Chapter 3

Emily was running late to work. Just as she approached the restaurant where she worked, it became evident that she was at the verge of losing her job.

“Hello Miss Emily, where are you heading to?” She heard a voice that made her shudder in fright.

It was that of her manager; someone she dreaded so much.

Emily took in a deep breath and slowly lifted her face to meet that of her manager.

She was out of words to utter, and all she could do was gape at him as though she had seen a ghost.

A massive scowl made its way to his face as he took a careful look at her. From all indications, he was displeased and tired of her presence.

“I'm so sorry sir, I, I was quite ill this morning”, Emily apologized as her voice trailed off.

A loud laughter emanated from the manager, making Emily jerk up in surprise. She stared at him in disbelief while he laughed in mockery.

“You really expect me to turn so soft and feel compassionate after your fabricated excuse, isn't it?” He asked in a stern voice, staring at her with a dead glare until she recoiled in fear.

She looked miserable and she knew it. Her life was the opposite of what she wished and desired. She had no family or friends, neither did she mingle with people.

The money she earned from the restaurant was nothing to merge up with her daily needs and wants.

She had nothing and no one cared about that.

Each day, she reminded herself of how lonely and miserable she was in the world.

Her parents died in a car accident on her eighteenth birthday and once the funeral was done with, each of her relatives retreated to their various activities. None of them cared about her welfare and existence.

“Are you dumb?” The manager screamed out of his lungs, causing Emily to jolt off her thoughts.

“I'm deeply sorry sir”, she said in a low voice as tears were beginning to well up in her eyes.

“This is the last chance. The very last one Emily. One more offense, and I'm done with you!" He yelled and gestured for Emily to leave hurriedly.

She swallowed hard and ran into the restaurant, panting so hard and trying to catch her breath.

“Let's say you're lucky Emily”, she muttered under her breath, with a small smile on her face.

She had thought that was the end for her. She was yet to figure out what her life would look like if she loses her present job, it was a great relief to see that she didn't get fired.

Emily quickly dropped her bag and changed into her work dress, after which she started serving the different people present in the restaurant.

She was a waiter, and so far, she enjoyed the job.

It was relaxing for her because for a moment, she gets engrossed in serving other people and forgetting her sad situation.

Just then, she got a glimpse of him strolling into the restaurant.