Adriel nodded.
Lewis cleared his throat and addressed us again. “In any case, just keep the chatter to a regular volume and don’t forget to interact with any customers.”
Jess and I were pointedly aware of the store being empty right now, but we didn’t bring that up.
“We won’t,” Jess said.
Lewis grunted. “Good.” He looked like he was about to head back and leave us alone when Adriel shot me a knowing glance with a raised brow.
He wants me to tell Lewis about quitting.
“Actually, wait a second, Lewis,” I said.
Lewis stopped. “What is it?”
The store went silent as we faced off. It took me a moment to find my voice, but it came easily to me when I looked at Adriel and saw the supportive expression on his face.
“I’m putting in my notice,” I told Lewis. “I want to pursue a different career, so… I’m quitting this job.”
Lewis gaped at me. “Well…” A thinly-veiled sneer appeared on his face. “After all I’ve done with rearranging your schedule and being sympathetic to your time off from work, I suppose you have to move on eventually.”
Behind Lewis, Adriel’s eyes narrowed into a glare. “Is there a problem?” he asked loud enough to make Lewis flinch. “If there is, speak now.”
“N-no,” Lewis mumbled. “Two weeks it is, then.”
He didn’t look back as he trudged away.
I let out a sigh I didn’t know I was holding. After all this time working a part-time job with a less-than-stellar boss, it felt so freeing to finally tell him I was quitting. The control was in my own hands now, and it was intoxicating.
Adriel shot me a reassuring nod and a smile.
It’s because of him that I can do this,I thought happily.He gave me the strength to learn how to stand up for myself.
* * *
It was nearingthe end of my shift when it happened again.
The man that had showed up the night I suddenly became sick appeared once more. Instantly my skin tingled uncomfortably. Memories of the night of the attempted robbery flooded back to me, making me freeze up.
Trying to put some distance between us, I made my way behind the counter. Adriel noticed my discomfort right away. He pressed closer to me and asked quietly, “What is it?”
“Nothing,” I murmured.
He knew I was lying, so he pulled out a small notepad he kept in his blazer pocket, and a pen.
Without speaking, his eyes clearly said,Write it down.
I watched nervously as Jess continued sweeping up the store, oblivious to the man except for a quick greeting. I swallowed the lump in my throat.
I scribbled down a message and showed it to Adriel.
Same guy was here when I got sick. Didn’t do anything but made me nervous. Reminded me of robber guy.
Adriel gave me a small, silent nod. He wrote down a reply.
I will watch him. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you.
I smiled despite the anxiety in my gut. Knowing Adriel would protect me no matter what eased my worries and made me feel perfectly safe - at least in my mind, even if my body didn’t agree.
