CHAPTER 1

“ Did you leave your brain at home? or are you just stupid?”

Shouted Simon, looking down at the young girl that served their dishes.

Mary trembled at the authoritative comments Simon made, she had made a silly mistake by mixing up his order and served him with the wrong dish, Mary clenched her teeth and while keeping her gaze on the ground, her voice was enveloped in fear:

“I’m so sorry Sir, I should have been more careful, hold on, let me quickly…”

Her apology was abruptly interrupted by a warm feel of a substance thrown from behind her, the plate of Pasta and ravioli was emptied on her body staining her white uniform.

At that point, Mary could not keep it together, and being embarrassed that way made her start crying silently while trying to clean up.

“That serves you right, you little brat, nobody messes with my order”

Simon grinned, while all his friends began laughing uncontrollably.

He was used to being the one in charge and making everyone around him feel inferior, but what would happen next, he didn't expect it.

Suddenly a girl with the same restaurant uniform appeared angrily in the scene and furiously pointed her finger towards Simon:

“What’s wrong with you? Who do you think you are”

It was Gabriela, Mary’s colleague, she couldn't allow Mary to experience such an unfair situation, so she had to step in.

The private restaurant suite went silent, Simon and his friends looked at Gabriela intently and annoyed, Simon looked at her from head to toe and mocked her:

“Who do I think I am?”

He repeated what Gabriela had said in a sarcastic tone.

“Does the name Simon Ramsey not ring a bell?”

Simon asked snapping his fingers multiple times and looking towards his friends amused by Gabriela’s question.

 “And who do you think you are to ask the questions here?”

Simon said to her enraged by her level of disrespect.

“Don’t get on my bad side tonight, watch your mouth or else…”

Before he could finish what he was saying, Gabriela flung the milkshake she held on a train meant for one of Simon’s friends.

The milk drink splattered all over Simon’s expensive suit, 

This was a man who had his clothes tailored and fitted by the best brands in Europe, and just like that Gabriela dared to ruin what he was wearing leaving everyone in disbelief, no one dared to laugh or say anything.

“I don’t care who you are jerk, you don't have the right to act that way and I won't stand here while you humiliate my colleague”

Gabriela stood strong and used her arm to hide Mary behind her in a way to defend her.

“How does it feel to get a taste of your own medicine?”

Gabriela’s voice was confident, unshaken, and deprived of fear.

Simon was stunned, he couldn't believe what just happened, his anger was like a ticking bomb about to explode before Simon could say anything, the manager of the restaurant came out of the office after being called out by one of the employees who witnessed the whole scene.

“Ohh Mr Ramsey, I'm so sorry, please take this…”

The manager stammered while handing over some napkins and also assisting in cleaning some of the milkshake residues on Simon’s suit.

“It won't happen again Sir, I apologize on behalf of my staff “

The manager said bowing his head, feeling disgraced and ashamed for what had happened.

Simon’s gaze rested on Gabriela’s and without breaking contact, he looked down on her and Mary.

“You’ll pay for this brat”

After saying that, he angrily exited the premises of the restaurant followed by his friends.

The manager turned to Gabriela

“You are Fired, give me your tag now…”

“But Sir, I was just defending Mary over here, you can check the CCTV Cameras, that man was so rude”

Gabriela protested the injustice.

“But nothing Gabriela! Mr Ramsey is our biggest shareholder, he owns this place, you don't realize what you've done to our image”

The manager shook his head disappointed.

“Don’t let me repeat myself, give me your tag”

With a bit of hesitation, Gabriela handed over her tag and hugged Mary trying to look strong and holding back the tears, and left the restaurant.

“That's it”

She thought, losing a job was a great setback for her.

A great part of her earnings went to supporting her family and now that her mainstream was gone, she was confused about what to do.

Due to certain circumstances, Gabriela had to step in as the “man” of the house and make money to earn a living for herself, her mum, and her little brother, that job meant the world to her but now it was gone.

On her walk home, she noticed a lively bar, illuminated by hanging lights, giving a serene ambience. What slowed her pace was a man who strummed a guitar and a young girl who sang along to the melody.

That brought back distant memories of when her dad was still with them. He loved to play the guitar and sit Gabriela on his lap and play all her favorite songs.

It’s been close to ten years since her father’s death, the nightmare began when Mr Ramirez promised to get Gabriela’s favorite cookies on his way home and while returning to his car to drive off, he encountered a group of men that assaulted him and when he tried to fight back, he was shot on the head.

At least that was what the police had told them concerning how her dad died, it was the most painful experience of her life.

“If not for those stupid cookies, papa would have still been with us”

Gabriela thought.

After a long walk that could have been avoided by taking a taxi, Gabriela reached her house.

 As soon as she was about to unlock the door, her phone buzzed and a text message came up.

Her heart stopped for a moment while reading the message, fear gripped her, and with all she had, she ran to St. Patrick Children’s Hospital.

Something was wrong, very wrong.