CHAPTER FIVE: SHATTERED EGO, NEW BEGINNINGS.

Panic surged through Laura as she fought and screamed, “Leave me alone!” in a burst of self-preservation, she raised her right hand and slapped him as she knocked him away.

Fred stood shocked by Laura’s boldness, touched his cheek with his left hand, and stared at her in astonishment.

Laura became the first woman to truly stand up to Fred; not only did she resist him, but she also struck back and shattered his ego for all to see.

People passing by gazed at Laura as if she were a deity. The cafe’s customers hurried outside, forming a circle around them and watching in stunned silence.

“Who do you think you are?” Fred demanded, visibly angry.

“I am a woman who refuses to stand by and let herself be harassed by an uncivilized man,” Laura shot back, storming into the cafe in anger and leaving him standing there.

Fred immediately followed Laura silently with a sinister grin spreading across his face as he vowed to himself that he would have her in his bed, even if it were the last thing he ever did.

“What are you all looking at?!” Fred snapped, giving the crowd a fierce glare as he hid behind the door of the cafe.

His intensity caused them to scatter and go about their day, though they continued to murmur and cast glances his way.

Laura paused at the counter and met the waiter’s gaze as she realized he was looking at her with a surprised expression.

“I’d like a latte, please,” Laura requested. 'I'll sit at the fourth table,' she said as she went over to the table to sit and wait.

“Okay ma’am,” said the waiter.

Shortly, he took Laura’s order to where she was sitting and placed it on the table.

“Thanks, I will pay when I am leaving,” Laura said and quickly reached for the cup to sip from it.

She needed a moment to cool off; her day was frustratingly turning into one of those days again.

“Excuse me,” Laura said as she stopped the waiter just as he turned to leave. “I saw a sign outside the cafe saying waiters are urgently needed. “Is that so?” she stressed, still staring at him, hoping for the opposite response.

“That’s true, ma’am,” confirmed the waitress. “Last month, we lost many staff members because of some issues and the management thought it wise to advertise for new workers,” he added as he looked at how Laura accepted it.

“Don’t be formal please. It’s Laura,” she said, smiling. “I look forward to the position. How would I go about applying?”.

“The boss is in his office right now. I could go let him know someone’s interested, would you like me to?” he offered.

Without hesitation, Laura replied, “Oh yes, please do,” her excitement showed.

“Alright, give me a few minutes. I’ll be back,” he said, then hurried through a door directly across from her table, shutting it behind him.

Laura stretched a bit, trying to catch a glimpse of what was happening inside, but couldn’t see a thing. She crossed her fingers, hoping for the best.

***

“Laura, come in, please. He’d like to ask you a few questions before he leaves,” the waiter said as he motioned for her to enter the office right away.

Laura’s eyes brightened, and in an instant she rose to her feet, took her handbag, and hastened toward the office.

"Come in," a deep male voice clamored inside. Most likely he was in his fifties.

Laura stepped in and looked around, spotting a friendly-looking, chubby man seated on a wooden chair.

“Good day, sir, I’m Laura,” she greeted him with a smile.

"Greetings, Miss. Do take a seat," he said as he motioned to a chair opposite him.

"Thanks," Laura said and she took her seat.

“My waiter mentioned you’re interested in working here as a waitress,” he began, folding his hands on the desk. “Is that correct?”.

“Yes, I’d like to work here,” Laura answered, her voice a bit shaky, hoping everything would go well.

“Have you worked anywhere else before? And for how long? Also, why do you want this job?” he asked, looking at her intently.

"I have worked in many positions before and the last one was a cleaner's job," Laura made it clear. "I have been working for five years, so I understand how to do it.”

She inhaled sharply as she continued, “I have to have this job for the betterment of me and my family.” “I know that I might not be the most deserving, but please let me try,” Laura replied as her hopeful eyes begged.

“Can you come everyday at 8:00 in the morning?” he asked.

“I can manage waking up early,” she answered reassuringly, rising in confidence.

“Okay, I will employ you on a two-week probation period: show me what you are capable of and the job is yours for good,” he stated.

“Thank you so much, I promise to give my best,” Laura replied, her face lighting up with gratitude. Then she realized they hadn’t discussed the pay. “I’m sorry, but could you tell me about the salary?”.

“Oh, right. It’s $700 per month,” he replied, studying her reaction. “Is that acceptable to you?”.

Laura quickly calculated her mother’s hospital needs. “$1,000 deposit,” she whispered, then nodded. “Yes, sir. That’s fine with me.”

“Good, then. I’m heading home now, and you should too. Be ready to start tomorrow,” he said as he stood.

Laura got up with a huge smile, feeling joyful. “See you tomorrow, sir!” she said as she left, her heart filled with enthusiasm.

As Laura approached the cafe to show her appreciation to the waiter, her eyes caught someone familiar, it was Fred again. He had been sitting at a corner of the cafe all this while, observing everything that’s been going on.

Fred hurriedly walked up to her with his eyes glued to hers, as he leaned forward.

“Hi again beautiful, I see you know your way around here now”, he said with an imposing look, as he tried to make Laura uncomfortable.

“Thank You so much, it went well, I’ll be here by 8 am tomorrow”, Laura said to the waiter as she faced him with a forced smile on her face, she felt uneasy and tried to ignore Fred like he didn’t exist.

Her attitude got Fred triggered as he yelled “I’m speaking to you”, with his hand on her arm.

“Let me be!” Laura screamed as they both struggled.

The waiter, who observed the drama, got infuriated and yelled “Fred it’s okay!” leave the young woman alone please!”, as he stared at Fred angrily.

“You know, you should mind your business more”, Fred snapped at the waiter as he let loose of her arm, and Laura without hesitation rushed out of the cafe in fear. She couldn’t stand his presence any longer.

Sadly, her purse which contained her phone and personal information was left on the counter as she ran.