Chapter 1

• “You're fired!”
• Amber felt her heart break into countless pieces as she heard that. This job had been her lifesaver. She couldn't lose it like that.
• “Mr. Matt, please reconsider.” She pleaded.
• “Reconsider you say? This isn't the first, second, or third time I've warned you not to space out while at work, but you never listen. This is the fifth dish you're breaking this week, and I won't have it anymore. Pack your bags!” He yelled and started leaving, but Amber ran after him.
• “I'm sorry, sir. It won't happen again,” Amber apologized while following him, but he didn't even turn to look at her or act like someone was talking to him. Amber ran and stood in front of him. “Sir, please, how about deducting the money for the damages from my pay? I assure you that after that, nothing will happen again.” She pleaded.
• “Amber, you said that last week and the week before that. What do you take me for? A fool?” He snapped and she flinched.
• “I'm deeply sorry. I promise for real this time that I won't disappoint you,” She burst into tears. “This job has been what's sustaining me since my parents' death. I can't afford to lose it, Mr. Matt. Please don't make me lose it,” She said.
• “Whether this job is the reason you're alive doesn't have anything to do with me, Amber. I've made myself clear. Leave before I call security on you!” He snapped.
• Amber went on her knees and placed her palms together pleadingly. “Please,” She pleaded, but he refused.
• “Amber, you're fired and that is it.” Matt snapped.
• Amber sighed and stood up. “What about my pay for the month?” She asked.
• “What sort of question is that? How do you expect me to pay for a work you didn't complete?” He asked.
• “But the month ends tomorrow. I'm entitled to get paid. Alright, let's agree that I didn't complete the month, then. Why don't you cut the money from the pay or, since it's just a day, allow me to work, so you can pay me in full before I leave?” She suggested, but Matt only chuckled.
• “I am not paying you a dime. You broke my plates, remember?”
• “Half of my salary is even more than enough to pay for those plates. Why are you doing this?” She snapped.
• “You're raising your voice at me because of money?” He frowned, but she said nothing. “That's nice. Amber, close the door on your way out.” He said and walked away.
• Amber wanted to go after him, but the security didn't let her, instead they took her and dropped her outside the restaurant.
• Amber buried her face in her palms and wept. This wasn't how she expected her night to be. She had no idea how she broke those plates. Once she's doing the dishes, the next she was spacing out, thinking about different things and in the process the dish slipped and fell.
• Being an orphan, who catered for herself, she had plenty of bills to pay plus the loan her parents took before their deaths. This waitress job had been what helped her navigate her way through it all, but now that she had lost it, what other hope does she have? It wasn't going to be easy finding a new job, and so she knew she was finished.
• It hurt so much that it made her heart squeeze within her. She checked her wristwatch, it was 8pm. She decided to go to a bar nearby and relieve herself of the pain. To her pleasure, a bar wasn't quite far from there, and she located it instantly.
• She rushed into the bar and sat down in one of the booths. There were several people there drinking and dancing along with music blaring from the speakers. She closed her eyes trying to stop her tears, but her body wouldn't cooperate. She put her head on her folded arms and tried to ignore the loud thumping of the bass line.
• The sound got louder and louder. The noise made her head spin a bit, which made the pain even worse. She could still see everything perfectly fine when she opened her eyes again. The dance floor was packed full of drunk bodies moving around in sync with the beat of whatever music was playing.
• That night, all she wanted to do was get drunk and return home, forgetting all these things ever happened. Maybe when she woke up, it would look like a dream.
• “What can I get you, ma'am?” The bartender asked her kindly, and she looked up at him with glassy eyes. “Do you want something sweet?” He asked again, and she stared blankly at him, unsure how to answer. Her mind was blank. She just needed to get rid of this pain so badly right now, but she couldn't.
• “Just give me beer. 5 bottles would be manageable,” She said, and the bartender gasped.
• “Ma'am, you don't look like someone who would finish 5 bottles of beer. It's too much, and you might pass out.” He said, but she glared at him.
• “I am the customer here, and you should give me whatever I asked for because it's my order. You have no right to tell me whether I'm alcohol tolerant or not!” She snapped.
• The bartender knew something was wrong with her, but that doesn't mean she should resort to drinking. Well, it was his job and he must do it, so he nodded his head.
• He took 5 glasses of beer while Amber kept looking at him from afar. When the beers arrived, she didn't bother checking whether they were ice-cold or warm, but threw them back and chugged the contents until the whole glass was empty. She slammed it onto the table, making all the glassware shake. She ignored it and picked the next round. After that came 2 more beers.
• By the end of the night, Amber was on the verge of passing out. All she could think was, 'I'm done'.
• After another few rounds, the bartender saw she was having trouble walking. He wanted to help her, but she stopped him.
• The alcohol made her numb as she stumbled her way towards the exit. As she passed by an open door, Amber felt someone grab her arm roughly. The grip tightened as she turned her head to glare at him.
• “Where are you going, pretty?” He asked, looking into her beautiful brown eyes.
• Amber took in his features even in her drunken state. His dark hair was styled neatly above his forehead and his eyes were almost black, making them stand out. He was tall and slim, with sharp cheekbones and a thin nose. He wore simple black skinny jeans and a gray shirt. Amber noticed he was also wearing a ring on his left hand. He was cute and she had to admit that.
• “You're good-looking, do you know that?” She chuckled drunkenly.
• “Really? That's what I love to hear. Do you mind having a drink with me?” He asked, and Amber nodded immediately.
• He led her to a booth where he ordered her another beer while Amber sat down.
• “What's your name?” He asked politely.
• "Amber,” Amber answered and giggled. “I'm Amber, but everyone calls me Amy because my middle name means flower.” She smiled brightly. She was completely smitten by the alcohol.
• He chuckled lightly.
• “You know, I just got fired from work today,” Amber said as she gulped down the first glass, tears rolling down her cheeks.
• The bartender looked at the two drunk people in front of him and sighed. Although he couldn't make out the face of the guy, he saw Amber's face clearly. How much more were they going to take before they stopped?
• “I have a lot going on in my mind, I broke some dishes and my boss terminated my employment,” She snickered sadly with her eyes half closed. “That job was the only job I had; it wasn't much, but it paid the bills and that sleazy scumbag dismissed me!” She snapped.
• “I have a problem too. My fiancée cheated on me and didn't feel bad for what she did. I loved her so much and was ready to marry her, but she fucking cheated on me with another guy!” He snapped drowsily.
• “She's a fool to have cheated on someone as good-looking as you are.” She giggled.
• The man reached for her jaw and held it up, so she would look into his eyes. “Are you going to leave me too?” He asked.
• “Why would I? Even I need something to hold on to.” She smiled.
• “Come with me,” He stood up and staggered, almost falling flat on his face while Amber followed. He held her wrist and led her to a room in the bar.
• He pinned her to the wall and stared into her eyes.
• “Your eyes are beautiful. What is your name?” He asked, tracing a line with his fingers from her lips, to her chin, then to her neck. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the touch of his thumb.
• “You've asked me that question before, and I said Amber, but you haven't told me yours.” She giggled and leaned in to his touch.
• “Xavier,” His voice was low and husky.
• “Nice name.” Her breath quickened as his hands continued exploring her body. He lifted her jaw, so she could look at him, and before she could say anything, he slammed his lips on hers.