Page 41 of Scorned
“I told you she was nice. And her dimples are so adorable.” My mom grinned while she gushed.
Knowing how ruthless Vivi was behind those dimples sent shivers through my body.
An adorable killing machine.
After a few minutes of trying to decide what I wanted, Vivi came back, and I picked something simple to eat. “I’ll have the small soup and salad combo.”
“Which salad and which soup?”
I hadn’t picked what kind because I had a thousand questions.
How did she get the uniform? The Carol nametag? The job? Does she even know what she’s doing?
But I was mostly concerned with my food being incorrect.
“Caesar salad with chicken noodle,” I mumbled, then handed her the menu.
“I’ll take the same, but with a chef salad,” my mom added.
Vivi wrote on a pad like she was a professional server. “Got it.” She continued to smile, strolling off.
“How are, umm . . .”
I knew my mom was asking about Lyric and Erik, but was afraid to say their names. Anyone could be watching or listening, making everything we say potentially dangerous. I wasn’t worried about me, but I would kill for her, so I kept as vague as possible.
“They’re good. They said to tell you hi.”
“I miss them.” Tears brimmed her eyes as she cleared her throat. She reached her hand back to the center of the table. “I also miss my baby.”
Grabbing her hand once more, I squeezed it, reassuring her everything would be okay.
“How have you been?” she asked, her other hand clasping mine in between hers.
“I’ve been fine.”
My mom’s soft eyes turned worried. “I didn’t want to say anything, but you seem to have lost weight, sweetheart. Do you have food where you are?”
A large sigh left me. “I’m fine. I’m working on feeling like myself again.”
“That’s good. Anything I can do to help? Do you need money?”
My teeth bit down on my bottom lip while I decided if now was the time to ask the dreaded question. Realizing the situation wasn’t going to go away unless I did, I leaned over the table and whispered, “I need to know where VRC is.”
“I can’t believe . . .” She released my hands, furiously shaking her head. “How can you ask me that? You know if your father—”
Vivi set my mom’s salad down, interrupting our conversation. “I hope you’re hungry. I accidentally ordered the wrong size salad for you, but I only charged you for the small.”
“Thank you, Carol.” My mom sighed as she picked up her fork. Her stare met mine in disbelief. She pressed her lips tightly together, her eyes scolding me for asking.
“And here’s your burger.” Vivi laid my plate in front of me and my mouth fell open.
“That’s not what I—”
“It’s fine, Marie.” My mom gave me a look which said I shouldn’t complain. She was the biggest supporter of anyone working for tips since she had done it as a teenager.
I was also a huge supporter, but I knew damn well Vivi did this on purpose. Probably trying to get some decent food in me.
My eyes narrowed on her as I gritted my teeth. “Thanks.”
