Royalty Gone Bad

***

Asahd’s POV:

The next morning, very early as usual, I took the car this time and made my way safely and easily to my job site, with the help of the GPS on my phone. I got to work at 7:40AM. I was so happy to have made it early because unlike the previous week when I would get up at 5AM just to catch the bus and subway, I got up at 6AM that particular Monday. Yup, that car was ugly as ever but it was still worth it. It worked perfectly well.

-

I parked in the restaurant’s parking and got out. I was in a good mood that morning because unlike the previous week, I’d had an extra hour of sleep.

I got into the restaurant and greeted the others before going to change. I was ready for a new week of work.

***

Work was just as stressful as any other day. Customers came and went nonstop.

At a point, while we attended to the customers, we were all called by the assistant manager for a special announcement.

“The boss and I spoke with each other after some of you complained about the working hours,” he started. “We came to the conclusion that you were right, seeing that most of you live far and don’t have enough time to rest after work because you’re up early the next morning to come to here.”

I was a little surprised at the announcement because I hadn’t complained openly. But apparently the older employees had. The working hours were too much compared to our pay.

“And so we decided that, we maintain our opening hour at eight in the morning. But instead of closing at 10PM, we’ll be closing at 8PM as from today.”

“Thank you!” Derrick exclaimed happily and we laughed. We were all satisfied with what we were hearing.

“And, you will be provided with an hour’s break everyday, from noon to 1PM during which we’ll temporally close the restaurant’s doors with a sign that tells customers that we’ll be back at one. Then you’ll have a second break from five to six PM. Is that okay?”

“It’s perfect!”

“We’re all fine by it. Right guys?” Stephan turned to the rest of us and we agreed.

′Finally! A break!′

“Alright then. Great. Back to work now.”

We returned to our duties and I checked my time. It was eleven. In an hour, I would finally get to rest a little.

*

11:30 were asked to come back later or go to some other

the

eyes

she and the others got rid of their aprons

left the restaurant while most preferred

and lay on the couches. I wasn’t hungry and so I decided to nap a little. But before I could, Allison joined me at the table, followed

“Napping?” they mused.

to,”

know a little about our new colleague. It’s

to

to brag about the Prince that I was, but who was I kidding? They would never believe me. Especially with the junk I was riding and my

me something. Like, who do you live with? Do have brothers and sisters?” Jenna asked

father

And your

“I don’t know.”

“Oh, sorry.”

but then I realised that they probably thought I’d meant that my mother had left us or

“It’s fine,” I said.

old are you?”

“Twenty two.”

smiled

“And you?”

twenty. Brittany is

some place where I could

these things had started happening to me, I’d not had time for girls. I didn’t even think of flirting or getting down with whosoever, for the first time in my life. All I wanted was to get myself out of this horrible mess. And so, even when some girls flirted with

we’re gonna allow you to nap in peace. See you when you wake

smiled lazily and when they were gone, I rolled my eyes

*

I’d succeeded in sleeping a little. I worked for the hours left, nonstop, until the next break and until we finished

***

same tiring routine. But it was way better with all our breaks.

--

and I was very surprised to see Saïda. She spotted me immediately and waved, smiling. I was very surprised she’d found the place all by herself. I smiled back, and asked derrick to help me take over the table I was supposed to attend to. He agreed

in an