Earning her keep

Chapter 4 Earning Her Keep

TANIA’S APARTMENT, NEW YORK.

“Ma’am, you should get up. Don’t forget you are on the early morning shift.” Tania said to Nina as she tapped her gently to wake her.

Nina mumbled incoherent words and turned back to Tania before opening her eyes. She groaned inwardly. Nina had never had a hard time waking up before. But with her pregnancy, she wakes up grumpy or tired in the early hours. Sighing in exhaustion, she sat on the bed, scratching her eyes.

“Good morning, Tania. Can you please stop calling me, ma’am? My name is Nina. And you are the reason I have a roof over my head. I don’t know what would have become of me.”

“Just because you are in this state now doesn’t change that you are a woman of respect. This moment won’t go on forever, and I know you will return on your feet in no time. So, please, let me call you as I please.”

Nina laughed softly. “You are such a sweet person.”

“I owe it to you. You are the first person I worked with who didn’t treat me like someone unworthy of respect. Despite your love for your friend, you always defended me whenever she was rude. Thank you. Just know that you will always have a special place in my heart.” Tania said, placing a hand on her chest.

“Come here.” She spread her arms out for a hug. They chuckled, patting each other’s back.

“I have to head out to work now. I made breakfast and already packed your lunch. I will see you later tonight. Don’t be late to work, and let me know if you need anything.” She said, waving her goodbye.

Nina got up to spread the bed and arranged the room before heading out. She sat down at the kitchen counter to eat her breakfast. It always makes Nina feel better if she eats it before her morning routine. As she chewed on the perfectly made pancake, her mind returned to that fateful Sunday evening two weeks ago when the announcement she had made had her life turned upside down.

As she moved farther from the house, Nina realized the truth had been right before her, but she refused to see it. It dawned on her that Asher was more playful with Andrea than with her. Her innocent mind had thought he accepted Andrea just as she had received the only person she considers a friend.

To think she had been telling the same person causing the ruckus all her troubles. She was sharing her pains with a traitor. Nina couldn’t stop thinking about why Andrea would do something like that. She had always said Nina’s taste in men was sour. How come she coveted the same man she was against from the beginning?

That night, at the five-star hotel she wanted to lodge in, Nina discovered that the card she tendered was inactive. Asher seemed to have done it the minute she stepped out of the house. She and Asher share a joint account, where most of her heavy savings go. Even though it seemed absurd that a man as rich as Asher would demand a joint account with his wife, Nina didn’t mind. If only she had considered the future going sour, she would have saved more in her account.

With just a little money in her account, her only option was a motel. The funds could only pay for a few nights and feed her poorly. Luckily for her, Tania had called to know if she was okay. The lady arrived the next day with food and concern on her face. With Tania’s help, she got a proper roof over her head that didn’t have shabby doors that someone could easily break into and a job as an attendant at a grocery store.

It would have been better to get an actual job in a company, but it will take a while to get called for an interview and also have the hope of getting employed. Not to forget, she is carrying a child. Nina had always been a cheerful child and adult. She never let her situation ruin her hopefulness. However, these circumstances had her in stitches, and she doubted there would be a way out anytime soon.

Tears lingered in the corner of her eyes. It's almost as if crying has become a regular chore of hers. Every night, she dreams of Asher and Andrea hanging down by a rope and bleeding while fighting for their lives. The two of them had been lying to her face for years like cowards.

She would have preferred if they had told her on time instead of letting her waste so much emotion on them. Her heart sank as the thoughts wrapped itself around her. Nina felt pity for her child for having a father like Asher. As for her true feelings towards them, it's nothing short of rage and hate.

Her phone dinged from the room, causing her to gasp. She had forgotten about work. Hastening with her cold meal, she got prepared for the day.

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Whenever Nina gets to the grocery store, it reminds her how much she misses her job at the company. Not interacting with so many people and focusing on ensuring the food products packaged for people are consumable and satisfying makes her feel purposeful. She even goes as far as working extra hours while Asher and Andrea probably fuck themselves on the same bed she sleeps in.

But it is different here; she has to constantly converse with the customers politely, not forgetting to hold up a smile, too, whether she is in the mood or not. As frustrating as it is, it will pay her bills at the end of the day and save her from being a total liability to Tania. If it were up to Tania, she wouldn’t let Nina work in the store. She says it’s belittling. It has never been Nina’s way to be idle, and Nina loves to earn her keep. She insisted on doing something regardless of how low anyone considered it.

Her eyes lingered on the clock. It was almost lunch break, and Nina couldn’t seem to wait. The customers will have to understand. Thankfully, there were only a few of them around. With her head bowed and phone in hand, she checked her mail for the jobs she had applied for.

“Hello, miss.” A male customer with a deep-rooted tone called her attention.

Nina raised her head, and her eyes rounded like a saucer. Recognition dawned on the man, too.

“What are you doing here?” They inquired at the same time.