Royalty Gone Bad novel Chapter 13

Asahd’s POV:

I stood in front of the apartment’s door that evening, adjusting and frowning so Djafar and Saïda would see that I was still very pissed at both of them.

I entered the apartment and found them watching TV. Apparently they’d bought one that day.

“Good evening, dear. How did it go today?” Djafar asked with concern.

It was hard ignoring and staying mad at him. Very hard. But I had to. I wasn’t going to forgive him or my parents so easily, after what they’d done to me. At all.

I banged the door behind me, frowning. Then, I stepped closer and threw my new uniform on the little table that was at the centre of that little living room. That apartment could be my whole room back in Zagreh, joint with the dressing room and bathroom, altogether.

-

They stared at the T-shirt in confusion. I finally spoke:

“Got a job as a waiter. I start tomorrow at eight.”

I saw their expressions brighten and surprise take over.

“Oh my, this is great!” Djafar exclaimed happily while Saïda smiled and clapped. “I knew y–”

“It’s thanks to none of you, so save your appraisals,” I cut in rudely, picking the T-shirt up. “The place is literally at the other end of the town. I’ll have to wake up two hours before time to get there on time. They said if I’m late, I’ll get fired.”

“You won’t. I trust you to be on time,” Djafar said happily. “I’m so glad, my dear Asahd. So happy for you.”

“I don’t need your trust or happiness,” I retorted. “You betrayed me and now I don’t give a shit about what you or miss smart mouth here, think.”

Saïda smiled, undisturbed unlike her father.

“Meaning you used to give a shit about what I say?” she teased with her smile still on.

I scoffed.

“Fuck you,” I rolled my eyes and turned to her father. “I won’t be able to cope with this early issue. It’s too much. There’s traffic like crazy every morning in this city. I night be forced to even wake up three hours before time. You need to fix that problem.”

“How?” Djafar asked.

“A car. I need a car,” I replied, casually.

“Tsk! Wait for it,” Saïda scoffed, picking her soda can up for a sip. “You’ll have to wake up early, Asahd. Like it or not.”

“Who spoke to you?” I asked with a frown and hit the soda can, causing the drink to pour on her chest.

“Aah! Father!” she squealed when the cold drink poured on her.

“Father,” I mimicked in a tiny voice. “Next will be your brows shaved while you’re asleep.”

“Enough,” Djafar shook his head in exasperation. Then he turned to me. “Asahd, I think a car is too much to ask. You’re supposed to learn things the hard way.”

My eyes grew wide.

“I’ll wake up at five every morning?! Is that fair? Djafar I’ll finish work at 10pm every fricken day! And I’ll make it back home at 11 because of the traffic or if I don’t find a cab fast enough. When do I rest? I’ll have to shower and eat and by then, it’ll be to midnight or so. How many hours of sleep??”

They didn’t answer and the lump in my throat grew bigger and my mouth, bitter.