Don't Touch

Cheryl might be right about my no tolerance policy, but this is different. This isn't just about another employee who's a no show, or someone who shows up late constantly. This is about a girl who somehow inserted herself in my life in a way that I could never have seen coming.

I can't just let her go like this. I need more than just some words on paper. I need to hear it directly from her. Let her tell me this to my face. If this is what she really wants, then I'll let her have it, but not until I know why.

Bang bang bang, I pound her door with my fist. “Arisa!” I call out, slamming on the door again. “Arisa, open up!”

The door cracks open, and she peeks out at me. “What do you want, Monroe?”

“An explanation, that's what I want.”

“I gave you one in the note I left you. What more do you want me to say?” There's a quiver in her voice as if she's trying to stop herself from crying.

“Open the door, let's talk about this.”

“I don't want to talk.”

“I deserve a real explanation, Arisa. Open the door. I don't think it's too much to ask.”

She pulls the door open and fans out her arm. “Come in,” she says.

I take a long step inside, and she shuts the door behind me. Exhaling a heavy breath, I run my hand through my hair as I look at the ground.

“Why? Give me the real reason you're quitting. Because what your letter said doesn't make any sense. I'm confused where this is all coming from. You were smiling at me this morning, and then you're just gone.”

“It's just not working out. There's really nothing else for me to say.”

“Bullshit,” I bark, jerking my head up and glaring at her. “It doesn't make any sense. I thought you loved working at the restaurant. I thought things between us were going pretty good. What changed?”

Arisa sighs loudly, ripping her eyes away from mine and looking everywhere but at me directly. “I don't know what you want from me, Monroe. I told you why.”

“No, you gave me questions. You made it sound like I did something. What did I do? I want the truth. Tell me the truth, tell me the real reason. Because that note you left me was a bunch of shit. I don't believe you for one second that you don't want this anymore.”

“Monroe—”

“No,” I snap, cutting her off. “No more lies, Arisa. No more of this ‘it's not you, it's me’ garbage. Why are you doing this?”

Tears spring up over her eyes and her bottom lip starts to tremble. “I'm sorry, I just think it's better this way. I want to take my career in a different direction. Your restaurant just isn't for me.”

Shaking my head side to side, I take a big step forward and grab her hand. “I know you're lying to me. I can see it in your eyes. This is the last chance I'm going to give you. Tell me the truth or I walk out that door and you'll never see me again.”

She's peering up at me with big, glassy eyes. I know she's trying to stop herself from crying. Her breathing is quick, and her hands are clammy. Tears are bubbling up, threatening to burst if she dares to blink once.

I hold her hands tighter. “This is your only chance to be honest. Take it. Don't let it walk out that door.”

Her eyes shift between mine. Blinking, she sets the tears free, and they fall down her cheeks in streams. “I know what you did,” she says, her voice wobbling. “I know exactly what you did. I didn't want to do this, but I had to.”

“What the hell does that mean? What did I do?”

“Don't pretend like you don't know. Cheryl told me everything.”

“Cheryl told you what?” Tears flow like rushing water down her cheeks, but she isn't answering me. “What did she tell you? Because I'm blank, Arisa. I really have no clue what you're talking about.”

“Oh no?” she asks, tilting her head into her shoulder. “You don't know anything about the money my brother paid you to hire me?” Sniffling, her voice hiccups between inhales.

“Money? What money?”

“Stop acting stupid, she told me all about it.” Arisa rips her hands free from mine and takes a step back. “I know my brother paid you to hire me. I know I'm only here because he offered you enough to make it worth your while. How much am I worth? How much was enough to let me into your kitchen?”

My lids lower as confusion fills my expression. “Money? Tom never gave me any money to hire you. Why the hell would you even think that?”

She rolls her eyes, wiping her cheeks. “Yeah, okay. You expect me to believe that? Do I look that gullible? You might be used to being able to talk your way out of things, but not this. Not with me.”