The old woman

Josephine's POV

“Stop sleeping like a log and wake up,” A male's voice wafted into my ears, which was followed by cold water trickling down my body, and that snapped me right out of my slumber.

Gasping, I opened my eyes and sat up, only to see my boss, Bruce Gavinski and his wife, Rachel Gavinski, hovering over me, their expressions everything but pleasant.

“Good morning,” I said, standing up from my cot.

“It's been two weeks since you started working here yet we still have to wake you up to do your job. Maybe if we deduct from your salary, you'll be motivated to wake up at the right time instead of being a slug,” Rachel spat, eying me angrily. “Will you take yourself to the kitchen this instant?”

“Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry,” I rambled out before heading to the kitchen, while caressing my chest as I suddenly felt nauseous.

It was probably my overpowering anxiety. I was anxious about a lot of things, ranging from Russo finding me and making the rest of my life a living hell to how I was going to get a better job with better conditions soon.

Bruce and Rachel had rented a corner of their restaurant as well as a cot to me, and that had been my abode for the past two weeks.

“Good morning, Gold,” I greeted the head chef, who murmured back a response before checking the sink for dirty dishes.

There was a truckload of dishes in the sink, so I quickly got to work, as my nausea intensified.

It was truly funny how my life had turned out to be a pathetic mess.

To think I could have become a lawyer, had I accepted Francesco’s offer to continue schooling after our marriage.

Alas, I was so obsessed with pleasing him that I had told him I would return to law school, after I gave birth to one child.

A heavy sigh escaped me as I thought about my asinine foolishness. I shook my head in despair as I washed the last of the dirty dishes, then proceeded to rinse, clean, and store them.

I was about to go to the bathroom to rinse my face and possibly brush my teeth when Rachel entered the kitchen.

“I like your earrings, Gold,” She smiled, stroking the said jewelry, which made the latter smile. “It's perfect like your name.”

“Thank you, ma'am,” Gold replied.

“Good morning, everyone,” The assistant chef, Chrysler, greeted, as she rushed into the kitchen, and both Gold and Rachel gave her fond looks.

“Good morning.” They chorused.

“You are twenty minutes late,” Rachel said, to which Chrysler sighed, as she donned an apron.

“I went to a party last night and was so hungover, I literally considered calling in sick,” She replied, and both Rachel and Gold laughed heartily.

“At least you still came to work, unlike some people here who have no regards for their job and can sleep through a storm,” Rachel scoffed, darting me a glare as I sat on a nearby stool.

My heart sank as I stroked my chest, lowering my gaze from her intense glare.

Seeing how my bosses interacted with the rest of their employees always reminded me of how alone I was in the world.

Perhaps, I was unlovable, given how everyone always hated me for no reason.

Law school had been my only solace, and I truly regretted not listening to Francesco.

At least, back there, I had Clara, my best friend and platonic soulmate.

Clara was probably a lawyer now while I was wasting my life away in a restaurant, where everyone seemed to hate my mere existence.

I had tried applying at several other places like hotels and motels, however, I had no luck.

The nausea was worsening by the minute, and I wasn't sure I could suppress it anymore.

“Excuse me,” I said, and made to leave the kitchen.

“Where the hell are you going to? Are you done washing the dishes?” Rachel spat, to which I nodded, which proved to be a grave mistake as bile rose in my throat.

Pushing past Rachel, I raced to the employee's bathroom.

However as I retched, nothing came out, so I stayed in the bathroom for some minutes, until the nausea abated.

Then I washed my hands and returned to the kitchen where an angry Rachel was waiting for me, her arms folded across her chest as she darted me a murderous glare that sent chills down my spine.

“You are fired and yes, you are still paying your rent for the month,” She spat. “Now get yourself and your useless belongings out of my restaurant.”

A mix of trepidation and confusion coursed through me at her declaration.

“Fired? Did I do something wrong?” I asked, looking at Chrysler and Gold, who were watching the whole thing with identical amused expressions.

My misery had always been a source of joy to them, so I wasn't surprised.

“Have you ever done something right?” Rachel retorted. “You have an air of misery and despondency that does nothing but bring negativity to my restaurant, and I don't want that. So leave.”

Sinking to my knees, I brought my hands together and begged. “I-I will be as cheerful as you want me to be. Just please don't fire me. I have nowhere else to go.”

“How does that concern me?” Rachel spat. “My mind is made up. You will get a quarter of your salary as the other quarter is your rent. Leave before I make you leave.”

Standing up, I dusted my knees. “Thanks for everything.”

“I don't need your appreciation. Just take your filthy self out of my building!” Rachel hollered, and I quickly went to my corner to grab my bag.

Turning around, I saw Bruce and he outstretched an envelope to me, which I took.

“Thank you.” I muttered, repressing the urge to cry.

It was when I sat on the bench at the bus stop that I finally let the waterworks fall, without caring about the curious stares from passers-by.

“Why can't old people just stay the fuck at home instead of wandering the hell around?” A man barked as he honked his horn.

Looking across the road, I saw an old woman walking slowly with the aid of a stick.

“Oh, no,” I muttered, momentarily forgetting my own distress as I stood up and grabbed my bag.

“Please hold on,” I yelled, as I ran up to the woman, who seemed slightly frightened as she looked at me.

“You are okay, ma'am. I will help you cross the road, okay?” I yelled, above the impatient honking of cars.

“Okay, darling. Thank you so much.” She replied, giving me her hand.

Grabbing her hand, I bowed in apology to the cars as I helped her to the other side of the road where a sleek, black Mercedes Benz was waiting.

“Once again, thank you so much, dear. I really appreciate your kindness,” She said. “It makes me happy that kind people like you still exist in this wicked world of ours.”

“It's no problem, ma'am,” I replied. “Are you waiting for someone?”

“Yes, my assistant. He went to the mall across the street. He's been gone for about thirty minutes, so I decided to go look for him,” The woman replied. “Silly me had forgotten how long it's been since I last crossed the road.”

Taking a closer look at the woman, I realized that she exuded a charismatic and opulent aura, even though she was clad in a simple peach gown, which probably cost an arm and a leg, with a pair of black pumps.

“There he is,” The old woman said, as a middle-aged man walked up to us. “Dear, meet Pablo and Pablo, this is-” She looked at me in expectation.

“Josephine. It's nice to meet you.” I replied, holding out my hand, which the man darted a wary look before shaking.

“Same here.” He replied.

“If it wasn't for her, I would have probably gotten hit by a car,” She chuckled, and the man gave us a look of disbelief.

“Madam Louisa, don't tell me you attempted crossing the road.” He said, to which the latter smiled sheepishly.

“Nothing happened though. I got to her just in time,” I added, causing Pablo to glare at me.

“Stop looking at my angel like that,” Madam Louisa said. “Dear, I'd like to repay your kindness. Will you come home with me for lunch?”

A part of me thought taking her offer was risky but I didn't care because it had been long since I last felt wanted.

Plus my legs were hurting like hell.

“Sure, ma'am. Thank you,” I replied, as an overpowering wave of dizziness hit me, causing me to blink rapidly as I felt myself swaying involuntarily.

My sickness had really worsened.

“Dear, are you okay?” Madam Louisa asked, and I shook my head in negation.

“I-I don't feel too good,” I stuttered, before I lost my footing and fell onto the concrete road.

“Oh, dear,” Madam Louisa's voice rang into my ears, and that was the last thing I heard before losing consciousness.