chapter 8

“We’re not supposed to drink on the job”

“Mimi mi mimimi!”

Yasmin rolled her dark eyes as she mocked her coworkers' admonishment before she tipped back a glass with a dredge of liquor in it. It was bracing, that was the nicest way to say it.

Rafael sighed as he popped open another bottle of the liquor and poured it into clean glasses on a tray.

“Be careful that Emma doesn’t see you, she’ll blow a gasket”

“Or a button”

Rafael shook his head ruefully and then adjusted his glasses as they slipped down his nose from the movement. Yasmin dumped the empty glass into the dishwasher and picked up the tray with full glasses. She pushed her hip into the door, causing the glasses to tinkle against one another.

“You’re supposed to push it open with your other hand…”

She stuck her tongue out at Rafael before she vanished through the doorway. A few moments later Emma bustled into the kitchen, her clipboard and tight ponytail accompanied her everywhere. The only hint that the blonde overseer was human was the way the top few buttons of her shirt puckered slightly against the volume of her bust.

“Mr. Luna, what have I told you about the dishes?”

She pointed a manicured finger at the open dishwasher which wasn’t full. Rafael struggled to see what the issue was and made a confused noise in the back of his throat.

“To Keep it Closed while not loading or unloading it”

She explained in an exasperated tone. Emma clicked her pen and looked with disapproval at Rafael. He frowned as she made a mark on the clipboard.

“Have you seen Ms. Tehrani?”

Rafael paused for a moment before he remembered Yasmin’s last name.

“Ah yes. She just left with some drinks to hand out”

Emma marked on the clipboard again and clucked her tongue in irritation. She looked back at Rafael, her lips pressed into a thin line before she spoke.

“If you see her again before I do, remind her that she’s supposed to be picking up empty glasses, not handing out full ones.”

“She always comes back with empt-”

“Please remind her Mr. Luna”

“Yes ma’am”

Rafael’s resigned response satisfied the overseer who took one last glance around the small kitchen before she left, pushing the door open with one hand.

Rafael sighed and glanced at his watch, he shook the accessory hoping it would change how much time he had left at this job. The same number stared back at him and he hung his head in defeat.