Chapter 16. Voz
Leah Bradley
I dragged my feet back to my room, barely managing to drop my briefcase at the entrance. When I reached the foot of the bed, I let myself fall onto it, arms spread wide, face against the cover. I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to rest. My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn't eaten anything all day except breakfast before leaving. I let out a long, heavy sigh of exhaustion.
"Leah," I heard my name from a distance; it was Lilly. "Are you here?" She knocked on the door, but since I hadn't closed it, she must have opened it because I could hear her voice calling me in the room.
"Tell me," I said without moving.
"What's wrong?" she asked, circling the bed until she sat on the stool by my vanity. From my position, I could see her.
"I'm tired," I just said and closed my eyes. I felt Lilly move me, take off my shoes, and then cover me with the blanket at the foot of the bed. After that... I knew nothing.
In the morning, quite early, I opened my eyes. I was on the floor tangled in my blanket. When had I fallen that I didn't wake up from the impact? I got up as best I could and looked at the clock on the nightstand. It was only four in the morning.
"I'm hungry..." I heard my own hoarse voice. I walked to the kitchen, thinking that I had been hungry yesterday too, but my exhaustion was greater. I made myself some toast, fried eggs, and bacon. I made orange juice, and moments later, I was devouring the food. I heard my father asking my mother who was cooking so early, which reminded me that my goal of becoming independent had to happen soon. I had been independent for ten years. It felt strange to live with the rest of my family in one place.
"Good morning, little one. Did you fall out of bed?" my father approached and kissed the top of my head. I smiled. I couldn't speak immediately with my mouth full of bacon, so I put my hand up to cover it.
"Good morning," I said after swallowing. "And yes, I fell out of bed."
"You didn't have dinner last night. I left a plate for you in the microwave," my mother said as she entered the kitchen.
"I was exhausted," I said, looking at the clock on the wall. I had to leave in an hour. I picked up my empty plate and washed it.
"Sweetie, isn't your schedule at that new job too demanding?" she asked. I shook my head.
"If you're passionate about what you do, time flies, and what I do is gratifying. I help build homes and do charity work, which I love."
"But you have a salary, right?" my father asked.
"Of course. And the pay is good. The other part, building for those in need, I don't get paid for, but seeing the happy faces of people who need a roof over their heads is indescribably satisfying."
"I know, I understand," my father said, taking a seat at the table with his cup of coffee.
I left them in the kitchen and headed to the bathroom, where Lilly appeared, about to take a shower.
"It's my turn," she pouted.
"Hurry up," she mumbled sleepily.
After nearly half an hour, I was ready to leave. I glanced at the clock on the wall; I had fifteen minutes to get there on time if I left right then.
"Want me to give you a ride?" my father asked, briefcase in hand.
"I'd appreciate it."
My mother followed us out, leaving only Lilly, who started a bit later.
"Will you be back early?" my mother asked, peeking from the back seat where I was sitting.
"I hope so," I honestly didn't know.
"If you don't get back early, I'll leave your dinner in the microwave."
"Thanks, Mom," I said gratefully.
I thanked them for the ride, then they left while I walked to the entrance, waving goodbye. I went in, and the receptionist didn't greet me again.
"Good morning," I said politely, not caring if she didn't respond. I walked to the glass door to find the rest of the team. The building was two stories, with a vintage facade, like a large warehouse, but the interior was modern. I reached the space assigned to me; the rest of the team hadn't arrived yet. So I decided to get a head start on my tasks.
"Well, the newbie has arrived!" I heard Jamie, one of the architects, shout. "Did you bring the coffees we told you to get with your money?"
"No," I simply replied. Then I heard another voice; it was Adam, Jacob's right-hand man.
"You should go get coffee now, newbie. And after that..." I stood up and turned to face them.
"Don't you have hands?" I was already fed up with how they treated me when Jacob wasn't around.
"Hey, newbie! That's what you are, just a newbie. This is how it works in this country, so go get the coffees and one for Ashley at reception."
"I'm not going," I pressed my lips together. "I've been working here for a week, doing many things that aren't my responsibility without complaining because I was the newbie, but that's over. If you want coffee, get it yourself. I'm not your maid."
"Well, well..." Adam crossed his arms, followed by Jamie. "The newbie is getting bold."
"I'm just making it clear that I won't be your maid." I returned my gaze to the plans on my desk.
"I don't think you understand how things work here, newbie," Adam said, walking towards Jamie and standing beside him.
"I said no. And this ends here," I stated firmly.
"No, the last word is..." Adam was interrupted by another voice.
"I have the last word. And this ends now," Jacob's voice echoed from a distance, strong, hoarse, and cold.