Chapter 13 - Diana
Five Days Later
Marian was right that being a manager didn’t take much other than being keen on detail and organization. I’d handled deliveries and bookkeeping before and inventory, too, so I at least had a little experience.
While I’d be doing those things on a much larger scale, Marian was a good teacher, and I was a fast learner.
I started last Friday, following my dinner with Marian Thursday evening.
After my interview with her at 9 am Friday, we went right into touring the supermarket and a run-through of my duties. Now that it was Monday, there weren’t many customers, but I didn’t mind that. I was still getting the hang of things.
Marian wasn’t kidding, the pay was good, and I even had a small office and Sundays offplusa chosen day in the week and healthcare.
As for Dad, he landed a job at a mechanic’s shop across town owned by a member of Silverdawn Pack. That was freaking amazing, for Dad had been friends with the owner for years, and them being from different packs didn’t matter.
Things were really looking up for us, but I’d known Dad wouldn’t have had much trouble finding work. He’d always been an honorable man and respected by those in town.
After updating a few documents and familiarizing myself with prices, I decided to check on the others before taking my lunch break. There were eight employees in total, with me being the ninth, and they were all from different species.
I was introduced to four on Friday and the rest on Saturday, and so far, they were welcoming.
Today only four employees were working, two cashiers, another stocking shelves, and the other in the baked goods section.
This wasn’t the nursing career I’d seen myself pursuing, but it was better than working as a waitress or making minimum wage and below at a bar. Who was I kidding? This was heaven for me.
While strolling through the aisles, I made a mental note to give Marian a gift for her kindness. I was grateful to her. I hadn’t felt this content in a long time.
I had a job, a home, my father was okay, and after a few months of saving, we’d be well enough not to worry financially. The pack didn’t have to pool our earnings anymore, and Dad and I were equally simple.
We preferred a minimalist life, so after realizing how much I’d be making, I recalled my earlier plans of leaving the pack.
Now that Dad and I could see a future, and he was reminded of what it meant to be at peace, I was sure I could persuade him to leave the pack, especially after what happened with Colin slapping me.
I gritted my teeth at the memory because that was the second time Colin dared to attack me.
I knew it was eating at Dad and that he’d wanted to defend me more but couldn’t. We didn’t need to endure Colin’s rule anymore. We’d have enough to rent somewhere in town in a few months and could live well even as rogues.
Why are you open to becoming a rogue but hesitant to be with Kaleem?
I frowned at that pestering voice, but it gave me something else to think about. Could Kaleem and I have a future if I went through with my plans to leave the pack?
“Hey, do you need any help?” I asked the satyr who was unpacking honey on the lowest shelve.
Her upper half was that of a woman, and the lower was a goat, but she was wearing pants to prevent shedding. I didn’t need to pack shelves, but I was more than willing to, especially if it was a good distraction.
“Hey, boss,” Valari replied while her green eyes squinted as she smiled. “Thanks, but I’ve got it. I do have four boxes to unpack in the baby section soon.”
I nodded. “Okay, let me know when you’ll be getting on that.”
Valari looked thankful but confused. “You know, we can handle packing the shelves and such. The last manager didn’t hang around in the store much.”
“Well, I’m not your last manager,” I said with a smile. “I plan on hanging around often. Not hovering,” I clarified quickly, and she laughed. “Just helping.”
“Cool,” Valari replied, and a familiar scent filled the supermarket.
I held my breath, and my face dropped when Kaleem appeared at the end of the aisle.
“Diana,” he called low, and Valari turned to look at him, stepped back towards me, and spun around.