CHAPTER3
1329 Words
CARA
The doorbell chimed as I stepped into the B2B Diner, but my anxiety overshadowed the sound. I glanced at the clock,it was five minutes past the hour.
"Five minutes late means a 5% cut from your earnings!" Mr. Boyd bellowed from the counter, his voice echoing with authority.
I bit my lip, wishing he would take a moment to ask about my lateness and why I looked disheveled. After all, I was never late, and this was the first time i was coming a little bit late. I've always been punctual and Mr Boyd knows it too
Frustrated, I walked to the back room to change into my uniform. Out of frustration I didnt take note of where I was going so I knocked down a stack of bowls and plates, breaking one in the process.
“Another 5%! Is this how you want to start your day?” Mr. Boyd's voice boomed again.
At this rate, it would have been better for me to stay home and avoid all of this.
“Hey, cara, are you okay?” Mia, my colleague, asked, concern etched on her face. “You look like you just faced Jack the Ripper!”
I smiled at her, wishing I could open up and confide in her , but I wasn’t ready to share my problems with a coworker.
“I’m fine. Just missed the bus,” I replied, keeping my tone light, though my heart felt heavy.
“Oh, okay! Do you need help?” Mia offered, glancing over at the impeccably dressed man at table 11, who she cunningly knew would tip well.
“No, don't worry I'm good. I’ve got this,” I said, preparing my mind for the rush ahead.
I approached table 11 holding my order book determined to forget about what happened and focus on work.
“I’m ready to take your order now sir”.
He looked up, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "You know, before my wife left, this was her favorite spot." He tried to lighten the mood after witnessing my earlier encounter with the Mr Boyd.
On a normal day, I would have tried to engage in small talk to lift his mood but after my rough encounter, I wasn’t having it at all. "Please, may I take your order, sir?"
"I'm Mr. Kingston," he introduced himself.
"Alright, Mr. Kingston. May I take your order now?" I repeated, striving for a professional tone.
"A large beer pint," he replied, watching me withthat same gaze.
I walked back to the counter, filled his order, and made my way through the bustling space toward table 11, carrying the beer jug in my hand.
Forgetting Mr Boyds one rule to never serve a customer over their head, I bent to set down the drink, and felt a light nudge at my back catching me off guard. I stumbled, sending the beer pouring across the table and splashing onto Mr. Kingston's crisp shirt.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry, sir! I didn’t mean to do that,” I stammered my heart pounding. For a moment I wished I had engaged in small talk earlier , it would have made this awkward encounter easier.
To my surprise, he replied with a calm voice, “It’s alright. I’ve noticed you seem a bit shaken today. I see how hard you work around here, and you consistently do an excellent job.”
“Thank you so much, sir. I really” Before I could finish my apology, Mr. Boyd stormed out of the back room, his face twisted in anger, his hands animatedly gesturing as he marched toward table 11.
“cara!” he roared, the tension palpable. “You’re fired!”
“What! Fired? But Mr. Boyd…”
“You were treading on thin ice, and this has pushed it too far. You're fired.”
I felt my heart sink and my shoulders visibly slumped in defeat, beads of tears formed in my eyes. With a heavy heart and feeling ver sad, I walked to the back room, changed out of my uniform, carried my bag and walked out of the diner.
I couldn’t process the emotions I was feeling inside of me at that moment. I walked down the street,my gaze fixed on the ground, wondering what I would do next since my only source of income has just gone down the drain.
“Ms. Graham?” a gentle voice called out. “I’m sorry about what happened at the diner .”
I slowed down my steps before stopping, my heart racing as I recognized the man from the diner whom I accidentally spilled beer on earlier.
“Thank you so much”,I said.
Suddenly, he leaned in closer. “I have a job proposition for you. I hear you’ve lost your job.”
At the mention of a potential job, I became very attentive , and the tears that had gathered in my eyes were replaced with a glimmer of hope. “Yes, sir! I’m in desperate need of work,” I replied eagerly.
He offered a reassuring smile. “My housekeeper has been granted an extended leave, and I could use someone reliable. Would you be interested?”
As he extended his hand, I noticed a business card nestled between his fingers, displaying his number and an address. “Come by this address first thing tomorrow morning,” he instructed.
“Thank you very much, sir. I am truly grateful.”
I was so excited that the first thing I thought to do was call Leah and tell her how my day was going. She picked up on the first ring.
“Leah, you won’t believe what just happened!”
“What now? Did Mr. Drew sue you for breaking that contract yesterday?”
“Nope! it’s a mix of good news and bad news which do you want to hear first.
“Hit me with the bad news!” Leah replied, her curiosity piqued.
“Mr. Boyd fired me!”
“Wow, that sounds like amazing news! I never liked that job for you. So what’s the good news?”
“I landed a job as a house keeper!”
“Just make sure it’s not a repeat of the last one,” Leah cautioned her voice tinged with concern.
“My fate isn’t as dark as it seems, Leah! I truly believe this job will be worth it, even after being fired by Mr. Boyd. I was crushed just five minutes before I picked up the phone to call you!”.
“I’m so glad to hear you’re feeling better, let’s meet up tomorrow whenever you’re free, okay?
“Okay.”
“Bye for now, Leah!”
As I got home my mind kept replaying the events of the last 24 hours, I couldn’t rest or sleep because I was so excited and really anticipating what was to come.
I sprang out of bed at the c***k of dawn before my alarm went off,slipped into my most stylish outfit and set off towards the address on the business card.
As I approached the house, my eyes widened in disbelief. My jaw dropped as I looked at the biggest house I had ever seen.This looked like a castle. “OMG! This place is gigantic!”
A butler,dressed so neatly in a way I had only seen in movies, lead me inside and informed me that Mr.Kingston would be with me shortly .
After a few suspenseful moments, I heard the distinct sound of footsteps coming down the grand staircase. I stood up immediately, awaiting the entrance of my new employer
As the footsteps drew nearer, I raised my head and immediately locked eyes with the most mesmerizing blue eyes I had ever seen. I would remember those eyes anywhere, even in my sleep.
I closed my eyes and sighed in exasperation, “ugh, f**k my life “.
- Writer
