Black coffee (13)

Bella started her night shift. She hated this job the most because it was so boring and she could not read to pass the time.

It was a long night, as 2 am hit, the next guy came in. She then waited for Bret to pick her up.

She hated relying on her brother but she had no choice it was the reason she gave up these jobs. He worried about her safety at night.

She slept on the way home and dragged herself to the shower and bed.

Bret worried she was just starting to gain weight and now she was back working to hard and knew she would not eat properly.

The next morning he had a talk with his sisters.

"You both need to cut your classes down and give your sister a break."

"Why should we?" Betty asked.

"Bella is going back to three jobs and it almost killed her last time. How much more schooling do you need?"

"Ben got to go for four years and so did you, so why can't we go know?"Babs said.

"Just cut one class and get a part time job to help." Bret said as he walked away to wake up Bella.

"I know both of you are not in school. You need to come clean before something really happens to Bella." Ben said getting up to leave for work.

"How did he know?" the girls said to each other. They were to pretty to work right now so they were going to keep their mouth shut.

Bret knocked on Bella door "Time to get Bella. I know you don't have to be to work till 10 but you need to eat."

"I'm up, I'll be down soon." It took her 15 minutes to dress and head down. She ate the breakfast left by Bret but everyone was already gone. It was 8 am so she decided to read a little.

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇ THE GOOSE-GIRL cont:

When the bride had finished drinking, and would have got upon Falada again, the maid said, "I shall ride upon Falada, and you may have my horse instead;" so she was forced to give up her horse, and soon afterwards to take off her royal clothes, and put on her maid's shabby ones.

At last, as they drew near the end of the journey, this treacherous servant threatened to kill her mistress if she ever told anyone what had happened.

But Falada saw it all, and marked it well. Then the waiting-maid got upon Falada, and the real bride was set upon the other horse, and they went on in this way till at last they came to the royal court.

There was great joy at their coming, and the prince hurried to meet them, and lifted the maid from her horse, thinking she was the one who was to be his wife; and she was led upstairs to the royal chamber, but the true princess was told to stay in the court below.

However, the old king happened to be looking out of the window, and saw her in the yard below; and as she looked very pretty, and too delicate for a waiting-maid, he went into the royal chamber to ask the bride whom it was she had brought with her, that was thus left standing in the court below.

"I brought her with me for the sake of her company on the road," said she. "Pray give the girl some work to do, that she may not be idle."

The old king could not for some time think of any work for her, but at last he said, "I have a lad who takes care of my geese; she may go and help him."

◇◇◇♡♡♡◇◇◇

Bella loved the old classic stories and found that sometimes they hit true to home. There was always someone trying to take what does not belong to them. But she also knew there was no happy ending.

She leaves for the cafe she knows from the past that Friday are very busy. So tips should be good. She smiles as she waits on customers. Then she hears a familiar voice.

"Miss could I have some black coffee please?"

She froze for a moment the walked over with coffee and a cup. "Will this be all?" She asked.

"Bella how are you?" Zane asked.

"Fine Mr. Heart and you?" She said.

He shook his head, "Must I remind you again call me Zane."

"Will this be all Sir or can I get you something to eat too?" She said.

"Bella, don't be like this please." Zane took her hand.

"Sir, this is my place of employment keep you hands to your self now will there be anything else?" Bella said.

He shook his head no and she put a ticket for the coffee on the table and walked off.

It took him all day to find out were she was working. Why was she being so cold?

When he watched her step out for a break he followed her.

"Bella talk to me please." He said. She walked to a bench a few stores down and he sat down next to her.

"What do you want?" Bella asked.

"For you to talk to me." he said.

"What about?" She crossed her arms.

"I'm sorry. I did not know that my mother and Heather would do that."

"It does not matter. Your fiancée is of your class and is the person your family wants. I just got hurt cleaning your home. You owe me nothing." Bella was going to stand up but he stopped her.

"Please, come work for me. It will be better hours and a lot better pay. It's the least I can do." He said.

Bella stood up and pushed him, "I don't need or want your charity. Please just leave me alone. My break is over."

He watched her walk away. Why does he always put his foot in his mouth.

He had to find a way to reach her heart.