Chapter 3

“Are you okay, Amber?” Kaylee asks, worried for her friend, who is pale. “You’ve been like that since last week—dizzy and nauseous.”

“Yeah… I’m just tired.” Amber answers. “This is not my only job, you know.” She smiles forcefully.

“Why don’t you take a break? Take a day-off?” She suggested.

“You know that I can’t, Kaylee. I can’t miss a single day; I still have a huge debt to pay.”

“Then why don’t you move in with me? The unit I’m living in is big enough for the two of us, we can share the bills.”

“The offer is tempting but I can’t…” Amber sighs. “My apartment is closer to the restaurant and the bar.”

Kaylee can’t help but sigh and feel sympathy for her friend; she never once heard her complain about her situation and just keep going. She can somewhat understand what her friend felt as she herself struggled when she leaves their house with a money enough for a month, but unlike her, Amber has a debt to pay.

“Okay, I will not insist, but I want you to know that my offer is always open.” Kaylee said.

Amber smiles and hold her hand. “Thank you, Kaylee. I am blessed to have meet a friend like you.” She added making her smile bitterly.

“If only you know the main reason why I befriended you… I don’t deserve this kindness from you.” Kaylee thought.

“Well, now, we need to go back to work.” Amber said.

“But are you sure that you can work now?” Kaylee asks in concern. “I mean, you don’t look too good.”

“I’m fine… Really…” Amber reassures her.

“Y…yes, I’m just tired.” Amber said, making her sigh.

Kaylee examines her friend and asks, “Amber, I’ve meaning to ask this since last week.” She said as she hands her a cup of water. “Are you pregnant?” She asks making her friend frown.

“What are you talking about, Kaylee? I had my mens—” Amber suddenly froze, her eyes wide open while staring at Kaylee. “I didn’t had my monthly period last month.” She said with tears on her eyes.

Kaylee approaches and hugs her friend.

“Who… who is the father?” She asks, nervous that she might answer that it is Lohan. But that seems impossible since Lohan never once approached Amber, unless…

“I…I don’t know.” Amber answers with hesitation.

“Amber! You will not just give your virginity to someone you don’t know!” she sermons. “Unless he raped you…”

“No. It happened with my consent.” Amber said. “He’s a frequent costumer in the bar I worked at… I just don’t know his name.”

“Amber! What did you do?” She asks in disbelief. “Where did you meet him?”

“Well, well, well, look who’s not doing their job?” Antoinette suddenly barged in the room. “Go and do your job, bitches!”

Kaylee glared at their manager.

“Don’t you dare look at me like that!” Antoinette shouted. “I will make sure that you will be leaving this job later this day. Sir Rafael will be coming here.” She smiles meaningfully, it is evident that she has something on her sleeves.

“I don’t care, Antoinette.” She said, before looking back at Amber. “Are you sure that you still can do your work?”

“Yes.” Amber answers. “Go and continue with your work before the situation gets worse.” She added before glancing at their manager. “Ma’am, is it okay if I work here in the kitchen for today? Perhaps just do the dishes?”

Antoinette raised her eyebrow. “That’s your post for today anyways.” She said making Kaylee frown—she wanted to say something but she held back knowing that it might also affect Amber.

Kaylee just sighs and went to her post. Today is the day that the owner will come and it will be the first time Amber will see who their employer is.

While on her shift, she still worries about Amber’s welfare. It is only months that they knew each other but she considered her as a friend even though in fact, she’s jealous of her. And now, there’s a tendency that she’s pregnant. She heaves out a deep sigh, what should she tell Lohan?

“What the hell? You stupid bitch!” Kaylee stopped at what she’s doing when she heard Antoinette’s loud shout at the kitchen. “Stop with the act and get up!”

She had a bad feeling about it, so she went inside the kitchen.

“Amber!” She calls out her friend’s name, but to her surprise their boss, Rafael Anderson is carrying her in his arms. “Oh gosh! What happened here?” She asks as she scan the area and saw a broken plate.

“She fainted.” Rafael answers. “What’s her name?” He asks.

“Amber Santiago, Sir.” She replies. “Are you going to the hospital?”

“Yes, is there a problem?” Rafael asks, frowning.

“Ah uhm, I guess you really should, because she might really be pregnant.” She said, biting her lips. There’s really a chance that she’s pregnant so if it turns out to be true, she had the upper hand to force her friend to stay with her.

“She’s pregnant?” Rafael asks in shock.

“Yes sir, and if I’m not mistaken, she might be 1 month along.” She answers.

“Do you know who the father is?” Rafael asks, frowning.

“I don’t know, she doesn’t want to talk about it.” Kaylee answers.

“Damn.” He softly cursed and glared at Antoinette. “We’re going to talk later, Antoinette!” He said, clenching his jaw before exiting the premises.

“So, what are you still standing there?” Kaylee asks mocking her. Antoinette is about to talk but she stops her. “Think of a good reason for the owner not to fire you. Your time is ticking.” She laughs before leaving Antoinette alone.

She heaves out a sigh when she went to the comfort room, the way Rafael reacted earlier is bugging her—it is unnatural for him to react that way. Unless… she gasps upon her realization; she already has a hunch on who impregnated Amber. Her only worry now is how to tell Lohan what happened today.