Retail Worker – Chapter 15
How Dare These Security Guards
An angry voice echoed from the staff entrance.
Liz, who was on her way home after finishing her shift, stormed toward the exit.
"Where the hell is the security guard?" she shouted.
She folded her arms, refusing to leave the store until a female security guard arrived to conduct the required body search.
Traffic, the head security guard, looked around before replying.
"I think she's in the ladies' room."
The moment Jess heard that, she marched over with an irritated expression.
"There she goes again," Jess muttered. "She always disappears for smoke breaks. These security guards need to be reported. They hardly ever search us properly. If one female guard is using the restroom, another should be there to relieve her. This is ridiculous."
Other employees who were waiting to leave began agreeing with her.
Some were waiting to go on lunch, while others had already finished their shifts and wanted to go home. Company policy required every employee to be searched before leaving the premises.
"These security guards aren't even doing their jobs properly," one employee complained. "Do you ever see them catching thieves?"
Another female employee sighed.
"I'm going to miss my bus at this rate."
"Let's go complain to Mr. Adams," another suggested. "I've had enough of this."
Liz nodded angrily.
"Let's do it."
As the group of women headed toward the office, the missing female security guard, Limeeta, finally appeared.
She looked at them in confusion.
"And where are all of you going?"
Jess stepped forward.
"We've had enough of you. We're reporting you to Mr. Adams. He needs to replace you with better security guards who actually do their jobs."
Limeeta simply stared at them before letting out a tired sigh.
"Go ahead," she replied calmly. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time. As you can see, I'm working alone today. My colleagues are exhausted. We work long shifts with only one day off each week. We have families too."
She pointed toward the exit.
"You want to report me? Fine. But I'll tell on you too."
Jess frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"How many times have you disappeared during working hours for smoke breaks? If Mr. Adams finds out, you'll be signing a warning. And how many of you have hidden unpaid items in your pockets before I let you go? That's theft. You could lose your jobs."
The women fell silent.
"We're all here to provide for our families," Limeeta continued. "If you want to play this game, I'll play along. I can't even take a bathroom break without someone assuming I'm avoiding work."
Without another word, she calmly returned to her post.
The staff exchanged embarrassed glances before slowly walking back toward the staff entrance. None of them spoke.
An awkward silence filled the room.
Suddenly, another employee greeted Limeeta as he left the store.
"Sorry," he said. "She whispers too much."
After the day's shift had finally ended, I made my way toward the staff entrance.
"Lance!" a familiar voice called.
I turned around.
Layla hurried toward me before stopping only a few steps away.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
She hesitated before speaking.
"Lance... I'm worried about you."
I smiled reassuringly.
"You don't have to worry. I'll be fine."
She looked down at the floor.
"Thank you."
Before I could say anything else, she suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Lance... we both know someone has been watching me lately."
I nodded.
"I know."
"The person stalking me has kept me busy," she admitted. "I haven't had much time for you."
I gently smiled.
"Layla, don't worry about me. Search for whoever is stalking you first."
"But your shift is over," she replied softly. "I came to take you home."
At that moment, both of us froze.
Confusion spread across Layla's face as she stared over my shoulder.
"Lance..." she whispered.
I turned around.
Standing a few metres away was Lance's older brother.
His cold eyes were locked on me.
"So, you're the ordinary staff member?" he asked.
I narrowed my eyes.
"And you're Lance's brother."
He gave a faint smile.
"I'm a trainee manager."
His gaze shifted to Layla.
"I've heard a lot about what Marcus said. I wonder..."
He looked directly into my eyes.
"Is what Marcus said really true?"
End of Chapter 15