Threads Of Deception

Chapter2:Dismissal

Kenneth and his daughter finally arrived. The frown lines on his forehead showed he was clearly still annoyed at his earlier encounter with the strange lady, but they were soon replaced with a softer expression when he heard Crystal’s excited voice.

“Daddy!” She screamed excitedly, pointing at the toy shop.

Kenneth couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. He picked her up, the earlier annoyance melting away as he stepped out of the car with his child in his arms.

They entered the toy shop and almost instantly, a lady began to approach them, her face breaking into a warm smile.

Crystal wiggled out of her father’s arms and ran toward the lady with her arms spread wide.

The lady, Becky, knelt to catch Crystal in a loving embrace. “Hi, Crystal,” she said, lifting her up. “Oh, my sweet child. I have missed you so much!”

Kenneth tugged his lips into a smile as he watched them. “Good morning, Becky.” He greeted her as she set Crystal back down.

Becky glanced up at him, a look of surprise on her face. “Oh, Kenneth! Why didn’t you tell me you were coming over today? She asked, her tone playful.

Kenneth chuckled softly, nodding his head towards his daughter who was already admiring the toys in the corner. “It’s my princess’s birthday today,” he said. “Did you forget?”

“Silly me!” Becky said, tapping her forehead. “How could I forget her birthday? Gosh! I think I am getting old already.” They both chuckled.

Becky’s eyes suddenly went over Kenneth’s shoulder, and she caught sight of her staff, Faith, setting her bicycle down and dusting her dirty dress.

Becky sighed. “I'll be with you shortly, Kenneth.” She said, urging him to go ahead and pick up the things he wanted.

Kenneth moved over to his daughter, watching her as she admired the toys and grabbed the ones she liked. “Daddy, I like this one!” Crystal cried out happily.

“Now, as if coming to the shop late wasn’t enough, you now also come here looking like a dirty rag?” Becky’s voice raged from the corner, causing Kenneth to turn over to the direction where the sound was coming from.

Although he couldn’t get a better view of the scene because there were huge toys blocking the view, he could hear a younger voice pleading.

“Please ma,” she pleaded. “I got into an accident and I fractured an ankle. I couldn’t ride fast.” Faith lied.

A few hours ago, Faith dashed out of the house without saying goodbye to her father, who sat outside taking in the morning sun.

Her heart continued to race as she jumped on her bicycle and began to ride to work. She wondered how her alarm didn’t wake her up on that particular morning, a Monday morning for that matter.

And as if that wasn’t enough, she almost got hit by a car, which also cost her some of her time.

She knew she was going to be in hot soup when she saw her madam, Becky, but little did she know it was going to be her last day working at the toy shop.

Faith went on her knees, crying and pleading to Becky. “Please ma, it will never happen again. Just this last time and I will never make such a mistake again.”

Becky hissed. “You are fired, Faith. I can’t have you messing around my shop. You have been here for barely two months and I have had to forgive you countless times for silly mistakes. This draws the line for me. How do you come to my shop looking like this!” She yelled, scanning her dirty dress again.

Faith wouldn’t give up. “Please, ma, I can quickly…”

“Leave!” Becky yelled, her tone sharp and uncompromising. “Go to the locker room, pick your things and get out!”

Faith stood frozen for a moment, her eyes a mixture of shock and frustration. She finally lowered her gaze, defeated. There was nothing she could do to change madam Becky’s mind. She turned around and began to walk to the locker room.

“What is wrong, Becky?” Kenneth called out from behind, his voice laced with concern.

Becky spun around to face him, her expression fraught with frustration. She let out a long sigh, her hand brushing through her hair.

“These staff members don’t know when to draw the line.” She answered, her voice tinged with anger. “How could she come to my shop looking like that?!” Her hand shot out, gesturing toward Faith who was already disappearing into the locker room.

Kenneth raised his head up to see the staff. His eyes caught sight of the dress Faith was wearing - it was unmistakable.

“Kenneth, I must go now. Don’t bother paying for whatever Crystal picks. That's my gift to her.” Becky said.

Kenneth smiled and Becky shook her head, turning around as she went out of sight. He turned his gaze back at the locker door, wondering if his mind was playing games with him.

He was sure that was the same lady he had met earlier, but he chose not to create a scene and quietly went back to his daughter.

They were soon done with toy shopping. As they waited for the sales clerk to pack up the toys, Crystal wouldn’t stay calm. She was already too full of excitement and energy to stay still.

Crystal ran into Faith, not noticing when she stepped out of the locker room. The collision was gentle but enough to send Crystal stumbling backward, and she began to cry, her voice gathering the attention of everyone around.

Faith quickly reached out to her. “Oh little girl, are you okay?” She asked with concern, kneeling down to meet the child.

Kenneth moved there in an instant, his expression hardening as he pulled Crystal away from Faith. “Stay away from my child, you filthy thing!”

Faith flinched at the venom in his voice but then, as her eyes met Kenneth, surprise washed over her. “You?” She asked, this time, trying to stand up defensively.

“Yes, me! Are you here to cause some trouble again?” Kenneth snapped.

She rolled her eyes at him. “First your driver bumped into me, and now your child, but here you are, still blaming me! What the hell?!”