Chapter 2: Uncomfortable Work
1542 Words
Halliyah's P.O.V
“Good morning, Halliyah," the guard at DaFood greeted me when he opened the glass door, but I can't remember his name.
"Good morning," I greeted him back and went inside.
There are already a few customers here this early. There are already three occupied tables and two of my co-worker's service crew are here. We just nodded at each other before I went into the bathroom to change my uniform.
I grip my hair in a ponytail and put on a cap as part of our uniform at the fast food restaurants. I stepped back when I opened the door and was about to go out, but our manager, Sir Winston, appeared in front of me.
I swallowed and blinked. "G-Good morning, sir,” I greeted him with a lower voice at the same time as my heart was beating loud and fast.
Because of nervousness.
My nervousness never really vanishes every time I'm in front of him. I don't like his presence. I have been uncomfortable with him for a long time already.
"Good morning. Halliyah," he greeted back and I flinched when he suddenly grabbed my arm. He laughed softly. "Chill, Halliyah. You seem very nervous."
I swallowed again. I took a deep breath and shook my head. "I-I'm not nervous, sir. Excuse me, I'm going to work," I bid goodbye as I looked down.
I removed his grip on my arm. I walked past him as fast as I could to get him rid of my sight. I left him there. I went straight to my place at the cashier's and closed my eyes tightly.
"Halliyah? Are you okay?"
I turned to Jessa, my colleague here at the cashier. I tried to smile at her and nodded.
After a while, a new customer came in and came in front of me. I waited for him to think of what to order first.
While waiting for this customer's order, I noticed Sir Winston just walking around and standing on the edge of the table with the customers eating and then talking to them with a smile.
I looked away when his eyes landed on me. I tried to glance at him again, but he just looked back and grinned at me.
"Miss, an order for Combo 4."
My attention returned to the man ordering. "What are the sides and drinks, sir?" I asked.
"Fries and coke float."
I nodded and patched his order. While waiting for the receipt, I took a tray and placed the water, soy sauce and chili sauce condiments, and the table number. After the receipt came out, I put it on the tray before handing it to him later.
I smiled and said, "Thank you for ordering. Hope you enjoy your meal later!”
That's all I did the whole time I worked here at Fastfood. This restaurant is also popular, so many people actually come.
It's just tiring because I'm standing all the time so my feet hurt so much. Though I know that I have to endure this for my family.
When lunchtime came, I realized that I had forgotten to pack my lunch. I just let Jessa eat first.
"I'll take care of this, you should eat now," I said to her.
"Alright, alright. I'll eat first, ah," she also said goodbye, to which I just nodded.
There are already many customers because it is already lunchtime. However, I was the only one this time to handle their orders because it took Jessa time to eat. The service became a bit slower.
"Halliyah, is everything alright?"
I almost jumped when someone spoke from behind me but his face was right next to my ear. He asked me that in a whisper.
"S-Sir, yes, sir."
I swallowed for the ninth time and couldn't help but get nervous again because he was so close to me, but I insisted on continuing to patch the orders properly even though my hand was already shaking a bit.
"The line is long and it's taking you too long to get their orders, Halliyah." I just nodded and ignored him. "Ma'am, sir, I'm sorry for the delay. The other cashier is on break," he apologized to the customers. There was no response from them.
Maybe he said that on purpose so his suspicious behavior wouldn't be obvious. I don't feel comfortable with him behind me and I feel that our bodies are just too close.
I just breathed a sigh of relief when he left. I even thanked the Lord because, fortunately, he just stood behind me and nothing else happened.
A few minutes passed, and only a few were left in line when Jessa returned.
"I'm done. You can eat."
Without a word, I left the cashier and entered the locker room. My other co-workers are also here and eating. I took out my wallet to see how much money I had.
Two hundred.
I can't spend it. This is where I will get my fares for the next few days, e.
I just held my breath because I can feel it now. The hunger in my stomach made a not-so-loud noise. It's already past one o'clock.
"Halliyah." All of us inside the locker room looked at Sir Winston who was already at the door. "Come to my office."
"S-Sir?" I asked with wide eyes.
He didn't answer and just left. I swallowed again and looked at my colleagues.
The two female crew members next to each other suddenly whispered while looking at me with judgment. It seemed like they were whispering something about me.
What does Sir need from me? Why did he want me to go to his office? Is it because of the delay earlier? But that's the scene here almost every day at lunchtime.
I just sighed and stood up. I just ignored their looks at me and left the locker room. I stopped in front of the door of our manager's office.
I knocked and heard him say that I could enter. When I went in, I didn't close the door.
"Why, sir?" I asked first.
"Close the door."
I didn't follow. I'm afraid to close this door. I have a feeling that I will not like what will happen within the four corners of this office.
I don't know if I'm just paranoid or what.
I doubt his actions and I hope I'm wrong in thinking bad about him.
He stood up and walked towards me when I didn't move. I just stood by his side when he closed it himself. I closed my eyes when he held my arm down again to my hand.
"Come and join me here," he said, and pulled me to his office table.
There I saw the foods that are also offered in this fast food restaurant. It seems that he didn't bother to buy food from the other place or store and just chose the food there. From what I see, the food is good for two people.
"S-Sir?" I doubt.
"You should eat, Halliyah."
I just stared at the food though I was awfully hungry at the moment. My stomach growled even more because of their aromatic smell.
"Sit down now."
After he said that, without a second thought, I sat down and started eating the chicken with rice. I even forgot that Sir Winston was just right in front of me. I'm really hungry and I can't take it anymore.
"Just take it easy," he reminded me as I just nodded while taking one bite after another. "Don't be shy with me, okay? I noticed that you seemed shy to talk to me."
I didn't pay attention to what he was saying because I was just focused on eating. He has even eaten. Silence prevailed during the few minutes we ate.
When I finished, I just leaned back in the chair. I even burped, so I immediately apologized to him. He then laughed softly.
He looks like his age and is only playing between 27 and 30, but I'm not comfortable with him approaching me.
"Halliyah, would you mind if I dropped you off later—"
"No, sir. I can handle myself," I answered quickly and stood up. "Thank you, sir. I'm done and need to go."
He just let me turn my back on him. After I got out, I was able to breathe easily but I heard a whisper coming from the same girl from the locker room.
"Looks like someone sucked again," said one of the women who passed in front of me.
I ignored them and just went back to the cashier to finish my work. At 9 pm we were closing so I booked FlashRide again. I'm also afraid of traveling alone at night, that's why.
"Goodbye, everyone. Take care on your way home," Sir Winston bid goodbye to us and looked at me for the last time.
I just nodded and left DaFood. When I saw that FlashRide was already there, I directly approached him.
"Hey—" my words were cut off when I saw his face and his familiar motorcycle.
For the second time, I saw his white and bright teeth when he smiled. "Hi, ma'am. Good evening."
It's him again?
- Writer
