Gianna (Contract Marriage)

“Mom I'm done preparing your food.” I said while I run towards my room to get my bag. “Oh Gianna you'll be late for work again” My mom sighed. “I told you not to bother, I can cope.” she said while walking into the kitchen to check what I prepared. Without hesitation, I rushed out of my room wearing the right foot of my shoe and struggling to put on the other foot. “I know, I know.” I muttered. “You should eat, take your drugs, and rest Mrs George.” I said playfully as we both smiled at each other. “Oh how you remind me of your late Father, he was so playful to me just like you're, and—” “Mom I'm off to work,” I piped in quickly, so I won't spend more time at home, I was already running late. “Alright see you after work then.” she replied and saw me off to the door. I could hear my heart beat faster than normal as I ran as fast as I could to the bus station and got on a bus before Mr Lawrence, the manager, started calling my phone. Thankfully I reached without Mr Lawrence giving me a call which was abnormal, but that didn't change the fact that I was already late. Ugh, I hate it when I'm late! I headed to the restaurant's counter and started carrying out my duties right away. “Gianna you're late again.” a familiar voice from behind whispered furiously. “Hey Abigail.” I waved with a fake smile on my face. Abigail is the only friend I have at home and at work, she often covers for me whenever I'm not early to work. We both go home together after work because we stay in the same neighborhood, but never come to work together because I mostly come late to work. She's obviously more serious at work than I am. Well of course she should, she has two female siblings who assist her with other chores at home and I don't. It's just me and my recovering mom. “I know I'm late, it's just that—” “Abigail, table six has been waiting over six minutes for someone to come and take their food order,” Mr Lawrence interrupted. “Yes I was just about to go take their order.” Abigail said as she went out of sight immediately. Mr Lawrence stood and stared at me in exasperation. I felt my shoulders slump. Oh yes, I knew I was in trouble, and it was just about to go down. I blinked at him trying hard to ignore the fact that he was still staring angrily at me. When I realized that the wrinkles on his forehead has risen, I gave him the fakest smile I could produce. “I'll be right over” “There won't be any need for that,” he replied and slowly walked towards me with the wrinkles on his forehead still not relaxed yet. “I want you in my office right now!” In his office? The last time Mr Lawrence summoned a worker in the restaurant to his office, she came out with tears filled in her eyes, she actually got fired. I knew I was in trouble, but this trouble just got worse for me. As I followed Mr Lawrence behind to his office I saw an aged man on table four staring at me, looked like someone in his early 70s and equally looked very wealthy, the cloth on him was made from cashmere, his wristwatch and ring was a shiny gold, his shoes were definitely moon star shoe. “This is not my problem right now.” I soliloquized as I looked away. My problem is walking right in front of me. In no time we were in the office, if there was a place any decision is going to be made about my situation, then it's in here. “Do you have any idea how many guests left the restaurant early this morning because of lack of attention?” Mr Lawrence asked in a strained voice. I felt shaky and a bit confused. Like how am I the main reason for that. “No, I don't,” I replied humbly. “Two of which were very important guests” “I'm so sorry, but I can ex—” “I can't let this slide no matter your explanation,” Mr Lawrence told me, letting out a deep sigh. “You can't just come to work anytime you feel like. That's callousness” “I'm sorry It wasn't my intention to come late, I just had to prepare something for—” “Of course you're sorry. But as I said you won't go unpunished this time so that others can learn from your mistake.” “You're a good worker. I don't want to lose you. But I'm going to suspend you Gianna,” he decided. “You'll need sometime away to probably clear your head and get things together again. You're suspended for twelve mon—” “a..hem,” someone interposed quickly clearing a throat. Oh, it's Abigail. “Sorry Mr Lawrence but there's an aged man on table four that needs your attention” “Why can't you just attend to him Abigail?” he asked gallingly. “He was précised, he asked for you, he said his name is Mr William Charl—” “Oh My!” He barged in. “Why didn't you tell me it was Mr William Charles?” he mumbled innocently. “You wait here for me!” pointed toward me as he hurried out of his office. My heart skipped a beat. Suspend me? Oh no, I couldn't afford to be suspended, not now when my mom is trying to recover. Even though the pay was little, I still needed it. “He's going to suspend me, that's what he has decided.” I said in a quavering voice to Abigail who stood gazing at me pathetically. “What!” her voice sounding astounded. “Although you mostly come to work late, but he shouldn't suspend you.” she said while holding my hand in pity. “He just did” “You should apologize to him and even appeal to him that it won't happen again, and—” Just as Abigail was trying hard to console me with some advices she sighted Mr Lawrence walking back to the office. “Gianna, let's talk later.” She told me and hasted out of the office to resume her duties. The next words from Mr Lawrence will be very decisive at this point. I was getting ready to implore him for his forgiveness as he walked into his office with the wrinkles on his forehead relaxed, and he was smiling at me. Why is he smiling at me, I thought he was about to ask me out of his office? “You may resume your work duties,” he finally said still smiling at me. “What?” “You're no longer suspended and may resume your duties,” he permitted. “But you're only to serve table four where Mr William Charles is seated. Every day, when you come to work you must serve only the table where Mr William Charles is seated. Any day you fail to come to work, then you're fired!” “I understand,” I responded confusedly as I walked out of his office headed to table four. When I got to table four, I realized that Mr William Charles wasn't there. He must have left. Upon looking closer, I found a little envelope with my name written on it. With curiosity, I stretched my hand to pick and open the envelope. There was a little note that said, “your tip.” I flipped the note over to see the tip amount. $12,000 What! I got more confused than happy, this is so strange. Why wasn't I suspended anymore? Why was Mr Lawrence adamant I served only Mr William Charles? And why such a huge amount of tip for doing nothing? My curiosity rose without an answer.