" Janet said more forcefully.

Janet stared at me coldly. I could tell she was in no mood to argue. Even if she did believe me, Liam owned this restaurant, and he could do anything he wanted with it.

I accepted the check from her hand, looking at the amount downheartedly. I had promised myself to work hard and take many double shifts. In a few months, I would have covered all of my major debts now my only chance was snatched right in front of me.

Janet pointed at the door. With the warning look she gave me, I could tell she was willing to do something drastic if I didn't comply.

I walked out of her office and collected my bag and the rest of my belongings.

Phoebe was also there to pack her bag.

"I heard about what happened," Phoebe muttered, drawing me out of my thoughts. "I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. If I didn't get sick you wouldn't have been fired." She replied, her eyes were tearful.

"It wasn't your fault," I answered back.

She wasn't the one who forced Liam to lie, who knows, with him as the new restaurant's owner, I would have been fired sooner or later.

"I promise, I'll call you as soon as I hear of any openings." She promised.

I smiled and nodded, sliding my handbag onto my shoulder so I could leave.

"How are you feeling now?" I asked instead.

"Janet agreed to let me go home. My stomach still hurts but hopefully, I'll make it home without another accident." She answered wearily.

"I guess this is goodbye then," I muttered.

Phoebe pulled me into a hug, attempting to squeeze my lungs right out of my rib cage.

I pulled away from her, suffocated from her hug. I didn't know that love was supposed to hurt physically too.

She looked at me apologetically before saying her final goodbye.

Taking another look back, I left the restaurant through its back entrance.

This wasn't the shortest I'd lasted in a job. I've had far more malicious bosses before and people who tried to take advantage of me. To think I'd be used to disappointment by now.

Maybe I could catch a bus back home, it was only a few blocks away.

The cleared sky slowly started to gather again. Within seconds, the clouds darkened as a light drizzle began. I had nothing to cover myself from the rain, my clothes didn't do much to keep me warmed up either.

I quickened my pace, hoping the rain wouldn't catch up with me. Within minutes it was raining at its fullest might.

This day couldn't get any worse. I was cold, wet, jobless and struggling through a midlife crisis.

My hair in its low ponytail was utterly wet and had turned into a darker shade, with my clothes now sticking to my body.

I tried shielding myself from the rain with my handbag, there weren't any buildings I could wait around for a while or a veranda I could hide under till the rain subsided. Most of the buildings here seemed industrialized and unwelcoming. I wouldn't be able to find any shelter for a few more minutes. If I continued like this, I would get seriously sick. I looked toward the road hoping I'd catch a cab. I didn't have much in my wallet but saving that amount was worth getting seriously sick. Much to my dismay, there wasn't a single cab in sight with only a few cars driving at full speed.

All the emotions I had held back finally exploded out of me. As much as I wanted to be strong, it was too much for me to handle. The beauty about crying in the rain is that no one notices, to everyone else you just seem like an unfortunate soul wandering the streets.

"Wait!" I heard a loud yell from behind me.

I turned around to see who it was. However, the pouring rain wasn't doing much for my vision as I squinted my eyes trying to better my vision.

I turned around and continued to walk.

I hadn't seen where the source of the voice came from till I felt a grip on my hand.

The person swayed me around causing me to collide into a hard chest.

I looked up to see Liam staring back at me. My breathing increased as I stared at him angrily.

He kept his hand on my wrist, his warm body pressed against me. He didn't seem as wet as I was.

"What do you want from me?" I demanded as I pushed myself out of his grip.

He took a step back to balance himself.

A man approached Liam and offered him an umbrella, but Liam stopped him with a simple gesture.

The man backed away, returning to the car.

"I already told you; I want you to work for me." He answered, this time his voice more demanding and daring.

I couldn't believe the nerves of this man.

My anger worsened. "I already told you, I said no," I snapped back at him.

Through the loud rain and traffic, I heard his sarcastic laugh. "It seems like you haven't figured out how far I'll go to get what I want." He shouted over the rain. "After tormenting people for years, I thought you would be nicer by now." He snapped.

I sighed as I threw my hands into the air. "That was years ago. Can you grow up? We are both adults now." I yelled back. "I told you already, I'm really sorry." My voice sounded almost like a whisper as I pleaded.

"Luckily for you, I never forgive those who wrong me." He answered with a sardonic laugh. "I already told you what I want. You can either comply and fall in line or keep going like this. Just so you know, I can be hard-headed too. You are already close to being thrown on the street. If I were you, I'd think through my options wisely." He threatened.

By then, my tears must have stopped. Either way, I couldn't tell in the rain.

That's when I realized, he was never going to leave me alone. He was playing some sick game and he clearly had no intention of backing out.

If he wanted war that was what he would get.

I took a deep breath trying to gather up all the courage I could master. This would perhaps be one of the worst mistakes I'll make.

"Fine," I answered. "I'll work for you."

A smirk curled on his face.

"Good," he answered. He raked his wet nappy hair, pushing away some strands from his forehead. "See you in my office before eight." He smiled.

He tucked his hands into his pockets nonchalantly and walked away out of the rain and into his car.

I had allowed him to win this time, maybe I'll hit him the hardest when he least expects it.