Chapter 13: Working Deal

After plugging in her dead phone, Abigail opened the folder and found two copies of the same contract.

In a second, Abigail focused on reading the employment contract in detail.

She first checked the salary: $16 per hour for the first three months, increasing to $18 per hour in the fourth month. This made her quite satisfied since she had no experience in this industry.

Even though her salary as an architect in Ryland’s office was much higher, she was grateful for Lana’s offer.

Abigail also noted that the working hours were reasonable: a minimum of eight hours a day for six days a week. She could choose one day off, and overtime would be paid.

This was different from her previous job. At Ryland’s office, she worked almost every day with no set hours because she lived in the same house with the owner, Ryland, and they always talked about work or visited projects on her day off.

At that time, she never complained, believing she was helping her future husband build their future. But apparently, she was fooled.

’Gosh! You are so stupid, Abby!’ She couldn’t help but vent her anger inwardly while continuing to read the contract.

Abigail came across another appealing offer: a meal at the café and free drinks in the employee pantry.

"Not bad," she smiled as she found a few offers that convinced her to sign the contract immediately. She knew she didn’t have the power to negotiate.

At that moment, all Abigail needed was a job to earn money before deciding her next move in the architecture industry.

***

Before long, Lana returned.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Abigail," she said apologetically.

"It’s fine, Lana. I just finished reading the contract, and now I’m enjoying the beautiful scenery outside," Abigail smiled as she turned to see her.

Lana frowned slightly as she looked outside. Nothing was beautiful or scenic; she only saw her car and a few customers’ cars.

’So, Abigail likes cars?’ Lana wondered, smiling inwardly.

Later, she asked Abigail to sit down to talk about the job offer.

"Well, a few customers have come, and I have to make them coffee. The cashier cannot make any beverages; she can only heat or serve food. So you can imagine how busy I am now as the only person who can make beverages," Lana explained.

"Yes, I can see that. No wonder you look exhausted working alone."

Lana laughed bitterly, hearing Abigail’s words.

"Yeah, that’s why I need you so much, Abigail." She shrugged before continuing to explain a few things about the café.

"An office and an apartment complex surround this place, so we’re always busy during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oh, right, you saw our opening and closing times, right?" Lana asked.

"Yes, I saw..." Abigail responded. She remembers the café opens at seven and closes after dinner at nine.

However,

Something crossed Abigail’s mind after listening to Lana’s explanation. Earlier, Lana had said she was the boss here, which puzzled her. Did Lana mean she was the manager or the owner?

"If I’m not mistaken, Crimson Leaf Café is a franchise. So, do you own this place?"

Lana smiled at Abigail and said, "Yes, I do. I invested all my money to buy the franchise for this Crimson Leaf café shop, and in only two years, I’ve already made my money back."

"Congrats, Lana. That sounds awesome," Abigail genuinely praised.

Looking at how successful Lana was, Abigail felt slightly envious and regretful. She had wasted her time working for Ryland. If only she hadn’t, she could have made a lot of money in other companies and invested in a money-making business. Or she could have done business she liked, just like Lana—own a coffee shop.

"Thank you, Abigail. But it wasn’t easy to achieve all of this. So many issues came up this year. My baristas, one by one, resigned. No one worked here longer than three months." Lana’s face slowly turned gloomy as she spoke.

"Why?"

"I don’t know either..." Lana shrugged. "The longest was Kian; he worked for almost two years, but lately, he’s been making me mad. I started suspecting he would resign, too. He’s already been gone for three days on leave." She looked at Abigail, worried, afraid this girl might also follow the others who had left after just three months.

"So, Abigail, are you willing to work here? Is there anything you want to ask about the contract offer?"

Abigail smiled at her. "I already signed the contract."

Lana’s eyes beamed with joy. She took the folder and checked the paper. Seeing Abigail’s signature relieved her. At least now, she could rest for a few hours without closing the café.

"Can you start today, Abigail?"

Abigail immediately refused Lana’s request. She needed to check in at her Airbnb. She had booked it for three days for her temporary stay before finding a cheap, decent studio apartment.

Now, she just wanted to go there, shower, and sleep for a few hours. However, seeing Lana’s pleading face, she couldn’t bear to refuse. One of her weaknesses was that saying no to people she considered kind was nearly impossible.

"Lana, can you see my clothes? They’re the same as yesterday, right?" Abigail smiles bitterly.

This was the first time Lana noticed. She immediately nodded, feeling terrible when she remembered what had happened yesterday—Abigail’s Grandma had been hospitalized. She had to rush to another city to check on her.

"Abigail, I’m so... so... sorry. I forgot to ask about your grandmother. I hope she’s okay now. Is she?"

Abigail immediately glanced at her phone, which was still charging. She needed to call Nurse Rosa to check on her Grandma’s condition.

"Thanks, Lana. I also hope my Grandma is okay. But I haven’t got the nurse update yet," she answered weakly and vaguely. "Okay, I have to go now. But I promise I can help during rush hour after office hours. How about that?"

"Seriously?" The light in Lana’s eyes instantly beamed. "Yes, sure, sure, Abigail. Please come at six, if you don’t mind?"

"I’ll certainly come, as long as you count my working hours."

"Of course! I’ll start counting from when you helped me earlier."

"You are such a good boss, Lana!" Abigail said before standing from her seat. She excused herself and rushed to her Airbnb.