Amber's POV

"AMBER! where the hell is this girl? It's late." I could hear dad's voice yelling and complaining from downstairs. I can't stand being in this hell-hole. I knew he was getting hungry and impatient. It was late after all, and he'd soon have to leave for work. I never asked him for a ride to my new job, yet he always gets preoccupied with me.

Mom probably drank too much again and is knocked out cold in her room. It's our never-ending cycle in this stupid house. Dad has to be mom and dad to me because mon is always complaining about her poor pathetic excuse of a life.

Dad and I try doing our best to keep this house going, but with a mother like mine that keeps on wasting our damn income on her fucking drinking and smoking habit helps nothing at all. She loves to tell us how the house is always messy and untidy.

Our house is in bad need of a fresh coat of paint as well. But van you blame us? Dad and I are always out of the house working and in school or cheer practice for me.

He and I had saved up enough to paint the house ourselves, but I did the huge mistake of not locking my room when counting the money. She hid behind my door and saw where we hid the money.

When I came back from work from the diner I have been working part-time at, the money was gone. I knew it was her. It had to be. No one else would have taken it other than her. Dad was pretty disappointed. I know he tries to hang on because he still loves her, but I have grown to despise her.

I hate that she doesn't care about dad or me. I hate that she cares only about her and that she never cares about helping out. She always complains that she was meant to have a better life. If only she had married that rich guy she met a year before marrying dad. I bet even then the guy would have long divorced her. She's nothing but a gold digger.

She has done nothing but cause us burdens and heartaches. I hate living here with her. I can't wait to leave for college. Yet a part of me wants to stay and help pops. I know he's going to have it hard when I leave. He won't have the little money I help with to pay bills and buy groceries.

"I'm almost done. One second dad." I yelled back from upstairs. I took a once-over on my mirror and fixed my shirt that had the logo of the new place I was going to be working for. I had officially quit working at the diner last night after I was called back from the new bistro opening at our local vineyard.

They wanted to make changes and hire high school and college students. It was a big deal for me, since not a lot of people in our town like hiring high school students saying we are too immature and irresponsible. They have no idea how badly I need this job.

I ran like crazy out of that diner and headed to the vineyard where I got my new shirts and apron that was to be worn while we worked. Best thing yet- I get paid a whole five dollars more than what I was getting paid at the diner.

"Come on baby girl! We gotta get going. You won't have time to eat breakfast if you don't come down here now." Dad yells one more time making me laugh.

'Alright, alright. I'm coming." I grabbed my phone and small knapsack and throttle down the stairs.

Dad stood by the table, with two plates full of pancakes, bacon, and eggs on them.

He smiled as he placed the plates down and gestured me to sit.

"There you are. Now come on, eat up. I'll drop you off at your new job on my way to work."

"Thanks, dad. but I can get there myself, I don't want you being late to your own work." I smiled and sat, grabbing my fork and digging in.

"Nonsense, I'm working just a few buildings down from you, I'll drop you off before I head on to my job."

I smiled and swallow down the bite of pancake in my mouth. "Thanks, daddy. You should stop by at lunchtime so we can eat together. I'll make sure I get my lunchtime same time as you, ok?"

"That sounds great baby. Mind if I bring a friend?" He asks cheekily.

"Of course not dad. Who's your friend? Is he one of the new guys that came to town to work on the new construction site?" I asked dad.

"Yeah, he's pretty young. But he's smart and very level-headed. Pretty mature kid for his age. You'll like him." Dad winks at me while pursing his lips.
✨✨✨✨✨✨✨

"Have a good day at work baby," Dad calls out as I exit his car. I look back and wave smiling at him.

"Thanks pops, you too." I make a peace sign with my fingers and walk away. He chuckles, nodding his head and driving away.

He doesn't really need to drive far. Dad works as a construction worker. He was hired along with a large group to construct new cabins in the vineyard that apparently will be part of the BnB that they already have.

It's pretty cool here. The vineyard has its own pond, a flower garden that guests can walk and relax in. They have a few little stores that vary from snacks to hidden restaurants, stores to buy souvenirs, wine tasting, and more.

The bistro they opened up where I will be working looks more like a fancy restaurant. It's connected to the main lobby to the BnB(bed and breakfast) and is right by the stairs towards where guests go up to their rooms. Between the stairs and the entrance to the bistro are the restrooms, and past the restroom is the entrance to the main events hall.

A lot of fancy events have happened here. Many of our folks have gotten married here. There are only two main places our town uses for fancy events; the grand hall in this vineyard, or the Mitchell's vineyard which is a few decades older than this one.

I was so excited to start working here. Things haven't worked out like I'd like to this year for me. I took this job as a sign that things would finally start to look up for me.

I didn't care that this place belonged to Sophie's parents. True, I dislike her. Why? Because she has always had the one thing I have always wanted. . . Logan's heart. I have been in love with him for years. Yet he has always had his eyes on her. Regardless of how long we were dating, he would never look at me the way he looked at her.

I tried making him jealous, telling him I had already been with other guys because he wouldn't sleep with me. It was stupid I know. I'm still a virgin though.

I haven't even slept with Carter, though, I doubt we are still dating. I haven't spoken with him since a few weeks ago.

One,- I have no interest in dating him because I only did it to make Logan mad at me. Two- he's a good kisser, but I have no feelings for him. Three- I have a feeling he likes someone else, and if that's the case, I'd rather he'd be single so he can go and date that person instead. And last but not least- regardless of how jealous I get, Sophie and Logan truly are the perfect couple without a doubt. I am beyond jealous of how good they are together.

I would be lying to you if I said I wasn't hurt by our breakup. Logan was a good friend and an amazing boyfriend, regardless of how bad I was to him. I knew we weren't a match from the start because his heart had always belonged to Sophie. Which is the real reason why I broke up with him. I regret breaking up with him. I miss him so much. I miss him yelling at me to do better in school, and to be a good person. I hate that he doesn't talk to me.

Regardless of how mean I was in the past, he'd always show kindness and he showed me that he was a true friend. I could talk to him about my problems no matter how late at night it was. He knew about it mom, and he would always show dad a lot of support.

I think I messed up big time letting go of him. It was wrong of me to try and get him in trouble when I saw that picture of Sophie in bed with him. That was my sign that I really did lose him for good.

"Hi, Mr. Pascal." I smiled and greeted my new boss. He looks over and smiles at me.

"Hi, Amber. Thanks for coming I'm early. Ready for your first day? Mr. Patterson has a big conference coming up in a few days, do you think you can help out with the preparations? It will pay overtime." He asked making my face light up. I really needed the money.  This was a big chance for me to earn extra.

"Of course, I'd love to."

"Good. For now, head into the kitchen and get acquainted with the staff. I'll you know the details later on." He smiled and walked away.

I smiled and turned on my heel. This is a good sign, right? Seems that lately, I've had nothing but bad luck. Thanks to this job, things could finally change for the best. I just hoped that I can make good changes in life, for dad, and myself. It's time I let go of bad habits and old meaningless grudges. This job was going to be that step for me.

The step to change and better my life. I'm glad I picked up that call. Things were 'finally' looking bright.

💞✨💞✨💞✨💞✨💞✨💞✨💞✨