Royalty Gone Bad

***

Writer’s POV:

Saïda started work that Monday. She was so happy with it. Her first day so far had been great. There were a lot of customers and she helped them as much as possible. Aryan and his wife, Rivka, as well as Samir, all helped Saïda adapt easily. But they didn’t need to show her or guide her too much because she already did very good on her own. This job was perfect for Saïda to occupy herself and make a little money, all the while.

Meanwhile...

~~

It was finally twelve and the waiters had their first break. Asahd sat in a corner, eating and manipulating his phone.

While he was doing so, he received a call from his father. He rolled his eyes and rejected the call. He was still giving them a hard time and was still unforgiving for what was happening to him now. He did same to Djafar. Though he answered the man when he asked him questions, things weren’t the same. Asahd no longer smiled or sat to have serious or funny conversations with him.

Asahd put his phone away and stood to go to the washroom and take a pee. He headed to the men’s washroom and on entering, he heard someone talking in one of the cabins. He recognised Alex’s voice.

Minding his business, he went to pee but still, it was almost impossible not to listen to Alex who turned out to be talking on phone.

“Why do you treat me like this?? Why?” Asahd heard Alex ask in an angry yet hurt tone.

“You don’t treat me well! I do everything to please you. I work my ass off like crazy between two jobs! On the weekends when I’m supposed to be resting, I still work! Just so I can have enough to pay your bills, buy my necessities and provide your meals! I do everything and yet you still treat me like shit! Is that fair?? I–” Alex stopped talking for a second or so.

“Hello? Hello?!”

Seemed the person had hung up. Asahd heard Alex cuss and hit the wall with his palm.

′I wonder what’s wrong.′

Asahd went to wash his hands in a sink and just then, Alex stepped out. Surprised to see Asahd, their eyes met in reflection of the mirrors there. Asahd turned immediately, slightly worried when he saw how red Alex’s eyes were. Like he was going to cry or something.

to wash his hands too and

halted on his way out. He was trying to mind his business but couldn’t.

cared for no one’s feelings, but his. If it’d been another colleague, he would’ve left. But the only colleagues he’d realised he was growing fond of, were Derrick and Alex. They’d

-

turned and approached Alex who was washing

to ask. You don’t look okay and I’m kind of bothered,” Asahd started and Alex looked up

was quiet, and then he shut his eyes for a while, taking a

on phone, is my father,” he finally said,

He’s left you in

Alex rubbed his eyes.

ungrateful. All he does is sit on the couch the whole day, watching

listened in shock as Alex literally told him everything about his abusive father. Alex was the one who paid the home bills. He told Asahd how he had to remove all bulbs from the house, so the electricity bill would not rise. His father always asked him money to buy beer and only beer. And if he refused, his father would hit him, leaving red and purple bruises on his face and arms. Even when

mother after graduating highschool, to a car accident. He’d been raised by her and her alone because she’d left his father when she was still pregnant with him. This because the man

he was doing. And the one time the man had convinced Alex’s mother to allow their son spend the

necessities,” he explained with red eyes. “I work at the school kitchen on weekends, so

huge lump in his throat and felt

he doesn’t deserve you. If he’s unable to see your worth and

I hate him but I feel like I have to stick with him because he’s my only family,

you right. He’s using you.

Alex’s eyes were red.

fact that there are people out there with no father at all. I keep hoping that mine will change some day

All he does is hurt you and use you. You’re a great person and the type of caring and hardworking

his eyes, trying not to cry. Asahd put a hand on his shoulder, feeling

ever you need to talk and think about something else. I consider

nodded slowly, wiping his watery and red

Asahd